SEWARD, Neb. – Nine Bulldogs from the 2022 GPAC tournament championship Concordia University Baseball team have picked up postseason honors from the Omaha World-Herald, as announced on Sunday (June 12). The state of Nebraska’s largest media outlet recognized standout position players Jay Adams, Joey Grabanski and Jaidan Quinn as 2022 All-Midlands Baseball Team selections. Six other Concordia players were rewarded with honorable mention status on the team: Alec Blakestad, Keaton Candor, Jesse Garcia, Alex Johnson, Caden Johnson and Tanner Tompkins.
The World-Herald’s All-Midlands Baseball Team features the top players from Nebraska four-year colleges and universities outside of the NCAA Division I level. The 2022 team (listed at bottom) includes players from NAIA and NCAA Division II and III institutions. The nine Bulldog honorees helped Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s ’22 squad win 40 games overall and reach the finals of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round Bellevue Bracket.
Concordia All-Midlands award winners
Jay Adams | Waverly, Neb.
2022 stats: 58 G, .371 BA (86-for-232), 67 R, 14 2B, 18 HR, 65 RBIs, 15 SB, .440 OBP, .664 SLG, .970 F%
Joey Grabanski | Grand Forks, N.D.
2022 stats: 58 G, .396 BA (80-for-202), 54 R, 14 2B, 18 HR, 67 RBIs, .480 OBP, .733 SLG
Jaidan Quinn | Bonner Springs, Kan.
2022 stats: 58 G, .341 BA (59-for-173), 59 R, 10 2B, 1 3B, 19 HR, 59 RBIs, .506 OBP, .740 SLG
Alec Blakestad | Omaha, Neb.
2022 stats: 46 G, .383 BA (51-for-133), 51 R, 12 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 39 RBIs, 14 SB, .484 OBP, .602 SLG
Keaton Candor | Merrill, Iowa
2022 stats: 58 G, .324 BA (68-for-210), 59 R, 10 2B, 18 HR, 60 RBIs, .424 OBP, .629 SLG
Jesse Garcia | El Cajon, Calif.
2022 stats: 56 G, .333 BA (63-for-189), 41 R, 15 2B, 9 HR, 43 RBIs, .466 OBP, .556 SLG, .981 F%
Alex Johnson | Olathe, Kan.
2022 stats: 2.77 ERA, 7-1 W-L, 14 GS, 65 IP, 53 H, 26 BB, 61 K, .228 BAA
Caden Johnson | Papillion, Neb.
2022 stats: 3.45 ERA, 8-2 W-L, 12 GS, 75.2 IP, 61 H, 29 BB, 79 K, .221 BAA
Tanner Tompkins | Normal, Ill.
2022 stats: 50 G, .308 BA (45-for-146), 14 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 45 RBIs, .386 OBP, .548 SLG
2022 Omaha World-Herald All-Midlands Baseball Team
* denotes honorary captain
C - Brenton Davis, Sr., Bellevue
1B - Derek Kolbush, Sr., Nebraska Wesleyan
2B - Jay Adams, So., Concordia
SS - Alec Ackerman, Jr., Bellevue
3B - Jaidan Quinn, So., Concordia
OF - Conner Barnett, So., Bellevue
OF - Kanta Kobayasi, Jr., Bellevue
OF - Joe Osborn, So., Doane
DH - Joey Grabanski, So., Concordia
U - Lukas White, Jr., Doane
SP - Blake Crippen, So., Bellevue
* SP - Elijah Johnson, Sr., Bellevue
SP - Andrew Staebell, Jr., Wayne State
RP - Thaniel Trumper, So., Doane
Honorable mention: Bellevue: Andrew Ashii, Alex Celiceo, McGrane Pledger, Alex Stufft. Concordia: Alec Blakestad, Keaton Candor, Jesse Garcia, Alex Johnson, Caden Johnson, Tanner Tompkins. Doane: Kyler Beekman, Nate Mensik, Justin Nevells, Andy Theier, Jack Tillman, Julian Vargas, Jordan Wisner. Hastings: Camden Brichacek, Keaton Hoeke, Tyler Welsh. Midland: Keegan Adams, Peyton Garbers, Lucas Hamzehm Chase Reynolds, Dakota Thornton. Nebraska Wesleyan: Evan Kling, Kaleb Knox, Noah Unger. Peru State: Sebastian Rodriguez, Jose Solis, Jesus Tavarez. Wayne State: Andrew Hansen, Alex Logelin, Colin Lynam. York: Luke Juarez, Jesus Licon, Daniel Polo, Daniel Tomkiewicz.