He was impressed with the support of the school administration and the people in and around the Rush County city.
That’s why Ulrey, who was head coach at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis in 2022 and 2023, decided to apply to be K-town’s head baseball coach.
“It reminded so much of my high school days at New Pal,” says Ulrey, a 2006 graduate of New Palestine (Ind.) High School who helped the Dragons to a state championship in 2004 and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox but went to college and later founded the Midwest Astros Baseball and Softball Academy (now 5Star Indiana) in Greenfield, Ind. He has also coached at Kankakee (Ill.) Community College. “It’s just the small town support. It’s been phenomenal.
“They see that we’re here for the right reasons. We want to have success on and off the field. They could really tell how passionate I was about coaching in general and what I’m going to bring experience-wise to Knightstown.”
Officially hired in December, Ulrey, his assistants and players hit the ground running during Christmas break.
“We started to get the guys familiar with the coaching staff, our philosophies, standards and expectations,” says Ulrey, 36. “We saw the potential this team has now and in years to come.
“The guys welcomed us in with open arms. They bought in right away with the direction we wanted to take the program moving forward.”
Ulrey’s assistants include T.J. Schooley, Zac Capps, Gavin DeBerry, Aaron Rork and Tyler Burton.
Schooley, who leads outfielders, and Capps, who guides infielders, were at Warren Central with Ulrey. DeBerry and pitching coach Rork played summer ball for Ulrey and some college ball. Burton, who also helps with outfielders, is a 2018 Knightstown graduate.
Ulrey works with hitters and catchers.
The work has helped produce a strong start to the 2024 season.
Through games of May 4, Knightstown was 10-6. The Panthers won four of their first five, weathered a four-game losing streak and have won six of the past seven. That includes a triumph against Tri-Eastern Conference and IHSAA Class 2A sectional foe Hagerstown. The Tigers were ranked No. 1 and 16-0 when bested 7-5 by visiting Knightstown on May 2. The Panthers scored two in the top of the seventh and Brayden McDaniel closed it out on the mound against H-town.
“For our program, it was huge,” says Ulrey. “Hagerstown starts eight seniors. They got a great core and a great team. They’re real tough competition.
“Our guys were fired up that whole week. The guys brought the energy. When we play our type of baseball we’re hard to beat.”
“We’ve got to limit the walks as pitchers and we’ve got to be able to hit with runners in scoring position.
“I told the guys they’ll now have a target on their backs. Teams are going to want a piece of you and want to beat you. You guys have to show out and play the rest of the season like you know how.”
On a team that has several underclassmen in the starting lineup and contributing, two players in the Class of 2024 have made college commitments— second baseman Brock Loveall to Earlham College and first baseman/left-handed pitcher Brayden McDaniel to Ohio Northern University.
Pitcher Carson Smith (Knightstown Class of 2022) is at Indiana University Purdue University-Columbus.
A 1991 Connersville graduate, Cloyd played prep baseball for four years — first for junior varsity coach Tom Gable Jr. (son of Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Tom Gable Sr.), and varsity coach Mark Beard then three at Huntington (Ind.) College (now Huntington University) for IHSBCA Hall of Famer Mike Frame.
“(Beard) was really good dealing with kids,” says Cloyd. “(Frame) showed me a side of the game I hadn’t seen in high school. I learned a lot of my defensive stuff from Coach Frame.
“I’m pretty defensive-minded.”
For more than two decades, Cloyd has been an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater. The past few seasons, 1990 Connersville graduate and former Cloyd teammate Michael Thompson led the Spartans program.
The 2024 season will be Cloyd’s first as head coach and the 100th official season for the program.
Like Thompson, Cloyd looks to keep things simple.
“Michael and I coach a lot alike,” says Cloyd. “We want to play defense, throw strikes and put the ball in play.
“If we can do those three things we’re normally going to be pretty successful — year in and year out.”
The Spartans are part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping in 2024 with Batesville, Franklin County, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn. Connersville has won 20 sectional titles — the last two in 2022 and 2023.
A 22-7 season in 2023 ended with a 1-0 loss to eventual 3A state champion Silver Creek in the Floyd Central Regional. Right-hander Kolton DeBoard (a Class of 2025 member who went 7-1) was on the mound for the Spartans in that contest.
“Three big shoes to fill” include Chance Bentley, Braxton Myers and Gavin Pearson. Catcher Bentley left for the University of Evansville. Myers went to Indiana Wesleyan University for football.
“It was one of the strongest groups we’ve had in a long time,” says Cloyd of the 2023 team. “We lost seven kids (to graduation). We’ve got good kids back. They’ll need to take on the role of leaders. That’s going to be a big step for them.
“We’ve got pitching back (13 of 22 victories). That’s the one thing I’ll always take if you give me an option.”
Besides DeBoard, 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander Aaron Kidd (Class of 2025) returns to the Spartans mound crew.
Cloyd sees college baseball potential in DeBoard, Kidd, son infielder/right-hander pitcher Brady Cloyd (Class of 2024) and right-hander/middle infielder Gavin Brannon (Class 2026).
Using the fieldhouse at Connersville, the team has been spending IHSAA Limited Contact Period time on Mondays and Thursdays either taking infield practice or getting cuts in the batting cage.
Cloyd’s 2024 coaching staff includes Cameron Rowe and Brandon Shearer at the varsity level and Paul Woytik with junior varsity plus a few volunteers. Rowe, who played for Cloyd, takes over defensive duties from Cloyd. Alum Shearer is Connersville’s hitting coach. Woytik has been involved with both the baseball and softball programs at the school.
A new baseball field is being constructed on-campus. It’s uncertain if the natural-grass facility with irrigation it will be ready for play this spring.
With the new diamond and the current one — Spartan Field — will have two to accommodate varsity, JV (in some years there has been a high school team) and junior high.
