All-area baseball teams

First team
C -- Keaton Neeb, Skyline
A first team all-district and all-region performer, Neeb stood out with his bat and his skills behind the dish. The senior hit .417, collected seven doubles and drove in 15 runs.

1B -- Riley McDonald, Strasburg
The Rams' slugger hit .344 and was one of the area's top run producers as he smashed three homers and drove in 26 runs. He was a first team all-district and second team all-region pick.

2B -- Blake Adams, Sherando
The first team all-district selection ignited the Warriors' offense at the top of the order, ranking among the area's leaders in hits, runs, doubles and steals.

3B -- Nick Merchant, Sherando
The Daily's Player of the Year was a first team all-district and second team all-region pick at both pitcher and third base. The senior hit a robust .393, belted two homers, plated 19 runs and tripled three times while turning in a solid defensive effort at the hot corner.

SS -- Jamie Dodd, Handley
The Judges' shortstop was one of his team's top offensive threats while garnering first-team all-district honors.

OF -- Danny Cooper, James Wood
One of the area's most dynamic hitters, Cooper hit .393, doubled eight times and drove in 14 runs as a first-team all-district pick.

OF -- Tim Spore, James Wood
The Colonels' speedy outfielder led his team with a .397 batting average, tripled an area-best four times, swiped 12 bases and joined Cooper on the Northwestern District's first team. He was also a second team all-region selection.

OF -- Duston Grubbs, Clarke
The Eagles outfielder generated offense with his speed, stealing 15 bases and scoring 17 runs while earning first team honors in the Bull Run and second team recognition in Region B.

DH -- Quinn Courtney, Millbrook
The Pioneers' hitter made his at-bats count, batting .583 and narrowly missing the top average in the area. He was a first team all-district pick at DH and first team all-region selection in the outfield.

UTIL -- Derek Buckley, Strasburg
Primarily a catcher, Buckley earns a first team nod at utility because of his bat, his backstop abilities and his contributions as a pitcher for the Rams. The junior hit .375, had eight doubles, led his team in RBIs (32) and earned Bull Run District Player of the Year honors. He was a second team catcher in Region B. He appeared in four games as a reliever, posting a 1.75 ERA and striking out five batters.

P -- Nick Merchant, Sherando
In addition to his skills at the plate, Merchant was also one of the area's most dominant pitchers as he racked up seven wins and a 1.78 ERA in 67 innings.

P -- Justin Rush, Strasburg
Rush was the Rams' most successful pitcher by wins (8-1), led the team in innings pitched (532⁄3) and maintained his ERA (1.96). He also fanned 60 batters, the second most in the area.

Second team

• C -- Derek Reid, Sherando


• 1B -- Mike Dillow, Millbrook


• 2B -- Michael Reynolds, Strasburg


• 3B -- Alex Palmerton, Central


• SS -- Zach Cover, Strasburg


• OF -- Jason Tunison, Sherando


• OF -- J.J. Armentrout, Central


• OF -- Nate White, Skyline


• DH -- Brock Lockhart, James Wood


• UTIL -- Brian Tavenner, Handley


• P -- Zach Cover, Strasburg


• P -- Sam Dowdy, Central

Honorable mention
Tyler Braun-Duin, SVCA; Curry Clevenger, Sherando; Matt Copley, James Wood; Sam Dowdy, Central; Ethan Emmart, Clarke County; Kyle Ewing, SVCA; James Harrelson, Sherando; Ryan Henschel, Stonewall Jackson; Logan Hibbs, Warren County; Will Hoffmaster, Warren County; Connor Hutzell, Warren County; Daniel Jones, SVCA; David Joyner, Handley; Jon King, Skyline; Hunter Leight, James Wood; Josh Litten, Stonewall Jackson; Vernon Mathews, Clarke County; Danny Nallen, Millbrook; Matt Nicewarner, SVCA; Alex Pfeiffer, Strasburg; Tre Porter, Sherando; Corey Roadcap, Stonewall Jackson; Dustin Russell, James Wood; Ryan Settle, Skyline; Brandon Sinecoff, James Wood; Jesse Smoot, Clarke County; Yoshi Suzuki, Strasburg; Brian Tavenner, Handley; Cody Vourous, James Wood; Casey Williams, SVCA.