By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

Eight local high school baseball players were lauded for their efforts during the recently completed season.

Orchard View infielder Josh Wieten and Oakridge infielder Patrick Giddings were named first-team all-staters by the Michigan High School Baseball Association.,

Wieten is headed to Muskegon Community College next year, where he will return to catching for the Jayhawks. This season for OV, Wieten was a pitcher and an infielder. He was also a team captain for Coach Ed Macheta’s team.

Giddings was named all-state as an infielder, but also was a solid pitcher for the Eagles. He tossed a one-hitter in a Division 3 pre-district game against Ravenna. The Eagles won that game 8-0. Not only is Giddings a good hitter and solid pitcher, but is also well known for his defensive prowess.

In addition, six area players were named to the second team.

That group included a trio of players from Muskegon Catholic Central, which advanced to the Division 4 state semifinals finals before dropping a one-run heartbreaker to eventual state champion Decatur.

Crusaders honored included first baseman Dominic DeTorres, infielder Connor Seymour and outfielder Jason Ribecky.

Holton pitcher Laketon Belinger was also a second-team selection along with Newaygo’s Brandon Phillips, an infielder, and Mason County Central’s Austen Cox, also an infielder.