Sixteen seniors from across Minnesota have been named as finalists for the 2025 Mr. Baseball and Ms. Softball Awards, including two from the Northland. The list was announced Monday by the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and the Minnesota All Sports Alliance.

Sam Haugen from Esko and Owen Marsolek from Duluth Marshall made the list. Haugen has committed to Minnesota State University Mankato and Marsolek will go on to play at Western Kentucky University.

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“The Minnesota All Sports Alliance is proud to honor the finalists for the Mr. Baseball and Ms. Softball Awards,” MASA President Matt Williams said in a release. “We congratulate each finalist and appreciate the Twins and Twins Community Fund support in honoring these athletes.”

Organizers say the finalists for the awards represent the finest senior players in the state. They were selected by a panel of high school and college coaches that look at the players athletic and character attributes, as well as season accomplishments.

Award winners will be announced on Sunday, June 15 during a ceremony at Target Field. The winners will also be honored by the Twins with the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before a future 2025 home game.

The eight 2025 Mr. Baseball finalists are:

• Nick Bowron, C/1B, Rochester Lourdes High School (committed to Creighton University)
• Jack Butterworth, RHP, Minnetonka High School (committed to Arizona State University)
• Blake Eckerle, C/INF, White Bear Lake Area High School (committed to the University of Utah)
• Noah Filer, RHP, Wayzata High School (committed to Purdue University)
• Will Haas, LHP, Rockford High School (committed to the University of Tennessee)
• Sam Haugen, OF/RHP, Esko High School (committed to Minnesota State University, Mankato)
• Owen Marsolek, LHP, Duluth Marshall High School (committed to Western Kentucky University)
• Hunter VaDeer, RHP/OF, Lyle-Pacelli High School (committed to Creighton University)

The eight 2025 Ms. Softball finalists are:

• Maddy Freking, SS, Anoka High School (committed to the University of St. Thomas)
• Jorey Fry, RHP/OF, Rosemount High School (committed to Minnesota State University, Mankato)
• Kendall Kotzmacher, C/INF, White Bear Lake Area High School (committed to Western Michigan University)
• Avery Lerfald, 1B/OF, Tri-City United High School (committed to Luther College)
• Carter Raymond, RHP, Randolph High School (committed to the University of Minnesota)
• Caitlyn Rosha, SS, St. Anthony Village High School (committed to St. Cloud State University)
• Kylinn Stangl, RHP/3B, Mankato East High School (committed to the University of Minnesota)
• Mya Tautges, RHP/SS, Brainerd High School (committed to the University of St. Thomas)

“Each year, the Minnesota Twins and the Twins Community Fund are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the exceptional student-athletes that represent the very best of high school baseball and softball in our state,” Twins President, Baseball & Business Operations Derek Falvey said in the release. “The Mr. Baseball and Ms. Softball awards provide the opportunity to celebrate not only athletic achievement, but also leadership in the classroom and impact in the community. We congratulate all 16 finalists and commend them for their remarkable achievements.”

The June 15 ceremony will also recognize Mark Grundhofer (Waconia High School) and Jeff Annis (Maple River High School and Gustavus Adolphus College) for their lifetime achievements in coaching.