Five Tigers earn first-team all-league honors

Coming off twin Northern 4A Regional runner-up finishes, the Douglas High baseball and softball teams had a strong showing in the postseason honors recently released.

Between the two, the Tigers had five first-teamers, nine second-teamers and three honorable mentions.

Douglas' baseball team put catcher Jordan Hadlock, pitcher/outfielder Nate Whalin and left fielder Cory Eilers on the first-team while the softball team had center fielder Lauren Hoppe and third baseman Emily Weaver make the first team.

It was the second consecutive first-team mention for Whalin and the third-straight for Hoppe, who is only a junior.

Hadlock, a junior, was arguably the best defensive catcher in the region and sported a rocket of an arm on the throws from home to second base on stolen base attempts.

He also batted .343 on the year with a league-leading five triples while hitting a total of six home runs and driving in 24 runs. He was the Tigers' primary closer on the mound and posted a 2-0 record with two saves and 19 strikeouts in 11 appearances.

Whalin was third in the league in slugging percentage (.776) and second in doubles (7). He hit eight home runs, drove in 28 runs and added two triples for good measure.

On the mound, he recorded 37 strikeouts in nine appearances on his way to a 5-2 record.

Eilers drove in 32 runs on the year to lead the team and had a league average of .418.

He was second in the league with four triples and was stellar in left field, making a number of impressive grabs along the way.

In softball, Hoppe led the team, with 14 doubles, 45 RBIs and six home runs, extending her career total to 14.

Weaver drove in 32 runs from the leadoff spot and led the team with six triples.

Douglas had a large haul of second-teamers in baseball with first baseman Phil Mannelly, second baseman Willie Morgan, third baseman Ryan Pruitt, center fielder Niko Saladis, pitcher/right fielder Tyler May and pitcher Wyatt Graham all getting nods.

An argument could have been made for any one of those to make the first team, but with the deep talent of the Sierra League, it would have been unreasonable to put them all on.

The softball team had pitcher Stephanie Harper, designated hitter Mackenzie Cauley and shortstop Tisha Luken all make the second team while outfielder Morgan Barone, catcher Katrina Morgan and first baseman Marina Diaz earned honorable mentions.

-- Joey Crandall can be reached at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.