Platte County senior infielder Brennan McLaughlin was named the Class 5 Player of the Year for a second straight season, leading all baseball honorees in postseason awards.
Platte County had another big year, finishing third in Class 5 after a conference title boosted its postseason aspirations. The Pirates, who shared the Greater KC White Division title with Grain Valley, had seven players earn all-conference recognition.
McLaughlin, who was recognized as conference MVP for the first time in his prolific Pirate career, added his second state player of the year award. Also earning all-state honors and becoming a four-time all-conference first team honoree, McLaughlin is set to continue his baseball career at Oral Roberts University next spring.
McLaughlin hit .459 with 49 RBIs on 51 hits while scoring 41 runs and stealing 22 bases for Platte County this season, where he moved from third base to shortstop. He was also electric on the mound, where he pitched 42 innings with an ERA of 1.17 and 54 strikeouts.
Beckett Hall was named all-state as a sophomore second baseman for Platte County.
The Pirates also had senior pitcher Zach Brown and sophomore second baseman Beckett Hall named to the all-state second team. Brown came up clutch in some high-pressure situations for Platte County in the postseason, earning all-state for the first time in his career.
Joining McLaughlin on the all-conference first team were senior first baseman Andrew Edsall and junior left fielder Matt Cisco. Edsall, who was an honorable mention last year, provided home run power with a consistent level of play while taking over first base duties this season.
Matt Cisco earned all-conference honors from the outfield.
Cisco hit over .300 at the No. 2 spot in Platte County’s batting order, earning an all-conference selection for the first time in his career.
The Pirates’ sophomore duo of infielders Nolan Sipes and Hall joined senior reliever Trent Belcher as all-conference second team selections. The Pirates recorded more than 80 assists and 70 putouts between Sipes at third base and Hall at second base, with Hall also hitting over .400 at leadoff with 28 RBIs. Belcher pitched more than 25 innings, mostly coming out of the bullpen, and helped the Pirates lock up some critical victories.
Platte County senior designated hitter Ian Gold received all-conference recognition once again as an honorable mention. Batting No. 4 in the lineup, Gold hit more than 25 RBIs.
North Platte senior Hunter Palmer was named all-state in Class 2.
In Class 2, North Platte senior Hunter Palmer earned a spot on the all-state team in the outfield. Palmer, who spent time in the outfield and infield, wraps up his Panther career with conference, district and state honors.