After all was said and done, four Bulldogs earned All-Inland Empire League baseball honors this season.

Each of the four athletes brought something different to the table ­­— whether it was lights-out pitching, discipline at the plate, a long highlight reel of defensive plays or by just being flat-out good at every facet of the game.

Although Stockton graduated this spring, fellow all-league honorees Avery Bocksch, Ethan Butler and Tyler Lehman will give Sandpoint a promising core to build around in 2020.

Avery Bocksch

(3B, sophomore)

Stats: .297/.438/.422, .983 fielding percentage, .860 OPS

Game of note: May 6 vs. Moscow

If one player’s performance summed up the Bulldogs’ season, then it was probably sophomore Avery Bocksch, whose growth as a player gives Sandpoint baseball a bright future.

During his first season at the varsity level, Bocksch was tasked not only with adjusting to varsity-level competition, but also with learning to play third base ­­— a critical defensive position. But Bocksch didn’t back down from this tall order. He embraced it.

“Avery is a competitor,” Sandpoint head coach Chase Tigert said. “This year, he was asked to play a new position, one he had never played before, and not only did he move over without hesitation, but he also took control of the entire left side of the infield. He’s a natural third baseman.”

Bocksch’s maturity was apparent at the plate as well. Bocksch was second on the team in walks drawn (14), had five games with a slugging percentage of at least 1.000 and notched 13 RBI in 25 games.

Picking out one of Bocksch’s best games doesn’t require much thought. The sophomore had a birthday to remember during the first day of the 4A IEL Tournament, in which he recorded back-to-back multi-hit games that brought the Bulldogs from an elimination game to the doorstep of a league title.

“He hit the cover off the ball,” Tigert said. “His smooth swing provided power to both sides of the field. He’s going to put together an outstanding baseball career.”

Ethan Butler

(Pitcher, freshman)

Stats: 3-1 record, 1.91 ERA, 33 IP, 26 Ks, 5.51 K/7 1.54 WHIP

Game of note: April 12 vs. Moscow

With players like Tyrone Larson, Preston Pettit and Thomas Riley moving on to better things, the Bulldogs were in need of a pitching hero to take their places.

Enter freshman Ethan Butler, the tall righty who put together a memorable freshman campaign, kept the Bulldogs in games and gave Sandpoint fans a big reason to be hopeful for the next three years.

“Ethan had a tremendous freshman season,” Tigert said. “His maturity and poise on the mound is what you would find in collegiate level pitchers. He is one of the most coachable kids I have ever worked with.”

From the six-inning, five strikeout outing in his first home start against Moscow, to his two starts during the district tournament, Butler shone with his crafty off-speed pitches and his near-unflappable demeanor. His breaking ball and slider stymied hitters all year, setting up the first chapter of what could be a decorated prep baseball career.

“His success this year was due to a few key things: He tilted the ball, he attacked the hitters and he pounded the zone,” Tigert said. “The sky is the limit for Ethan. He has the potential to become one of the best pitchers to ever come out of Sandpoint High School.”

Tyler Lehman

(1B/pitcher, junior)

Stats: .328/.439/.417, 3.15 ERA (in nine appearances), 13.3 K/7

Game of note: April 29 vs. Timberlake (Game 2)

Arguably the most versatile player on the team, Lehman followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with another all-league season. Although Lehman’s role increased this season, he stepped up in all facets of the game and was a true upperclassman leader on a relatively young team.

“He had a major impact on the team’s success this year,” Tigert said. “Tyler hit just under .330 at the plate and posted a .162 opposing batting average on the bump. Tyler can do it all. He played multiple positions for us this year and he won some important games for us on the bump.”

No game exemplified Lehman’s versatility quite like the second game of the Timberlake series, in which he struck out 10 batters while only allowing two hits, then notched two hits and three runs of his own at the plate.

Regardless of whether he was pitching or hitting, Lehman was exactly the player Bulldog fans wanted to see in clutch situations. To wit: His two-strikeout, no-hit, one-inning outing in game three of the district tournament singlehandedly kept the Bulldogs in the game.

“It’s been amazing to watch him grow as a player over the past three seasons,” Tigert said. “I’m really excited that I still get to work with him for one more year. The future is bright for Tyler.”

Alex Stockton

(OF, senior)

Stats: .290/.400/.467, .933 fielding percentage, 18 hits, 1 HR

Game of note: May 10 @ Lakeland

Could it be anyone else?

The three-sport star capped off a memorable Sandpoint career with lock-down defense in the outfield. Pick a game, and his impact in right field was apparent.

“Alex is a force to be reckoned with in the outfield,” Tigert said. “He is fast, agile, and has a very strong arm. He’s caught balls in the outfield that really had no business of being caught. He’s ran down lined shots down the line and balls in the gaps with ease. If it was hit in the air anywhere near Alex, we always knew it was going to be an out.”

Ever the emotional leader, Stockton poured his heart and soul into the game every time he took the field. Usually a sentence like that would sound trite, but anyone who watched Stockton play knew how true that sentiment was.

His effort and drive was apparent in every pop-fly he ran down, every extra-base hit and especially in the Bulldogs’ final game of the season, in which Stockton’s triple helped Sandpoint tie Lakeland late in the game.

“Not only is he an outstanding athlete, but he’s also an amazing kid,” Tigert said. “He’s a great teammate and friend, and I’ve really enjoyed coaching him the past three years. We’re going to miss him next year.”

2019 4A IEL All-League team

Sandpoint athletes in bold

League MVP: Justin Dennison (Lakeland, Jr.)

Newcomer of the Year: Chad Redinger (Moscow, Soph.)

Coach of the Year: Jason Bradbury (Lakeland)

Pitchers: Ethan Butler (Sandpoint, Fr.), Cameron Harris (Lakeland, Fr.), Peyton Waters (Moscow, Sr.)

Outfielders: Collin Bell (Lakeland, Jr.), Brayden Decker (Moscow, Jr.), Alex Stockton (Sandpoint, Sr.)

Infielders: Billy Adams (Moscow, Sr.), Avery Bocksch (Sandpoint, So.), Isaac Silva (Lakeland, Jr.), Jaret Taylor (Lakeland, Sr.)

Catcher: Colton Aragon (Lakeland, Jr.)

DH/Utility: Tyler Lehman (Sandpoint, Jr.)