The seventh and eighth grade squads practice and play most of the time in the spring at Connersville’s Babe Ruth League field. Players come up through the Connersville Parks & Recreation program and many are also active in various travel ball organizations.
Cloyd says he would like to have a local travel organization with teams from 7U to 12U.
Jason and wife Audrey have been married nearly 12 years. Together, they have three children — 2019 Connersville graduates Bryce and Ava and current senior Brady. Bryce Cloyd played baseball and some basketball for the Spartans and Ava was on the dance team.
To follow Spartans baseball on social media, go to the Connersville Backstop Booster Club Facebook page or @cvillespartans on X (formerly Twitter).
Jason and Brady Cloyd.
The Cloyd family (from left): Bryce, Brady, Jason, Audrey and Ava.
Connersville won IHSAA sectional baseball titles in 2022 and 2023.
Baseball is a big deal at a small place and Daniel Taylor wants to do his best to see that continues in his new role as head coach at Union County High School in Liberty, Ind.
“Our conference and sectional is loaded with baseball,” says Taylor. “It’s really fun conference to play in.”
The Patriots are part of an IHSAA Class 2A sectional grouping in 2024 with Eastern Hancock, Hagerstown, Knightstown, Northeastern and Shenandoah. Union County has won eight sectional titles — the last in 2018.
While the last couple of seasons have been below the standard, UC has produced 13 seasons of 15 or more victories since 2008.
Taylor led minimal activity at the end of the fall IHSAA Limited Contact Period and the winter has had participants lifting weights and also spending in the gym two days a week hitting and loosening up their arms.
“We’re taking it slow,” says Taylor. “(In-season athletes) will start throwing programs on their own just to get the arms in decent shape before the season.”
With the pitch count rule (1 to 35 pitches requires 0 days rest; 36 to 60 requires 1 day; 61 to 80 requires 2 days; 81 to 100 requires 3 days; and 101 to 120 requires 4 days) and a season that sometimes features six games in a week, Taylor knows you can never have too many players who can take the mound.
“At a small school, especially early in the season, your depth is really tested,” says Taylor.
Recent Union County graduates to move on to college baseball include Class of 2019’s Nate Webb (catcher at Ohio Northern University) and Denton “Mook” Shepler (University of Indianapolis corner infielder).
Taylor says he hopes there will be a few more college players in the current crop.
One of the things that struck Taylor when he came to Union County and coached under Jeff Mathews besides the trees in left and center field and the breeze that often made the baseball fly were the names of all the all-state players on the Bill Webb Field fence.
“(Mathews) expected success,” says Taylor. “It was a culture that was built. That was special. You don’t find that everywhere — especially at smaller schools.”
The varsity field is situated next to Union County Youth League (a combination of Liberty and College Corner) and UCHS softball diamonds.
“That place is bustling with baseball and softball come May,” says Taylor. “I love it.”
During the interview process, Taylor emphasized the importance of the feeder program. That includes middle school baseball, which was started two years ago as a club sport and has 20 to 25 players taking part in the spring before rolling into summer league.
To increase exposure with youth league players, Ashbrook began recognizing youth players on the field between games of a high school doubleheader and Taylor plans do the same kinds of things. There is a desire to host a summer youth clinic and another one during the preseason in 2025.
“I want kids to see the program and I want them to see the high school players,” says Taylor. “I remember when I was young I saw the high school players as big brothers and you wanted to grow up and be like them one day.
“The more you are exposed to baseball at a younger age the more it leads to the goal of what the program should be.”
Taylor notes that players in the Class of 2018 and 2019 came up together beginning at the youth league level.
Winning is also a tradition with Union County softball. That program produced its ninth sectional title in 2023 and earned its third regional crown in 2021.
“He’s the reason education or coaching ever became a thing I was interested in,” says Taylor of O’Diam. “He was a great guy. He wasn’t going to lie to you. He was going to you. He would tell you straight how he felt, but he wasn’t demeaning. He built you up.
“He’s the reason I am where I am today in large part.”
Preble Shawnee is about is about 20 miles east of Union County High and it’s where all three of Taylor’s 2024 staff — varsity assistant J.J. Hatmaker and junior varsity coaches Caleb Barrett and Dylan Hatmaker — graduated. Taylor coached Barrett and the Hatmaker brothers at Preble Shawnee during his last two years of college.
“I think they will be a huge asset for our kids,” says Taylor. “They will be good examples for them to be around. They’re going to bring a high Baseball I.Q. level to the program.”
After high school, Taylor went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and was a double major in History/American Politics and Sports Journalism. He was a sports director for student radio and was an intern with the Cincinnati Reds for one season.
Along the way, he changed his path and went into the teaching graduate program at Indiana University East in Richmond. He is currently instructing in Government and Economics while working toward masters degree in Education Administration from American College of Education (all courses are online).
In his sixth year of teaching, Taylor started at Union County Middle School then moved to Union County High two years ago.
New Castle has won sectional baseball titles the past two seasons.
The 2022 Trojans were senior-laden and went 18-6-1 while advancing to the IHSAA Class 3A Kokomo Semistate.
The 2023 club was 4-19 before winning its regular-season finale and then another sectional crown before bowing to Norwell in the 3A Oak Hill Regional and going 7-20 with alum Jody Gray in his first year as head coach.
An IHSAA Limited Contact Period goes from Aug. 28-Oct. 14. New Castle has been putting in reps for full two hours two days a week with 16 to 20 at each session.
Gray says that’s an uptick in numbers from the recent past.
He’s witnessed a high Baseball I.Q. and a desire to compete from younger players.
“I’m excited to see the development in that JV program and how they compete this year within our conference and what that’s going to do for my varsity program,” says Gray. “We have a good chance to compete for another sectional title this year. I return some real good talent.
“What I have in that freshman class can play up a little bit. I’ll be able to fill holes a little bit easier than I was able to fill a year ago.”
