Ephrata baseball leads first-team picks

COLUMBIA BASIN — Ephrata’s impressive run through the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) baseball season continued this week when three Tigers were named first-team All-CWAC.

Ephrata seniors Brett Gray, Eric Tinnell and Brett Robinson were the Tigers’ three first-team selections. Ephrata had seven all-conference selections overall.

While Ephrata led the Columbia Basin in first-team picks, Othello led the conference in All-CWAC overall selections. The Huskies had 10 players named all-CWAC this week to distance themselves past regular season conference champion Selah (8) in All-CWAC accolades. Othello senior Lee Gomez was the only first-team selection for the Huskies.

The Huskies had three second-team selections in seniors Marc Garza, Michael Garza, and Ric Garza. Othello led the conference with six honorable mentions.

Quincy had two all-conference selections. Senior first baseman Case Hinkins was named second-team All-CWAC and senior Max Melburn was named honorable mention.

Ephrata shared the conference’s sportsmanship award this season with Toppenish.

CWAC 2A Baseball All-Conference Teams

Coach of the Year: Mike Archer - Selah

Most Valuable Player: Jake Fife - Selah, senior

First Team?

Pitchers: Justin Windsor, Selah, senior; Brendon Storey, Ellensburg, senior.

Catcher: Matt Snider, Selah, senior.

Infielders: Brett Gray, Ephrata, senior; Ethan Sterkel, Ellensburg, junior; Lee Gomez, Othello, senior; Eric Tinnell, Ephrata, senior.

Outfielders: Brett Robinson, Ephrata, senior; Ben Luce, Ellensburg, senior; Kurt Linderman, Selah, senior; Trent Sikes, East Valley, senior.

Utility: Mike McNeight, Ellensburg, junior.

Second Team

Pitchers: Michael Garza, Othello, senior; Ryan Schoonover, East Valley, junior; Brett Bazaldua, Ephrata, senior.

Catcher: Tyler Morris, Ellensburg, junior.

Infielders: Tyler Porter, Selah, senior; Case Hinkins, Quincy, senior; Marc Garza, Othello, senior; Matt Herbert, Ellensburg, senior; Tyson Hubbard, Ephrata, senior; Alex Fickes, Selah, sophomore.

Outfielders: Ric Garza, Othello, senior; Josh Bertsch, Grandview, senior; Trevor Dallman, Selah, senior; Kyle Fickes, Selah, junior.

Utility: Jordan Cameron, East Valley, junior; Stephen Schmidt, Selah, junior.

Honorable Mention

Pitchers: Mason Lotz, Ephrata, senior; D.J. Smith, Ellensburg, junior; T.J. Finn, Prosser, sophomore; Brett Petersen, Quincy, sophomore.

Catchers: Shon Valdez, Othello, junior; Jonathan Janis, East Valley, sophomore.

Infielders: David Garza, Othello, senior; Sean Pitt, Wapato, senior; Tyler Niemeyer, Prosser, senior; Chris Brunetti, Othello, junior; Kory Sauve, East Valley, senior; Davis Engle, Ellensburg, junior.

Outfielders: Jakob Scott, Othello, senior; Bryce Todd, Ephrata, junior; Cory Christen, Prosser, senior; Michael Broussard, Prosser, senior; Devon Lind, Othello, junior.

Utility: Michael DeLeon, Wapato, junior; Luis Hernandez, Toppenish, senior; Max Melburn, Quincy, senior; C.J. Garza, Othello, junior.

Sportsmanship Award: Ephrata and Toppenish