By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has received Centennial League player of the year recognition from league coaches for the second straight season after helping lead the Wildcats to an undefeated league title and a 23-1 record overall.
Hayden senior Cooper Grace has been named the Centennial League baseball player of the year after helping lead the Wildcats to the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Grace, who shared the player of the year honor with Topeka High's Nate Plankinton in 2024, was one of five Hayden players to receive first-team honors.
Hayden's Bill Arnold has been named the Centennial League baseball coach of the year after the Wildcats won the undefeated league title. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden's Bill Arnold was voted the Centennial coach of the year.
Grace was a first-team pick as a pitcher and is joined on the first team for the Wildcats by senior infielder Liam Annand, junior outfielders Kade Mitchell and Aiden Roberts and sophomore designated hitter Caleb Menke.
Washburn Rural, which posted a 15-12 record and advanced to Class 6A state tournament this spring, is represented on the first team by junior infielder Austin Ditch while Junior Blues junior pitcher Isaac Ansley, sophomore pitcher Tyler Edmiston and junior infielder Nate Selm all earned second-team honors.
Hayden junior pitcher Connor Hanika, sophomore infielder Mason Becker, senior outfielder Brady Heinen and junior catcher Brady Deutsch were second-team picks along with Topeka High junior utility player Drayden Acosta. .
A total of four city players received all-league honorable mention.
Manhattan freshman Asher Newton was named the league's newcomer of the year.
ALL-CENTENNIAL LEAGUE BASEBALL
First team
Pitchers -- Owen Ruge, sr., Emporia; Sam Spiegel, sr., Manhattan; Cooper Grace, sr., Hayden.
Infielders -- Austin Ditch, jr., Washburn Rural; Abdullah Harris, jr., Junction City; Sawyer Newton, jr., Manhattan; Liam Annand, sr., Hayden.
Outfield -- Carter Aslin, sr., Manhattan; Kade Mitchell, jr., Hayden; Aiden Roberts, jr., Hayden.
Catcher -- Jamarcus Tyson, jr., Junction City.
Utility -- Micah Gray, so., Emporia.
Designated hitter -- Caleb Menke, so., Hayden.
Second team
Pitchers -- Isaac Ansley, jr., Washburn Rural; Tyler Edmiston, so., Washburn Rural; Madden Seidl, sr., Emporia; Connor Hanika, jr., Hayden.
Infielders -- Brayson Gnirk, jr., Manhattan; Asher Newton, fr., Manhattan; Mason Becker, so., Hayden; Nate Selm, jr., Washburn Rural.
Outfielders -- Rylan Vikander, sr., Manhattan; Chris Coy, jr., Junction City; Brady Heinen, sr., Hayden.
Catcher -- Brady Deutsch, jr., Hayden.
Utility -- Drayden Accosta, jr., Topeka High.
Designated hitter -- Jayson Neal, jr., Junction City.
Honorable mention
Emporia -- Chase Harrington, jr.; Madden Seidl, sr. (infield). Junction City -- Kahoku Dedrick, sr.; Muaadh Harris, so.; Cael Smith, sr. Topeka High -- Elisha Guest, jr. Washburn Rural -- Gage Dowell, jr.; Brody Haas, jr.; Drew Moore, jr.
Player of the year -- Cooper Grace, sr., Hayden.
Newcomer of the year -- Ashser Newton, fr., Manhattan.
Coach of the yer -- Bill Arnold, Hayden.
