It’s time to step up to the plate and cast your vote for The News Tribune’s Baseball Athlete of the Week! For games played between May 4 and May 9, we’ve gathered an impressive lineup of South Sound high school stars who delivered standout performances on the diamond. Whether you’re a fan of clutch pitching, game-changing defense, or powerful hitting, this week’s candidates have it all. Voting is open now and runs until noon Thursday—so don’t miss your chance to support your favorite player.
Before you dive into the poll below, here’s a quick rundown of the athletes who made the cut. From complete-game shutouts to walk-off heroics, these players brought their A-game when it mattered most. If you’re having trouble viewing the poll, try switching to a different browser like Chrome or Safari—and remember, emailed votes won’t count.
Brooks Barker, Capital – This junior pitcher was untouchable on Monday, tossing a complete-game shutout (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K) in a 10-0 win over Bellarmine Prep. He also scored three runs at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two walks.
Max Bergford, Gig Harbor – In a high-stakes 3A PSL title game against Peninsula, Bergford delivered four innings of relief, striking out seven and allowing just one hit and no runs in a 5-3 victory.
Kade Cagampang, Kent-Meridian – This sophomore catcher showcased his skills behind the plate and at the dish, going 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in a 12-1 win over Rainier Beach.
Bryce Carl, Sumner – The junior left fielder was a key contributor in an 8-6 4A SPSL semifinal win over Graham-Kapowsin, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Brayden Cheeka, Olympia – Senior left fielder Cheeka made a game-saving catch at the wall for the final out of Wednesday’s 4A SPSL championship win over Sumner (1-0), adding a 2-for-3 day at the plate.
Jason Coray, Gig Harbor – This sophomore third baseman had a monster game against Timberline, going 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs, and five RBI.
Trey Davies, Tahoma – Junior second baseman Davies was a force in a win over Auburn, going 2-for-3 with a walk, double, three runs, and five RBI.
Alex Dutenhoffer, Decatur – On the mound, this junior right-hander threw five strong innings (1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K) in a 15-0 victory over Kent-Meridian.
Logan Eckert, Auburn Mountainview – In a marathon game, Eckert delivered a walk-off single in the 14th inning to seal the win, proving that patience and clutch hitting pay off.
Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete for future weeks? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com), or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler). Be sure to include the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position, and a stat line from games during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Now, get ready to vote and celebrate the best of South Sound baseball!