The Trojans are part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping in 2024 with Centerville, Delta, Jay County and Yorktown.
“There’s no easy out in that sectional,” says Gray. “It’s very competitive.”
Including the past two years, New Castle has won 15 sectional titles.
Recent New Castle graduates in college baseball include Class of 2022’s Aydan Decker-Petty (Indiana), Corbin Malott (Purdue), Garrett Rusch (Allen County Community College in Iola, Kan.), Eli Cooper and Bryce Jenkins (both at Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio). Nic Besecker (New Castle Class of 2020) was also at Allen County in 2023.
Gray’s blended family is in the process of transitioning from the Greensburg to the New Castle area.
Jody’s wife Amy Gray is a fourth grade teacher at Riley Elementary School in New Castle. Between them, the couple has eight children — Jason Gray (22), Ali Gray (19), Ryan Hancock (19), Brayden Hancock (16), Mandy Gray (16), Sylus Gray (12), Grace Hancock (9) and Carter Gray (3).
Jason Gray is a Greenfield-Central High School graduate and active in the U.S. Army and stationed in Seattle. Ryan Hancock attended North Decatur High School and is now a Purdue University freshman. Ali Gray went to Greenfield-Central. Grace Hancock goes to Riley Elementary. Mandy Gray and Sylus Gray are in Greenfield-Central schools.
Jody Gray’s day job is as a banker and he works from home with Carter Gray there when not at daycare.
Gray has gotten commitments Kelly Rector, Noah Brown, Josh Cooper and Wally Logan to be on his 2024 coaching staff and expects to get help from others.
Rector has nearly 30 years of coaching experience and has been very involved with New Castle Babe Ruth League. Brown was Trojans junior varsity head coach in 2023. Cooper was New Castle head coach in 2022. Logan is a former football standout. All but Blue River Valley alum Brown are New Castle graduates.
Collin McAtee Memorial Field (formerly Sunnyside Field) was dedicated in 2022. The first full season at “The Mac” was in 2023.
“He was the epitome of New Castle baseball,” says Gray of McAtee, a 1995 graduate who died in 2019. “Not only was that the field I played on growing up, but it has special meaning being dedicated to Collin.”
Gray is also a 1995 New Castle graduate who played baseball for head coach Gary Brown.
What he appreciated most about Brown was his transparency.
“The one thing I took from Gary was just being upfront and honest and how to treat every player as equal,” says Gray. “At the high school level you can fall into the political side of an environment. I thought he always stayed pretty true to that side of good, bad or indifferent. I’ve tried to carry that.”
“I had a lot of adversity growing up, whether it be maturity, performance or behavior. I always liked that with Coach Brown I knew where I stood.”
Brad King, who is now head coach at Mt. Vernon (Fortville), was a Brown assistant and later Trojans head coach.
“Coach King is a model I try to chase in terms of culture and baseball development,” says Gray. “I have a tremendous amount of respect and look-up to Coach King.”
Gray played football, baseball and lettered for one year in basketball at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., where he earned a Psychology degree.
He remembers his time on the diamond there for the people more than the games.
“Baseball at Earlham taught me more about a brotherhood and trusting the guy next to you,” says Gray. “Two of my closest friends today (are former Earlham baseball teammates).
“There are lifelong relationships that can be developed through a sport. I gained family members and loved ones from that.”
New Castle Little League, which boasts nearly 500 players, has a rich tradition and traces its roots to 1957. State titles were won in 2006 and 2012 with the latter team making it all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
“It’s a stepping stone that prepares them for the high school competition level,” says Gray. “That Little League has a bunch of great dads who are tremendous coaches and really care about those young men.
Winchester (Ind.) Community High School won its first IHSAA sectional baseball title in 37 years on Memorial Day at Lapel. After besting Frankton 3-0 May 25, the Golden Falcons topped Lapel 1-0 May 29 for the program’s second championship. The other came in 1986 with Bill Bush as head coach. He coached from 1971-2000 and had his No. 7 retired two weeks ago. “It is a really big deal,” says Ken Hendrickson, a 1984 Winchester graduate who played for Bush and is in his fifth season as head coach and eighth on the Golden Falcons coaching staff. “Winchester had not won a sectional game (on the field) since 2008. We had a forfeit in the first round against Burris last year. I don’t count that because we didn’t earn that one.” Winchester (14-11) is now preparing for a one-game Class 2A regional at 3 p.m. ET Saturday, June 3 against 23-7 Eastern (Greentown) on the turf at Logansport’s Jim Turner Field. It’s about a 2 1/2-hour bus ride from Winchester. Hendrickson has coached three of Bush’s grandsons — Glenallen Anderson (Winchester Class of 2019), Will Anderson (Class of 2021) and McCormac Anderson (Class of 2026). Glenallen Anderson, who pitched at Winchester, went on to play at Wilmington (Ohio) College. Former Golden Falcons center fielder Will Anderson played for the Muncie Post 19 Chiefs that won the 2022 Indiana American Legion state championship. Aaron Anderson — father of Glenallen, Will and McCormac — is Hendrickson’s pitching coach. His other varsity assistants are Brian Cline and Bart Porfidio. Bradley Clark, Bryant Clark and Chandler Woodward guide the junior varsity as well as the seventh and eighth graders in the junior high program. “That is imperative,” says Hendrickson of the feeder program that also gives varsity coaches a chance to meet future players and to instill their systems. “They get an idea of what they’re coming into and it really helps when they’re freshmen.” There is also a local youth league that develops baseball talent. Position players who have been in starting roles in 2023 include three seniors (first baseman Noah Heaton, right fielder Trey Pullins and second baseman-designated hitter Charlie Sauser), one junior (second baseman Brock Goforth), three sophomores (third baseman Justin Cox, catcher Cooper Hummel and left fielder Drayvin Whitehead) and two freshmen (shortstop Anderson and center fielder Aidan Weatherhead). The pitching staff is led by three sophomore right-handers — Jace Allen (who tossed complete-game shutouts in the sectional against Frankton and Lapel), Whitehead and Cox and freshman lefty Landen Porfidio. “Our pitching has been really good, but our strength has really been our defense,” says Hendrickson. “We’re peaking at the right time.” The Golden Falcons have moved at tournament time in recent years. They have been part of the north (Sectional 40) since 2021. They were in the south (Sectional 41) 2016-19 after being in Sectional 40 in 2012-15 and Sectional 41 2008-21. Winchester (enrollment around 400) is a member of the Tri-Eastern Conference (with Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Hagerstown, Knightstown, Northeastern, Tri, Union City and Union County). Besides Frankton and Lapel, Winchester’s sectional group includes Monroe Central, Muncie Burris and Wapahani. “East central Indiana is big baseball country,” says Hendrickson. Falcon Field — located in on-campus above the football field — is Winchester’s home diamond. It was built by Bush in the early 1970’s. The facility received a major upgrade a few years ago at the time the school got a new on-campus softball field. “Our field is absolutely gorgeous,” says Hendrickson. Coaches tend to maintenance. “I enjoy working on our field,” says Hendrickson. “It’s very relaxing to me. “Baseball coaches in general really take pride in their fields.” Hendrickson has worked in the Randolph County Sheriff’s office for 36 years as is currently Chief Deputy after serving eight years as Sheriff. Ken and Lisa Hendrickson will celebrate 27 years of marriage in September. Their son is 22-year-old Torin Hendrickson (Winchester Class of 2019), who played for his father.
