Category: Baseball

Historic recognition honors the best players and coaching in Idaho 4A baseball

FLOWW Network is proud to announce the inaugural Idaho 4A Baseball All-Coaches Teams, marking a historic first for high school baseball recognition in the state. FLOWW Network was honored to help host the coaches’ meeting that brought this recognition to life, and we’re excited to be among the first to publish these well-deserved honors. The comprehensive awards program honors outstanding achievement across multiple categories, including Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and First and Second Team All-Coaches selections.

Player of the Year: Dawson McInelly, Sugar-Salem

Sugar-Salem’s Dawson McInelly has been named the first-ever Idaho 4A Baseball Player of the Year, capping off a remarkable season that saw him dominate both at the plate and on the mound. McNelly’s exceptional performance included a .558 batting average, 14 home runs (ranking #10 nationally), and a stellar .31 ERA as a pitcher.

The dual-threat athlete’s impressive statistics tell the story of a player who could impact the game in multiple ways. His 14 home runs not only led the state but placed him among the top power hitters in the entire country, while his pitching helped anchor Sugar-Salem’s staff throughout the season. McNelly also earned Mountain Rivers Conference Player of the Year honors after finishing with 41 RBIs and an 8-0 pitching record with a 0.31 ERA. His dominance was a key factor in Sugar-Salem’s back-to-back state championships and their remarkable 19-game winning streak to end the season.

Coach of the Year: Brady Gardner, Sugar-Salem

Brady Gardner of Sugar-Salem has earned the honor of Idaho 4A Baseball Coach of the Year, leading his program to new heights in his tenure. Gardner’s leadership and strategic approach helped develop players like McNelly while building a competitive program that has become a force in Idaho 4A baseball.

Under Gardner’s guidance, Sugar-Salem completed one of the most dominant seasons in recent Idaho high school baseball history. The Diggers finished with a 22-4 overall record and captured their second consecutive state championship, ending the season on a remarkable 19-game winning streak. Gardner’s team averaged nearly 13 runs per game with what he described as “the best offense we’ve ever had” featuring “zero holes in the lineup.” The program hit 35 home runs, 20 triples, and 67 doubles in just 21 games, showcasing the offensive development under Gardner’s tutelage.

Gardner’s coaching philosophy and ability to maximize his players’ potential have made Sugar-Salem a consistent contender. His success was further validated when Sugar-Salem completed a clean sweep of Mountain Rivers Conference honors, with Gardner earning Conference Coach of the Year alongside his players’ individual accolades. The program’s back-to-back state titles and sustained excellence reflect the respect he has earned from his coaching peers across the state.

First Team All-Coaches

The inaugural First Team All-Coaches selection features 12 standout players from across Idaho’s 4A classification:

• Bo Larsen (Marsh Valley)
• Eric Wylie (Timberlake)
• Porter Higley (Buhl)
• Titus Vidlak (Fruitland)
• Jahzyon Sylva (Payette)
• Jackson Gardner (Sugar-Salem)
• Will Chappell (Sugar-Salem)
• Tate Whitworth (Marsh Valley)
• Quinn Hood (Fruitland)
• Kace Malstrom (Sugar-Salem)
• Carson Kile (Cole Valley)
• Chance Martel (Homedale)

This diverse group represents programs from across Idaho, showcasing the depth of talent in 4A baseball. Sugar-Salem leads with three First Team selections, highlighting the program’s overall excellence under Coach Gardner’s leadership.

Second Team All-Coaches

The Second Team recognition goes to another 12 deserving student-athletes:

• Remmington Higley (Buhl)
• Ruger Scott (Marsh Valley)
• Ben Aldrich (Sugar-Salem)
• Sam Chappell (Sugar-Salem)
• Jake Penfold (Payette)
• Lukas Hall (Homedale)
• Owen Baker (Fruitland)
• Dane Parkl (Timberlake)
• Lucas Guray (Cole Valley)
• Landon Bushong (Fruitland)
• Blake Wilson (Cole Valley)
• Nate Grosvenor (Fruitland)

The Second Team selections further demonstrate the competitive balance across Idaho 4A baseball, with multiple programs represented and student-athletes from various positions earning recognition.

Looking Ahead

In an exciting development, coaches at the meeting discussed the potential for an All-Star game to showcase next year’s All-Coaches Team selections. This would provide an additional platform for Idaho’s top 4A baseball talent to compete and display their skills in a showcase format, further elevating the profile of high school baseball in the state.

