The 2024 Baseball Season in the KQRadio area proved to be one of the more successful season’s in recent memory, as all 5 area schools surpassed double digit wins and finished near or above .500. The season was highlighted by veterans last hoorah and young players stepping into the spotlight.
Player of the Year: Jake Jeske, Sr. P/1B (Eagle Grove)
Hitting Stats – .529 AVG/.648 OBP/.853 SLG/1.501 OPS, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 26 R, 29 SB, 36 H, 23 1B, 8 2B, 1 3B
Pitching Stats – 11 appearances, 8 starts, 41.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 59 K, 15 BB, 14 ER allowed, .241 BAA
Jeske wins Player of the Year for the 2nd consecutive year, putting up video game like numbers at the plate for Eagle Grove. While his pitching numbers dipped slightly from 2023, the Iowa Central commit still provided a consistent and reliable arm at the top of the Eagles rotation.
Pitcher of the Year: Carson Nesheim, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
Stats – 13 appearances, 11 starts, 67.1 IP, 2.39 ERA, 120 K, 31 BB, 23 ER allowed, .186 BAA
This was a tight contest between 3 players in Nesheim, Roland-Story’s Brett Schmitz and Eagle Grove’s Nolan Krauss, but Nesheim gets the nod off of his raw numbers. Nesheim’s 120 strikeouts were good for #2 in Iowa in all classes, while his crowning jewel was a perfect game thrown against Southeast Valley on June 6th, in which he struck out 16 of the 21 batters he faced.
Defensive Player of the Year: William Zamzow, Jr. C (Roland-Story)
Stats – .369 AVG/.562 OBP/.405 SLG/.967 OPS, 15 RBI, 5 R, 1 SB, 31 H, 29 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, .991 fielding percentage, 203 putouts, 29 assists, 2 errors, 12 thrown out stealing
Roland-Story’s junior catcher gets the nod as our defensive player of the year, as Zamzow would be a consistent brick wall behind home plate for a young Norsemen squad. Zamzow’s 203 putouts ranked #2 in the Heart of Iowa, his .991 fielding percentage was 2nd in the conference of players with 50 or more total chances, and his 12 runners thrown out stealing was also #2 in the league.
Newcomer of the Year: Josh Griep, Sr. P/UTL (Webster City)
Stats – .267 AVG/.402 OBP/.267 SLG/.669 OPS, 19 RBI, 13 R, 5 SB, 23 H, 23 1B, 10 appearances, 8 starts, 50.1 IP, 3.20 ERA, 29 K, 18 BB, 23 ER allowed, .201 BAA
While not a newcomer in terms of his age, Griep was a newcomer to the everyday lineup for Webster City in 2024, and his emergence on the mound specifically allowed Webster City to rocket up the standings to a 2nd place finish in the NCC, as Griep’s 50.1 IP led the team.
Coach of The Year: Chris Hill (Roland-Story)
In a year were expectations were lower with a very young squad, Chris Hill’s Norsemen exceeded expectations by securing a 1-seed in their 2A District (thanks to a challenging non-conference slate) and won the Norsemen’s 1st district title since 2021. Roland-Story would fall just a run short of playing in this summer’s state tournament in Carroll.
All-Area First Team
Catcher – Josh Stansfield, Sr. (Webster City)
Stats – .358 AVG/.485 OBP/.444 SLG/.929 OPS, 23 RBI, 29 H, 22 1B, 7 2B, 6 runners thrown out stealing
Stansfield evolved into a team leader in his final season at Webster City, with his bat catching fire in the 2nd half of the season while being a consistent wall with the ability to throw out the best of the North Central Conference. The MidAmerican Nazerene commit’s .358 average was good for #2 on the team.
First Base – Jaxon Griffith, So. (Webster City)
Stats – .333 AVG/.472 OBP/.396 SLG/.868 OPS, 20 RBI, 39 R, 35 SB, 32 H, 28 1B, 2 2B, 2 3B, 4 errors
Jaxon Griffith may be unconventional for a 1st basemen, but the sophomore proved to be one of the NCC’s best and the KQRadio area’s best in 2024. Griffith’s speed on the bases made him a constant threat to score, while also settling in defensively with just 4 errors in his first varsity season at 1st base.
Second Base – Trevyn Lyons, Sr. (Webster City)
Stats – .346 AVG/.505 OBP/.385 SLG/.890 OPS, 20 RBI, 22 R, 6 SB, 27 H, 24 1B, 3 2B, 5 errors
Lyons proved himself to be a talented every day 2nd basemen for Webster City as a junior, and as a senior was as sure-handed in the field as he was at the plate. Lyons .505 OBP was 2nd on the team behind fellow senior Keegan Hisler.
Shortstop – Brett Schmitz, Sr. (Roland-Story)
Stats – .349 AVG/.427 OBP/.505 SLG/.932 OPS, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 23 R, 8 SB, 38 H, 24 1B, 12 2B, 1 3B, .849 fielding percentage, 29 putouts, 78 assists, 19 errors
A race that was a dead heat between Schmitz and Webster City sophomore Matt Tesdahl goes to Schmitz thanks to his consistency at the plate. Schmitz would save his best ball for big games, and would lead the Norsemen in batting average, hits and doubles.
