McNary catcher Ty Covalt was the lone first-team all-conference selection for the Celtics this season. The catcher batted .400 this season with 27 RBIs and 21 runs scored (File).
The McNary baseball squad had six players receive all-Mountain Valley Conference recognition for their outstanding play over the course of the season.
Ty Covalt- (senior) catcher: First-team all-league.
Covalt was McNary’s only first-team performer — it’s the second straight season he has earned those honors. He led the Celtics in hitting, batting .400 with a .516 on-base percentage, 27 RBIs and 21 runs scored. Covalt also proved to be an outstanding defender behind the dish and caught 15 runners stealing.
What his coach (Larry Keeker) said:
“He was consistent all season long. He did a really good job in a leadership role as our catcher and he was excellent in his management of our pitching staff … From an offensive standpoint, he was a big RBI guy for us and was very consistent in producing runs from the middle of our order.”
David Allen- (senior) pitcher: Second-team all-league.
Allen was the unquestioned ace on the mound for McNary this season. He led the Celtics in innings pitched (50.2) and had two wins and one save. He struck out 28 and was McNary’s go-to-guy in tough games and situations. At the plate, he batted .214, was second on the team in runs scored (20) and led the Celtics in stolen bases (7).
What his coach says:
“David was our number one pitcher and we used him that way. He had some really gutsy outings that he really had to battle through. The team knew that he was the guy that we were going to throw in an important game. He had some struggles with his command, but he still had a great year for us.”
Robert Benson- (senior) outfielder: Second-team all-league.
One of the best athletes on this McNary team. He was second on the team in hitting with a .378 batting average and was tied for the team lead in base hits (28). He had five stolen bases, 13 RBIs and scored 18 runs.
What his coach says:
“Robert’s competitiveness has made a huge difference for him, from both an offensive and defensive standpoint. He had a lot of productive at-bats this season and provided a lot of aggressiveness on the base paths. His work ethic was fantastic.”
Ian Martin- (sophomore) infielder: Second-team all-league.
Martin patrolled second base for the Celtics this season and had a fielding percentage of .952 with only three errors. He also batted .312 with a OBP of .375.
What his coach says:
“Ian is one of our better infielders, which is why we had him playing in the middle. He has some really quick hands and had a very high fielding percentage … His bat really came alive late in the league season and had some really nice games for us after bouncing him around the lineup.”
Rennick Jeffries- (junior) pitcher: Honorable mention.
Jeffries showed he had filthy stuff throughout the season and led McNary in strikeouts (49) and wins (3). He also had an ERA of 4.07.
What his coach says:
“Rennick’s potential is sky high in terms of fastball velocity and being able to throw a breaking pitch. But the thing I’m most proud about was the progress he has made with his composure. He battled through stressful situations and I know that he will continue to grow … He was our number two guy on the hill this year and next year, he will probably be our number one.”
Noah Bach- (senior) outfielder: Second-team all-league.
Bach batted .242 this season and had two home runs — making him the only Celtics player with multiple dingers. He also knocked in 12 and had an OBP of .373.
What his coach says:
“Noah does have the ability to hit the home run and his defense improved enough that we could put him in left field and rely on him to make the routine plays he supposed to make … He was a great senior teammate and I’m really proud of the success he had.”