In voting by Northwest Conference baseball coaches for the 2014 baseball season. senior Damian Helm, a pitcher/first baseman from Crestview was named Player of the Year. This follows Helm’s selection as player of the year in basketball and receiving co-player of the year honors last year in baseball. Helm was a near unanimous selection receiving 159 out of a possible 160 points in the balloting.
Bluffton coach Sam Fruchey tallied 22 points to be named Coach of the Year at the all-conference selection meeting Monday evening at Delphos Jefferson. Fruchey led the Pirates to a 6-2 record and a Northwest Conference co-championship with Crestview. Crestview’s coach Jim Wharton finished second in the coach of the year balloting.
Damian Helm was 5-1 with one save on the mound for the Knights while sporting a 1.25 ERA. He struck out 53 batters and walked only 3 in 33 2/3 innings. Helm also hit for a .464 average in league play while batting .343 overall.
First Team
Damian Helm – Crestview – Senior
Chris McClain – Bluffton – Senior
Ross Thompson – Delphos Jefferson – Senior
Josh Verhoff – Columbus Grove – Senior
Cam Etzler – Crestview – Senior
Trent Phillips – Bluffton – Senior
Quentin Vance – Paulding – Senior
Treston Gonzales – Paulding – Junior
Kyle Williams – Lincolnview – Senior
Jonathan Shimp – Spencerville – Senior
Second Team
Austin Jettinghoff – Delphos Jefferson – Senior
Nate Owens – Crestview – Junior
Brayden Sautter – Ada – Sophomore
Erik Neely – Allen East – Junior
Riley Brubaker – Columbus Grove – Senior
Eli Farmer – Lincolnview – Senior
Travis Wireman – Allen East – Junior
Tanner Stippich – Allen East – Junior
Tyler Rice – Delphos Jefferson – Senior
Austin Bricker – Bluffton – Junior
Honorable Mention
Jordan Roop – Crestview – Junior
Drake Luginbuhl – Bluffton – Senior
Braden Goodwin – Allen East – Junior
Corbin Edwards – Paulding – Sophomore
Hunter French – Spencerville – Sophomore
Connor English – Ada – Junior
Isaiah Simerman – Crestview – Senior
Jace Stockwell – Delphos Jefferson – Freshman
Slade Downing – Ada – Senior
Kyle Kauser – Paulding – Senior
Javier Gonzales – Paulding – Senior
