08/17/2026
It was yet another banner year for baseball in the area. Ridge View qualified for the state baseball tournament for the first time in school history and won 22 games. Storm Lake shared the last-ever Lakes Conference title and won 12 games.
Ridge View had six players selected to the two teams while Storm Lake had four. Sioux Central, Newell-Fonda and Alta-Aurelia all had three.
The team features a great mix of upperclassmen and youth.
So without further ado, here is the 2026 All-Times Pilot Baseball Team.
(Editor’s note: Several criteria are used for determining the all-Times Pilot team, including statistics, all-conference accolades and coaches input. However, all-conference teams are not always an applicable basis for being selected).
FIRST TEAM
Brock Edwards
Storm Lake
A junior, Edwards was voted Pitcher of the Year in the Lakes Conference this season.
The Tornado right-hander went 4-3 with a 2.44 ERA. In 51 innings, Edwards allowed 44 hits and 33 runs, 18 of which were earned. He walked 22 batters and struck out 73. Opponents batted just .180 against him.
At the plate, Edwards collected 21 hits in 70 plate appearances for a .300 average. He hit eight doubles, drove in 15 runs and scored 12 runs. Edwards had a .409 on-base percentage and a .414 slugging percentage.
Defensively, Edwards committed six errors in 81 chances for a .926 fielding percentage.
“I’m so proud of the growth Brock took from his sophomore year to his junior year this summer,” Storm Lake coach Michael Knapp said. “He turned into our ace pitcher this year and gave us a chance to win each time he took the mound. Brock had a great offseason leading up to this summer that led to his successful season, and I’m very excited to see that process through one more time with him. He provided us great power hitting in the cleanup spot and carried a great batting average throughout most of the summer.”
Davíd Gonzalez-Santos
Storm Lake
A senior, Gonzalez-Santos was voted Player of the Year in the Lakes Conference this season.
The Tornado catcher amassed 35 hits in 73 plate appearances for a .479 average. He hit 10 doubles, three triples and three home runs while knocking in 19 runs and scoring 11 runs. Gonzalez-Santos had a .589 on-base percentage and a .822 slugging percentage.
Gonzalez-Santos pitched 11 innings and gave up six hits and nine runs, five of which were earned. He went 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts. Opponents batted just .091 against him.
Defensively, Gonzalez-Santos committed nine errors in 167 total chances for a .946 fielding percentage.
“Davíd put together an outstanding season for us, earning many honors along the way,” Storm Lake coach Michael Knapp said. “He was our spark plug hitting at the top of our lineup, batting for high average and power and taking walks when teams chose to pitch around him. His best trait defensively is his strong arm, throwing out over 20 base stealers the past two seasons he’s caught for us.”
Owen Worthan
Ridge View
A senior, Worthan was voted to the Western Valley Conference first team this season.
The Raptor first baseman compiled 30 hits in 71 plate appearances for a .423 average. He hit nine doubles and seven home runs while driving in a team-high 34 runs and scoring 26 runs. He had a .548 on-base percentage and an .873 slugging percentage.
Defensively, Worthan committed only four errors in 124 total chances for a .968 fielding percentage.
“Owen has been the big man in the middle all season for us,” Ridge View coach Eric Myrtue said. “He is our damage guy. If you made a mistake to him, he made you pay. It has been fun watching him develop into the dangerous hitter he has become.”
Trey Boettcher
Storm Lake
A junior, Boettcher was voted to the Lakes Conference first team this season.
The Tornado shortstop recorded 28 hits in 74 at-bats for a .378 average. He hit two doubles, drove in 22 runs and scored nine runs. Boettcher had an on-base percentage of .434 and a slugging percentage of .405.
Boettcher pitched 10 innings and went 0-1 with a 5.42 ERA. He allowed 10 hits and nine runs, eightof which were earned, walked 10 and struck out three. Opponents batted .196 against him.
Defensively, Boettcher made 10 errors in 70 chances for a .857 fielding percentage.
“The trait of Trey’s I like most is his bat-to-ball skills,” Storm Lake coach Michael Knapp said. “This year, we spent a focus on being more selective of pitches during the at-bat. Last year, he often expanded the strike zone, but being more patient at the plate and trusting his skills has allowed him to take off. His contact skills in our 3-hole hitting behind Davíd led to a team-leading stat of 22 runs batted in. Defensively, he played one of the toughest spots on the diamond well at shortstop.”
Kinnick Jensen
Ridge View
A senior, Jensen was a second team all-Western Valley Conference choice this season.
