Gatorade names Peoples star Ben Alekson baseball player of the year

Peoples Academy standout baseball player Ben Alekson has been named Vermont's high school baseball player of the year, Gatorade announced Friday morning.

Alekson, a student at Stowe, is the first player in program history to earn Gatorade's distinction, which recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high academic achievement and exemplary character.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior right-handed pitcher led the Wolves to back-to-back championships and currently holds a 6-1 record with a 1.36 ERA as Peoples (14-2) enters the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. Alekson has struck out 88 batters in 36 innings while surrendering just five walks. He has tossed a five-inning perfect game and a pair of no-hitters this spring. At the plate he has hit .769 with four home runs. Alekson was also named a 2023 Perfect Game Preseason All-American Honorable Mention.

'A kid from small Lamoille County':Alekson shines on the mound for Peoples Academy

Alekson has volunteered locally with Stowe Little League, is a member of the National Honor Society and has maintained a 4.7 GPA in the classroom, according to the release.

“Ben is a great choice,” Spaulding coach Dan Kniry said in a statement. “He’s a high character young man … In terms of players in Vermont that are truly capable of playing Division I baseball, Alekson is the most obvious choice. He’s had an amazing career.”

Alekson is signed to play at Fairfield University this fall and will join the Vermont Lake Monsters this summer.

Through Gatorade's “Play it Forward” program, Alekson has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

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