After finishing the season first and second and splitting their matchups during the year, the Burns Hilanders and Vale Vikings saw two of their players share the Player of the Year award for the 3A Special District 5 baseball honors.
Vale senior Kade Kurata, already signed to play collegiately at Eastern Oregon University and Burns senior Jaden Tiller share the Player of the Year award after voting by the district’s coaches. Vale coach Garrett Brown picked up Coach of the Year after guiding the Vikings to the runner-up spot in the league standings.
The league champion Hilanders saw Tiller joined by pitcher Garrett Johnson, catcher Kevin Peasley, and infielder Adam White with first team honors.
Joining Kurata on first team for Vale was utility player Eli Aldred.
The Nyssa Bulldogs were represented on first team by infielder Brandon Vela while the combined team of Joseph/Wallowa/Enterprise/Elgin placed three players on first team including first baseman Caden Fent, infielder Jackson Grover and outfielder Maclane Melville.
For Burns, second team honors went to pitcher Devan Otley-Smith as well as Otley-Smith picking up second team as a first baseman. Infielder Garrett Johnson was also named second team.
The Irrigon Knights see second team honors go to pitcher Boyd Davis and Riverside is represented by infielder Riley Lantis.
Vale catcher Jackson Schaffeld is named to second team and joined by teammate Will Friend.
Nyssa sees two players with second team honors with outfielder Joe Zuniga and utility player Santiago Miranda.
Second team honorees for Joseph/Enterprise/Wallowa/Elgin include infielder Jackson Decker and outfielder Lane Rouse.
Co-Players of the Year
Jaden Tiller (Burns)
Kade Kurata (Vale)
Coach of the Year
Garrett Brown (Vale)
First Team
Pitchers
Kade Kurata (Vale)
Garrett Johnson (Burns)
Catcher
Kevin Peasley (Burns)
First Base
Caden Fent (Joseph/Wallowa/Enterprise/Elgin)
Infield
Brandon Vela (Nyssa)
Jackson Grover (Joseph/Wallowa/Enterprise/Elgin)
Adam White (Burns)
Outfield
Kade Kurata (Vale)
Jaden Tiller (Burns)
Maclane Melville (Joseph/Wallowa/Enterprise/Elgin)
Utility
Eli Aldred (Vale)
Second Team
Pitchers
Devan Otley-Smith (Burns)
Boyd Davis (Irrigon)
Catcher
Jackson Schaffeld (Vale)
First Base
Devan Otley-Smith (Burns)
Infield
Riley Lantis (Riverside)
Jackson Decker (Joseph/Wallowa/Enterprise/Elgin)
Garrett Johnson (Burns)
Outfield
Will Friend (Vale)
Joe Zuniga (Nyssa)
Lane Rouse (Joseph/Wallowa/Enterprise/Elgin)
Utility
Santiago Miranda (Nyssa)
