Voted by his baseball teammates as the Clipper varsity’s most valuable player was junior Brennan Kortuem.
Kortuem and his teammates were recognized at an awards banquet in the school commons last Sunday.
A newcomer to the Clippers this year, Kortuem had the team’s second highest batting average (.426). He had the most hits for the Clippers (23). He hit the most doubles (seven), the most triples (two) and totaled the most RBIs (14). His on-base percentage was .483, and his slugging percentage of .630 was the Clippers’ highest. He crossed the plate 16 times to score the most runs for the Clippers.
On the mound, he recorded one of the four Clippers’ decision wins. In his 17 and two thirds of an inning, he totaled 27 strikeouts while allowing 17 hits and 21 walks. His ERA was 6.34. When in the field, Kortuem typically played shortstop.
“He is a great pitcher, great hitter, great fielder,” said head coach Charlie Haugen, who presided over the banquet.
For his effort, Kortuem was also an All-Conference Honorable Mention.
The Offensive Player of the Year award, as voted by his teammates, went home with freshman Carson Lyons. He led the Clippers in batting average with a .452. He totaled 19 hits, including one double and one triple, batted in a dozen and scored a dozen runs.
Lyons also made the All-Conference Second Team.
Senior Gabe Sullivan was picked by his teammates to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. He caught 81 innings and picked off five runners. He only allowed 13 passed balls. His fielding percentage of .972 was the team’s best.
Chosen by the Clippers as the Most Improved Player was first baseman Kale Kelley. The junior totaled 14 hits for a .417 batting average. His on base percentage was .604, the highest for the Clippers.
Kelley was also an All-Conference Honorable Mention.
The Clipper Award, for being a leader in the classroom, on the field and in the community, went to junior third baseman and pitcher Blake Lyons.
Freshman outfielder and occasional pitcher and catcher Caleb Connor earned the Hustle Award. His fielding percentage of .921 was the team’s second highest.
Miles Tomaszewski, just an eighth grader, was the Clippers’ Rookie of the Year. A difference maker when he was in the lineup as a DH, he totaled a dozen hits, including six doubles for the team’s second-highest slugging percentage (.581). He batted in nine.
Other stats to note: Blake Lyons had 14 hits. Junior Kyle Connor and freshman Braden Smith each had 11 hits. Sullivan had eight hits. Sophomore Alex Kortuem won two games on the mound. Caleb Connor won one game.
Besides the awards winners, letters went to Tanner Simonette, Smith, Aiden Domras, Alex Johnson, Jackson Shouler, Kyle Connor, Alex Kortuem, Brady Bostic, Bode Bartell, Caleb Possin and Nathan Seeman.
For a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the baseball season, earning Academic All-Conference awards were Johnson, the Connor cousins, the Lyons brothers, Domras, Shouler, Brennan Kortuem, Kelley and Seeman.
“Thanks to everyone who supported our team,” Haugen said. “We couldn’t have done it without it.
Haugen also recognized the contribution of the Clippers’ two seniors: Sullivan and Bostic.
"One thing we talked about was trying to change the culture, and to our seniors, thank you for being here. You were part of the transition of this program."
The Clippers ended their season with a 6-9 record, improved sharply from last season’s one win.
Above: Award winners: Miles Tomaszewski (Rookie of the Year), Carson Lyons (Offensive Player of the Year, All-Conference Honorable Mention), Caleb Connor (Hustle), Blake Lyons (Clipper), Gabe Sullivan (Defensive Player of the Year), Brennan Kortuem (MVP, All-Conference Honorable Mention) and Kale Kelley (MIP and All-Conference Honorable Mention).
