Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

NATE BARANSKI

Wyoming Valley West

Sophomore pitcher

Smoothly stepped into the role of the Spartans ace as an underclassman. Boasted an ERA at or below 1.00 most of the spring. Struck out 42 with just eight walks in the regular season.

J.D. BARRETT

Dallas

Senior infielder

Came through in big spots time and time again as a leader with the state champs. Hit .343 with a division-best 13 RBI in the regular season and added six more in the playoffs.

MIKE BONITA

Wyoming Area

Senior outfielder

Two-time all-star was one of the most effective leadoff men in the WVC and was aggressive on the bases. Led the Warriors in hits and covered plenty of ground in center field.

TOM BORUM

Holy Redeemer

Junior catcher

Led the WVC during the regular season with 18 RBI — five more than anyone else in the league. Added 18 hits (six for extra bases) while working with the Royals’ strong pitching staff.

TIM CAVANAUGH

Holy Redeemer

Senior infielder

Finished near .400 to lead the Royals in hitting for the second straight regular season. Added seven doubles and 10 RBI while combining with Tucker Ell in the middle of the infield.

CADE FLANLEY

Holy Redeemer

Senior infielder

The Royals’ clean-up hitter made an impression at the plate and in the field. A .385 hitter in the regular season for the state runner-up, he also played strong defense at third base.

RYAN GILGALLON

Meyers

Senior pitcher/infielder

The two-time all-star once again led the Mohawks in hitting and pitching. Topped off a very good staff with a 1.38 ERA on top of hitting .415 with 12 RBI in the regular season.

CONNOR HULSLANDER

Tunkhannock

Senior pitcher/DH

Led his pitching staff with a 2.10 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Clean-up hitter who neared .400 and gave the Tigers a talented top of the lineup along with Nick Reposa and Matt Goodwin.

TYLER JACKSON

Pittston Area

Senior pitcher/outfielder

Came through as the Patriots’ top pitcher and hitter, turning in a 1.74 ERA with an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 33-4 in the regular season. Led team in average and RBI.

DARREN KERDESKY

Dallas

Sophomore outfielder/pitcher

Emerged not only as the Mounts’ leading hitter (.372 regular season) but stepped up as the No. 2 pitcher, winning the state quarterfinals. Big triple helped seal the state championship.

NICK KOCHER

Dallas

Junior pitcher/outfielder

A workhorse who started six of seven postseason games, going 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 26 strikeouts, saving his best for a win in the state finals. Also hit .381 in districts and states.

JOSH LYDON

Dallas

Junior pitcher

One of the biggest impact relievers in recent WVC history. Took the mound in each of the final 10 games of the season and had 1.31 ERA in playoffs, winning the D2 final and state semifinal.

COLIN MACKO

Crestwood

Junior pitcher/utility

Important, versatile piece in a very balanced Comets lineup that won the division title. His 14 hits tied for team lead while turning in a 1.35 ERA and playing first base and left field.

JARED MARSHMAN

Berwick

Junior pitcher/outfielder

The Bulldogs’ top arm threw as many innings as anyone in the league and recorded a 1.28 ERA with 50 strikeouts to just six walks in the regular season. Led team with eight RBI.

LIVAN REINOSO

Hazleton Area

Senior outfielder/pitcher

The WVC batting champ for the second straight season hovered near .600 in the regular season and added 11 RBI. Showed off a cannon in right field and occasionally as a reliever.

JUSTIN VOUGHT

Wyoming Valley West

Senior catcher

Two-time all-star hit .425, was excellent behind the plate and led the Spartans in most categories. Maryland recruit became Valley West’s first MLB draft pick in more than 30 years.

COACH OF THE YEAR

KEN KASHATUS

Dallas

A state championship — only the second in WVC history — would be impressive enough. But consider that the Mounts also had to deal with injuries to key seniors all while rallying from a 2-6 start, winning 13 straight to earn the crown.

— Compiled by Derek Leavarse

Nate Baranski, Wyoming Valley West
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Baranski.jpg.optimal.jpgNate Baranski, Wyoming Valley West

J.D. Barrett, Dallas
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Barrett.jpg.optimal.jpgJ.D. Barrett, Dallas

Mike Bonita, Wyoming Area
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Bonita.jpg.optimal.jpgMike Bonita, Wyoming Area

Tom Borum, Holy Redeemer
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Borum.jpg.optimal.jpgTom Borum, Holy Redeemer

Tim Cavanaugh, Holy Redeemer
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Cavanaugh.jpg.optimal.jpgTim Cavanaugh, Holy Redeemer

Cade Flanley, Holy Redeemer
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Flanley.jpg.optimal.jpgCade Flanley, Holy Redeemer

Ryan Gilgallon, Meyers
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Gilgallon.jpg.optimal.jpgRyan Gilgallon, Meyers

Connor Hulslander, Tunkhannock
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Hulslander.jpg.optimal.jpgConnor Hulslander, Tunkhannock

Tyler Jackson, Pittston Area
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Jackson.jpg.optimal.jpgTyler Jackson, Pittston Area

Ken Kashatus, Coach of the Year, Dallas
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Kashatus.jpg.optimal.jpgKen Kashatus, Coach of the Year, Dallas

Darren Kerdesky, Dallas
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Kerdesky.jpg.optimal.jpgDarren Kerdesky, Dallas

Nick Kocher, Dallas
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Kocher.jpg.optimal.jpgNick Kocher, Dallas

Josh Lydon, Dallas
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Lydon.jpg.optimal.jpgJosh Lydon, Dallas

Colin Macko, Crestwood
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Macko.jpg.optimal.jpgColin Macko, Crestwood

Jared Marshman, Berwick
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Marshman.jpg.optimal.jpgJared Marshman, Berwick

Livan Reinoso, Hazleton Area
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Reinoso.jpg.optimal.jpgLivan Reinoso, Hazleton Area

Justin Vought, Wyoming Valley West
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Vought.jpg.optimal.jpgJustin Vought, Wyoming Valley West