The 2022 All O-Zone Baseball team has been released.
Many factors were used to decide the players included below.
The biggest factor in narrowing down the players on this list was coach input. I asked coaches to both submit names of their players they thought should be included while also giving me names of players on opposing teams that stood out. Opposing coach nominations carried heavy weight in the decision-making process. Baseball teams play more than 25 games a year seeing hundreds of opposing players, so if a player stood out enough for a coach to mention them as one of the best they saw, it carried weight in our decision-making process.
Stats and postseason honors (all-league, all-conference, all-state) were also heavily considered in the process.
While I did not personally see every player in person on this list, someone who covers games for the O-Zone did and I used both my observations and theirs to narrow down the list.
Finally, baseball is the most difficult All O-Zone team to do based on the sheer number of players in our coverage area and the unpredictability of the sport. There are more than 110 teams in our coverage area and just 50 spots on this team. At a conservative average of 15 players seeing varsity innings per team means 1,650 players would be eligible for consideration. Narrowing that list down is a very difficult task.
Below you will find a first, second and third nine for a top 27 with 27 honorable mention players. Names on each team are presented in alphabetical order.
2021 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2019 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2018 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2017 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
2016 All-O-Zone Baseball Team – CLICK HERE
FIRST 9
Player of the Year: Ben Smith, Springfield Catholic
Ben Smith was a dominant two-way force for the Class 3 state runner-up Fightin’ Irish. Smith struck out 98 in 61 innings with a 1.14 ERA on the mound. He often helped his own cause at the plate with a .522 batting average and 1.487 OPS including seven doubles, five triples and five home runs. The Mizzou commit scored 34 runs and drove in another 30. He was dominant in two state tournament starts shutting out Class 3 No. 2 Fair Grove in the state quarterfinals before turning around and shutting out Valley Park in the state semifinals.
STATS: 7-2, 61 IP, 98 K, 1.14 ERA; .522 BA, 1.487 OPS, 7 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR, 34 runs, 30 RBI
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Big 8 East Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder, First-Team All-Class 3 District 10
Kade Biellier, Willard
Willard had a ton of depth to lean on this year and Biellier was in the mix in every facet of the game. On the mound, Biellier was one of the team’s top starters throwing 42 innings with 61 strikeouts and a 2.18 ERA allowing a .154 batting average against. At the plate, Biellier knocked four home runs with 36 runs scored and 24 RBI.
STATS: .272 BA, 4 HR, 36 runs, 24 RBI, 12 SB; 42 IP, 61 K, 2.18 ERA, .154 BAA
HONORS: Class 5 Second Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-COC Utility, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Ross Lawrence, Logan-Rogersville
Lawrence is the youngest player in the Top 9 just finishing up his sophomore year. While young, Lawrence handled himself like a seasoned veteran in Logan-Rogersville’s march to a state runner-up finish in Class 4. In the district championship game against Hollister, Lawrence threw six shutout innings with seven strikeouts. In the state quarterfinals, Lawrence threw five shutout innings with six strikeouts against Class 4 No. 5 Summit Christian. Then, in the state semifinals, Lawrence was at his best. He drew the start against Class 4 No. 1 and defending state champion Kennett. Lawrence was brilliant once again throwing six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts on just 74 pitches, as Rogersville won the game 11-1. The Mizzou commit finished his sophomore season with an 8-1 record over 57.2 innings pitched with 80 strikeouts and a 1.69 ERA. He was also a force at the plate with a .316 batting average and 21 RBI.
STATS: 8-1, 57.2 IP, 80 K, 1.69 ERA, 1.30 WHIP; .316 BA, 21 RBI, 6 2B, 5 SB
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 East Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 10
Brody McNiel, Hartville
McNiel continued to build on his strong high school resume as a junior. The Missouri State commit hit .466 with a 1.421 OPS including 13 doubles and five home runs and 39 RBI while scoring 30 runs. On the mound, he was 6-3 with 89 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched posting a 1.23 ERA. His best offensive game of the year came at the right time against Licking in the district championship game. McNiel hit two home runs and drove in nine runs to lead Hartville past the No. 4 Wildcats.