Bill Bush (left) and Ken Hendrickson.
Winchester (Ind.) Community High School’s 2023 IHSAA Class 2A baseball champions.
Corey Van Skyock, who was officially named head baseball coach at Centerville (Ind.) Senior High School Sept. 28, was an assistant to John Cate at Richmond back in the early 1990’s. Cate went into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 and the RHS Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018. His baseball teams won 285 games, 12 sectionals and eight regionals and made a pair of Final Four appearances during two different stints from 1986-2008. “Most of my coaching styles and beliefs come from Coach Cate,” says Van Skyock, who held his first team call-out meeting Sept. 30. “Work hard. Period. Prepare. “The more that you can prepare and work hard the simpler games become.” Cate also taught his players about field maintenance and Van Skyock plans to pass those lessons along at Centerville. Van Skyock went from Richmond to a three-year stint as New Castle head coach. Two of his Trojans — Wes Ireton (Miami of Ohio) and Ben Smith (Indiana State) — went on to pitch at the NCAA Division I level. Van Skyock, who earned a Secondary Education/English at Indiana University in Bloomington, spent 19 years as a teacher and/or administrator. Later on, he coached at the youth and travel levels. Corey and wife Christy Van Skyock — a financial services/insurance sales veteran — have three sons — Oran, Gaven and Arian. Oran Van Skyock (Class of the 2019) and Gaven Van Skyock (Class of 2021) played baseball at Centerville. Arian Van Skyock (Class of 2026) is planning to take the diamond for the Bulldogs. Centerville — led for 10 seasons by Tracey Crull — is coming off a 2022 season in which the Bulldogs were 21-6 and IHSAA Class 2A state runners-up. Illiana Christian beat Centerville in the championship game. Eight of the players playing for the Bulldogs that day were seniors — Logan Drook, Kasen Duncan, Devin Frazier, Jamari Pamplin, Javontae Pamplin, Bryce Robertson, Keegan Schlotterbeck and Zach Thompson. Juniors included Collin Clark, Jacob Crowe and Alex Wandersee plus sophomores Kollyn Peed and Colton Rinehart. Centerville (enrollment around 550) is a member of the Tri-Eastern Conference (with Cambridge City Lincoln, Hagerstown, Knightstown, Northeastern, Tri, Union City, Union County and Winchester). The Bulldogs were part of an IHSAA Class 2A sectional grouping in 2022 with Hagerstown, Northeastern, Shenandoah and Union County. Including 2021 and 2022, Centerville has won nine sectional titles. Van Skyock says Wandersee is committed to Vincennes (Ind.) University and Clark and Crowe are college baseball hopefuls. He plans to meet with parents and players to ask the question “what does your future entail and how can I help you get there?” There will be work, but enjoyment is also the goal. “You may not play baseball in college, but you’ve got to be able to look back and say ‘gosh, that was fun!,” says Van Skyock. As a newly-minted head coach, Van Skyock has to have his assistant coaches approved before announcing his staff. He has also reached out to the leadership at Centerville Youth League, which serves as a feeder system to his program. He helped coach a team with his youngest son this past season. Van Skyock is a 1987 graduate of Union City (Ind.) Junior/Senior High School, where he played baseball for four years. Kevin Lehman was the Indians head coach. By throwing strikeouts and eliminating errors, Lehman saw the key to diamond success. “The game’s a lot of simpler than people want to make it,” says Van Skyock. “Eliminate advantages that you give to the opponent and it makes the game a lot simpler.”
Corey Van Skyock (left), Oran Van Skyock and Christy Van Skyock.
Christy Van Skyock (left), Gaven Van Skyock and Corey Van Skyock.
