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Meet the Super-State first-team baseball players

By Lincoln Journal Star, 06/02/19, 8:45AM CDT

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The Journal Star made its picks for the first-team Super-State baseball team. 

P | Sayer Diederich, Elkhorn South | Senior

College: Nebraska.

The numbers: The future Husker did it all for the Storm in 2019, batting .408 with 11 extra-base hits while posting a 4-1 record on the mound. He finished with a 1.31 ERA while striking out 54 batters — which placed him second in the state — over 32 innings pitched. His production helped Elkhorn South tally an 18-game win streak.

Legacy: “Sayer has been a starter on varsity since his freshman summer. He is one of the most dedicated players we have ever had in the pursuit of becoming a better player. It’s been fun watching him these last four years and seeing the person and player he’s become.” — Elkhorn South coach Brandon Dahl

 

P | Sam Wibbels, Hastings | Senior

College: Kentucky.

The numbers: With an 8-1 record, Wibbels led the state in wins. He also recorded 120 strikeouts and held opponents to a .114 batting average. He posted a 1.36 ERA and helped lead the Tigers to their first state championship game appearance since the revival of the program in recent years. He was also dynamic at the plate in the Tigers' historic season.

Legacy: “One of the hardest-working kids. Extremely gifted and 100 percent a team-first kind of guy. Bright, bright future!” — Hastings coach Blake Marquardt

 

P | Jonah Reiser, Waverly | Senior

College: Omaha.

The numbers: Reiser had six wins on the mound and was a key factor in the Vikings getting the top seed in the Class B state tournament. His 1.03 ERA also placed him seventh in the state, and he tacked on 47 strikeouts to just 12 walks over 47 2/3 innings.

Legacy: "Jonah has incredible confidence in himself and his abilities. When on the mound Jonah never lets himself get too up or down. He wants the ball all of the time and competes every pitch. He is a silent leader and when he is on the mound the whole team plays more confident.” — Waverly coach Kyle Parker

 

P | Logan Van Treeck, Lincoln Southeast | Senior

College: Lipscomb.

The numbers: Standing at 6-foot-5, Van Treeck established himself as one of the most intimidating pitchers during his junior season and carried it to this spring. He struck out 56 batters and finished with a 3.78 ERA. The two-time first-team Super-Stater expanded his game beyond pitching and played the field while hitting in the No. 3 hole for the Knights.

Legacy: "Logan is one of the best competitors I've ever coached. You know when he's on the mound, he's going to give you a chance to win every time. He wants the ball in the toughest situations and in the biggest games. He doesn't shy away from anyone or any team. He's a true competitor." — Lincoln Southeast coach Montana Jones

 

P | Alex Wize, Omaha Burke | Senior

College: Iowa Western CC.

The numbers: The strikeouts came in a flurry for Wize in his senior season and he posted 49 Ks in just 38 innings pitched while working his way to a 3-1 record and a 1.47 ERA. He also added 17 RBIs along with a .385 average at the plate.

Legacy: "The scary thing about Alex is I’m not sure we have seen his best yet in 2019. (He is the) type of kid who exudes confidence in his teammates anytime he is on the mound. He will do great things at Iowa Western.” — Omaha Burke coach Scott Hodges

 

C | Drew Wessel, Millard South | Junior

College: Nebraska.

The numbers: Wessel followed a strong sophomore campaign with another great year with the Patriots. He hit .310 while boasting a 14-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio over 113 plate appearances. His 27 RBIs placed him in a tie for eighth in the state, and he scored 16 runs. Defensively he was second-to-none at the catcher position.

More to come: "Drew was a key member of our team. His ability to control our pitching staff and play great defense behind the plate was one of the main reasons we made it to the championship game. He shows up every day and works extremely hard at his craft. Not only was he great on defense behind the plate but he also hit in the heart of our lineup and led our team in RBIs. He is a real team leader and gets the best out of his teammates." — Millard South coach Greg Geary

 

IF | Max Anderson, Millard West | Junior

College: Texas A&M.

The numbers: If you’re looking for power, look no further than Anderson, who recorded nine home runs during his junior campaign. He hit .366 and tallied 26 RBIs while scoring 27 runs on his way to earning the Super-State first-team captaincy. He also had a 1-0 record and two saves while helping the Wildcats to their first state title in program history.

More to come: "Max has been awesome for us this season. He’s an electric player, and something special always happens when he’s at the plate, not just the home runs but with clutch hits. He’s just the type of player that comes through your program that you cherish because he’s just so special.” — Millard West coach Steve Frey

 

IF | Cam Frederick, Lincoln Southwest | Senior

College: Creighton.

The numbers: Frederick has been the model of consistency for the Silver Hawks over the past three seasons. He hit .370 from the leadoff spot during his senior campaign, which included a 14-game hit streak. He was also a solid defender and leader in the middle of the Southwest infield.

Legacy: "Cam was a tireless worker for us this year. A three-year starter at the varsity level, and his leadership skills have been absolutely awesome for us. He was a spark offensively when we needed it and tore it up on the base paths. Everything he has earned this year was due to all the hard work he put in.” — Lincoln Southwest coach Mitch Vernon

 

IF | Noah Greise, Millard South | Junior

College: Wichita State.

The numbers: Greise’s junior season was his best to date as he hit .408 with 16 extra-base hits, including three home runs. He was also a terror on the base paths with a .548 on-base percentage, while stealing eight bases. He also scored 26 runs while knocking in 25.