STATS: .466 BA, 1.421 OPS, 13 2B, 5 HR, 30 runs, 39 RBI; 6-3, 51 IP, 89 K, 1.23 ERA
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-Summit Conference, First-Team All-Class 3 District 9
Trey Mulholland, Aurora
Mulholland helped Aurora win its first district title since 2018. He did it by throwing a complete game shutout in the district championship game against Mt. Vernon. That was a familiar theme for Aurora when Mulholland was on the mound. He went 10-0 with 95 strikeouts and a 0.58 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched. The senior hit .413 with four home runs, 31 RBI and 23 runs scored. He also swiped 13 bases.
STATS: 10-0, 72.1 IP, 95 K, 0.58 ERA; .413 BA, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 23 runs, 31 RBI, 13 SB
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher, First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 11
Jaret Nelson, Nixa
Nixa was the area’s best offensive lineup one through nine this year. Jaret Nelson was a key cog for that group. Want power? Nelson had that with a 1.307 OPS, 12 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 42 RBI. When he wasn’t driving in the runs, he was creating them with his legs stealing 30 bases against a schedule featuring a host of the area’s best catchers. He also scored 45 runs. He was named COC Player of the Year and earned Second-Team All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball.
STATS: .467 BA, 1.307 OPS, 12 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 42 RBI, 45 runs, 30 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Infielder; COC Player of the Year, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Case Sanderson, Nevada
Nevada’s Case Sanderson posted slow-pitch softball numbers at the plate this year hitting .516 with a .667 on-base percentage which led to a ridiculous 1.538 OPS. The junior, who is committed to the University of Nebraska, had 14 doubles and four triples with 33 runs scored. He was pitched around often with 23 walks on the year. The Big 8 West Player of the Year pitched 41.1 innings with 72 strikeouts, a 1.02 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. Nevada faced Class 4 No. 3 Pleasant Hill (21-1) in the district semifinals. Pleasant Hill left that game with a second loss after Sanderson threw 6 1/3 innings of shutout baseball with eight strikeouts.
STATS: .516 BA, .667 OBP, 1.538 OPS, 14 2B, 4 3B, 33 runs; 41.1 IP, 72 K, 1.02 ERA, 0.94 WHIP
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Big 8 West Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West Pitcher, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 12
Zack Stewart, Lebanon
Zack Stewart continued to do the things that has the Missouri State coaching staff excited for next spring: destroy baseballs. Stewart, who will play for the Bears at Hammons Field next year, was named the Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year after hitting .403 with a .598 on-base percentage and a 1.404 OPS. He hit five home runs with 23 RBI and 29 runs scored. He showed off some speed to his game as well with three triples and 14 stolen bases.
STATS: .403 BA, .598 OBP, 1.404 OPS, 4 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 29 runs, 14 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; Ozark Conference Position Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Outfielder; First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Noah Wilkinson, Kickapoo
The area has a ton of standout catchers and Noah Wilkinson is on the short list as one of the best. The Ozark Conference Player of the Year hit .367 with a 1.119 OPS including 12 doubles, five home runs and 36 RBI. He coupled that strong hitting line with some of the best defense from the position in southwest Missouri.
STATS: .367 BA, .477 OBP, 1.119 OPS, 12 2B, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 16 runs
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Ozark Conference Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Catcher, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
SECOND 9
Owen Bushnell, Willard
STATS: .393 BA, .510 OBP, 1,202 OPS, 14 2B, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 8 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Kam Durnin, Camdenton
STATS: .424 BA, .540 OBP, 1.369 OPS, 13 2B, 8 3B, 4 HR, 36 runs, 21 RBI
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Infielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 5
Levi Helm, McDonald County
STATS: 6-2, 59 IP, 80 K, 2.25 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .189 BAA; .374 BA, 3 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 13 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West Pitcher, Second-Team All-Big 8 West Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 7
Carter Jenkins, Branson
STATS: .482 BA, .589 OBP, 6 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 9 SB; 4-2, 47 IP, 52 K, 2.17 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State DH/Utility; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Infielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Brooks Kettering, Glendale
