Carson High catcher Bryce Baker blocks a ball behind the plate during a game against Spanish Springs in early May. Baker was named the Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts behind the plate, where he had become a mainstay for Carson.
Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage
Bryce Baker has been a standout for Carson behind the plate since early in his high school career.
Baker, who recently committed to continue playing baseball at Lassen College next spring, was named the Defensive Player of the Year in Northern Nevada Class 5A.
“It’s a testament to how good he is defensively,” said Carson head coach Bryan Manoukian. “All of the coaches in the league noticed his defensive ability and how much he changed games for us behind the plate.”
Baker’s arm behind the dish was one of his biggest weapons, throwing out 67 percent of the runners who attempted to steal a base on him this season.
The longtime head coach touted his senior’s ability to throw behind runners and induce outs that otherwise may have been left on the base paths.
“I think he’s the first Defensive Player of the Year I’ve had,” said Manoukian. “It’s hard to be a catcher. … He’s tough and a pleasure to coach.”
Fellow Senator senior Justin Nussbaumer was named to the first team all-region squad as a utility player.
Nussbaumer hit for a .280 average this season while driving in eight RBIs from the leadoff spot in the lineup.
The senior also found a new pitch toward the end of the season, which allowed him to discover a newfound success on the mound in his final two starts.
Carson High pitcher Jade Stotts and outfielder Kobe Morgan were awarded with second team all-region honors.
Casey Martensen and Dillon Damico were given honorable mention selections as was Douglas’ Gabe Natividad.
First team all-region
P – Seth McGrath, Bishop Manogue, Sr.; P – Robby Snelling, McQueen, Jr.; P – Christian Carnes, McQueen, Sr.; P – Sam Smith, Reno, Sr.; P – Eric Nachtsheim, Reno, Jr.; C – Kaden Schuck, Reno, Jr.; OF – Drew Scolari, Bishop Manogue, Sr; OF – Ryan Mandichack, Damonte Ranch, Sr; OF – Jacob Williamson, Galena, Sr; OF – Reese Davis, McQueen, Sr.; Justin Ferguson, Reno, Sr.; 1B – Carson Smith, Damonte Ranch, Sr.; 1B – Kaiden Regan, McQueen, Sr.; 2B – P.J. Gilbert, McQueen, Sr.; 3B – Mike Cruz Jr., Reno, Jr.; SS – Eddie Tierney, Damonte Ranch, Jr.; SS – Logan Pruski, Bishop Manogue, Jr.; DH – Jared Stevenson, Sr.; UT – Justin Nussbaumer, Carson, Sr.
Player of the year – Grayson Grinsell, Reno, Jr.
Offensive player of the year – Jace Avina, Spanish Springs, Sr.
Pitcher of the year – Amare Canner, Damonte Ranch, Sr.
Defensive player of the year – Bryce Baker, Carson, Sr.
Reliever of the year – Same Kane, Bishop Manogue, So.
Coach of the year – Charles Oppio, Bishop Manogue
Second team all-region
P – Jade Stotts, Carson, Sr.; P – Matthew Sigafoos, Damonte Ranch, Sr.; P – Nicholas Pancake, Galena, Sr.; P – Bryan Green, Spanish Springs, Sr.; P – Xavier Richards, Reno, Jr.; C – Andrew Guidara, Damonte Ranch, Sr.; OF – Aiden Long, Bishop Manogue, So.; OF – Kobe Morgan, Carson, Sr.; OF – Jake Van Blaricom, Damonte Ranch Jr.; OF – Matt Croarkin, McQueen, Sr.; OF – Mason Oliphant, Reno, Jr.; 1B – Cody Glenn, Bidhop Manogue, Sr.; 2B – Kyle Kitts, Galena, Sr.; 2B – Raistin Salla, Reed, Sr.; 3B – Lukas Hutson, Spanish Springs, So.; SS – T.J. Rogers, Reed, Sr.; DH – Jake Woodhead, Reno, Jr.; UT – Toby Parry Reed, So.
Honorable mention
Evan Achtabowski, Galena; Dylan Aduddell, Galena; Dillon Damico, Carson; Andrew Herrick, Galena; Bryson Horton, McQueen; Josh Jones, Reed; Landon Louenburg, Reed; Casey Martensen, Carson; Luke Metzker, Bishop Manogue; Gavin Moreno, Spanish Springs; Gabriel Natividad, Douglas; Darrin Nelson, McQueen; Christian Obos, Spanish Springs; Tyler Ramelli, Reed; Mason Rowe, Reno; Callahan Scolari, Bishop Manouge; Cole Sheltra, McQueen; Jacob Vanek, Spanish Springs; Colten Ward, Galena; Trey Wilmot, Reno; Eric Valdez, Damonte Ranch; Gavin Zippe, Reed.
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