BonnerSprings.com

The Bonner Springs High School baseball team had an improved season this year, and other coaches around the league recognized that in naming two Braves to the All-Kaw Valley League teams.

Junior pitcher and first baseman Austin Anderson earned first-team honors. He paced the Braves' offensive attack with a .412 batting average and seven runs batted in. He also performed as the pitching staff's ace with four victories and a 2.55 earned-run average.

Anderson's most notable performance came in the first game of the Butch Foster Memorial Baseball Classic at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Anderson struck out an eye-popping 13 batters and only allowed one run on one hit in seven dominant innings. He also added two singles and an RBI in the 8-1 victory.

"Austin was our team's MVP," said Rick Moulin, the Braves' coach who recently resigned. "Every time he took the mound we knew we had a chance to win, and that is a nice thing to have as a team."

Braves infielder Chance Crawford garnered honorable mention honors after turning in a very productive second half of the season. In a preseason practice he broke his finger while sliding into a base. The injury sidelined him for several weeks, but upon his return in late April he hit a strong .333 from the leadoff spot in the lineup. He also tacked on eight stolen bases.

"I think Chance being selected as honorable mention despite missing much of the season really goes to show what opposing coaches think of his talent and ability," Moulin said. "He is our most aggressive base runner and always gives it his all. He really leads by example."

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