Illiana Christian announced its presence on the state baseball scene with authority Friday, June 17 at Victory Field in Indianapolis. In just the second year of IHSAA tournament eligibility and third year since the school moved from Lansing, Ill., to Dyer, Ind., the unranked Vikings topped No. 7 Centerville 10-1 for the Class 2A state title at the State Finals. It is Illiana Christian’s first IHSAA state championship in any sport. Centerville, who first belonged to the IHSAA in 1912, was going for the same distinction. “We stuck together as a team,” said Vikings coach Jeff VanderWoude, who saw his squad get a run batted, hit or run scored in from 10 different players. “It’s a whole team. It’s a family. I’m just so proud of these guys.” Pacing Illiana Christian (22-7) in RBIs was senior Gabe VanRoekel (2), freshman Gavin Meyer (2), junior Kevin Corcoran (1), senior Adam Walters (1) and senior Tyler Barker (1). Six different Vikings had one hit — VanRoekel, Meyer, Corcoran, Walters, senior Ian VanBeek and senior Austin Maslanka. Junior Cody DeJong (3), VanRoekel (2), junior Josh Vis (2), VanBeek (1), Walters (1) and sophomore Isaac VanderWoude (1) scored the runs. “We competed one pitch at a time,” said Jeff VanderWoude. “Win that one pitch. Don’t worry about anything else. We did that.” Corcoran (5-1) went the distance on the mound. The left-hander gave up two hits and one earned run to go with 10 strikeouts and three walks over 98 pitches. Centerville (21-6) scored its run in the top of the first inning and Illiana Christian responded with four in its half of the stanza. “Corcoran was a little nervous,” said VanderWoude. “He settled down.” Said Bulldogs coach Tracey Crull, “This is not the way we wanted to play. But sometimes that happens in baseball. This just wasn’t our night.” The Bulldogs turned an inning-ending double play in the sixth as senior shortstop and L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award winner Keegan Schlotterbeck gobbled up a grounder and fired to senior first baseman Zach Thompson, retiring runner Maslanka (single) and hitter Meyer. Illiana Christian took an 10-1 lead with four two-out runs in the fourth. VanBeek cracked a one-out single and scored on Corcoran’s two-out single. Courtesy runner Vis (running for Corcoran) scored on an error that allowed DeJong to reach base. VanRoekel singled in DeJong. Barker’s bases-loaded walk forced home VanRoekel. The Vikings scored twice in the third inning for a 6-1 advantage. After putting two runners on against senior right-hander Logan Drook — DeJong (hit by pitch) and VanRoekel (walk), junior righty Jacob Crowe was brought in to pitch for Centerville. Drook (5-1) gave up six runs (two earned) and one hit with four walks over two innings and 54 pitches. Crowe pitched four innings and 76 pitching, giving up five hits, four runs (one) and striking out two and walking three. “(Drook and Crowe) had been amazing all year,” said Crull. “That is very uncharacteristic. We had some control issues early and hit a couple batters. I wasn’t concerned because I knew these kids would keep battling through a 4-1.” Walters got on by fielder’s choice. When Meyer lofted a sacrifce fly deep to right field both DeJong and Walters scored on the play. Illiana Christian went down in order in the bottom of the second as did Centerville in the top of the third. The Vikings turned a double play for the first two outs in the Centerville second. Crowe led off the frame by being plunked by a pitch. He was doubled up when junior Collin Clark hit a line drive to senior second baseman Levi Hescott who flipped to first baseman DeJong. Illiana Christian tallied four runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 4-1 lead. Isaac VanderWoude drew a one-out walk, Corcoran reached on an error and was spelled by courtesy runner Vis and DeJong walked to load the bases VanderWoude scored when VanRoekel was hit by a pitch. Vis scored on a wild pitch. Walters’ groundout plated DeJong. Meyer’s single drove in VanRoekel Centerville went up 1-0 with a run in the top of the first inning. Drook rapped a one-out single, moved to second and third on pitches in the dirt and scored on senior Jamari Pamplin’s two-out triple. The Bulldogs were playing with caps that had “Emma’s Light” emblazoned on the back — a design by senior players. Emma Ulm, a volleyball and basketball player who would have been in the Class of 2022, was killed in a 2020 worksite accident at 16. “(The seniors) wanted to make sure she was recognized throughout the year,” said Crull. “It was critical.”
The 55th IHSAA State Finals for baseball is returning to a Friday-Saturday format with two games each day at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. On Friday, June 17, the Class 2A game pits No. 7-ranked Centerville (21-5) against unranked Illiana Christian (21-7) at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 CT. Both teams are making their first State Finals appearance. Centerville has outscored opponents 38-20 in five postseason games. Illiana Christian has a run differential of 62-6 in six games. The 3A game features No. 4 Brebeuf Jesuit (26-4) against No. 1 Andrean (30-4) at 8 ET/7 CT. The Braves have earned one state runner-up finish in 3A (2012), the 59ers seven state titles (2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) and one runner-up (2003). Tournament run differential — Brebeuf 47-5 in six games, Andrean 49-6 in five games. On Saturday, June 18, the 1A title contest is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 CT and includes vote-getter Tecumseh (19-12) and No. 3 Lafayette Central Catholic (26-6). The Braves