Meet the 2024 All-WNY small schools baseball team
Meet the 2024 All-WNY small schools baseball team as selected by region coaches.
All-WNY small schools baseball team
The 2024 Coaches All-Western New York small schools baseball team, front row, from left: Brody Fry (Medina), Ryleigh Culver (Medina), Colin Luce (Fredonia), Owen Rush (Fredonia) and Ashton Putney (Fredonia). Back row, from left: Tyler Johnston (Wilson), Jameson Walsh (Southwestern), Chase Haglund (Frewsburg), Blake Herman (Gowanda), Chayce Kolbert (St. Mary's) and Patrick Bodecker (East Aurora). Not pictured: Jackson Ross (Nichols).
Blake Herman
Player of the Year, Blake Herman, Gowanda, 11: Herman batted .383 and walked 26 times. He had 26 runs and 16 RBIs. When pitching, Herman went 6-2 with a 0.96 ERA and 97 strikeouts. He helped the Panthers reach the Section VI Class C final. He is a Canisius verbal commit. “One of the best overall players in WNY,” Gowanda coach Tim Smith said. “A starter since eighth grade, it’s no fluke he has played in four straight sectional championships. He loves the game and brings out the best in his teammates. It is a pleasure to see him on the field every day.”
Tyler Johnson
Pitcher of the Year, Tyler Johnson, Wilson, 11: Pitched 84.2 innings, finishing with a 9-3 record and a 0.413 ERA. He struck out 155 batters and walked eight. He batted .361 with 26 hits, 11 RBIs and a home run. He pitched a perfect game against Barker, the third in Section VI history, joining Wilson’s John Bender ’17 and Tonawanda’s Wayne Fry ’73. Johnson pitched five complete games and is the Lakemen’s all-time leader in strikeouts with 377. “I am very proud to have been a starting pitcher for the Lakemen since my eighth-grade year,” Johnson said.
Ashton Putney
Ashton Putney, Fredonia, pitcher, 11: The CCAA I Player of the Year and a Colpoys-Barrows finalist, Putney pitched six complete games, three shutouts and had two saves. He began the season with 26.1 consecutive scoreless innings. Had a 1.62 ERA, 97 strikeouts and issued just 15 walks. Served as the leadoff hitter, batting .471 with 34 runs and 16 RBIs.
Ryleigh Culver
Ryleigh Culver, Medina, catcher, 11: A ham sandwich and Tag Team’s “Whoomp! (There It Is)” got Culver ready to play. He helped Medina win the Class B sectional title and his favorite moment from the season was the bus ride to Binghamton for the state semifinals. He batted .281 with 17 RBIs.
Chase Haglund
Chase Haglund, Frewsburg, infielder, 11: Helped the team reach the sectional Class C semifinals and a 21-1 record. Led the team in batting average (.443), on-base percentage (.524), hits (31), doubles (five), triples (three), runs scored (39) and stolen bases (26). Pitched 35 innings, leading the team in ERA (0.40), strikeouts (67), and opponent batting average (.164). Favorite trip from the season was heading to Myrtle Beach and being around his teammates.
Owen Rush
Owen Rush, Fredonia, infielder, 12: A three-time small schools first-team selection, he hit .432 with 31 RBIs and walked 13 times. Had five wins as a pitcher, throwing three complete games and two shutouts, finishing with a 1.56 ERA and 36 strikeouts. Listening to “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC was his pre-game song. Rush will play football at Cortland, the reigning Division III national champion.
Brody Fry
Brody Fry, Medina, infielder, 11: It’s fitting his favorite song before games was “I’m The Man” by 50 Cent, because anytime Fry went on the field, he made the lives of opponents tough. He batted .295 batting average with 15 RBIs. He pitched 55 innings and had an ERA of 1.50 with 62 strikeouts and he threw a no-hitter. Was named the Niagara-Orleans Player of the Year and led Medina to the state semifinals. Fry also is a wrestler and football player.
Chayce Kolbert
Chayce Kolbert, St. Mary’s, infielder, 10: An All-Catholic first-team selection, led the Lancers to a 10-6 record. Has an infield throwing velo of 84 and is a member of the NY Stingers travel team. Kolbert also is on the Lancers' basketball team.
Colin Luce
Colin Luce, Fredonia, outfielder, 10: In his first varsity season, he had 24 hits, 20 RBIs and 19 runs with a .417 batting average, 11 walks, five stolen bases and three-game winning RBIs. Having the game-winning hit in extra innings against Allegany-Limestone was his favorite memory. Drake’s “Headlines” was his pre-game song.
Patrick Bodecker
Patrick Bodecker, East Aurora, outfielder, 12: Had 36 hits, 29 runs, 25 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Bodecker was automatic at the bat with a .563 batting average and on-base percentage of .649. One of the Blue Devils' captains, Bodecker’s favorite game from the season was beating Silver Creek/Forestville in the pre-quarterfinals of the Class B sectionals. He’s appreciative of having been able to share the field with his brother, Andrew.
Jameson Walsh
Jameson Walsh, Southwestern, designated hitter, 12: A three-time CCAA I first-team selection, Walsh batted .365 with 31 runs, 19 hits, 13 RBIs and two home runs. He pitched 36.2 inning and had a 3.44 ERA. For his career, he struck out 233 batters. Walsh will continue his career at the University at Albany.
Chris Goyette
Coach of the Year, Chris Goyette, Medina: Goyette, right, coached the Mustangs to an 18-1 record, a Section VI Class B championship, and an appearance in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Class B state semifinals. “None of it would be possible without having the honor of coaching good coachable players that come from good families and have parents that trust the coaching staff with their children and don’t hover and interfere with what we do year in and year out,” Goyette said.
Jakson Ross
Jakson Ross, Nichols, outfielder, 12: Led the team in batting average (.368), hits (21), runs (20) and RBIs (18). The senior was named to the All-Catholic first team.
Clevis Murray
Sports Reporter
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