With the baseball season behind us, it is now time for there 2024 All-Cov News Baseball team.
The list features players from Alcovy, Eastside, Newton and Social Circle — all of which made the playoffs. 29 Individuals are represented across a First Team, Second Team, Honorable Mentions and our annual awards.
Most Valuable Player — Blake Hughes
Eastside senior Blake Hughes is the 2024 All-Cov News Most Valuable Player. Hughes was part of an Eagles team that made it to the first round of the Class AAAAA playoffs. Playing primarily as a pitcher and first baseman, Hughes led Eastside in innings pitched, earned run average, batting average and hits. Following the season, Hughes was named to the First Team All-Region for Region 8-AAAAA.
Pitcher of the Year — Cooper Duncan
Alcovy junior Cooper Duncan is the 2024 All-Cov News Pitcher of the Year. Serving as the Tigers’ ace, Duncan led the team in appearances, wins and earned run average (ERA). Duncan’s 2.06 ERA ranked No. 11 in Class AAAAAA and his 61 strikeouts ranked No. 2 among region players. Duncan was named First Team All-Region and Pitcher of the Year for Region 3-AAAAAA.
Breakout Player of the Year — Josh Brown
Newton freshman Josh Brown is the 2024 All-Cov News Breakout Player of the Year. In his first season of high school baseball, Brown excelled on the mound for the Rams. Brown led Newton in innings pitched and earned run average. Brown was named to the First Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA.
Slugger of the Year — Lucas Langley
Social Circle junior Lucas Langley is the 2024 All-Cov News Slugger of the Year. Langley provided power for a Redskins team that made it to the second round of the Class A-Division I playoffs. Langley’s seven doubles and four home runs led the team. The four home runs for Langley are the most by any county-area player. After the season, Langley was named First team All-Region for Region 5A-Division I.
Coach of the Year — Delvin Jordan
Newton Rams’ head coach Delvin Jordan is the 2024 All-Cov News Coach of the Year. In his first season as the Rams’ head coach, Jordan led his new squad to the playoffs. Newton’s 173 runs scored were its most in a single year since the 2015-16 season. Jordan’s Rams finished in fourth place in region play. Following the season, Jordan was named as the Region 4-AAAAAAA Coach of the Year.
First Team
IF — Landon Davis
AVG: .361
H: 35
RBI: 11
IF — Rome Mays
AVG: .326
H: 24
First Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
IF — Chase Jordan
AVG: .333
H: 25
R: 25
First Team All-Region for Region 8-AAAAA
IF — Caden Brown
AVG: .359
H: 33
RBI: 14
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
C —Lucas Ballard
AVG: .321
H: 27
RBI: 20
Second Team All-Region for Region 4-AAAAAAA
OF — Reece Payne
AVG: .368
H: 25
R: 21
First Team All-Region for Region 3-AAAAAA
OF — Arin Chevers
AVG: .324
H: 24
RBI: 18
Region 4-AAAAAAA Honorable Mention
OF —Luke Cross
AVG: .310
H: 31
RBI: 24
DH — Caden Richardson
AVG: .260
H: 20
IP: 73.2
ERA: 2.66
First Team All-Region for Region 5A-Division I
P — Luke Smith
IP: 35.1
K’s: 47
ERA: 2.92
Region 5A-Division I Pitcher of the Year
Second Team
IF — Brayson Osborn
AVG: .253
H: 21
RBI: 14
IF — Brayden Allen
AVG: .302
H: 29
R: 18
First Team All-Region for Region 5A-Division I
IF — Jordan Nolley
AVG: .289
H: 24
R: 20
IF — Landon Harpe
AVG: .292
H: 31
RBI: 15
C —Colton Fincher
AVG: .315
H: 28
RBI: 18
First Team All-Region for Region 8-AAAAA
OF — Payton Shaw
AVG: .312
H: 15
R: 12
OF — Luke Rosser
AVG: .255
H: 14
RBI: 11
Region 3-AAAAAA Honorable Mention
OF —Brandon Ellis
AVG: .311
H: 28
RBI: 13
DH — Dawson Petree
AVG: .280
H: 23
RBI: 12
P — Landon Black
IP: 43.2
K’s: 40
ERA: 3.84
Second Team All-Region for Region 8-AAAAA
Honorable Mentions
Alcovy — Parker Gassmann
AVG: .333
H: 19
RBI: 13
Region 3-AAAAAA Honorable Mention
Eastside — Isaiah Biggers
AVG: .223
H: 21
RBI: 11
Newton — Kendall Turner
AVG: .247
H: 22
RBI: 17
Social Circle — Gehrig Knapp
IP: 51.1
W-L: 4-2
ERA: 3.95