The Raptor utility player collected 30 hits in 79 at-bats for a .380 average. He hit nine doubles, two triples and three home runs while knocking in 26 runs and scoring 35 runs. Jensen had an on-base percentage of .510 and a slugging percentage of .658.
As a pitcher, Jensen went 4-2 with a 5.70 ERA. In 23 innings, he allowed 21 hits and 26 runs, 19 of which were earned. Jensen walked 27 batters and struck out 38. Opponents batted .169 against him.
Defensively, Jensen made seven errors in 66 chances for a .894 fielding percentage.
“Kinnick has been another great leader for this team,” Ridge View coach Eric Myrtue said. “He has done everything we asked of him without complaint. He pitched, played at shortstop, second base and outfield, doing whatever we needed from him to make this team successful. That doesn’t even mention the ability he has developed at the plate the last couple of years. Belting three home runs, hitting at a .380 clip, and posting a .510 OBP (on-base percentage) was instrumental at setting the table for the heart of our order.”
Andrew Greenfield
Newell-Fonda
A freshman, Greenfield was voted to the Twin Lakes Conference first team this season.
The Mustang catcher/infielder compiled 37 hits in 73 plate appearances for a .507 average. He hit 12 doubles, three triples and four home runs while knocking in 11 runs and scoring 31 runs. Greenfield had an on-base percentage of .598 and a slugging percentage of .918. Greenfield also stole a team-best 19 bases.
As a pitcher, Greenfield went 1-3 with a 3.89 ERA. In 27 innings, he allowed 20 hits and 17 runs, 15 of which were earned. Greenfield walked 17 batters and struck out 53. Opponents batted .175 against him.
Defensively, Greenfield committed three errors in 57 chances for a .947 fielding percentage.
“Andrew had another great season batting and fielding,” Newell-Fonda coach Justin Melohn said. “He assisted the team in many positions this season and was critical in saving some conference games for us, which did earn him an all-district team distinction and all-conference selection.”
Blake Myrtue
Ridge View
A senior, Myrtue was a first team all-Western Valley Conference selection this season.
The Raptor third baseman collected 38 hits in 81 at-bats for a .469 average. He had five doubles and two home runs while driving in 26 runs and scoring 35 runs. Myrtue had a .570 on-base percentage and a .605 slugging percentage. He also stole 16 bases and committed only eight errors in 61 total chances for an .869 fielding percentage.
“Blake is the leader of this team,” Ridge View coach Eric Myrtue said. “As he goes, we go. He has put together a phenomenal senior season to close out his high school career.”
Thomas Mercer
Newell-Fonda
A sophomore, Mercer was a first team all-Twin Lakes Conference selection this season.
The Mustang outfielder recorded 28 hits in 74 at-bats for a .378 average. He hit nine doubles, knocked in 15 runs and scored seven runs. Mercer had a .381 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage.
As a pitcher, Mercer went 2-1 with a 9.60 ERA. In 23 innings, he allowed 31 hits and 32 runs, 26 of which were earned. Mercer walked 26 batters and struck out 15.
Defensively, Mercer committed five errors in 52 chances for a fielding percentage of .904.
“Tom played multiple positions for us this season and had a solid season for hitting,” Newell-Fonda coach Justin Melohn said. “Tom stepped up his game from last season and has become an all-conference selection as well.”
Aiden Myrtue
Ridge View
A sophomore, Myrtue was voted to the Western Valley Conference first team this season.
The Raptor outfielder amassed 34 hits in 81 plate appearances for a .420 average. He hit eight doubles and one home run while driving in a team-best 34 runs and scoring 11 runs. Myrtue had a .478 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage.
As a pitcher, Myrtue went 5-0 with a 4.57 ERA. In 30 innings, he allowed 31 hits and 28 runs, 20 of which were earned. Myrtue walked 19 batters and struck out 38. Opponents hit .207 against him.
Defensively, Myrtue committed two errors in 32 chances for a .938 fielding percentage.
“As a sophomore, Aiden was given a lot of responsibility in protecting the top of our order in the five hole,” Ridge View coach Eric Myrtue said. “He came through in flying colors by leading the team in RBI with 34. He also stepped up on the mound with a 5-0 record, recording wins in our district final game against Carroll Kuemper and our substate final game against Grundy Center. We needed him to come up big this year. That’s exactly what he did.”
SECOND TEAM
Eli Franken
Ridge View
A senior, Franken was a second team all-Western Valley Conference pick this season.
The Raptor pitcher went 3-1 with a 2.28 ERA. In 27 innings, Franken gave up 23 hits and 16 runs, nine of which were earned. He walked 12 batters and struck out 27. Opponents batted .184 against him.