won it all in 1A in 2003 while the Knights have carted off the state trophy on seven occasions (2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). Tournament run differential — Tecumseh 58-15 in six games, Lafayette Central Catholic 62-7 in five games. The 4A championship is slated for 8 ET/7 CT and pits a pair of unranked clubs — Indianapolis Cathedral (18-10-2) against Penn (25-6). The Irish have reigned three times (2001 in 3A, 2007 and 2017 in 4A) with five runner-up finishes (2006, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2018). The Kingsmen have four state crowns to their credit (1994 in the pre-class era, 1998, 2001 and 2015 in 4A) with one runner-up (2017). Tournament run differential — Cathedral 59-27 in five games, Penn 33-12 in six games. Andrean’s Dave Pishkur, Lafayette Central Catholic’s Tim Bordenet, Penn’s Greg Dikos are all members of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. A capsule look at the finalists:
Class 4A Indianapolis Cathedral Top hitters: Jr. Kyuss Gargett (.395 average, 3 home runs, 18 runs batted in, 18 stolen bases), So. Carson Johnson (.389, 20 RBI, 12 SB), So. J.T. Stiner (.364, 2 HR, 30 RBI), Sr. Ben Gomez (.342, 2 HR), So. Patrick Mazur (.341, 21 RBI), 13 SB, Jr. David Ayers (.247, 18 RBI, 16 SB), Sr. Connor Hall (15 SB). Top pitchers: Sr. RHP Ben Gomez (5-1, 36 strikeouts, 15 walks, 3.55 earned run average, 51 1/3 IP), Sr. RHP Dylan Haslett (3-3, 3.58, 56 K’s, 25 walks, 43 IP). Cathedral won the Pike Sectional (Pike 11-1, Lawrence North 10-8), New Palestine Regional (Anderson 14-4, New Palestine 11-7) and Mooresville Semistate (Columbus East 13-7). The Fighting Irish have won a season-best seven in a row. Saturday’s game against Penn recalls the 2017 4A championship game (a 4-3 Cathedral victory). Bishop Chatard bested the Irish in the 2022 city championship game May 10 at Victory Field. Cathedral head coach Ed Freje (Sixth season, 113-32-5) says: “We’ve struggled early and throughout to kind of find our identity on the mound and some pieces that worked offensively for us. We had some bad losses. We had some good wins. It was kind of an up-and-down year … Ben Gomez threw a great game, a complete game (in a 3-2 Senior Night win May 16 against Mooresville). I don’t know if that was a turning point, but I think it definitely gave the guys confidence to beat a good opponent. It was some momentum to build on going into the postseason … We make it a priority (to play a competitive schedule). We definitely want to play and see good teams to see where we’re at early and throughout the season — most importantly to see good pitching and challenge ourselves … We can learn from our wins and learn from our losses and grow through the season … Hopefully — along the way — we’re winning some games. Losing is something we try not to settle in too much in the program … We try to go out and compete everyday to win so you know the losses we took throughout weren’t easy, especially some of the lopsided ones (including 11-1 to Homestead, 17-1 to Center Grove and 18-8 to Franklin Community) … We’ve had games where we’ve had to battle and win in some ugly ways … One of the staples of the program when I was an assistant to Coach (Rich) Andriole was pitching and defense and holding opponents to low-scoring games and that — quite frankly — hasn’t been how we’ve won this year. We’ve been kind of fortunate to find some offense and find our bats here lately … Each team kind of takes its own identity and this isn’t the team from 2017 and it’s not the team from 2018 (which lost 4-3 to Fishers for the 4A title). This team is its own team. I’m proud of the way we’ve stuck together … It’s a special opportunity (to play at Victory Field). We try to tell our players it’s nothing to take for granted … It provides a little bit of reassurance the fact that we’ve been there.”
Penn Top hitters: Zach Hoskins (.412, 1 HR, 14 RBI), Jr. Cam Dombrowski (.409, 21 RBI), Sr. Ben Gregory (.373, 30 RBI), Jr. Adam Lehmann (.366, 20 RBI), Jr. Cooper Hums (.333, 2 HR, 16 RBI), Sr. Zac David (.313, 27 RBI), Jr. Evan Tuesley (.219, 2 HR, 11 RBI). Top pitchers: Sr. RHP Ben Gregory (3-1, 2.07, 37 K’s, 8 walks, 27 IP), Jr. RHP Brayden Schoetzow (10-0, 1.37, 62 K’s, 14 walks, 51 IP), Jr. RHP Adam Lehmann (3-1, 1.64, 49 K’s, 16 walks, 34 IP), So. RHP Joe Trennery (4-2, 3.30, 49 K’s, 18 walks, 36 IP). Penn won the Penn Sectional (Elkhart 7-0, Warsaw 3-1, Northridge 7-5), LaPorte Regional (South Bend Adams 11-0, Lake Central 5-4) and LaPorte Semistate (Zionsville 4-2). The Kingsmen are in the state championship game for the sixth time coming off an 11-game win streak. Penn has won 14 of its last 15. Penn head coach Greg Dikos (35th season, 793-281) says: “I think it’s going to be very good baseball … (Cathedral) is pounding the ball pretty good. That’s one of the things we have to stop. They score a lot of runs. They look to have some team speed … Like we did for Zionsville, we’re going working on holding runners and with our catchers getting rid of he ball. You know, making sure we don’t allow them any free bases … We want them to take a look around and enjoy the atmosphere because this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (for our players). I also want to make sure they understand the responsibility on their shoulders. The community is expecting a ‘W.’ … (Competing for championships) is the culture here at Penn … (Assistant coach Jim Kominkiewicz) has been involved for all six (State Finals) appearances. (Tom Stanton) has been involved since 2002. The kids see that we’re experienced (coaches) and I think that might take a little pressure off as well.”
