Dickinson County News: High School Sports: Three Okoboji baseball standouts earn spots on Class 2A All-District team (08/05/09)

Okoboji head coach Rory Marra calls a meeting on the mound to talk strategy to his infield during a Siouxland Conference contest against Sibley-Ocheyedan on Friday, June 26. Shortstop Blake Kliegl (10), pitcher Ray Zalabowski (15) and catcher Max Burgeson (23) all played integral parts in the Pioneers success this season and were awarded for their hard work by being named to the Class 2A All-District baseball team. [Order this photo]

Max Burgeson, Blake Kliegl and Ray Zalabowski have all become household names over the past three to four seasons when talking about the Okoboji baseball program. With two of the Pioneers wrapping up their prep careers and Zalabowski primed for one more season, the trio continued to collect more postseason hardware after being named to the 2009 Class 2A All-District baseball team.

Zalabowski was one of four pitchers named to the first team in the Northwest District. Joining Zalabowski were Cherokee's duo of Matt Koch and Cody Ege and Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley's Marcus Heemstra.

Burgeson was selected to the second team as a catcher while Kliegl was named to the second team as a shortstop.

For the second straight season, Zalabowski lost only one game on the mound and struck out over 100 batters. He is now 16-2 with 214 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings over the course of the past two years. In 2009, the right-handed flame thrower went 7-1 with four saves and a 1.38 earned run average. Zalabowski averaged 12.6 strikeouts per outing and struck out 17 batters on two different occasions. The strikeout artist kept hitters off balance with a fastball that has been clocked in the upper-80s, not to mention a nasty curveball and an above average slider.

Zalabowski also joined Burgeson and Kliegl as one of the three most consistent hitters on the team. He batted at a .434 clip with two home runs, six doubles, one triple and 26 runs driven in.

Burgeson was Zalabowski's battery mate all season long. In fact, he started all but two games at the backstop position. Burgeson showcased a strong right arm and was an important team leader on the field. He had an outstanding offensive campaign, hitting .446 with a .544 on-base percentage and produced 33 hits in 25 games. The No. 2 hitter connected on four home runs, scored 23 runs and drove in 19 RBI.

Kliegl continued to give the Pioneers a stellar glove on the left side of the infield. The athletic 6-foot-3 shortstop carried a big stick as well, batting .344 with four homers, six doubles, three triples and 15 runs batted in.

2009 Class 2A All-District Baseball

Northwest District First Team

Pitcher -- Ray Zalabowski (Okoboji); Marcus Heemstra (Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley); Cody Ege (Cherokee); Matt Koch (Cherokee). Catcher -- Tyler Jones (Cherokee); Gabe Wingert (Westwood). First base -- Keaton Grevengoed (Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley). Second base -- Adam Nilles (Sheldon). Shortstop -- Taylor Zeutenhorst (Sheldon). Third base -- Greg Scott (Westwood). Outfielder -- Trevor Tiefenthaler (Sioux Central); Josh Mouw (Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley); Kyle Schuett (Cherokee). Utility -- Stu Goslinga (Sioux Central); Drew McDonough (East Sac County); Randy Kippley (West Lyon); Nic Bakker (Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley).

Northwest District Second Team

Pitcher -- Michael Gallagher (Westwood); Cody Skinner (Lawton-Bronson); Jordan Mouw (Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley); Ben Van Kekerix (Sheldon). Catcher -- Max Burgeson (Okoboji); Bobby Mortenson (Emmetsburg). First base -- Marshall Doeden (Sibley-Ocheyedan). Second base -- Cody Doorneweerd (West Lyon). Shortstop -- Blake Kliegl (Okoboji). Third base -- Joey Flanigan (Maple Valley/Anthon-Oto). Outfielder -- Nate Kearns (Westwood); Travis Hansen (East Sac County); Josh Pollema (Western Christian). Utility -- Taylor Morris (Emmetsburg); Matt Juber (Sibley-Ocheyedan); Chase Rozeboom (Sioux Center); Ryan Brasser (South O'Brien).