As a hitter, Franken recorded 14 hits in 53 at-bats for a .264 average. He hit two doubles, drove in 14 runs and scored 10 runs. Franken had a .541 on-base percentage and a .302 slugging percentage.
Defensively, Franken committed one error in 56 chances for a .982 fielding percentage.
“Eli was a jack-of-all-trades for our team this year,” Ridge View coach Eric Myrtue said. “As a senior, he did what was asked of him. He came through in some big spots at the plate. He was on the mound for some of our biggest games, most notably the conference championship game against Kingsley-Pierson where he pitched a gem. Eli is a player every coach wants on the team. He does what he is asked, never complains, and gives max effort.”
Trevor Tauber
Newell-Fonda
A senior, Tauber a second team pick in the Twin Lakes Conference this season.
The Mustang pitcher went 4-4 with a 6.38 ERA. In 41 innings, Tauber allowed 50 hits and 43 runs, 38 of which were earned. He walked 19 and struck out 64. Opponents batted .266 against him.
As a hitter, Tauber tallied 13 hits in 67 at-bats for a .194 average. He hit four doubles, two triples, drove in 10 runs and scored nine runs. Tauber had a .313 on-base percentage and a .313 slugging percentage.
Defensively, Tauber made four errors in 40 chances for a .900 fielding percentage.
“Trevor’s pitching really set the tone for us in the games that he started,” Newell-Fonda coach Justin Melohn said. “He was asked to throw a number of innings in games and was a large reason for our conference and postseason success this season. He was an all-conference selection. His senior leadership will be missed next season.”
Rylan Richardson
Storm Lake
A senior, Richardson was an honorable mention all-Lakes Conference pick this season.
The Tornado pitcher went 5-3 with a 4.08 ERA. In 36 innings, Richardson allowed 41 hits and 29 runs, 21 of which were earned. He walked 23 batters and struck out 24. Opponents batted .229 against him.
Defensively, Richardson committed only one error in 53 chances in center field for a .981 fielding percentage.
Richardson had 15 hits in 66 at-bats for a .227 average. He drove in six runs, scored 16 runs and stole 12 bases.
“Rylan was our glue guy as his presence held our team together,” Storm Lake coach Michael Knapp said. “He was our No. 2 pitcher, winning five games on the mound for us. Among those standout victories were Emmetsburg, Spirit Lake, Le Mars and ELC in extra innings. The best part of his game is defense where he played an outstanding center field for us on the back line. At the plate, he used his speed very well to attack the defense with stealing, bunting and two-strike hitting where he was able to beat out some ground balls. I’m very proud of the way he led this group and stepped into a bigger role for us this summer.”
Max Wittmaack
Sioux Central
A junior, Wittmaack was an honorable mention all-Twin Lakes Conference choice this season.
The Rebel infielder recorded 21 hits in 79 plate appearances for a .266 average. He hit five doubles and four home runs, drove in a team-high 23 runs and scored 20 runs. Wittmaack had an on-base percentage of .376 and a slugging percentage of .481.
Defensively, Wittmaack committed 10 errors in 77 chances for an .870 fielding percentage.
“Max played first and second this season and really improved as the season went along,” Sioux Central coach Al Vasher said. “His power numbers at the plate went up and he led the team in RBI. We missed his innings and arm on the mound, and it will be good to see him on that next year. Max has a love for the game and is extremely competitive. That leadership will be valued next season.”
Luke Braunschweig
Ridge View
A freshman, Braunschweig was a second team choice in the Western Valley Conference this season.
The Raptor shortstop collected 28 hits in 77 plate appearances for a .364 average. He hit five doubles, drove in 18 runs and scored 34 runs. Braunschweig had an on-base percentage of .480 and a slugging percentage of .429.
As a pitcher, Braunschweig went 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA. In 16 innings, he gave up seven hits and four runs, two of which were earned. He walked eight batters and struck out 17. Opponents hit just .104 against him.
Defensively, Braunschweig committed seven errors in 85 total chances for a .918 fielding percentage.
“Luke was a newcomer to our lineup,” Ridge View coach Eric Myrtue said. “He was asked to leadoff our lineup very early in the season. It was an adjustment, but he made those and became an excellent leadoff hitter in a dangerous lineup. Posting an average of .364 and an OBP (on-base percentage) of .480 was just what the doctor ordered for our team.”
Boden Bright
Sioux Central
A senior, Bright was a second team selection in the Twin Lakes Conference this season.
