BB: Rams, Bears top All-District 22-1A

Joaquin infielder Luke Murray was named the Co-Defensive Player
of the Year in District 22-1A baseball recently by the coaches in the
league. He shares the honor with Taylor Wyatt of Gary. (Photo by
John Krueger)

The District 22-1A baseball race was tough from start to finish this past season and naming the all-league team wasn't any easier. But when the league's coaches gathered and tallied their votes, Shelby County's teams from Joaquin and Timpson had their fair share of honorees.

Led by infielder Luke Murray, Joaquin had three first teamers and a second teamer named, while Timpson was honored with player on the first team and three more being honored with second-team recognition.

Douglass secured the district title, losing only once during league play (11-1), while posting an overall regular season mark of 21-6-1. Joaquin advanced to the postseason as the No.2 team in the league, moving to the second round of the playoffs before being stopped by Chester. The Rams finished with a 15-10-1 record after posting a 9-3 record during league play. Mount Enterprise also went 9-3 in district, 14-8 in the regular season.

Cushing finished fourth with a 6-6 mark, Timpson (9-12 overall) faded late with a 3-9 league record, while Martinsville and Gary both went 2-10.

Murray was named the District 22-1A Co-Defensive player of the Year, along with Gary's Taylor Wyatt, to lead the Superlatives in the league. Mount Enterprise's Logan Valdez was voted the Most Valuable Player, while Douglass' Kirby Dickinson was named the Offensive Player of the Year.

The Indians' Chad Hamby was selected as the Pitcher of the Year, while Reed Westbrook of Douglass was named the Newcomer of the Year.

First-team pitchers included Milford of Timpson, along with Kody Cassaday of Mount Enterprise and Luke Thornton of Gary.

Cushing's Ray Jackson was the first-team catcher.

Joaquin shortstop Shane Taylor and pitcher/infielder Cody Holt were honored with All-District 22-1A First-Team infielder status. They were joined by Clint Lowry of Douglass and the Mount Enterprise duo of Trevor Sallee and Zach Pollett.

The Indians' Brent Partin and Chance Partin were first-team outfielders, along with Grant Grubb from Mount Enterprise and Dylan Joiner of Cushing.

Ty Tunstell of Cushing was the first-team utility player.

Logan Young of Cushing and Brent Wendham of the Pirates were the All-District 22-1A Second Team pitcher and catcher, respectively.

Players named to the second team infield included Timpson's Ray Neuwirth, along with Brady Kyle of Gary and Ethen Server of Martinsville.

Joaquin's Will Vaughn, Timpson's Rody Paige and the Bears' Tyler Jackson were named to the second-team outfield.

Chance Young of Mount Enterprise was named the second team utility player.

Players from Timpson receiving honorable mention included Ryan Baker, Chaylon Mackey, Ian Angelo and John Jacobs. Joaquin's Kain Yates and Zach Mason also received honorable mention.