Class 3A Brebeuf Jesuit Top hitters: Sr. Sam Reed (.444, 2 HR, 22 RBI), Sr. Will Schenkelberg (.426, 2 HR, 32 RBI), Sr. Luke Bauer (.413, 1 HR, 28 RBI, 19 SB), So. Will Loftus (.407, 3 HR, 32 RBI), Jr. Jayden Ohmer (.398, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 21 SB), Sr. Anthony Annee (.320, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 33 SB), Jr. Michael Finelli (.329, 22 RBI), Jr. Alex Cookerly (.241, 22 RBI). Top pitchers: Sr. RHP Andrew Dutkanych (8-0, 106 K’s, 24 walks, 1.02, 48 IP), Sr. LHP Sam Reed (5-0, 1.17, 89 K’s, 15 walks, 54 IP). Brebeuf won the Danville Sectional (Greencastle 10-0, Danville 11-3, Tri-West Hendricks 12-2), Danville Regional (West Vigo 4-0, Beech Grove 8-0) and Jasper Semistate (Silver Creek 2-0). The Braves have won 15 straight. Their last loss was April 30 at Center Grove (9-8). Brebeuf won the Marion County tournament championship May 10 against Lawrence North (13-3) at Victory Field. Brebeuf head coach Jeff Scott (Fourth season at Brebeuf and 12th overall, 131-100-1) says: “We never really talked about the State Finals this year. We had a senior leadership meeting (in the winter and throughout the season). One of the things I talked about was ‘let’s enjoy this ride here and let’s take this thing day-by-day. Let’s go work hard and enjoy each day and see where we get when this thing’s over … This is my last year at Brebeuf. I’ve kept that under my hat. I didn’t want to take away our seniors or our team (Scott, who is in his fourth season leading the Braves, lives in the Center Grove district and makes a long daily commute to Brebeuf and wants to spent more time enjoying his children’s activities) … We knew we compete on that stage and compete with that team (after the loss to Center Grove). I think our mindset changed a little bit … Sam (Reed) gives you a great look on the left side. He really works down and keeps the ball down. Where (Friday’s starter) Andrew (Dutkanych) will rely on the breaking ball a little more, Sam relies on the change-up a little more. That’s probably the noticeable differences between those two pitchers … It’s a huge advantage (having played recently at Victory Field). You know we were there last year. The majority of the team has played on that field the last two years already. When you first play there No. 1 you’re a little awestruck. It’s a beautiful venue and unbelievable backdrop with the city of Indianapolis there. So you have that factor. It’s really big (320 feet down the lines, 418 to left-center, 326 to right-center and 402 to dead center). The foul territories are much bigger and the gaps are much bigger that your normal high school field. Positioning the outfielders is very difficult at Victory Field, especially if you haven’t been there. Communicating is extremely challenging out there for some reason … (Andrean) is going to be well-prepared to go pitch it well and defend it well. I’m certain they’ll have a good game plan to try to attack (Dutkanych) as well — just like Silver Creek did this past weekend.”
Andrean Top hitters: Sr. Jax Kalemba (.460, 5 HR, 38 RBI), Sr. Billy Jones (.435, 1 HR, 9 RBI), Sr. Alonzo Paul (.434, 17 RBI), Sr. Miguel Martinez (.429, 2 HR, 11 RBI), Sr. Peyton Niksch (.425, 2 HR, 33 RBI), Fr. Mason Barth (.406, 1 HR, 43 RBI), Sr. Owen Walkowiak (.395, 18 RBI), Jr. Drayk Bowen (.355, 2 HR, 30 RBI), Jr. Chris Koeppen (.282, 2 HR, 13 RBI). Top pitchers: Sr. RHP Peyton Niksch (10-0, 0.22, 79 K’s, 15 walks, 62 2/3 IP), Sr. RHP Owen Walkowiak (5-2, 1.76, 59 K’s, 17 walks, 47 2/3 IP). Andrean won the Griffith Sectional (Griffith 10-2, Calumet New Tech 18-0), Griffith Regional (South Bend Saint Joseph 5-3, Glenn 4-0) and Kokomo Semistate (New Castle 12-1). The 59ers have won six in a row. The team reeled off 14 straight wins April 14-May 10. Andrean head coach Dave Pishkur (42nd season, 1,070-292) says: “The Penn game (a 4-3 win on April 29) might be the one that told me that we’re good enough to beat some of the really good teams. But we kept on getting better week after week (as the starting lineup from Day 1 evolved through the season as is typical at Andrean) … We went right by Victory Field (on the way came back from Louisville Ballard in late March). Our kids were saying ‘we’ll be there in two months.’ My son and I, we were kind of laughing like there’s no way we’re coming back there if we don’t get markedly better and we did. They prophesied that they were going to be there … This is a very athletic team. We put a premium on baserunning and putting the ball in-play … We’ve seen good pitching this year. The problem is Dukanych might be a step up from good pitching. He might be that elite generational type of talent … We’re fortunate at Andrean that we have a lot of good equipment (including a $14,000 iPitch machine which can deliver 97 mph fastballs, 76 mph breaking pitches and just about everything in-between) … With a good opposition (like Brebeuf) you expect good pitching. You expect good hitting. But, on the other side, they should expect the same out of us and you kind of hope it’s a well-played game.”
Class 2A Centerville Top hitters: Sr. Jamari Pamplin (.429, 6 HR, 28 RBI), Sr. Javontae Pamplin (.423, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 16 SB) , Sr. Keegan Schlotterbeck (.364, 2 HR, 27 RBI), Sr. Logan Drook (.361, 18 RBI), Jr. Jacob Crowe (.357, 1 HR, 26 RBI), Jr. Collin Clark (.338, 2 HR, 18 RBI), So. Kollyn Peed (.333, 1 HR, 9 RBI), Sr. Bryce Robertson (333, 18 RBI), Sr. Zach Thompson (.274, 1 HR, 14 RBI). Top pitchers: Jr. RHP Jacob Crowe (10-3, 2.13, 87 K’s, 14 walks, 62 1/3 IP), Sr. RHP Logan Drook (5-0, 1.30, 66 K’s, 28 walks, 43 IP). Centerville won the Centerville Sectional (Shenandoah 4-2, Hagerstown 14-8), Park Tudor Regional (Cascade 6-3, Heritage Christian 8-2) and Mooresville Semistate (Linton-Stockton 6-5). The Bulldogs have won eight in a row — including the school’s first-ever regional and semistate titles — following a three-game losing skid. The team strung together 11 victories April 20-May 9. Centerville head coach Tracey Crull (10th season, 120-94) says: “It’s absolutely madness. It’s crazy (the excitement in the community) … We have a walk-off (RBI single by Jamari Pamplin against Linton-Stockton to punctuate a two-run seventh) and we’re in the state title game. My phone, email, text messages, all kinds of messages have been blowing. It’s not just the Centerville community. It’s the whole county … We had a really tough week in May where we played our rival Hagerstown twice (in Tri-Eastern Conference Wayne County tournament games). We lost both ball games by a run (2-1 and 3-2 sandwiching a 10-0 loss at Lapel). After that week we had some long conversations as a team. We talked about focus. We talked about accountability. We talked about how we react to adversity. We then went on a run … We’ve had a stretch where we’ve hit the ball really well … It could be (Jacob Crowe or Logan Drook starting on the mound Friday). Logan gave up only one unearned run all year. They are completely different pitchers. Logan (who was the semistate starter) is a little bit harder thrower. He doesn’t give up as many hits. Jake gives up a few more hits, but he’s really good at keeping runners and batters off-balance with his motion and his delivery. It depends on whoever is feeling the best and having the best match-up Friday … Our boys like to see really good pitching (which the Bulldogs have faced in tournament play). I think it will be a good ball game (against Illiana Christian).”