The Rebel infielder collected 20 hits in 73 at-bats for a .274 average. He hit four doubles, one triple, drove in 16 runs and scored 13 runs. Bright had a .371 on-base percentage and a .356 slugging percentage.
Defensively, Bright made three errors in 27 chances for an .889 fielding percentage.
“Boden has been a four-year starter for us on the infield and the mound,” Sioux Central coach Al Vasher said. “He can play multiple positions, even getting some time this year in the outfield. His bat really came around this year and he proved to be one of our most dependable hitters. He has been a joy to coach and watch develop over the last few years. We will miss his innings on the mound, his bat, and his leadership in the infield.”
Miles Edwards
Alta-Aurelia
An eighth grader, Edwards was the Warriors’ leading hitter this season.
The utility player collected 26 hits in 81 plate appearances for a .321 average. He hit one double, drove in eight runs and scored 13 runs. Edwards had a .402 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage.
As a pitcher, Edwards went 1-2 with a 6.70 ERA. In 15 innings, Edwards gave up 22 hits and 21 runs, 15 of which were earned. He walked six batters and struck out 17.
Defensively, Edwards committed four errors in 52 total chances for a .923 fielding percentage.
“Miles was asked to play a lot of different roles for us on the varsity team as an eighth grader and handled all of them well,” Alta-Aurelia coach Ryan Burkhart said. “We had him in the outfield, the infield, on the mound, and behind the plate all at various times. He is very calm and cool, and by the end of the year, he was our leadoff hitter and the guy we trusted to start the offense up for us.”
Andrew Nelson
Sioux Central
A senior, Nelson was an honorable mention all-Twin Lakes Conference pick this season.
The Rebel infielder tallied 17 hits in 67 plate appearances for a .254 average. He hit four doubles and one triple while knocking in nine runs and scoring 27 runs. Nelson had an on-base percentage of .453 and a slugging percentage of .343. He also stole 12 bases.
As a pitcher, Nelson went 2-3 with a 4.16 ERA. In 35 innings, he allowed 45 hits and 51 runs, 21 of which were earned. He walked 29 batters and struck out 27. Opponents batted .213 against him.
Defensively, Nelson committed seven errors in 95 chances for a fielding percentage of .926.
“Andrew was able to play seven of the nine positions this season and really stepped up by becoming our No. 2 on the mound,” Sioux Central coach Al Vasher said. “I really appreciated his love for the game, his leadership, and willingness to help the team in any way possible. His work ethic and attention to detail will be missed next year.”
Brody Bush
Alta-Aurelia
An eighth grader, Bush was one of Alta-Aurelia’s top players this season.
The Warrior outfielder amassed 19 hits in 71 plate appearances for a .268 average. He hit five doubles, knocked in 16 runs and scored 15 runs. Bush had a .422 on-base percentage and a .338 slugging percentage.
As a pitcher, Bush went 1-0 with a 4.48 ERA. In 20 innings, he allowed 19 hits and 16 runs, 13 of which were earned. Bush walked 12 batters and struck out 16. Opponents batted .198 against him.
Defensively, Bush made one error in 19 chances for a .947 fielding percentage.
“Brody was one of our outfielders from day one,” Alta-Aurelia coach Ryan Burkhart said. “He tracks a fly ball so well and has a great arm out there. By the end of the season, he was also our cleanup hitter and a crucial relief pitcher. He has a slow heartbeat and knows what he’s looking for at the plate. It was really fun to see such a young guy get some big hits for us and not ever be intimidated by big moments.”
Camden Reinert
Alta-Aurelia
A senior, Reinert was voted to the Twin Lakes Conference second team this season.
The Warrior pitcher/shortstop compiled 22 hits in 76 plate appearances for a .289 average. He hit four doubles, one triple and two home runs while driving in 11 runs and scoring a team-high 18 runs. Reinert had an on-base percentage of .393 and a slugging percentage of .447.
As a pitcher, Reinert went 2-4 with a 6.20 ERA. In 35 innings, he allowed 28 hits and 43 runs, 31 of which were earned. He walked 32 and struck out 53. Opponents batted just .148 against him.
Defensively, Reinert committed 14 errors in 95 total chances for an .853 fielding percentage.
“Camden is our combination of power and speed on this team,” Alta-Aurelia coach Ryan Burkhart said. “He’s capable of hitting a home run, beating out an infield single, and stealing a base all in one game. As the year went on, he also found his groove on the mound, and his combination of velocity and breaking stuff is hard to hit. I was really proud of how he pitched down the stretch for us. I enjoyed being his coach for five years.”
