The Mediapolis High School baseball team had arguably the best season in school history this summer.

The Bulldogs went 12-0 and won the SEI Super Conference South Division title, then won Class 2A district and substate championships, punching their ticket to the state tournament for the first time since 2015 and just the second time in school history.

Mediapolis ended the season with a 27-3 record.

That success was recognized by coaches across the state. The Bulldogs landed two players on the Class 2A all-state teams as selected by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Senior Lance Ludens was a first team selection as a utility player, while junior Kyler Crow was named to the third team.

Joining the Mediapolis duo with all-state accolades are Notre Dame junior Landry Haberichter and New London senior Memphis Watson. Each was a Class 1A third team selection.

It was the perfect ending to a record-setting season for Mediapolis.

“I’m excited, especially with Lance getting first team,” Mediapolis coach Rick Whitaker said. “He is my first first-team player. And Kyler getting third team is obviously huge for our program, too. We made it to state and we got not one but two all-state players from our program. That’s great for the younger kids to see that and know that if they work hard and put in the time, they have a chance to do that, too.”

Ludens was nothing short of sensational from start to finish. On the hill he went 11-1 with a 1.51 ERA, holding opposing teams to a .181 batting average. In 69 1/3 innings, he allowed 48 hits and 15 earned runs, walked just nine and struck out 81.

In the Bulldogs’ three postseason wins, Ludens went 3-0 and did not allow a single run.

At the plate, Ludens hit .506 with a .633 on-base percentage and a .646 slugging percentage. He had seven doubles and two triples, scored 27 runs, drove in 25 runs and stole 17 bases.

“Lance was pretty dominant all season,” Whitaker said.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the best players in the state this year,” said Ludens, who will play baseball for Central College beginning this fall. “I’m definitely among some good company. It all comes back to my coaches and teammates who have helped me over the years. Super grateful for everything they have done.”

Crow was the Bulldogs’ center fielder and also saw some time on the mound. The speedy Crow hit .395 with a .538 on-base percentage and a .640 slugging percentage. He had seven doubles, four triples and two home runs, scored 29 runs, drove in 30 runs and stole 21 bases.

It was Crow’s home run in a substate final against MFL MarMac which secured the win and sent Mediapolis to the state tournament.

On the mound, Crow was 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA. In 38 innings, he allowed 25 hits and 14 earned runs, walked 24, hit four batters and struck out 43. Opposing teams hit just .148 against him.

“It feels great,” said Crow, who is being recruited for both baseball and wrestling. “I feel like all year I worked my butt off to get to where I was and that goes for my entire team and that’s why we made it to the state tournament.”

Haberichter, who finished third in Class 3A in the 100-meter dash at the state track and field meet, was a vacuum in center field for the Nikes, He made 40 putouts and one assist and committed just two errors all season.

Haberichter hit .437 with a .584 on-base percentage and a .634 slugging percentage. He had nine doubles, one triple and one home run, scored 39 runs, drove in 21 runs and stole 26 bases.

On the mound, Haberichter was 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA. In 29 innings, he allowed 24 hits and 13 earned runs, walked 22 and struck out 38.

He helped the Nikes to a 16-10 record.

Watson had speed to burn on the base paths and in center field, helping the Tigers to a 15-10 record and a berth in a district final before falling to Pekin

Watson saw time at third base and shortstop, as well as on the mound.

Watson hit .500 with a .590 on-base percentage and a .671 slugging percentage. He had six doubles and four triples, scored 35 runs and drove in 20 runs. He finished sixth in the state in stolen bases with 42, a school record.

He committed just two errors in 72 total chances with 48 putouts and 24 assists.

On the mound, Watson was 4-3 with a 2.44 ERA. In 37 1/3 innings, he allowed 34 hits and 13 earned runs, walked 12, hit 12 batters and struck out 30. Opposing teams hit .198 against him.

“It was a really great honor,” Watson said. “I was super happy to hear the news. I’ve worked hard my whole life to play like I did and get the reward. I owe my team and coaches for holding me accountable and helping me get better every day.”