SETZER, RUDE EARN FIRST-TEAM ALL-NTL HONORS; SULLIVAN HONORABLE MENTION

By: Tim Birney  /  June 17, 2021  /  Photo: Tim Birney

ATHENS — Athens juniors Kaden Setzer and Karter Rude were named all-NTL first-team baseball all-stars, and sophomre Cameron Sullivan received honorable mention recognition in recent voting by the league's coaches.

NTL Small School, and District 4, Class AA champion Sayre received the majority of the top league awards with junior Brayden Horton voted “Player of the Year,” and sophomore Lucas Horton named the “Pitcher of the Year.”

Sayre coach Jamie VanDuzer and his staff — Mike Cron and Joe Wheeler — were named the “Coaching Staff of the Year.”

Freshmen Hudson Ward of Canton and Trehnon Hugo of Wyalusing were bored “Rookies of the Year,” and Wellsboro’s Cam Brought was the “Newcomer of the Year” — given to a first-year varsity player.

FIRST TEAM
Kaden Setzer, junior, OF / C, Athens: After a couple of years away from the game, Setzer returned to the diamond without missing a beat.

Setzer hit a team-high .450 (18 hits in 40 ABs) with three doubles, one triple, seven stolen bases, 13 runs scored, and 11 RBI. He also drew nine walks for a .549 on-base percentage. He had a 1.124 OPS.

Karter Rude, junior, C / SS, Athens: A tremendous all-around athlete, Rude led the Wildcats in several offensive categories.

Rude hit .364 with a team-high 24 hits in 66 at-bats. He led Athens with nine doubles, 25 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases without being caught. He also had one triple, 12 RBI, and drew 12 walks for a .462 on-base percentage, and a .992 OPS.

HONORABLE MENTION
Cameron Sullivan, sophomore, P / IF, Athens: Sullivan burst on to the varsity scene, and had an impact at the plate, and especially on the mound.

Sullivan hit .356 (21 hits in 59 ABs) with two doubles, one triple, 11 runs scored, and 15 RBI.

On the mound, Sullivan was 3-0 with 2 saves and a 3.21 ERA. He struck out 25 in 28 1/3 innings, and opponents hit .238 against him.

Other honorable mention selections were: Hudson Ward and Joel Schoonover — Canton; Maguire Painter and Mike Sipps — Cowanesque Valley; Nick Beers — NEB; Blaze Deitrick and Derek Litzelman — North Penn-Mansfield; Kory Schucker — Troy; Conner Adams, Isaac Keane and Kaeden Mann — Wellsboro; Hunter Miss, Spencer Krewson, and Trehnon Hugo — Wyalusing.