PORTLAND, Ore. – The Central Washington University Baseball team saw seven players named to the 2025 GNAC all-conference team.
Brandham Ponce earned the conference's highest honor as the Player of the Year. The Wildcats earned two First team selections in Ponce and
Jonathan Garza II and three Second team selections with
Brady Hinkle,
Ben Leid,
Max Bledy, as well as picking up two honorable mentions for
Marcus Manzardo and
Baba Varner Jr.
Quoting CWU Baseball Head Coach Desi Storey
"Well-deserved honors for all these guys, huge reason we're in the tournament. And obviously Brandham has had a fantastic season."
First Team
Brandham Ponce (POTY)
Ponce picks up his first All-Conference selection as a unanimous decision from the GNAC while being named the Player of the Year after a stellar season leading the Crimson and Black at the plate. He didn't take long to show his potential as he kicked off the Wildcats' first series against Stanislaus State with five home runs, including three on Feb 2. Ponce led all the GNAC in slugging (.739), RBIs (62), and home runs (18).
Jonathan Garza II
Garza earns his second All-Conference selection after being selected to the 2024 Second Team, and he earned a unanimous choice from the conference. The Othello, Wash. native pitched 63.1 innings, facing 299 batters and allowing 62 hits, 45 runs, and 34 walks, while striking out 58 batters throughout the season.
Second Team
Brady Hinkle
Hinkle gets his first selection to the All-Conference team after a strong season behind the plate at catcher and on offense as well. Hinkle recorded a .976 fielding percentage with 152 putouts while recording 36 hits and 16 RBIs in 104 at-bats.
Ben Leid
Leid picks up his third All-Conference selection after earning first-team honors in 2023 and 2024, also earning Player of the Year in 2024. In his 2025 campaign, Leid recorded 47 hits, 31 RBIs, and seven home runs in 149 at-bats. He also recorded a .956 fielding percentage with 64 putouts.
Max Bledy
Bledy earns his first All-Conference honors after a strong season in the outfield and at bat. In 112 at-bats, Bledy recorded 39 hits, 15 RBIs, and three home runs. He also recorded a .947 fielding percentage with 54 putouts.
Honorable Mentions
Marcus Manzardo
Manzardo receives his second All-Conference selection after being selected to the 2024 First Team, as well as being named the 2024 Newcomer of the Year. In his 191 at-bats, Manzardo recorded 62 hits, 30 RBIs, and two home runs. Manzardo also recorded a .962 fielding percentage with 88 putouts.
Baba Varner Jr.
Varner Jr. picks up his second All-Conference selection after being selected to the 2024 First Team. This season, Varner Jr. recorded 52 hits, 20 RBIs, and five home runs in 177 at-bats, as well as recording a .986 fielding percentage with 137 putouts.
The Wildcats play this Thursday, May 8, in the 2025 GNAC Championship Tournament, hosting the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets and Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks. Game times for Thursday are 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.
