The Gaylord Area’s All-Ski Valley Baseball Stars
This season, the Gaylord area witnessed some truly remarkable baseball talent, with both Gaylord St. Mary and Johannesburg-Lewiston (JoBurg) making their mark on the diamond. While chasing down the defending Ski Valley Conference champions, Inland Lakes, proved to be a challenging feat, both GSM and JoBurg emerged with successful seasons, earning well-deserved recognition on the All-SVC baseball team.
A total of five players from each of these schools were honored, highlighting the depth of talent in the Gaylord area. Leading the charge was GSM senior Dillon Croff, GSM junior Daniel Jacobson, and JoBurg junior Rylan Rosso, all securing first-team spots. These athletes demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication, consistently contributing to their teams’ success.
Dillon Croff, named the Gaylord Herald Times Baseball Player of the Year, proved to be a force on the field. He dominated as a pitcher, achieving a 7-5 record with 77 strikeouts and a 3.27 earned-run average, showcasing his pitching prowess. His batting skills were equally impressive, boasting a .375 average, 24 runs batted in, and 23 runs scored, demonstrating his versatility as a player.
Daniel Jacobson emerged as one of GSM’s most consistent performers, contributing significantly both offensively and defensively. His .360 batting average, 28 runs scored, and 7 RBI, along with his reliable play as the team’s everyday shortstop, solidified his position as a key player.
Rylan Rosso, JoBurg’s lone first-team selection, had a breakout year at the plate. He consistently delivered for his team, finishing the season with a .440 batting average, 33 hits, 33 RBI, and 20 runs scored, demonstrating his offensive prowess.
- GSM and JoBurg baseball players from the Gaylord area made their mark on the diamond, earning spots on the All-Ski Valley baseball team.
- Dillon Croff, Daniel Jacobson, and Rylan Rosso stood out as first-team selections, showcasing exceptional skills and dedication to their teams’ success.
- Dillon Croff was named the Gaylord Herald Times Baseball Player of the Year for his impressive performance as a pitcher and batter.
- Daniel Jacobson proved to be a consistent performer for GSM, excelling both offensively with a .360 batting average and defensively as the team’s everyday shortstop.
- Rylan Rosso had a breakout year at the plate for JoBurg, finishing with impressive stats including a .440 batting average, 33 hits, 33 RBI, and 20 runs scored.
The All-Ski Valley Baseball Team
The All-Ski Valley Baseball Team is a prestigious recognition for the top performers in the conference, showcasing the best talent across each position. The first team, comprised of the most outstanding players, reflects the high level of competition in the Ski Valley Conference.
First Team
The first-team roster is a testament to the exceptional skills and dedication of the athletes. The selection process reflects the coaches’ recognition of these players’ contributions to their teams’ success. Here are some highlights of the first-team players:
- Pitchers: Connor Wallace, IL (Player of the year), Dylan Szymoniak Onaway: These two pitchers dominated the mound, consistently delivering strong performances that propelled their teams to victory. Connor Wallace, earning the Player of the Year award, showcases his exceptional skills and leadership qualities.
- Catcher: Aidan Fenstermaker, IL: A reliable backstop, Fenstermaker’s defensive expertise and ability to control the game from behind the plate are recognized on this prestigious team.
- Infield: Ryan Naumcheff, MAN; Drayten Evans, CL; Ty Kolly, IL; Daniel Jacobson, GSM: These infielders exhibited exceptional fielding skills, range, and consistent hitting, demonstrating their expertise in all facets of the game.
- Outfield: Andre Bradford, IL; Garrison Barrett, CL; Jackson Chaskey, Onaway: The outfielders on this team displayed speed, agility, and consistent fielding, showcasing their ability to cover the outfield with precision.
- First base: Dillon Croff, GSM: Croff’s dominant performance as a pitcher and hitter earned him a well-deserved spot on the first team, reflecting his exceptional skills and leadership qualities.
- At-large/Utility: Rylan Rosso, JoBurg; Luke Lovelace, Onaway: These versatile players demonstrated their adaptability and ability to excel in multiple positions, showcasing their valuable contributions to their teams.
Second Team
The second team recognizes those players who consistently performed at a high level, demonstrating their skills and contributions to their teams’ success. They are the backbone of the Ski Valley Conference, contributing significantly to the overall competitiveness of the league.
- Bearup, Bellaire: His dedication and consistent performance earned him a spot on the second team, showcasing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Patton, FA: His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game earned him a well-deserved spot on the second team, highlighting his versatility and dedication.
- Koscielniak, GSM: A consistently reliable player, Koscielniak’s contributions as a catcher and hitter earned him a spot on the second team, showcasing his dedication and skills.
- Willey, IL: His strong performances throughout the season earned him a spot on the second team, recognizing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Selke, ON: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him a spot on the second team, highlighting his dedication and skills.
- Morgan, MAN: His dedication and consistent performance earned him a spot on the second team, showcasing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Shafer, CL: His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game earned him a well-deserved spot on the second team, highlighting his versatility and dedication.
- Signer, FA: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him a spot on the second team, highlighting his dedication and skills.
- Battershell, Bellaire: His dedication and consistent performance earned him a spot on the second team, showcasing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Kramer, ON: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him a spot on the second team, highlighting his dedication and skills.
- Veal, ON: His dedication and consistent performance earned him a spot on the second team, showcasing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Miller, CL: His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game earned him a well-deserved spot on the second team, highlighting his versatility and dedication.
- Lake, JoBurg: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him a spot on the second team, highlighting his dedication and skills.
Honorable Mentions
The honorable mentions list recognizes those players who consistently contributed to their teams’ success, demonstrating their skills and dedication. These players may not have secured a spot on the first or second team, but their contributions are still noteworthy and essential to their teams’ overall success.
- Teuthorn, IL: His contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his dedication and skills.
- Schmalzried, PELL: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, highlighting his dedication and skills.
- Lane, PELL: His contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his dedication and skills.
- Bonter, PELL: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, highlighting his dedication and skills.
- Fox, JoBurg: His contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his dedication and skills.
- Basinski, JoBurg: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, highlighting his dedication and skills.
- Lindbert, JoBurg: His contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his dedication and skills.
- Bennett, MAN: His dedication and consistent performance earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Coy, FA: His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game earned him a well-deserved honorable mention, highlighting his versatility and dedication.
- Dewey, Bellaire: His dedication and consistent performance earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his contributions to his team’s success.
- Greenier, GSM: His contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, showcasing his dedication and skills.
- Kuznicki, GSM: His consistent performance and contributions to his team’s success earned him an honorable mention, highlighting his dedication and skills.
This season, the Gaylord area witnessed a remarkable display of baseball talent, with both GSM and JoBurg making their mark on the diamond. These athletes, recognized on the All-Ski Valley Baseball Team, showcased their dedication, skills, and contributions to their teams’ success, leaving a lasting impression on the Ski Valley Conference. Their performances serve as an inspiration for future generations of players, demonstrating that hard work, dedication, and a love for the game can lead to great achievements.