STATS: .378 BA, .512 OBP, 9 2B, 5 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 40 runs, 18 SB; 3-1, 3 SV, 25.2 IP, 26 K, 2.18 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Infielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Jake Leeker, Gainesville
STATS: .540 BA, 1.606 OPS, 12 HR, 32 RBI, 40 runs, 38 SB; 32.2 IP, 58 K, 2.14 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Summit Conference, Class 2 District 10 Player of the Year
Cole Martin, McDonald County
STATS: .484 BA, 14 2B, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; First-Team All-Big 8 West Catcher, First-Team All-Class 5 District 7
Keith Piepmeier, Nixa
STATS: 7-0, 1 SV, 48 IP, 55 K, 1.17 ERA, .174 BAA
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; COC Pitcher of the Year, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Sam Russo, Nixa
STATS: .400 BA, 1.024 OPS, 6 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 39 runs, 21 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; First-Team All-COC Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
THIRD 9
Cale Clark, Marionville
STATS: .494 BA, 8 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 31 RBI; 8-1, 54.1 IP, 102 K, 1.16 ERA
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Southwest Conference Player of the Year, Class 2 District 11 Pitcher & Player of the Year
Garin Geitz, Fair Grove
STATS: 8-1, 52 IP, 86 K, 1.34 ERA, .162 BAA; .317 BA, .434 OBP, .849 OPS, 4 2B, 2 3B, 29 RBI, 20 runs
HONORS: Class 3 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-Mid-Lakes Pitcher, Second-Team All-Mid-Lakes Infielder, First-Team All-Class 3 District 12
Garyn Hall, Houston
STATS: .429, .631 OBP, 1.241 OPS, 20 RBI, 32 runs, 40 SB; 6-2, 47.1 IP, 78 K, 1.33 ERA
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Infielder; SCA Player of the Year, First-Team All-SCA Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 3 District 9
Clay Kemp, Hollister
STATS: .467 BA, .606 OBP, 1.406 OPS, 9 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 26 runs, 39 RBI; 5-2, 36.1 IP, 29 K, 2.89 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder, Second-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 4 District 10
Kyden McMain, Willard
STATS: .355 BA, .470 OBP, .970 OPS, 8 2B, 2 HR, 32 runs, 37 RBI, 21 SB
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Catcher, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Kyler Stokes, Joplin
STATS: .458 BA, .561 OBP, 1.320 OPS, 10 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 34 runs, 20 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Curry Sutherland, Logan-Rogersville
STATS: .439 BA, 1.422 OPS, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 18 runs; Missouri State Commit
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Infielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 10
Evan Vienhage, Kickapoo
STATS: .366 BA, .522 OBP, 1.146 OPS, 13 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 40 runs, 22 SB
HONORS: Class 6 Honorable Mention All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Infielder, Honorable Mention All-District
Cooper Wilken, Willard
STATS: 10-0, 51 IP, 2.61 ERA, 68 K
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Pitcher; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Honorable Mention
Gavyn Beckner, Republic
STATS: .354 BA, 22 runs, 20 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B; 47 IP, 50 K, 2.97 ERA
HONORS: Class 6 Honorable Mention All-State Catcher; First-Team All-COC Catcher, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Cade Beshore, Nevada
STATS: .494 BA, .574 OPB, 1.280 OPS, 6 2B, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 24 runs
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Second-Team All-Big 8 West Catcher, First-Team All-Class 4 District 12
Blythe Blakey, Logan-Rogersville
STATS: .349 BA, .925 OPS, 10 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 36 runs, 18 RBI; 6-0, 54.1 IP, 62 K, 2.19 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
HONORS: First-Team All-Big 8 East Utility, Second-Team All-Big 8 East Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 4 District 10
Tanner Boyles, Stockton
STATS: 6-3, 57 IP, 84 K, 0.73 ERA; .471 BA, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 38 runs, 26 RBI
HONORS: Class 3 Honorable Mention All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-Southwest Conference Utility/DH, First-Team All-Class 3 District 13
Wyatt Brockman, Marshfield
STATS: .355 BA, 5 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 18 runs
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State Catcher; Second-Team All-Big 8 East Catcher, Second-Team All-District
Noah Carrow, Logan-Rogersville
STATS: .280 BA, .431 OBP, 5 HR, 31 RBI
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Catcher, First-Team All-Big 8 East, Second-Team All-Class 4 District 10
Parker Crow, Ash Grove
STATS: .438 BA, 10 2B, 2 3B, 18 RBI, 11 SB; 1-0, 4 SV, 15 IP, 29 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.53 WHIP
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Outfielder; First-Team All-Southwest Conference Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 2 District 12
Cy Darnell, Webb City
STATS: .405 BA, 9 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 27 runs
