The Braves this summer compiled a 5-13 record in a conference that included two Class 1A state tournament teams – Sigourney and state champion Lynnville-Sully.
So, much of what the Braves accomplished happened against some very good teams.
Montezuma hit pretty well – .274, which isn’t bad for a baseball team – and was athletic enough to play some good situation defense.
The team had some speed, and seniors Cruz De Jong and Garrett Watts supplied some power.
Six players hit over .300, led by senior Jack Erselius at .327.
Luke Erselius, one of the Braves’ starting pitchers, struck out 53 in 36 innings, and had a team low earned run average of 4.47 per seven innings.
Braves season stats leaders
Runs – Broox Stockman 16, Garrett Watts 15, Cruz De Jong 15, Jake Erselius 12, Luke Erselius 11.
Hits – Watts 20, De Jong 16, Jack Erselius 16, Luke Erselius 14, Stockman 13. Team batting average: .274.
Doubles – Watts 4, De Jong 3.
Home runs – De Jong 3, Watts 1.
Runs batted in – Luke Erselius 12, Easton Hudnut 11, De Jong 9, Gavin Wilcox 8, Watts 8, Rett Pargeon 8.
Batting average – Jack Erselius .327, De Jong .314, Hudnut .308. Watts .308. Luke Erselius .304, Stockman .302.
Slugging percentage – De Jong .549, Watts .415, Luke Erselius .391, Stockman .373, Jack Erselius .347.
Stolen bases – Stockman 20-23, Jack Erselius 16-16, Watts 16-19, Hudnut 8-11, Luke Erselius 7-8, De Jong 7-8. Team: 87-98.
Fielding percentage (minimum 28 chances) – Stockman 1.000, De Jong .932, Watts .846, Pargeon .833. Breck Simpson, .821, Luke Erselius .820.
Pitching wins – Luke Erselius 2, Watts 2, Isaac Wedgewood 1.
Innings pitched – Luke Erselius 36.0, Watts 34.1, Wedgewdood 26.1.
Strikeouts – Luke Erselius 53, Watts 39.
Earned run average – Luke Erselius 4.47, Wedgewood 7.18, Hudnut .840, Watts 8.17.