Four Eagles garner all-district baseball recognition
A final record of 10-11 might not have been what Stratton had in mind for this past baseball season, but for a roster without a senior, making it to the regional semifinals tells how successful the season truly was.
As a result, four members of the team were tabbed by the Class 1A District 4 coaches for postseason recognition.
Landing on the first team was Cooper Seaman. The junior from Hi-Plains was the top hitter for the Eagles, with more than five at bats, smacking the ball to the tune of a .442 average.
He notched 23 hits in 52 at-bats, with 14 doubles and a triple. His 20 RBI were second on the squad, and his 24 runs scored were third.
Seaman was tied for tops on the team with 14 walks, and led in on base percentage (.574), slugging (.750), and on base plus slugging (1.324). He was third in stolen bases with 18.
When on the hill, Seaman was the team’s ace. He picked up six wins against three losses, and posted a 4.72 earned run average in a dozen appearances. He worked a team-high 40 innings, striking out 69 while walking 28.
Second team honors went to sophomores Cyler Notter and Dawson Thompson. Notter was very good defensively anywhere coach Rod Thompson placed him in the outfield, but he also hit .375 at the plate. Ten of his 18 hits went for extra bases, including seven doubles, two triples, and a home run. His 26 runs scored were tops on the squad, and he also drove in 14.
He was hit a team-high nine times by pitches, helping to boost his on-base percentage to .545. Notter made pitchers pay when he got on base, swiping 20 bags over the season.
While struggling at times on the mound, Notter still registered two of the team’s four saves.
Thompson filled the role as the number two starter for the Eagles and he went 1-4 in nine appearances, also recording a save.
At the plate, Thompson hit .344 for the season, with two doubles and a triple to his credit. He scored a dozen runs and drove in seven. Eight walks and four hit by pitches pushed his OBP over .520, and his OPS was just a tick under 1.000.
The final Eagle to earn recognition is Camden Bledsoe was a mainstay at shortstop for Stratton during the year, hitting .354, with 25 runs scored and 11 RBI. All three of his extra-base hits were doubles.
He got another 18 free passes (15 walks, 3 hit by pitch), giving him an OBP of .530, and his speed helped him steal 13 bases, fourth best on the team.
Bledsoe was also a regular contributor on the mound, making eight appearances. He went 1-0 and the junior struck out 10 and only walked four.
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