Northwest Conference baseball coaches have selected Bluffton junior pitcher/infielder, Nathan Cheney, as the conference Player of the Year, and have also named Paulding coach Mike Leach as the Coach of the Year. Leach led the Panthers to an 8-1 record and a share of the NWC title with Bluffton and Lima Central Catholic who also finished 8-1 in conference play.

Cheney was 7-1 (5-0 in the NWC) for the Pirates with an ERA of 1.43.  At the plate, Nathan hit .465 with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run and 22 RBI’s. When not on the mound, he was a standout at both 3B and shortstop for the Pirates.

Cheney was joined on the NWC First Team by his Blutton teammate, Gabe Goldsberry, Aaron Swaney of Allen East, Kyle Balliett and Ian Zollars of Crestview, Mike Snider of LCC, Justin Riley of Paulding, Tyler Dietering of Spencerville and Craig Carder of Delphos Jefferson.

1st Team
Nathan Cheney, Bluffton, Junior, P/3B/SS
Aaron Swaney, Allen East, Senior, C/P
Kyle Balliett, Crestview, Senior, 1B/P
Mike Snider, Lima Central Catholic, Junior, C/P
Justin Riley, Paulding, Senior, IF/P
Tyler Dietering, Spencerville, Senior, P/C/IF
Ian Zollars, Crestview, Senior, P
Gabe Goldsberry, Bluffton, Junior, SS/P
Craig Carder, Delphos Jefferson, Senior, P/OF/IF

2nd Team
Kevin Linehan, Lima Central Catholic, Senior, P
Derrick Pease, Paulding, Junior, 1B
Brandon Hovest, Columbus Grove, Senior, P/IF
Caleb Girod, Lincolnview, Senior, OF/P
Matt Suderman, Bluffton, Senior, 3B/P
Levi Hoy, Allen East, Junior, OF
Tyler Simmons, Ada, Senior, C
Jordan Jettinghoff, Delphos Jefferson, Senior, IF
Zack Barrientes, Columbus Grove, Sophomore, SS

Honorable Mention
Cody McCullough, Lima Central Catholic, Junior, 3B
Clay Wannemacher, Bluffton, Junior, C
Logan Stoller, Paulding, Junior, SS/P
Eli Ricker, Columbus Grove, Senior, P
Joey Overmyer, Crestview, Junior, C
Evan Vining, Crestview, Senior, OF
Ian Bracey, Lincolnview, Senior, SS
Austin Stolly, Lima Central Catholic, Junior, SS
Nick Zerante, Lima Central Catholic, Senior, RF
Alex Mott, Paulding, Junior, C
Taylor Hoehn, Lincolnview, Junior, 1B
Jesse Maag, Columbus Grove, Senior, CF
Jacob Shimp, Spencerville, Senior, IF
Austin Everhart, Ada, Junior, 2B
Jordan Vorst, Delphos Jefferson, Junior, OF
Cody Mattson, Ada, Senior, IF
Evan Skilliter, Bluffton, Senior, 1B
Clayton Longstreth, Lincolnview, Sophomore, C
Kory Layman, Spencerville, Senior, P/IF