Three members of the Minnewaska Area baseball team were named to the All-Area baseball team for 2024.

The All-Area team is put out by the West Central Tribune of Willmar each year, recognizing the top 18 players (All-Area first and second teams) in the area.

Earning recognition on the teams were Dylan Alexander (first team), Noah Jensen (second team) and Jack Majerus (second team).

It was the third-straight All-Area recognition for Alexander, who was a first-team selection as a sophomore and second team as a junior.

Overall, nine schools made up the first and second All-Area teams, including three picks from Montevideo and Minnewaska Area.

Lac qui Parle, Dawson-Boyd, BBE, NLS and Paynesville each had two All-Area selections, while KMS and Willmar both had one.

The All-Area first team includes Dylan Alexander of Minnewaska Area, Jared Cortez of KMS, Cooper Dack of Montevideo, Luke Dingmann of BBE, Dyllon Gieser of LQP, Nathan Hansen of Dawson-Boyd, Grant Paffrath of NLS, Gannon Reidinger of Montevideo and Dylan Staska of Willmar.

Of Alexander, the paper wrote:  “Kicking off the All-Area team is one of the veterans of the group, Minnewaska’s Dylan Alexander.  This is Alexander’s third season on the All-Area team, making the second team in 2023 and the first team in 2022.  Named the MVP in the WCC and a Class AA All-State selection, Alexander batted .442 with a 1.190 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with eight doubles, two triples and two homeruns.  He totaled 31 RBI, 23 runs and was 12-for-12 on stolen bases.  On defense, he threw out 10 of 15 steal attempts.  The future University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagle hit for a .428 career average.”

Dylan is an outstanding baseball player that has had a big part in our program’s success over the last three years, including two WCC championships and a runner-up finish in Section 3AA,” said coach Joe Alexander.  “He is a five-tool player that we can put at any position on the field and know that it will be played at an above-average level.  He is a player that will be awfully tough to replace.”

Named to the second team were Griffin Epema of Montevideo, Luke Illies of BBE, Noah Jensen of Minnewaska Area, Jack Majerus of Minnewaska Area, Davis Patzer of LQP, Brayden Pung of Paynesville, Brayden Skindelien of NLS, Blake Thompson of Dawson-Boyd and Josiah Utsch of Paynesville.

“Noah Jensen’s bat had few rivals in the region.  He hit .400 with a 1.3441 on-base-plus slugging percentage with an area-high eight home runs,” the paper wrote.  “He drove in 35 runs and scored 24 more.  Jensen claimed All-WCC honors and got an All-Section 3AA nod.”

Added his coach Joe Alexander, “Noah is an outstanding all-around player that works relentlessly on his hitting.  He has already had a record-setting career and still has his senior year remaining.  Noah has already set several school records such as career HR, single-season HR, single-season extra base hits, among others. He is an outstanding player to coach as he works very hard on his game and wants to be the best hitter he can be.  His future is very bright and we are all excited to be a part of it.”

And, of Majerus, the paper wrote:  “Jack Majerus’ defensive prowess at centerfield earned him the title of Best Defensive Player in the WCC and All-Section 3AA honors.  He was also a factor on the offensive end, batting .400 with a 1.014 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.  He finished with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 33 runs, 23 RBI and 18 stolen bases.  Majerus is Minnewaska’s all-time leader in stolen bases.”

“Jack is one of the best centerfielders I have seen with the ability to track down most balls from gap to gap and get them back to the infield with his exceptional arm,” said coach Joe Alexander.  “Jack has saved many runs, and even games with his ability to get to and make amazing plays in the outfield.  At the plate, Jack has been an outstanding leadoff hitter for three years where he has done an outstanding job of getting on base and scoring runs for us.”

Check out more photos in our photo gallery!