A Historic Milestone

This inaugural All-Coaches Teams announcement represents a significant step forward in recognizing excellence in Idaho high school baseball. The comprehensive nature of the awards – spanning individual achievement, coaching excellence, and team representation – provides a platform to celebrate the dedication and hard work of student-athletes and coaches across the 4A classification.

The selection process involved input from coaches throughout the 4A ranks, ensuring that the awards truly represent peer recognition and respect within the coaching community. This collaborative approach has resulted in selections that accurately reflect the season’s standout performers.

As Idaho 4A baseball continues to grow and develop, these annual All-Coaches Teams will serve as both recognition for current excellence and motivation for future student-athletes to pursue their own athletic and academic goals.

What a season in the Snake River Valley! Congratulations to all our honored players, coaches, and teams who made this year unforgettable.

CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR:

• Titus Vidlak (SO) – Fruitland
• Jahzyon Sylva (JR) – Payette

PITCHER OF THE YEAR:

Owen Baker (JR) – Fruitland

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Mark Vidlak – Fruitland

FIRST TEAM:

Jake Penfold (SR) – Payette | Darrien Pecunia (JR) – Payette | Lukas Hall (JR) – Homedale | Chance Martell (JR) – Homedale | Wylee Bidiman (JR) – Homedale | Blake Wilson (SR) – Cole Valley Christian | Chris Bobrowski (SR) – Cole Valley Christian | Eli Hamby (SO) – Cole Valley Christian | Quinn Hood (SR) – Fruitland | Landon Bushong (SR) – Fruitland | Coye Coffman (SR) – Fruitland | Jaden Grosdidier (JR) – Fruitland | Max Vidlak (SR) – Fruitland | Nate Grosvenor (SO) – Fruitland | Carson Kile (SO) – Cole Valley Christian | Mason Taylor (FR) – Homedale | Lucas Guray (SO) – Cole Valley Christian | Austin Tesnohlidek (SR) – Fruitland

SECOND TEAM:

Carson Fine (JR) – Homedale | Xavier Uranga (JR) – Homedale | Boston Ivie (FR) – Homedale | Dylan Irish (SR) – Cole Valley Christian | Tyler Romine (SR) – Cole Valley Christian | Wyatt Black (SO) – Weiser | Kaden LaChapelle (JR) – Weiser | Sutton Fitch (JR) – Fruitland | Michael O’Campo (JR) – Payette | Jayden Barrera (SO) – Payette | Gauge Christy (SO) – Payette | Donavan Uranga (FR) – Homedale

HONORABLE MENTION:

Jameson George (SR) – Fruitland | Cole Morgan (SO) – Cole Valley Christian | Cole Naugle (JR) – McCall-Donnelly | Ryker Phillips (JR) – Payette | Cole Ingle (JR) – Weiser | William Dunne (SO) – Homedale

Sugar-Salem (20-4) stuns #1 Fruitland 7-3

The #4 Diggers shocked the previously perfect Grizzlies (26-1), ending Fruitland’s perfect season with a commanding performance. Dawson McInelly was unstoppable for Sugar-Salem, going 3-for-3 with a double and triple. Jack Gardner earned the complete game victory, allowing just 3 runs over 7 innings while striking out 7. Sugar-Salem jumped out early with back-to-back triples in the second inning and never looked back, collecting 11 hits and playing error-free defense. Quinn Hood led Fruitland with 2 RBIs in the loss.

Marsh Valley (25-2) overwhelms #2 Cole Valley 14-7

The #3 Eagles used a relentless offensive attack to upset the second-seeded Chargers. Tate Whitworth went 3-for-4 with two doubles for Marsh Valley, who broke the game open with a 5-run third inning highlighted by Boston Sorensen’s clutch two-run triple. The Eagles continued the onslaught with five more runs in the fourth. Bo Larsen drove in a team-high 3 RBIs while Sorensen earned the pitching win. Despite Cole Valley collecting 10 hits, including Eli Hamby’s 3-for-4 performance, they couldn’t overcome Marsh Valley’s 10-hit, 11-walk offensive explosion.

Both winners advance to Friday’s semifinal matchup at 7:00 PM, while Cole Valley and Fruitland drop to the consolation bracket where they’ll face off at 4:00 PM Friday in an elimination game.

The Sugar-Salem Diggers (21-4) secured their spot in the IHSAA 4A State Tournament with a convincing 6-1 victory over Homedale (19-12) on Saturday, completing a perfect 2-0 run through the regional tournament.

