Introducing the 2025 Post-Tribune Baseball All-Area Team
Three players from Crown Point and three players from Boone Grove highlight the first team.
Alex Barr, Kankakee Valley, senior, pitcher: Went 3-2 with 0.57 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Also hit .452 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and 19 runs scored. North All-Star, conference pitcher of the year. Committed to Indiana.
Mason Barth, Andrean, senior, shortstop: Batted .505 with three home runs, 27 RBIs, 51 runs scored and 44 steals for Class 3A state champion and Northwest Crossroads Conference champion. Also went 5-0 with title-clinching save, 1.50 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 28 innings. North All-Star, conference offensive player of the year. Committed to Notre Dame.
Dylan Bowen, Hanover Central, junior, shortstop: Batted .390 with five home runs, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored. All-conference. Committed to Oklahoma State.
Braden Branigan, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 0.62 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. Committed to Lindenwood.
Davian Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, first baseman: Batted .466 with 47 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 11 steals for 2A state champion and Porter County Conference round-robin and tournament champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana.
Xavier Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .436 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 10 steals for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also went 6-3 with 2.28 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana.
Linus Chariton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-0 with 0.62 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 innings for 4A sectional champion and Duneland Athletic Conference co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Olive Harvey.
Billy Chidsey, Crown Point, senior, shortstop: Batted .487 with one home run, 28 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 17 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. North All-Star, conference most valuable position player. Committed to Purdue Northwest.
Caden Crowell, Valparaiso, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 9-0 with 0.25 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 55 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .375 with three home runs, 24 RBIs and 32 runs scored. North All-Star, conference most valuable pitcher. Committed to Notre Dame.
Sean Dunlap, Crown Point, junior, catcher/outfielder: Batted .429 with six home runs, 35 RBIs, 36 runs scored and 15 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Tennessee.
Billy Miller, Kouts, freshman, pitcher/shortstop: Went 8-1 with 0.61 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 57 innings for 1A state runner-up. Also hit .514 with five home runs, 45 RBIs, 54 runs scored and 20 steals. All-conference.
Seth Pitcock, Boone Grove, senior, pitcher/shortstop: Went 9-1 with 0.74 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 66 innings for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also hit .484 with two home runs, 29 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 33 steals. North All-Star, conference MVP. Committed to Valparaiso.
Troy Barrett, Chesterton, junior, pitcher/outfielder: Went 7-1 with 1.11 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. Also hit .368 with 20 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference.
Gabe Bush, Valparaiso, senior, outfielder: Batted .352 with 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 27 steals for 4A state champion. All-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest.
Matt Cook, Hanover Central, junior, pitcher: Went 3-3 with 2.16 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Evansville.
Logan Cotton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 1.59 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 53 innings for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana.
Trevor Fenters, Valparaiso, senior, infielder/pitcher: Batted .373 with one home run, 28 RBIs and 27 runs scored for 4A state champion. Also went 6-1 with 0.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana State.
Josh Flores, Lake Central, senior, pitcher: Went 7-1 with 2.76 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 38 innings for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Kentucky.
Mason Jarrett, Munster, senior, outfielder: Batted .398 with 36 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 14 steals. All-conference. Committed to Triton.
Drew Kosteba, Lake Central, senior, outfielder: Batted .404 with three home runs, 38 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 12 steals for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest.
Blake Kouder, Andrean, senior, catcher: Batted .386 with 20 RBIs and 34 runs scored for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference.
DJ Malloy, Valparaiso, junior, second baseman: Batted .408 with 22 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference.
Ivan Mastalski, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 1.69 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. Committed to Indiana.
Caiden Verrett, Hanover Central, senior, catcher: Batted .395 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 19 steals. North All-Star. Indianapolis recruit in baseball and football.
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