Swing 16! Meet the Journal & Courier Small Schools All-Area baseball team (2024)

LAFAYETTE — High school small schools baseball ended with success on multiple levels for Lafayette area teams.

Central Catholic reached the Class 1A State Championship while Benton Central captured the Class 2A Sectional Championship and North Newton appeared in the Class 1A Sectional final.

The season ended with coaches voting for the 16 best players from the 1A and 2A Class.

It's time to meet the 2024 Journal & Courier Small School Baseball All-Area Team:

Patrick Barry, North Newton, pitcher and shortstop

Barry's defense, hitting and pitching spearheaded the Spartans, who finished 17-6 in 2024. Barry batted .544 with a .606 on-base percentage, .848 slugging percentage and ripped five home runs, five doubles with two triples, 37 RBIs and stole 29 bases. Barry threw 42.2 innings, 72 strikeouts and 1.31 ERA.

Chantz McCutchen, North White, pitcher and outfielder

McCutchen was a bright spot for North White, which finished 5-14 in 2024. McCutchen threw 44 strikeouts and 1.85 ERA. Batting average .487, 10 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 18 RBIs.

Landon Walker, Seeger, outfielder

The senior outfielder bolstered Seeger, which came out red hot in 2024. Walker batted .434 with five home runs, two triples, seven doubles, 34 RBIs and held a .494 on-base percentage and .776 slugging percentage. Seeger won the Wabash League and finished 20-6.

Tyler Klemme, Benton Central, shortstop and pitcher

Klemme showcased a wide range of skillsets with his power hitting, accurate pitching and flashy glove work. The left-handed hitting senior batted .524 with six home runs, three triples, nine doubles, 37 RBI and 36 runs scored. As a right-handed pitcher, Klemme threw 57.1 innings, 73 strikeouts, 3.78 ERA. Klemme is signed to play baseball at Wabash College.

Cian Moore, Covington, outfielder

Moore led his program in hitting for the Trojans, who finished 11-15. Moore batted .475 with 12 doubles, five triples, one home run, 20 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 24 stolen bases, a .576 on-base percentage and .787 slugging percentage.

Evan Gagnon, North Newton, utility

Gagnon at 6-foot-5 is as skilled a baseball player as he is at basketball when he won the honor. The 6-foot-5 Gagnon batted .403, carried a .525 on-base percentage, .623 slugging percentage with 15 doubles, one triple, 23 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. Gagnon threw 33.2 innings with 62 strikeouts and posted a 2.50 ERA.

Luke Pluimer, Seeger, pitcher and first baseman

The senior right hander pitched in big games and came up with timely hits for the Patriots in 2024. Pluimer threw 45.1 innings with a 0.93 ERA, 79 strikeouts and a 5-1 record. From the plate, Pluimer batted .256 with two home runs, six doubles, 20 RBIs with a .371 on-base percentage and .410 slugging percentage.

Brinn Robbins, Central Catholic, outfielder and pitcher

Robbins affected the game with both his pitching and consistent approach at the plate. Robbins batted .364 with seven doubles, one triple, 30 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. As a pitcher, Robbins threw 42 innings, finishing with a 2.33 ERA and posting a 7-1 record. Robbins was a member of the 2024 Indiana All-Star North team.

Koby Bahler, Tri-County, catcher

Bahler was exceptional both as a stalwart behind the plate and delivering key hits for the Cavaliers. Bahler batted .431 with a .558 on-base percentage, .569 slugging percentage, roped 9 doubles with 24 RBIs, 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Bahler was a member of the 2024 Indiana All-Star North team.

Noah Stephen, Seeger, third baseman pitcher

The right-handed thrower Stephen was a stable force on the pitching mound. Stephen threw 23 innings and had a 2.74 ERA with 34 strikeouts and batted .400 with 2 triples, 8 doubles, 37 RBIs, a .475 on-base percentage and .541 slugging percentage.

Brett Huffman, Delphi, outfielder and pitcher

The senior left-handed hitting outfielder carried the fold again for the Oracles. Huffman batted .345, stole 23 bases, cranked seven home runs, three triples, seven doubles, 21 RBI and scored 39 runs. As a pitcher, Huffman threw 32 innings, 47 strikeouts, 2.45 ERA and held a 4-2 record.

Eli Harshbarger, Carroll, outfielder and pitcher

Harshbarger is signed to Anderson University after a strong year of pitching and hitting from the Cougars' senior leader. Harshbarger batted .450 with 27 hits, 19 runs scored, seven RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Harshbarger also pitched 18 innings with a 4.27 ERA.

Lucas Gerkey, Central Catholic, pitcher

Gerkey threw with command, laid down bunts and epitomized the kind of player that finds success with Indiana Hall of Fame coach Tim Bordenet. Gerkey batted .293 with six doubles, 27 RBIs, 25 runs scored and stole 11 bases. As a pitcher, Gerkey threw 49 innings, a shuttering 0.43 ERA, 46 strikeouts and held an unbeaten 7-0 record.

Grayson Schneider, Tri County, first baseman and pitcher

Schneider proved himself an asset during his junior year, giving Tri-County quality pitching and hitting. Schneider batted .309 with an .377 on-base percentage, .364 slugging percentage and cracked three doubles, 11 RBIs, five runs scored and stole 10 bases. Schneider threw 40.1 innings with 81 strikeouts and held a 5-0 record.

Adrian Torres, Benton Central, third baseman

The senior infielder and pitcher Torres played a vital role hitting in the middle of the lineup. Torres batted .342 with 12 doubles, 27 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

Zac Wainscott, Rossville, pitcher and shortstop

Wainscott is a fast-rising star in the Lafayette area. Wainscott batted .375 with three triples, 11 doubles and 31 RBIs. From the mound, Wainscott threw 29.1 innings, 38 strikeouts, 1.91 ERA and held a 4-1 record.

Quick hits

• Central Catholic won 11 straight games before its IHSAA Class 1A State Championship battle with Barr-Reeve.
• Benton Central's previous sectional title run came in 2009.
• North Newton outscored Faith Christian 49-0 during its two game series.

Honorable mention

Christian Holland, pitcher and shortstop, senior (Seeger); Jackson Cain, catcher, junior (Central Catholic); Coy Lytle, infielder and catcher, senior (Carroll); Owen Acton, pitcher and utility, senior (Fountain Central); Chase Almager, shortstop, senior (Delphi); Mikey Stapleton, shortstop, sophom*ore (Central Catholic); Tyler Burns, shortstop, sophom*ore (Tri-County); Gavin Boutelle, third baseman, senior (Central Catholic); Dylan Musser, outfielder, senior (Benton Central); Kolton Davis, catcher and third baseman, senior (Rossville); Hudson Gutwein, second baseman and shortstop, junior (Central Catholic); Eli Barnes, pitcher, sophom*ore (Rossville); Keigan Watts, outfielder and pitcher, junior (Delphi).

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter atEthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.