Fraser named MVP of the Big 5 after dominating spring for Mack

By barstoolfanatics on June 4, 2024 • ( 1 Comment )

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Evan Fraser in action for the Panthers this season.

By Ray Hamill — Anyone who watched Evan Fraser on the mound this season knows the McKinleyville senior was a force to be reckoned with as a pitcher.

But it was what he also did at the plate that makes him a worthy choice for Big 5 MVP.

The Hawaii Hilo bound senior, who closed out his high school career with a bang, is one of nine players to receive all-league recognition for the Big 5 champs.

When he signed his letter of intent to play in Hawaii last December, Fraser spoke of some unfinished business he and his teammates hoped to take care of before he departs, and the outgoing senior and his teammates certainly took care of that.

“He just had a great season,” McKinleyville head coach Mike Dobrec said. “Every time he stepped on the mound he gave us the opportunity to win. And he also hit for us.”

Fraser was 8-0 in 11 appearances on the hill this spring and had an impressive ERA of just 1.12.

He also averaged a team-best .476 at the plate with 14 RBIs while leading the Panthers to a first-ever Charles Lakin tournament championship to go with the team’s Big 5 title.

All in all, it was a good way to close out his high school career.

“He just put a great exclamation point on his high school career this year,” Dobrec said. “I wish him the best. Hawaii Hilo is lucky to get him and I think he’ll do well. Evan’s going to compete wherever he goes.”

Fellow senior Tyson Bragg also was named to the all-league team for the Panthers, along with standout juniors Jackson Kelly and Bryce Sargent and outstanding freshman Hunter Carper, the latter of whom announced his presence in a big way this spring and appears to have a very bright future in the Big 5.

Seniors Branson Dobrec and Tenoch Tapia also received an honorable mention for the Big 5 champs, along with juniors Riles Egbert and Kolby Stolpe.

Hunter Carper

Michael Jewell

And their head coach says it was not an easy decision finalizing the five all-league first-team places that go to the conference champs.

Kelly and Branson Dobrec gave a deep Mack team a potent second and third pitching option, which was a deciding factor on the way to the conference title.

“Every time they took the mound, they gave us a chance to win,” said Mike Dobrec, who added “Every one of my starters did something to contribute.”

The Eureka Loggers pushed the Panthers all the way in conference play and closed out with seven straight wins on their way to finishing second.

Senior Cooper Ohlsen, junior Michael Jewell and sophomore Ty Crawford all were named to the all-league team for the Loggers.

Seniors Drew Franklin and Kallen Barrote were each also named all-league for the Fortuna Huskies, who finished third in the Big 5.

And rounding out the all-league selections are a couple of dominating pitchers, Del Norte junior Preston Daniels and Arcata junior Ben Lukens.