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Gaylord seniors headline BNC baseball All-Conference teams

Gaylord's Ian Busch retrieves his helmet during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.
Gaylord's Ian Busch retrieves his helmet during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.

GAYLORD – Another batch of Big North All-Conference teams was announced this week, and another batch of Blue Devils was honored on the final lists.

The BNC All-Conference baseball teams were announced on Monday and five Gaylord players were included on either the first-team, second-team or honorable mention list.

Gaylord's Ian Busch throws the ball to first base during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.
Gaylord's Ian Busch throws the ball to first base during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.

Seniors Ian Busch and Gavin Freeman were both first-team infielders, while junior Will Stephenson received second-team honors as an outfielder. Seniors Bennett Sides and Austin Vanderveer were both included on the honorable mentions list.

Busch and Freeman, the team's shortstop and second basemen, were also the team’s top hitters in their final season as Blue Devils. Busch led the team with a .356 batting average, while Freeman finished close behind at .343.

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Busch hit leadoff and was the perfect table-setter, leading the team with 32 hits and 26 runs, with Freeman hitting right behind him, acting as a second leadoff at times, leading the team with a .459 on-base percentage and 21 stolen bases.

Gaylord's Gavin Freeman swings at a pitch during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.
Gaylord's Gavin Freeman swings at a pitch during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.

Stephenson finished with an average of .306 and an OBP of .390, highlighting the Blue Devils on the second-team list.

Sides and Vanderveer were the top pitchers for the Blue Devils, with Sides racking up 47 strikeouts over 43.2 innings and Vanderveer finishing with a 1.60 ERA on the season.

Gaylord's Austin Vanderveer pitches during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.
Gaylord's Austin Vanderveer pitches during the Division 2 district semifinal game against Ogemaw Heights on Saturday, June 4 at Turcott Field in Petoskey.

On top of the announcement of the All-Conference teams, Traverse City West senior Wyatt Danilowicz was named the Big North Player of the Year when the lists were released.

Here is the full list of honorees:

First Team

Pitchers         

Wyatt Danilowicz, Traverse City West, Senior Player of the Year

Josh Klug, Traverse City Central, Junior

Catcher

Will Dawson, TC Central, Senior

Infielders

Ian Busch, Gaylord, Senior

Gavin Freeman, Gaylord, Senior

Quentin Gillespie, TC West, Sophomore

Josef Meyer, TC Central, Junior

Ian Robertson, TC West, Junior

Outfielders   

Will Gaston, TC West, Senior

Brady Niedzwiecki, Alpena, Junior

Reed Seabase, TC Central, Junior

Utility/DH

Sam Reynolds, TC West, Senior

Second Team

Pitchers                         

Grant Slater, Petoskey, Junior

Ben VanNes, TC Central, Senior

Catcher

Gavin Brown, TC West, Senior

Infielders

JJ Dutmers, TC Central, Junior

Eli Main, Cadillac, Freshman

Jordan Troxel, Petoskey, Senior

Jake Zann, Alpena, Sophomore

Outfielders

Parker Shuman, Petoskey, Senior

Will Stephenson, Gaylord, Junior

Matt Thompson, Alpena, Senior

Utility/DH

Travis Weide, Alpena, Senior

Honorable Mention

Pitchers         

Collin Johnston, Cadillac, Senior

Logan Momrik, Alpena, Senior

Bennett Sides, Gaylord, Senior

Austin Vanderveer, Gaylord, Senior

Catchers

Kolton Horn, Petoskey, Senior

Kaleb McKinley, Cadillac, Junior

Infielder         

Miles Maury, Cadillac, Junior

Utility/DH

Stephan McGeehan, Petoskey, Junior

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord seniors baseball headline BNC All-Conference teams