Game Highlights:

• Sugar-Salem wasted no time, jumping ahead in the first inning on Sam Chappell’s two-run triple
• The Diggers extended their lead in the third with Jack Gardner’s RBI triple and Ben Aldrich’s run-scoring single
• Dawson McInelly delivered a complete-game gem on the mound, allowing just two hits
• Sugar-Salem’s defense turned two critical double plays to maintain control throughout the contest

Offensive Leaders:

• Sam Chappell: Triple, 2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases
• Jack Gardner: Triple, 2 RBIs
• Ben Aldrich: 2-for-3 with an RBI
• Will Chappell: Patient approach with 3 walks

Pitching Performance:

• Dawson McInelly (W): Complete game, 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 6 K, 2 BB – dominant from start to finish

Team Stats:

• Strong plate discipline with 6 walks
• Air-tight defense with 2 double plays
• Aggressive baserunning strategy throughout

The Diggers join Fruitland as regional representatives at the IHSAA 4A State Tournament, which will be held May 15-17 at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls, where they’ll look to capture a state championship.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Marsh Valley Eagles (25-1) punched their ticket to the IHSAA 4A State Tournament with a hard-fought 8-6 victory over a resilient Payette Pirates (14-13) squad on Saturday, completing their regional tournament run in dramatic fashion.

Game Highlights:

• Marsh Valley jumped ahead early on Bo Larsen’s RBI triple in the first inning
• After Payette tied the game, the Eagles built a 3-1 advantage with well-executed small ball tactics
• The Pirates launched a stunning five-run fourth inning, highlighted by Jahzyon Sylva’s bases-clearing single
• Trailing 6-3, Marsh Valley mounted a determined comeback, scoring five unanswered runs to secure the victory
• The Eagles’ bullpen delivered 3.2 shutout innings to preserve the win

Offensive Leaders:

• Bo Larsen: Triple, RBI, providing early momentum
• Ruger Scott: Hit, RBI, 3 stolen bases, setting the tone on the basepaths
• Cooper Curzon: Hit, RBI, sacrifice bunt
• Boston Sorensen: RBI, key sacrifice bunt

Pitching Performance:

• Kanyon Lish (W): 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K, 2 BB – stellar relief performance to secure the win
• Ruger Scott: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 K, 4 BB – battled through challenging situations

Team Stats:

• Aggressive baserunning with 6 stolen bases
• Timely hitting and execution in pressure situations
• Clutch defensive play including a pivotal double play

The Eagles join Fruitland, Sugar-Salem, and Cole Valley as state tournament qualifiers, with the IHSAA 4A State Tournament set for May 15-17 at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls. Marsh Valley enters the tournament with an impressive 25-1 record and championship aspirations.

The Cole Valley Christian Chargers (23-5) punched their ticket to the IHSAA 4A State Tournament with a convincing 9-1 victory over Timberlake (14-5) on Saturday, completing an impressive regional tournament run.

Game Highlights:

• Cole Valley jumped ahead early on Dylan Irish’s RBI double in the first inning
• The Chargers built their lead steadily throughout, adding runs in the third and fifth innings
• Cole Valley’s pitching staff combined to allow just two hits while striking out 11 batters
• A balanced offensive attack produced nine hits and nine runs against a quality Timberlake squad

Offensive Leaders:

• Tyler Romine: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, including a key RBI single in the third inning
• Jake Church: 2 hits, solid production from the lineup
• Cole Morgan: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, providing depth in the batting order
• Dylan Irish: RBI double, 2 walks, setting the tone early

Pitching Performance:

• Lucas Guray (W): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 7 K, 4 BB – dominant control throughout
• Cole Morgan: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K, 2 BB – closed out the game emphatically

Team Stats:

• Disciplined approach at the plate with 7 walks
• 9 hits spread across multiple contributors
• Efficiency on the mound with 11 strikeouts to just 6 walks

The Chargers join Fruitland and Sugar-Salem as state tournament qualifiers, with the IHSAA 4A State Tournament set for May 15-17 at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls, where they’ll compete for a state championship.

The Fruitland Grizzlies continued their remarkable undefeated season (now 26-0) with a commanding 11-0 victory over the Buhl Indians in Saturday’s regional matchup, punching their ticket to the IHSAA 4A State Tournament.

Game Highlights:

• Grizzlies’ pitching staff combined for a complete-game shutout, allowing just 3 hits
• Landon Bushong launched a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning
• Fruitland broke the game open with a decisive 5-run sixth inning
• Coye Coffman dominated on both sides, throwing 4 scoreless innings while collecting 2 hits and an RBI triple

Offensive Leaders:

• Coye Coffman: 2 hits including an RBI triple, 3 stolen bases
• Landon Bushong: 2 hits with a solo home run
• Quinn Hood: Game-high 2 RBIs
• Owen Baker: 2 RBIs on two sacrifice flies
• Nate Grosvenor: RBI double

Pitching Performance:

• Coye Coffman (W): 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB – masterful control throughout
• Jameson George: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 2 BB – closed out the game in relief

Team Stats:

• 9 total hits with consistent production throughout the lineup
• Error-free defense with a key double play
• 5 different players drove in runs, showcasing balanced attack

The Grizzlies advance to the IHSAA 4A State Tournament, which will be held May 15-17 at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls, where they’ll look to continue their perfect season and capture the state championship.