More to come: “Noah had an outstanding year at the plate. He hit in the cleanup position where he led our team in home runs and was second in RBIs. He had several huge hits for us in big games. He is a highly competitive young man who works very hard to be the best player he can be. He was one of our leaders on our team and plays with a lot of passion.” — Millard South coach Greg Geary

 

IF | Austin Callahan, Archbishop Bergan | Senior

College: Undecided.

The numbers: It was an unforgettable season for Archbishop Bergan, and Callahan was a big reason why. He helped the Knights get to the semifinals of the Class A tournament behind a .443 average and 22 RBIs. His success isn’t just limited to the diamond — he also succeeded on the basketball court with Fremont.

More to come: "Austin has put in a tremendous amount of work in the weight room — before, during and after practice — to develop into the player he is today. I’m very proud of the player and person he has become." — Archbishop Bergan coach Jeff Hayden

 

OF | Cole Evans, Grand Island | Senior

College: Creighton.

The numbers: Evans terrorized opposing pitchers with a staggering .556 batting average and 18 extra-base hits. The two-time, first-team Super-Stater finished fourth in the state with 30 RBIs and tallied a .631 OBP with 30 runs scored. He was also successful on the mound with a 3-3 record and a 3.41 ERA.

Legacy: "He obviously has the physical and mental makeup of a great player, and he uses all his God-given tools to their fullest. He’s one of the most physically gifted players I’ve coached, and it’s a credit to all of the hard work he has put in. He has the best hand-eye coordination I’ve seen, and he makes the most of out it.” — Grand Island coach Joe Wells

 

OF | Joe Osborn, Norris | Senior

College: Doane.

The numbers: Osborn’s name shows up in nearly every statistical leaderboard this season and quite often it’s at the top. He led the state in runs scored with 42 and RBIs with 37. He also had four home runs and his slugging percentage stood at .818. Osborn also batted .490.

Legacy: "Joe was tremendous for us this year. He took on a leadership role, and I felt like we fed off his play all season long. He worked extremely hard during the offseason and through the spring. I couldn’t be prouder of him." — Norris coach Sean Bartholomew

 

OF | Tyson Gerdes, Millard South | Junior

College: Undecided.

The numbers: Versatility is the name of the game for Gerdes. He hit .402 with 16 extra-base hits, but where he really made his mark was on the bases. He had 25 steals and scored 35 runs, which placed him second in the state.

More to come: "He was the spark plug that started our team. Great leadoff hitter with exceptional speed. He is a tough kid who plays with a lot of heart and grit. As our center fielder, he was the captain of our outfield and covered a ton of ground. Above all of these traits, he is one of the most competitive kids I have ever coached.” — Millard South coach Greg Geary

 

UTL | Cooper Prososki, Bennington | Senior

College: Undecided.

The numbers: The multi-sport standout saved his best for last during the baseball season, hitting .398 with 37 RBIs while leading the Badgers to their first state championship. He also racked up 14 extra-base hits and went 2-0 with a save on the mound with a 1.38 ERA over 25 1/3 innings. Toward the end of the season, Prososki was still deciding whether to play baseball or basketball in college.

Legacy: "Cooper is a player with a great work ethic. He was here before school, gave it his all during practice, then stayed after practice to get extra work in. He’s truly a role model for the next generation of players at Bennington.” — Bennington coach Scott Heese

 

UTL | Brett Meyer, Seward | Senior

College: Doane.

The numbers: Meyer did it all on the diamond for the Bluejays while leading them to the Class B state tournament. He hit .500 at the plate with 12 RBIs and 12 extra-base hits. He also had a 3.55 ERA on the mound with a 3-0 record and was one of Seward’s most consistent defenders at several positions.

Legacy: "Brett is such a versatile player and always put the team first. He played shortstop, pitcher and every position in the outfield this season for us, which allowed us to move other players around and get the best guys on the field. He played every position at such a high level due to his athleticism.” — Seward Coach Brock Anderson

 

UTL | Braden Sellon, Lincoln East | Senior

College: Nebraska (football).

The numbers: Before joining the Husker football team, Sellon put together one of the best seasons in Lincoln East history. He hit .329 with four home runs, which placed him in a tie for second in the state. He also recorded a 2-1 record and 2.26 ERA on the mound to help lead to the Spartans to a district final.

Legacy: "Braden had a monster year for us at the plate and on the mound. Coming back from shoulder surgery after football, it was incredible the success he had so quickly. Braden gave us high-level leadership and really showed our younger players how to compete.” — Lincoln East coach Mychal Lanik

 

UTL | Noah Olson, Omaha Burke | Senior

College: Cloud County (Kansas) CC.

The numbers: Olson makes his second appearance on the Super-State first team after hitting .455 over his senior year with 15 RBIs and eight extra-base hits, including five triples. He showed off his arm from the outfield with four outfield assists.

Legacy: "Noah is the ultimate competitor, who provides our squad with energy. He tallied nine outfield assists the past two springs and has the ability to hit to all fields.” — Omaha Burke coach Scott Hodges

 

UTL | Mike Boeve, Hastings | Junior

College: Undecided.

The numbers: It’s hard to say where Boeve was more impressive — at the plate or on the mound. He went 4-0 with a 0.77 ERA over 27 1/3 innings on the bump while hitting .360 with four triples and three home runs in the batter's box. His also drove in 37 runs.

More to come: "One of the toughest kids around. He puts the time in to be great. He’s a true leader on and off the field." — Hastings coach Blake Marquardt