Sport shorts: Lunzman, Hochhalter earn Class A All-State honors
Jun. 9—JAMESTOWN — One of the best teams in North Dakota prep baseball had two of the best players on its roster.
Jamestown's Payton Hochhalter and Mason Lunzman were named to the 2023 Class A Baseball All-State Team this week. The pair helped lead the Blue Jays to the team's first-ever WDA regular season title. Jamestown also managed a second-straight appearance at the 2023 Class A State Baseball Tournament.
Hochhalter was .361 at the plate, recording 26 hits off 72 at-bats. The senior was responsible for two of the Jays' 10 triples and four of the team's 10 home runs. He drove in 24 runs.
Hochhalter tossed a total of 614 pitches across 40.1 innings this spring. He allowed 15 runs on 30 hits and walked 14 batters. He set down 41. Hochhalter's ERA read 1.041 at the end of the year.
The graduated JHS senior will continue playing baseball at the collegiate level. Hochhalter signed with the University of Jamestown football and baseball programs late last year.
While Lunzman has not made any official move to continue his baseball career next year, one can bet he's on prospective coaches' radars.
Lunzman, the Jays' leadoff batter all year, held an average of .325 this season. He drove in 14 runners off his 26 hits. He was 19-for-20 in terms of stolen bases.
The recent JHS grad was even more dangerous on the mound.
The lefty was 7-0 on the hill this spring. in 42.1 innings, he only allowed 12 runs — four earned — on 23 hits. Lunzman walked eight and recorded 53 Ks. Lunzman's senior year ERA read .661.
Lunzman was named Co-WDA Senior Athlete of the Year and at the conclusion of the 2023 State Tournament, he was named the 2023 Player of the Year.
2023 Class A Baseball All-State Team
Mason Lunzman, Jamestown
Payton Hochhalter, Jamestown
Caleb Anderson, West Fargo
Cole Barta, Grand Forks Central
Jadon Bast, Dickinson
Kellan Burke, Minot
Caleb Duerr, West Fargo Sheyenne
Kadin Finders, Williston
Jace Groseclose, Bismarck
Connor Holm, Fargo North
Charlie Kalbrener, Fargo North
Caden Kappes, Wahpeton
Jace Kovash, Dickinson
Tommy Kraljic, St. Mary's
Adam Leininger, Shanley
Jordan Leininger, Shanley
Morgan Nygaard, Minot
Trey Stocker, West Fargo Sheyenne
Lucas Vasey, Legacy
NDHSCA POWERade Outstanding Senior Athlete — Mason Lunzman, Jamestown
NDHSCA SUBWAY Coach of the Year — Andrew Lunsetter, Wahpeton
