Ben Newton named Player of Year

The 2024 Southeast Conference baseball season was highlighted by a race to the top by Highway 34 rivals Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant, so it’s no surprise that both the Trojans and Panthers were represented well on the All-SEC list.

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Fairfield led the conference with 10 names on the All-SEC list, including a league-leading four on the first team. Mt. Pleasant had three first-teamers, and seven total names. Washington had six players named, including two first-teamers.

Mt. Pleasant’s Ben Newton earned the ultimate honor, an SEC Player of the Year nod. Newton led the Panthers at the plate with a .366 average and knocked in 26 runs this year, on 26 singles, three doubles and a home run.

On the mound, Newton finished the year with a 9-1 record and put up a 3.42 ERA with 50 strikeouts.

The only other Panther to get a first team nod was Pyson Coleman (. 333, 15 stolen bases)

Fairfield’s first teamers include Dain Burkart, who made it as a pitcher after going 5-3 with a 4.31 ERA this year. He also hit .375 with four doubles and 29 RBIs. Senior arm Nate Konczal made it as a pitcher after going 4-2 with a 1.82 ERA. He hit .276 with six RBIs.

Catcher Caden Allison made the first team after hitting .337 with five doubles, one triple and a Trojan-leading 32 RBIs. Infielder Cason Miller (. 333, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 26 RBIs) made the team, as did outfielder Aidan Kreuter (. 397, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 16 RBIs.)

Washington’s first teamers were Luke Beenblossom and Kael Williams. Beenblossom hit .333 with two doubles and 13 RBIs, and Williams hit .320 with two doubles and six RBIs.

On the second team, Fairfield’s Luke Konczal and Tallon Bates were named. Mt. Pleasant had two second-teamers in Payton Haagans and Brayton Hutson, and Washington had two on the list, as Caleb Zieglowsky and Conner Lyden were named.

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ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM

Pitcher: Dain Burkhart (10), Fairfield; Nate Konczal (12), Fairfield; Ben Newton (12), Mt. Pleasant. (POY)

Catcher: Caden Allison (12), Fairfield.

Infield: Cristos Kantzavelos (12), Burlington; Blake Chase (11), Keokuk; Luke Beenblossom (12), Washington; Cason Miller (11), Fairfield.

Outfield: Gabe Robinson (12), Burlington; Aidan Kreuter (12), Fairfield; Payson Coleman (12), Mt. Pleasant.

Utility: Kael Williams (10) Washington and Hunter Cresswell (12), Fort Madison.

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ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM

Pitchers: Evan Hecox (11), Burlington; Brenton Hoard (11), Keokuk; Payton Hagans (12), Mt. Pleasant.

Catcher: Caleb Zieglowsky (12), Washington.

Infield: Luke Konczal (11), Fairfield; Brayton Hutson (11), Mt. Pleasant; Josh Zahner (12), Burlington; J.C. Sitar (11), Mt. Pleasant.

Outfield: Conner Leyden (11), Washington; Tallon Bates (12), Fairfield; In Mason (11), Burlington.

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ALL-SEC HONORABLE MENTION

Logan Messer (11), Burlington; Landon Nodurft (12), Fairfield; Sam Weaton (12), Fairfield; Reece Huey (8)< Fort Madison; Luke Hellige (11), Fort Madison; Drake AAnderson (11), Keokuk; Jacob Lantz (12), Keokuk; Zach Newton (11), Mt. Pleasant; Payton Walker (11), Mt. Pleasant; Blayze Richardson (9), Washington; Brady Krantz (9), Washington.

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ACADEMIC ALL-SEC

Burlington: Christos Kanzavelos, Ian Mason, Dylan Chenoweth; Josh Zahner; Matthew Mercer and Evan Hecox.

Fairfield: Caden Allison, Luke Konczal, Natae Konczal, Aidan Kreuter, Cason Miller, Tallon Bates, Antonio Mnaning and Ethan Cass.

Fort Madison: Hunter Cresswell, Brody Cashman and Luke Hellige.

Keokuk: Brenden Worster, Drake Anderson, Blake Chase and Brenton Hoard.

Mt. Pleasant: Owen Baker and Payton Walker.

Washington: Nathniel Edmonds, Conner Leyden, Joel Meyer, Mason Morgan, Luke Schieber and Luke Beenblossom.

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