The All-Area first and second team baseball squads for 2023 includes four players from Paynesville, two each from Minnewaska Area, YME, KMS and Montevideo and one each from LQP, Litchfield, Willmar, NLS, BBE and BOLD.

Earning recognition from the Lakers were PJ Johnson on the All-Area first team and Dylan Alexander on the second team.

Overall, the first team includes six seniors and three juniors, while the All-Area second team includes three seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and an eighth-grader.

The lone player back from last year’s All-Area first team is Paynesville’s Grady Fuchs, while four others, including Alexander, were honorable mention selections last spring.

Named to the All-Area first team were Minnewaska Area senior pitcher/infielder/catcher PJ Johnson, KMS junior catcher/pitcher Jared Cortez, YME senior centerfielder/pitcher Cody Dahlager, Paynesville senior shortstop/pitcher Grayson Fuchs, NLS junior second baseman/shortstop Luke Knudsen, Paynesville junior catcher/pitcher Isaac Lieser, BBE senior pitcher/IF,/OF Tanner Shelton, Montevideo senior P/1B/3B/DH Brady Snell and YME senior pitcher/IF Bryce Sneller.

Named to the second team were Minnewaska junior Dylan Alexander, Paynesville senior Max Athmann, BBE junior Luke DIngmann, Montevideo eighth-grader Griffin Epema, Litchfield sophomore Anthony Estrada, KMS senior Jaiden Henjum, LQP sophomore Dylan Keimig, BOLD junior Tate Sheehan and Willmar senior Jaxxon Sjoberg.

Of PJ Johnson, the paper wrote:  “PJ Johnson was named the WCC MVP while pushing the Lakers to a share of the conference title.  The Minnewaska senior hit .350 with 17 RBI and an .861 OPS.  On the hill, Johnson had a 5-2 record with an 0.80 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 44 innings.  Committed to play at Division III St. John’s University, he was also picked for the 2023 Minnesota Twins Community All-Star Series.”

Added his coach, Joe Alexander, “PJ is an outstanding all-around player we well as an incredible young man.   His leadership on and off the field over the last few years was something special.  His ability to play the game at a very high level, combined with his leadership, made our 2023 campaign extra special.”

The paper also wrote of Dylan Alexander:  “An All-Area first teamer last year, Alexander kept up his strong play in 2023.  He hit for a .356 average and a .945 OPS with two doubles, five triples and a home run.  On the mound, he went 2-0 with 23 strikeouts and a 1.59 ERA in 17 2/3 innings.”

Added coach Joe Alexander, “Dylan had an exceptional junior season on the mound, in the field and at the plate.  He’s an excellent five-tool player and a vital part to our team’s success this spring, including a 13-1 record in the WCC to share for the WCC title.”

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