Adam Hutchison, Greenfield-Central
Year: Jr. Pos: P, 1B
Hutchison, the Hancock County Player of the Year, had a huge year on the mound and was clutch at the plate. He tied for the county lead in RBIs and led the county and conference in home runs, while also boasting the top ERA and most strikeouts. He was named all-Hoosier Heritage Conference after helping lead the Cougars to 21 wins, a conference title and a sectional championship. His complete game on the mound helped Greenfield-Central win the regional semifinal against Cathedral.
Statistics: .247 BA, 19 runs, 25 RBI, 4 HR, 1.12 ERA, 10-1, 86 K, 62.1 IP
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Blake Wilson, Greenfield-Central
Year: Sr. Pos: OF
Wilson, a senior, proved to be the best hitter in Hancock County, boasting a batting average above .450, .26 higher than the runner-up. Along with leading the county and conference in average, he was tops in slugging percentage and OPS, was second in doubles and home runs, and was top five in runs scored and RBIs. Wilson was named to the all-HHC team for his stellar senior season and was a finalist for Player of the Year.
Statistics: .455 BA, 21 runs, 19 RBI, 10 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR
Ryan Burris, Eastern Hancock
Year: Jr. Pos: OF
Burris had a huge year for the Royals, leading the team in virtually every offensive category and earning himself all-Mid-Eastern Conference honors, the sole Eastern Hancock player on the all-MEC team. The junior was second among county players in batting average, slugging, OPS and triples. He was third in steals, fourth in doubles and seventh in RBIs. Burris was a finalist for Player of the Year.
Statistics: .429 BA, 14 runs, 17 RBI, 8 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 9 SB
Colby Jenkins, New Palestine
Year: Sr. Pos: C, OF
The county leader in runs scored, Jenkins had a strong all-around year at the plate and was a nuisance on the base paths, finishing second in the county in stolen bases. He ranked in the top five in batting average and doubles, and was top 10 in RBIs. The senior was an all-HHC selection.
Statistics: .384 BA, 31 runs, 16 RBI, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 17 SB
Carson Gibson, Greenfield-Central
Year: So. Pos: SS
Gibson has a successful year in the leadoff role for the Cougars, finishing third in the county in runs scored with coming in just outside the top 10 in batting average and tied for 10th in stolen bases. The sophomore was strong defensively in the field and was named to the all-HHC team after helping the Cougars claim a sectional championship.
Statistics: .325 BA, 28 runs, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 7 SB
Jack Walker, New Palestine
Year: Sr. Pos: P, 1B
Walker, who was last year’s Player of the Year, had a strong year despite seeing some of his numbers dip from his junior campaign. He was second in strikeouts while having the fifth-best ERA on the mound, while also leading the county in both doubles and triples at the plate. He was top 10 in batting average and third in RBIs, earning all-conference honors and being named to the North/South All-Star Game.
Statistics: .360 BA, 12 runs, 21 RBI, 13 2B, 4 3B, 2.86 ERA, 5-3, 80 K, 44 IP
Sam McCarty, Mt. Vernon
Year: Sr. Pos: C
McCarty was a standout performer on offense for the Marauders in his final season, ranking in the top five in the county in multiple hitting categories. The senior was fourth in batting average, fifth in steals and fourth in RBIs. He also ranked seventh in runs scored and was tied for 10th in doubles.
Statistics: .393 BA, 19 runs, 20 RBI, 4 2B, 8 SB
Noah Mack, New Palestine
Year: So. Pos: 1B
Mack had an impressive first year of varsity baseball, quickly becoming one of the county’s most consistent and reliable hitters. He was one of just three county players to hit .400 or better, ranking third in batting average. He tied for the county lead in RBIs, was third in doubles and was just outside of the top 10 in runs scored. The sophomore earned an all-HHC nod in his first year with the Dragons.
Statistics: .400 BA, 16 runs, 25 RBI, 8 2B, 1 HR
Nolan Bowser Mt. Vernon
Year: Jr. Pos: SS, 2B
Hancock County’s leader in stolen bases found himself crossing home plate a lot, finishing second in the county in runs scored. The Marauders’ leadoff hitter had a top 10 batting average and was just outside of the top 10 in both RBIs and doubles, earning all-conference honors for his strong junior season.
Statistics: .352 BA, 28 runs, 14 RBI, 4 2B, 20 SB
Jake Stadler, Mt. Vernon
Year: Jr. Pos: 1B, C
Stadler, a junior, earned all-conference honors after a season in which he ranked among the top 10 in the county in multiple categories. His batting average was good for sixth, while his OPS was third. The junior finished 12th in runs, 10th in RBIs, and was sixth in doubles and fourth in home runs. He earned an all-HHC selection.
Statistics: .365 BA, 16 runs, 15 RBI, 6 2B, 2 HR
Honorable mention
Zach Neligh, Jaden Jaques (New Palestine); Hunter Dobbins, Will Nelson (Mt. Vernon); Brady Mundell, Bradley McDowell, Nick Atwood (Greenfield-Central); Trey Brown (Eastern Hancock)
Coach of the Year
Mark Vail, Greenfield-Central
Year: 1st Record: 21-8, 11-3 HHC
In his first season as head coach of the Cougars, their former assistant led the team to 21 wins, an outright Hoosier Heritage Conference championship and a sectional championship. The Cougars advanced to the regional final, falling to Avon and finishing among the final eight teams in Class 4A.
