About the Big 11:This is the 30th anniversary edition of the PennLive/Patriot-News Big 11 All-Star Baseball team, selected by beat writer Eric F. Epler, with assistance from regional writers, coaches and scouts. Players from 70 area high schools toiling in the Mid-Penn Conference, Tri-Valley League, Lancaster-Lebanon and CCAC are eligible.
BIG 11 FIRST TEAM
Mike Adams, senior, Cumberland Valley: Shortly after signing his letter-of-intent to the University of Albany in November, Adams mentioned that he simply wanted to “get the job done” every time skipper Levi Mumma gave the 6-4 righty the ball. He was pretty darn close. Adams, tabbed the Mid-Penn Commonwealth MVP, did the most with his 42 innings on the hill, compiling a 6-1 overall mark with an anemic 1.17 ERA. He allowed just 25 hits and seven earned runs in that stretch. In addition, Adams led the Eagles with 17 runs batted in and made just three errors from his post at first base.
Jake Crist, senior, Greencastle-Antrim: No question the 2013 District 3-AAA champion Blue Devils were going to chase a little more history this season. By mid-April, Greencastle-Antrim (18-3) was in the middle of what would become a 16-game winning streak. And Crist, well, was in the middle of his own historic season at the plate. Although the Colonial Division champs were ousted in the district's opening round, Crist ended his campaign with a sizzling .600 average, complete with 10 doubles from his lead-off position. The Catholic University recruit also boasted a .650 on-base percentage and .786 slugging. Projected as an outfielder at the next level, we have no problem giving Crist a spot in the grass on this team.
Ben Dum, junior, West Perry: Not only did the Virginia Commonwealth commit share Capital Co-MVP honors with Susquenita's Morrison, Dum continued to rewrite the West Perry record books. The returning Big 11 pick went 10-2 on the hill – he's 20-3 in the last two seasons – and struck out 111 in 84 innings. That gives Dum program marks in career innings (205.2), wins (26) and strikeouts (229). Dum also did equal damage when patrolling the hot corner, where he helped the Mustangs claim District 3-AAA runner-up status and a PIAA berth. Dum hit. 381, drew 21 free passes and struck out just four times in 63 official at-bats. The three-time Mid-Penn All-Star also will toil in the Big 26 Classic for the second time this summer.
Kaylor Kulina, senior, Lower Dauphin: How Kulina plays the game is enough incentive for opposing coaches to beware. There are no half steps for this versatile performer, one of four returning Big 11 picks. With great range at short, and the required arm strength to make difficult plays seem routine, Kulina produced another productive run. Kulina chalked up a .439 batting average and scored 29 runs from his lead-off position, helping the Falcons run through the Mid-Penn Keystone Division before Cedar Cliff intervened in districts. Kulina, heading to Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla., also swiped 16 bases in 16 attempts.
Blair Lewis, junior, Lower Dauphin: While the Keystone Division was a more volatile locale this season, Lewis again pressed forward as Lower Dauphin's staff ace. After registering eight wins in 2013, Lewis matched that total to bring his two-year mark to 16-1. That's right, the junior was a perfect 8-0, scattering just 35 hits over 60-plus innings. And Lewis, who lowered his ERA nearly 60 points (1.39) from last season, fanned 73 batters in that stretch. Lewis already ranks inside the Top 4 in career wins and is just outside LD's Top 10 in career strikeouts.
Brett Morrison, senior, Susquenita: Let's face it, the Blackhawks were a tad unfortunate that District 3 was denied the usual two bids to the state tournament this season. Morrison, of course, certainly was the most important ingredient in getting Susquenita, the Capital Division champs, to that finale against Berks Catholic. Morrison did a little of everything for the 'Hawks, like hitting .364 with 16 RBIs and compiling a slick 9-4 record on the hill. The Lock Haven-bound hurler worked a ton of innings and produced a 1.43 ERA and 93 strikeouts against 18 walks. No wonder MPC Capital coaches tagged the 6-1 hardballer Co-MVP.
Nathan Ocker, junior, Middletown: The main reason why the Blue Raiders were able to sneak into the District 3-AAA postseason and stun top-seeded West York in the opening round, Ocker pieced together a brilliant junior season. Called to action against all the top challengers in the Keystone ranks, Ocker worked his wicked arsenal to a sterling 1.58 ERA in just under 58 innings. That minuscule number, however, isn't the whole story. The Division I prospect allowed just 13 earned runs all season and struck out a whopping 111. That's serious damage. When not on the mound, Ocker pitched in a .344 average with 12 runs and 12 RBIs.
Jon Peterson, junior, Hempfield: One of the most versatile players in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, Peterson brought a lot of leadership and confidence to Jeremy Morrison's Black Knights (17-11). Peterson brought production, too, like a solid .427 average, 12 extra-base hits and 27 runs batted in. Still, the 6-0 southpaw was front and center when Hempfield needed a win, as well, blitzing through Reading and Red Land in chasing a long-shot 16-seed to the District 3-AAAA finale. Peterson made 15 appearances in Hempfield's 28 games, compiling a 6-4 record with 87 strikeouts and 1.58 ERA in 62 innings.
Ben Snyder, senior, Red Land: Snyder just wrapped up a rather impressive four-year run as the Patriots sturdy catcher. And before the hard-nosed ball player takes his game to the University of Pittsburgh, Snyder registered one final successful season where he hit .395 and bashed 11 extra-base hits to help turn around Red Land 2-5 start to the 2014 season. Even more impressive is how well Snyder handled himself behind the dish, calling pitches for a pretty good 1-2 punch of Zach Newmyer and Jeremy Hileman. In 81 official at-bats, Snyder whiffed only five times. Plus, the Patriots leader put his speed on display with 13 stolen bases and 21 runs scored.
Deon Stafford, senior, Lower Dauphin: Just like the St. Joseph's University recruit did during Lower Dauphin's meteoric push to the 2013 PIAA Championship Friday, Stafford played a leading role for the '14 Falcons. The powerful senior even managed a 2-1 pitching record out of necessity. Stafford's play behind the plate, of course, is what drove the bus. A terrific defender with added arm strength, Stafford finished the season hitting .431 with 23 runs scored and 28 hits, including nine doubles and pair of home runs. Every club needs a top-level leader, as well, and skipper Ken Kulina could always lean on his backstop in rough stretches.
Zach Zinn, junior, Northern: Certainly played the catalyst role as Northern, a few years removed from its first PIAA title, won its first District 3-AAA championship with a 12-6 decision over West Perry in York. Zinn started his hit barrage on opening day and never really let up, scorching opposing pitchers with a .488 average, which only is part of Zinn's junior resume. The centerfielder did not make an error all season and even heated up in the postseason, going 9-for-16 as the Polar Bears dropped a tough 9-8 clip to Harriton in states. Zinn also totaled 26 runs, 29 RBI and bashed four home runs.
PENNLIVE/PATRIOT-NEWS BIG 11
RHP-Mike Adams, Cumberland Valley
RHP-Blair Lewis, Lower Dauphin
RHP-Nathan Ocker, Middletown
IF-Ben Dum, West Perry
IF-Kaylor Kulina, Lower Dauphin
IF-Brett Morrison, Susquenita
IF-Jon Peterson, Hempfield
OF-Jake Crist, Greencastle-Antrim
OF-Zach Zinn, Northern
C-Deon Stafford, Lower Dauphin
DH-Ben Snyder, Red Land