Fruitland Grizzlies (25-0) narrowly defeated Buhl Indians (16-7) 4-3 in Friday’s Idaho 4A Baseball Regional opener. The Grizzlies struck first on Quinn Hood’s RBI single in the first. Buhl tied it 2-2 in the fourth on Blayden Lowry’s two-strike single. Fruitland reclaimed the lead in the fifth on Austin Tesnohlidek’s RBI single and Max Vidlak’s sac fly. Hood went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

Tesnohlidek got the win in relief, allowing 1 run in 2 innings. Buhl’s Chase Craner went 3-for-3, and Kannon Gambrel added a 2-for-4 day. Despite being outhit, Fruitland stole 9 bases to secure the win.

Cole Valley edged Timberlake 7-6 in a thriller decided by an error in the seventh. Carson Kile went 4-for-4, and Tyler Romine executed the walk-off bunt to seal it. Both teams traded leads in a back-and-forth battle.

Marsh Valley shut out Payette 3-0 behind Tate Whitworth’s complete-game one-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Bo Larsen’s third-inning triple provided the offensive spark. Payette’s offense struggled to gain traction.

Sugar-Salem defeated Homedale 8-1 after a five-run seventh inning. Kace Malstrom and Jack Gardner each had 3 hits and 2 RBIs. Malstrom also pitched a complete game, allowing just one unearned run.

All eight teams return tomorrow as the double-elimination tournament continues.

Every pitch, every play, every moment counts in these best-of-3 series. Win and advance to State. Lose and go home.

THE MATCHUPS:

North Regional: #8 Timberlake vs #2 Cole Valley at Post Falls High School

West Regional: #1 Fruitland hosts #7 Buhl

Southeast Regional: #4 Marsh Valley hosts #6 Payette

East Regional: #3 Homedale vs #5 Sugar-Salem at Sugar-Salem Jr. High School

First pitch drops Friday at 5:00 or 6:00 PM (check your local sites!)

Four teams. Four spots at State. Who’s punching their ticket to the 4A State Tournament May 15-17?

The Pirates (now 14-10) pulled off another INCREDIBLE comeback victory, erasing a 4-run deficit to defeat Homedale (18-8) in Wednesday’s elimination game! After shocking #2 Cole Valley yesterday, Payette has now earned a championship showdown with undefeated Fruitland!

𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍:

Payette struck first with Jake Penfold’s single and steal of home in the first inning. Homedale surged ahead with a 4-run fourth featuring Carson Fine’s 2-RBI double, Wylee Bidiman’s RBI single, and a steal of home to make it 6-2!

Down to their final outs in the seventh, the resilient Pirates rallied to tie it with clutch hits from Penfold, Christy, and Phillips! In the eighth, Jaxon Rodriguez drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the winning run!

𝐏𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒:

• 15 total hits in the comeback victory
• Jahzyon Sylva: PERFECT 4-for-4 at the plate from the leadoff spot
• Jake Penfold: Multiple hits, 2 stolen bases
• Gauge Christy: 2-for-5, team-leading 2 RBIs
• Michael O’Campo: Multiple hits
• 4 stolen bases
• Errorless defense (Darrien Pecunia with 8 flawless chances)

𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒:

• 11 total hits
• Donovan Uranga: Led team with 3-for-4 performance
• Carson Fine & Lukas Hall: 2 RBIs each
• Wylee Bidiman: 2-for-3
• Chance Martell: 2 stolen bases (team had 8 total)
• Turned one double play

𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆:

• Jake Penfold (Payette): 3⅔ innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 strikeouts, 3 walks
• Gauge Christy (Payette): 4⅓ innings relief, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk (WIN)
• Lukas Hall (Homedale): 6⅓ innings, 10 hits, 6 runs, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks

𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄:

The #4 seed Pirates continue their magical postseason run! After back-to-back upset victories in extra innings, Payette has earned a championship matchup with undefeated Fruitland on Thursday.

With their tournament run over, Homedale now joins Cole Valley in the waiting game as both teams watch to see if they receive at-large bids to the Regional Tournament.