Meet the 2023 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Baseball Team
Without a senior on the roster, North Star baseball coach Jake Klukaszewski had to rely on his veteran junior class to guide the way this season.
One of the players at the forefront of the Cougars' run to a WestPAC crown and a second straight District 5 Class 2A title appearance was Cayden Turner.
Daily American Softball All-Stars Meet the 2023 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team
The junior exemplified leadership and the will to compete. Turner put up lofty numbers at the plate and delivered on the mound. For his stellar campaign, Turner was chosen Daily American Somerset County All-Star Baseball Team Player of the Year.
"It was great seeing the progress we made after starting 1-3," said Turner of the special season. "I felt happy for the team because I knew what they were capable of and what we could achieve throughout the year. I'm proud of everyone stepping up and taking their role to the next level.
"I want to thank all the coaches and God for everything he's provided me. Coach K (Klukaszewski) has always been there for me through the ups and downs. I appreciate everyone on our coaching staff because they've all done so much for us. They are the reason why we are succeeding out there."
All-County honors North Star's Turner headlines Somerset All-County Team
Turner batted .540 with 34 hits, including four home runs, three triples, three doubles, 29 runs scored and 18 RBIs. He had an .873 slugging percentage and a .618 on-base percentage.
As the anchor of the pitching staff, Turner went 7-3 in 11 appearances with a 2.88 ERA. He allowed 28 runs, 20 earned on 38 hits, 20 walks and struck out 66 over 48⅔ innings of work.
"I knew I had to help the team out in any way I could and lead so that everyone on the team could play to the best of their ability," said Turner. "Throughout the year, I helped guide them and helped them reach their peak performance by the end of the year, where we can up just short of our goal."
2023 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Baseball Team
Parker Black, Berlin Brothersvalley, jr., 1B/P
In 16 games, Black batted .412 with 21 hits, including three doubles and a triple, 17 runs scored and 14 RBIs. Black also recorded four wins on the mound, allowing 14 earned runs and struck out 17 in 49 innings of work. He had a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Brad Bruner, Somerset, sr., SS
Bruner led the Golden Eagles with a .463 batting average, 34 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 19 games. He tallied 25 hits, including seven doubles, two triples and a home run. Bruner had a .722 slugging percentage and a .618 on-base percentage. He went 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in three appearances. Bruner had a .917 fielding percentage with six errors in 72 chances.
Colin Dinyar, Conemaugh Township, fr., P/OF
Dinyar went 6-0 with a 2.07 ERA in seven appearances. He allowed 12 earned runs on 30 hits, 16 walks and struck out 56 in 40⅔ innings of work. Dinyar also had 18 RBIs, 17 hits, including three home runs, two triples, a double and 16 runs scored.
Ian Fox, Shanksville-Stonycreek, sr., C/P
Fox led the Vikings with 18 RBIs in 22 games. He batted .426 with 29 hits, including two doubles and 16 runs scored. Fox also swiped seven bags.
Zane Hagans, Somerset, so., 1B
Hagans batted .407 with 22 hits, including two doubles, a triple 20 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 19 games. He had a .971 fielding percentage with four errors in 136 chances.
Craig Jarvis, Berlin Brothersvalley, jr., 3B/P
In 19 games, Jarvis batted .433 with a team-high 18 RBIs. He recorded 26 hits, including six doubles, two triples, a home run and 20 runs scored.
Owen Miller, Somerset, sr., 3B
Miller paced the Golden Eagles with 26 hits, including 11 doubles and a home run in 19 games. Miller batted .400 and finished second on the team with 26 RBIs. He also scored 18 runs.
Callen Miller, Somerset, so., C
Miller batted .417 with a team-high 28 RBIs. He contributed 25 hits, including eight doubles, four home runs and scored 14 runs. Miller had a .750 slugging percentage in 19 games.
Christian Musser, Shanksville-Stonycreek, jr., SS/P
Musser paced the Vikings with a .478 batting average, 33 hits, including five doubles and 26 runs scored in 22 games. He contributed 17 RBIs. Musser went 2-0 in seven appearances, including 30 strikeouts in 20 innings.
Lucas Oleksa, Windber, so., Utility
Oleksa led the Ramblers with a .435 batting average and was tied for the team lead in hits and runs with 27 and 26, respectively. He had eight doubles, a triple and a home run. Oleksa had a .982 fielding percentage with three errors in 168 chances.
Pace Prosser, Berlin Brothersvalley, jr., SS
Prosser led the Mountaineers with a .478 batting average, a team-high 32 hits, including 10 doubles, three triples and 29 runs scored in 19 games as well as 10 stolen bases. Prosser had a .716 slugging percentage and delivered 14 RBIs. He had a .956 fielding percentage with only four errors in 91 chances.
Nolan Riggs, Somerset, sr., OF
Riggs batted .378 with 25 runs scored, 17 hits, including three doubles and 13 runs scored. He finished second on the Golden Eagles with 10 stolen bases.
Andrew Scalia, Windber, jr., C/P/SS
Scalia paced the Ramblers with 26 RBIs. He was tied for the team lead with 27 hits, including 11 doubles, three home runs and 26 runs scored. Scalia batted .397 and finished second on the team with six stolen bases. He had a .923 fielding percentage with six errors in 78 chances. Scalia allowed 15 earned runs and recorded 65 strikeouts in 38⅓ innings of work.
Tanner Shirley, Conemaugh Township, sr., SS
Shirley led Conemaugh Township with a .432 batting average and 35 hits, including four doubles. He scored 23 runs, produced 21 RBIs and stole five bases. Shirley had a .909 fielding percentage with seven errors in 77 chances.
Cayden Turner, North Star, jr., P/1B
(Player of the Year)
Tyler Weber, Conemaugh Township, sr., 1B/P
Weber knocked in a team-high 27 runs. He batted .375 and tallied 21 hits, including eight doubles, a home run and 13 runs scored in 21 games. Weber went 4-0 in eight appearances. He had a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Hunter Whipkey, Rockwood, jr., Utility
Whipkey led the Rockets with a.359 batting average and 23 hits, including five doubles and a home run. He had 14 RBIs and scored 14 runs in 20 games.
Connor Yoder, North Star, jr., SS/P
Yoder batted .491 with a team-high 26 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He provided 28 hits, including six doubles, three home runs, two triples and 20 runs scored in 20 games. Yoder was 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in seven appearances.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: 2023 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Baseball Team named