Third Base – Tjerdan Johnson, Sr. (South Hamilton)
Stats – .349 AVG/.468 OBP/.524 SLG/.992 OPS, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 18 R, 1 SB, 22 H, 15 1B, 4 2B, 2 3B, .979 fielding percentage, 117 putouts, 20 assists, 3 errors
Primarily a catcher throughout most of his career, Johnson would platoon at 3rd base for much of his senior season as Braden Young would play some valuable innings at catcher. Johnson would be 2nd on the team in average and on-base percentage, as well as 2nd in RBI.
Outfield – Keegan Hisler, Sr. (Webster City)
Stats – .398 AVG/.509 OBP/.548 SLG/1.057 OPS, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 34 R, 20 SB, 37 H, 27 1B, 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 errors
The heart and soul of the 2024 Lynx, Keegan Hisler saved his best year for last with Webster City. Hisler led the Lynx in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, while stealing 20 bases and only committing 3 errors, the closest thing to a 5-tool player for the Lynx in 2024.
Outfield – Syrus Willard, So. (Eagle Grove)
Stats – .462 AVG/.533 OBP/.628 SLG/1.161 OPS, 19 RBI, 24 R, 20 SB, 36 H, 25 1B, 9 2B, 2 3B, .812 fielding percentage, 22 putouts, 4 assists, 6 errors
A name that perhaps flew under the radar with the accolades of cousin Jake Jeske, Syrus Willard proved he’s the next big bat in the Eagle Grove lineup. His batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and RBI totals all finished 2nd on the team behind his older cousin.
Outfield – Mack Morgan, Sr. (Eagle Grove)
Stats – .375 AVG/.489 OBP/.472 SLG/.961 OPS, 17 RBI, 30 R, 24 SB, 27 H, 21 1B, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1.000 fielding percentage, 18 putouts, 4 assists
In his senior campaign, Mack Morgan was a model lead-off hitter for Eagle Grove, reaching base nearly half the time and usually swiping a bag or two before he was drive home. Morgan was also a consistent defender, not committing an error in his senior campaign.
Pitcher – Carson Nesheim, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
(See Pitcher of the Year for stats and description)
Utility – Jake Jeske, Sr. Eagle Grove
(See Player of the Year for stats and description)
Second-Team All-Area
Catcher – William Zamzow, Jr. (Roland-Story)
(See Defensive Player of the Year for stats and description)
First Base – Owen Duns, Sr. (South Hamilton)
Stats – .375 AVG/.487 OBP/.500 SLG/.987 OPS, 13 RBI, 14 R, 3 SB, 24 H, 16 1B, 8 2B, .880 fielding percentage, 29 putouts, 15 assists, 6 errors
Second Base – Landen Kakacek, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
Stats – .333 AVG/.423 OBP/.381 SLG/.804 OPS, 15 RBI, 21 R, 16 SB, 28 H, 24 1B, 4 2B, .885 fielding percentage, 32 putouts, 22 assists, 7 errors
Shortstop – Matt Tesdahl, So. (Webster City)
Stats – .261 AVG/.389 OBP/.318 ALG/.707 OPS, 26 RBI, 22 R, 7 SB, 18 H, 5 2B, 11 errors
Third Base – Braylon Dyvig, So. (Webster City)
Stats – .215 AVG/.351 OBP/.215 SLG/.566 OPS, 13 RBI, 16 R, 3 SB, 17 H, 17 1B, 10 errors
Outfield – Briar Klaver, Sr. (Webster City)
Stats – .343 AVG/.436 OBP/.374 SLG/.810 OPS, 20 RBI, 29 R, 3 SB, 34 H, 31 1B, 3 2B, 2 errors
Outfield – Sam Knoll, Jr. (Roland-Story)
Stats – .284 AVG/.393 OBP/.326 SLG/.719 OPS, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 19 R, 12 SB, 27 H, 25 1B, 1 2B, .980 fielding percentage, 49 putouts, 1 assist, 1 error
Outfield – Brett Ascherl, Jr. (Eagle Grove)
Stats – .361 AVG/.458 OBP/.410 SLG/.868 OPS, 14 RBI, 21 R, 11 SB, 22 H, 19 1B, 3 2B, .737 fielding percentage, 13 putouts, 1 assist, 5 errors
Pitcher – Preston Van De Pol, Sr. (South Hamilton)
Stats – 10 appearances, 9 starts, 4-3 rec, 48.1 IP, 2.61 ERA, 32 K, 14 BB, 18 ER allowed, .242 BAA
Utility – Nolan Krauss, Sr. (Eagle Grove)
Stats – .274 AVG/.418 OBP/.419 SLG/.837 OPS, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 9 R, 6 SB, 17 H, 10 1B, 6 2B, 12 appearances, 9 starts, 7-2 record, 48.2 IP, 2.16 ERA, 69 K, 24 BB, 15 ER allowed, .179 BAA
All-Area Honorable Mention
UTL – Josh Griep, Sr. (Webster City)
P – Alex Staley, Fr. (Webster City)
C – Mason Allen, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
IF – Caden Hankins, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
OF – Nick Sisson, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
IF – Jaxon Morris, Jr. (Eagle Grove)
IF – Drake Canavan, Sr. (Eagle Grove)
OF – Landon Greufe, Sr. (South Hamilton)
UTL – Ryland Ubben, Sr. (South Hamilton)
IF – Landon Sogard, Jr. (South Hamilton)
IF – Jake Knoll, Fr. (Roland-Story)
OF – Aiden Frey, Fr. (Roland-Story)