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Infielder; Unanimous First-Team All-COC Infielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 7
Garrett Davault, Norwood
STATS: .344 BA, .475 OBP, 1.022 OPS, 4 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 27 runs, 33 SB; 5-2, 55.2 IP, 75 K, 0.88 ERA
HONORS: Class 1 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-Summit Conference, First-Team All-Class 1 District 4
Kade Durnin, Camdenton
STATS: .361 BA, 35 RBI; 6-1, 41 IP, 58 K
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; Second-Team All-Ozark Conference Utility, Honorable Mention All-Ozark Conference Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 5 District 5
Jaesik Friggle, Aurora
STATS: .430 BA, 5 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 45 runs, 26 RBI, 20 SB
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 East Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 4 District 11
Ezequiel Garcia, Purdy
STATS: 4-1, 42.1 IP, 75 K, 2.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP; .420 BA, .567 OBP, 1.292 OPS, 14 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 31 runs
HONORS: Class 2 Second-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-SWCL Infielder, First-Team All-Class 2 District 11
Tanner Grant, Nixa
STATS: .383 BA, .967 OPS, 9 2B, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 30 runs, 17 SB
HONORS: First-Team All-COC Infielder, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Evan Helton, Strafford
STATS: 5-3, 46.2 IP, 95 K, 1.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP; .362 BA, 1.045 OPS, 5 2B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 10 runs
HONORS: Unanimous First-Team All-Mid-Lakes Pitcher, Second-Team All-Mid-Lakes Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 3 District 12
Lake High, Marionville
STATS: .398 BA, 4 2B, 2 3B, 16 RBI, 36 runs; 15 IP, 18 K
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-Southwest Conference Infielder, First-Team All-Class 2 District 11
Hayze Hoffman, Aurora
STATS: .370 BA, 8 2B, 1 HR, 20 runs, 18 RBI; 3-1, 18.1 IP, 22 K, 4.96 ERA
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; Second-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 11
Jacob House, Glendale
STATS: 6-0, 45.1 IP, 41 K, 2.32 ERA
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Pitcher; First-Team All-Ozark Conference Pitcher, Second-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Tristan Hunter, Forsyth
STATS: 5-2, 50.1 IP, 98 K, 0.57 ERA; .351 BA, 26 runs, 15 RBI, 3 2B, 19 SB
HONORS: Unanimous First-Team All-Mid-Lakes Pitcher, Unanimous First-Team All-Mid-Lakes Infielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 10
Cross Kubik, Kickapoo
STATS: 9-0, 55.1 IP, 53 K, 1.14 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .176 BAA
HONORS: Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference Pitcher, First-Team All-Class 6 District 6
Cole Leonhart, Springfield Catholic
STATS: .330 BA, .846 OPS, 34 runs. 14 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, 8 SB
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State Infielder, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 East Infielder, First-Team All-Class 3 District 10
Coleman Morrison, Springfield Catholic
STATS: .367 BA, .934 OPS, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 16 runs, 29 RBI; 5-6, 41.1 IP, 67 K, 4.74 ERA
HONORS: Class 3 Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 East Pitcher, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 East Infielder, First-Team All-Class 3 District 10
Chade Noble, Seymour
STATS: .469 BA, .483 OBP, 1.335 OPS, 7 HR, 8 2B, 1 3B, 29 runs, 6 SB; 6-2, 48 IP, 101 K, 2.04 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
HONORS: Class 2 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; First-Team All-Summit Conference, First-Team All-Class 2 District 10
Sebastian Norman, Glendale
STATS: .389 BA, .521 OBP, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 14 SB
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Outfielder; Second-Team All-Ozark Conference Outfielder, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Jackson Rovig, Marshfield
STATS: .325 BA, 9 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 24 runs, 15 RBI, 5 SB
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Infielder; Second-Team All-Big 8 East Infielder, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 East Pitcher; Second-Team All-District
Davin Sawyer, Wheatland
STATS: .588 BA, 1.725 OPS, 39 runs, 39 RBI, 3 HR, 3 3B, 10 2B; 4-4, 43.1 IP, 89 K, 1.62 ERA
HONORS: Class 1 Second-Team All-State DH/Utility; Polk County League Player of the Year, First-Team All-Class 1 District 6
Tank Sims, West Plains
STATS: .412 BA, .485 OBP, 1.297 OPS, 8 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 17 runs
HONORS: Class 5 Second-Team All-State Catcher; Second-Team All-Ozark Conference Catcher, First-Team All-Class 5 District 6
Drew Vaughn, Mountain Grove
STATS: .425 BA, .514 OBP, 1.135 OPS, 10 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 20 SB
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State Infielder; First-Team All-SCA Infielder, First-Team All-Class 4 District 10
