Historic recognition honors the best players and coaching in Idaho 4A baseballFLOWW Network is proud to announce the inaugural Idaho 4A Baseball All-Coaches Teams, marking a historic first for high school baseball recognition in the state. FLOWW Network was honored to help host the coaches' meeting that brought this recognition to life, and we're excited …
Historic recognition honors the best players and coaching in Idaho 4A baseball
FLOWW Network is proud to announce the inaugural Idaho 4A Baseball All-Coaches Teams, marking a historic first for high school baseball recognition in the state. FLOWW Network was honored to help host the coaches’ meeting that brought this recognition to life, and we’re excited to be among the first to publish these well-deserved honors. The comprehensive awards program honors outstanding achievement across multiple categories, including Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and First and Second Team All-Coaches selections.
Sugar-Salem’s Dawson McInelly has been named the first-ever Idaho 4A Baseball Player of the Year, capping off a remarkable season that saw him dominate both at the plate and on the mound. McNelly’s exceptional performance included a .558 batting average, 14 home runs (ranking #10 nationally), and a stellar .31 ERA as a pitcher.
The dual-threat athlete’s impressive statistics tell the story of a player who could impact the game in multiple ways. His 14 home runs not only led the state but placed him among the top power hitters in the entire country, while his pitching helped anchor Sugar-Salem’s staff throughout the season. McNelly also earned Mountain Rivers Conference Player of the Year honors after finishing with 41 RBIs and an 8-0 pitching record with a 0.31 ERA. His dominance was a key factor in Sugar-Salem’s back-to-back state championships and their remarkable 19-game winning streak to end the season.
Brady Gardner of Sugar-Salem has earned the honor of Idaho 4A Baseball Coach of the Year, leading his program to new heights in his tenure. Gardner’s leadership and strategic approach helped develop players like McNelly while building a competitive program that has become a force in Idaho 4A baseball.
Under Gardner’s guidance, Sugar-Salem completed one of the most dominant seasons in recent Idaho high school baseball history. The Diggers finished with a 22-4 overall record and captured their second consecutive state championship, ending the season on a remarkable 19-game winning streak. Gardner’s team averaged nearly 13 runs per game with what he described as “the best offense we’ve ever had” featuring “zero holes in the lineup.” The program hit 35 home runs, 20 triples, and 67 doubles in just 21 games, showcasing the offensive development under Gardner’s tutelage.
Gardner’s coaching philosophy and ability to maximize his players’ potential have made Sugar-Salem a consistent contender. His success was further validated when Sugar-Salem completed a clean sweep of Mountain Rivers Conference honors, with Gardner earning Conference Coach of the Year alongside his players’ individual accolades. The program’s back-to-back state titles and sustained excellence reflect the respect he has earned from his coaching peers across the state.
The inaugural First Team All-Coaches selection features 12 standout players from across Idaho’s 4A classification:
This diverse group represents programs from across Idaho, showcasing the depth of talent in 4A baseball. Sugar-Salem leads with three First Team selections, highlighting the program’s overall excellence under Coach Gardner’s leadership.
The Second Team recognition goes to another 12 deserving student-athletes:
The Second Team selections further demonstrate the competitive balance across Idaho 4A baseball, with multiple programs represented and student-athletes from various positions earning recognition.
In an exciting development, coaches at the meeting discussed the potential for an All-Star game to showcase next year’s All-Coaches Team selections. This would provide an additional platform for Idaho’s top 4A baseball talent to compete and display their skills in a showcase format, further elevating the profile of high school baseball in the state.
This inaugural All-Coaches Teams announcement represents a significant step forward in recognizing excellence in Idaho high school baseball. The comprehensive nature of the awards – spanning individual achievement, coaching excellence, and team representation – provides a platform to celebrate the dedication and hard work of student-athletes and coaches across the 4A classification.
The selection process involved input from coaches throughout the 4A ranks, ensuring that the awards truly represent peer recognition and respect within the coaching community. This collaborative approach has resulted in selections that accurately reflect the season’s standout performers.
As Idaho 4A baseball continues to grow and develop, these annual All-Coaches Teams will serve as both recognition for current excellence and motivation for future student-athletes to pursue their own athletic and academic goals.
