TIOGA COUNTY - Owego's Elijah Lewis was the epitome of a big game performer in 2025, providing clutch pitching and consistent high level at-bats to earn Tioga County Sports Report "Baseball Player of the Year."

OFA's Dylan Brace is the "Newcomer of the Year," while the River Hawks' Nick Wegmann is "Coach of The Year."

Owego's Lewis was a workhorse in all facets of the game for the 2025 season. A shutdown pitcher on the mound, as well as a solid infielder and stellar lead-off hitter, Lewis paced the River Hawks to a STAC Central title on top of a return to the Section IV Class A Championship Series.

On the bump, Lewis went 7-1 with a 1.113 WHIP and a 1.53 ERA in 50.1 innings pitched. The senior fanned 61 batters on the year with opponents average .167 against him. Lewis threw a complete game, one-hit shutout in the first round of sectional playoffs, before holding champion, Maine-Endwell to just two hits and one earned run in the  Class A title game. Lewis also pitched a complete game against Waverly to clinch the STAC Central, going all seven innings while allowing just one earned run.

Offensively, Lewis hit .322 with 19 hits, including a home run, 12 RBI, 24 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. The senior standout worked 19 walks and was hit by pitch on six occasions, earning an on-base percentage of .524 combined with a slugging percentage of .390 for a .914 OPS.

OFA's Brace took over catching duties for OFA this spring. The sophomore showcased top-notch blocking abilities, while providing an arm that many runners shied away from. At the plate, Brace hit .362 with 21 hits that included, six doubles, 22 RBI and 18 runs scored. Brace worked 15 walks for an on-base percentage of .536 to go with a slugging percentage of .466 for a 1.001 OPS.

Coach Wegmann led the 2025 River Hawks to a 15-6-1 record that included capturing the STAC Central title, as well as a second consecutive birth in the Section IV Class A Championship Series.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Elijah Lewis, senior, Owego

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Dylan Brace, sophomore, Owego

COACH OF THE YEAR - Nick Wegmann, Owego

Elijah Lewis, senior, Owego: See above.

An offensive juggernaut, Bailey hit .462 with 24 hits, including five doubles, two triples, one home run, 19 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. He walked seven times, and was hit by one pitch for a .516 on-base percentage, to go along with a .692 slugging percentage for a 1.208 OPS. Bailey was also a very good shortstop, and had a solid season on the mound. Bailey was 1-3, and did not allow an earned run in 11 2/3 innings, while striking out 11. Opponents hit .222 against him.

Dylan Brace, sophomore, Owego: See above.

Aman had a breakout year for SVEC baseball. In 2025, Aman was reliable in the outfield and at the plate for the eagles. The junior batted .491 with 26 hits, including seven doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, and 22 runs scored. Aman also stole 18 bases and finished with a 1.248 OPS.

Taylor, a future Binghamton Bearcat was stellar on the mound again in 2025, as well as at third base and offensively for Owego. Taylor went 4-3 this season on the mound, striking out 64 opposing hitters and finishing with a .957 WHIP and a 1.522 ERA. Offensively, the senior hit .293 with 17 hits, including one homer, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and 22 runs scored. Taylor earned a .929 OPS.

English was Owego's everyday first baseman this spring, showcasing a solid glove, while providing a big bat in the top half of the lineup. In 2025, English hit .346 with 18 hits, including two home runs, six doubles, 13 RBI, and 23 runs scored. English was walked 18 times, and earned an on-base percentage of .527 along with a slugging percentage of .577 for a 1.104 OPS.

Jack Pipher, freshman, Waverly: 

Pipher hit .327 with 18 hits in 20 games this year, including four doubles, one triple, 12 RBI, 19 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts. He walked 18 times and was hit by two pitches for a .494 on-base percentage and a .930 OPS.

Sinn was a veteran leader for the Eagles, providing a bit of everything, from catching and pitching to solid at-bats all spring. In 2025, Sinn hit .417 with an on-base percentage of .481 and a slugging percentage of .542 for a 1.023 OPS. Sinn recorded 20 hits, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored, while also totaling 14 stolen bases.

Williamson hit .417 in 2025 with 20 hits, including four doubles, one triple, 18 RBI, and 13 runs scored. Williamson stole 11 bases and finished the season with a 1.050 OPS. Williamson also went 1-1 on the mound with 17 strikeouts in 15.2 innings pitched.

Godfrey hit .360 with 18 hits, including two doubles, one triple, one home run, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored. He walked five times and was hit by three pitches for a .441 on-base percentage, a .500 slugging percentage, and a .991 OPS. On the mound, Godfrey was 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA. He struck out 25 and walked 10 in 16 innings.

Ault threw in just about every big game the Wolverines played in this season. He posted a 3-2 record with one save, a 1.726 ERA and a 1.233 WHIP. Ault registered 57 strikeouts and 39 base on balls in 48 2/3 innings. Opponents hit .121 against him.

Senior, Jason Jantz was a critical piece for the Eagles in 2025. The veteran had 16 hits, including two triples, to go with six RBI, 12 runs scored and three stolen bases. Jantz finished with an impressive batting average of .500 on 38 plate appearances. He only walked three times, while still finishing with a 1.204 OPS.

A very good glove at third base, Koenig hit .339 with 20 hits, including two doubles, one triple, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and nine stolen bases.

Dember averaged .390 with 16 hits, including two doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Dember walked 11 times and was hit by two pitches for a .537 on-base percentage, to go along with a .561 slugging percentage for a 1.098 OPS.

Palladino averaged .333 with 18 hits that included three doubles and 14 runs scored, along with working 10 walks to go with 10 stolen bases. Palladino finished the season with an .826 OPS, as well as providing a solid glove in centerfield.

Bombard hit .311 with 14 hits, including one double, five RBI, 20 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. He walked 13 times for a .466 on-base percentage. On the mound, Bombard was 3-1 with 40 strikeouts and 26 walks in 27 innings.

A good glove at first base, Welles, fresh off a broken leg suffered wrestling in January, hit .288 with 17 hits, including two doubles, two home runs, 18 RBI, 12 runs scored, and seven steals. He walked 13 times and was hit by one pitch for a .425 on-base percentage.

Karp logged 21 innings on the mound for the Cardinals this spring, while fanning 35 opposing hitters. At the plate, Karp earned a .513 on-base percentage with a .444 slugging percentage for a .957 OPS.