Illiana Christian Top hitters: Jr. Kevin Corcoran (.471, 4 HR, 37 RBI), Sr. Ian VanBeek (.446, 22 RBI), Sr. Adam Walters (.410, 12 RBI), Sr. Tyler Barker (.373, 29 RBI), Jr. Cody DeJong (.351, 2 HR, 22 RBI), So. Isaac VanderWoude (.338, 19 RBI), Sr. Levi Hescott (.300, 12 RBI), Sr. Gabe VanRoekel (.282, 17 RBI). Top pitchers: Jr. LHP Kevin Corcoran (4-1, 2.194, 75 K’s, 13 walks, 44 2/3 IP), Sr. RHP Ian VanBeek (3-2, 1.474, 56 K’s, 6 walks, 38 IP). Illiana Christian won the Whiting Sectional (Bowman Academy 19-0, Hammond Bishop Noll 3-1, Wheeler 16-4), Whiting Regional (Winamac 11-1, Eastside 7-0) and Kokomo Semistate (Wapahani 6-0). The Vikings have won a season-best seven straight games. There was a stretch from April 25 to May 2 where Illiana Christian went 2-4 with two losses to Griffith and one each against Highland and Hanover Central. The team has triumphed in 13 of its last 14. Illiana Christian head coach Jeff VanderWoude (Third season, 40-13) says: “Last year we had a younger team. I thought we were pretty good. Last year we ran into Rex Stills of Wheeler and lost that game 2-1 in the (Whiting) Sectional final … This year our (Bible) verse is James 1:2-3. It’s basically saying consider it pure joy when you hit trials and tribulations because our faith has been strengthened … This team turned around when they started playing for each other and not themselves. Our team does that extremely well, I am 100-percent convinced that’s exactly whey we’re in this position … We try to play the bigger schools (around northwest Indiana) … Kevin Corcoran competes really well. He’s a very athletic kid.”
Class 1A Tecumseh Top hitters: Jr. Conner Anglin (.472, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 13 SB), Jr. Brody Julian (.383, 14 RBI), Jr. Drew Dupont (.341, 2 HR, 27 RBI), Jr. Dax Bailey (.387, 1 HR, 27 RBI), So. D.J. Dupont (.298, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 15 SB), Jr. Chase Jones (.263, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 11 SB), Fr. Mason Gogel (.256, 18 RBI). Top pitchers: Jr. RHP Dax Bailey (5-4, 3.35, 39 K’s, 22 walks, 54 1/3 IP), Jr. RHP Conner Anglin (5-2, 1.13, 28 K’s, 10 walks, 31 IP), Jr. RHP Drew Dupont (5-1, 3.00, 47 K’s, 23 walks, 42 IP). Tecumseh won the Cannelton Sectional (Northeast Dubois 9-8, Wood Memorial 11-2, Springs Valley 11-0), Loogootee Regional (New Washington 11-1, Barr-Reeve 4-1) and Jasper Semistate (Shakamak 12-3). The Braves have won a season-high nine straight games. The team, which has no seniors and four freshmen in the starting lineup, started out 1-4 and entered May 6-9. Of the 12 losses, seven are by two runs or fewer. Tecumseh head coach Ted Thompson (Fifth season, 77-44) says: “We started out struggling a little bit. Our four freshmen (Mason Gogel, Wyatt Huddleston, Braydon Long and Thomas Pemberton) were just learning how to play it at the varsity level. I thought by the time we were going to do tournament we were going to be in good shape as far as being able to compete at a high level … About the month of May everything started to click … Everything just really started to work well with our four freshmen and our juniors provided great leadership … We’ve made one — maybe two errors — in the last three weeks. It’s been really good defensively and we’ve just really played well … We try to load up our schedule (with 4A and 3A schools including Evansville North and Gibson Southern) to try to be competitive. We try to do everything we can to provide an atmosphere for our guys to improve … The first two weeks of the season we only pitch our pitches for 35 to 40 pitches. The second two weeks, which ends April, we don’t even get our pitchers above 60 pitches (with freshmen pitching often in relief) … For our young guys to really get some innings is going to be valuable for us not only this year, but next year as well … (The State Finals) is a brand new environment for everyone. They’ve never faced it before. We feel like we do a great job of preparing our guys for big moments. We put a lot of pressure on them in practice. We really drill them on a lot of different situations … We’ll definitely be focused on the Tecumseh Braves. We have a great philosophy and I believe we have a great system. We’ll try to give the kids an idea of what to expect. Lafayette Central Catholic is going to be a formidable opponent. We know they’re going to come at us with a lot of different variations of the game. I can tell you our players will be prepared for those moments. It’s all about execution.”
Lafayette Central Catholic Top hitters: Jr. Evan Dienhart (.462, 18 RBI), Jr. Owen Munn (.366, 1HR, 23 RBI), Jr. Ryan Schummer (.354, 2 HR, 26 RBI), So. Kayden Minnich (.270, 21 RBI), Sr. Justin Brady (.250, 1 HR, 21 RBI). Top pitchers: Jr. RHP Ben Mazur (8-1, 0.63, 96 K’s, 19 walks, 55 1/3 IP), So. RHP Brinn Robbins (8-1, 0.95, 61 K’s, 15 walks, 59 IP). Central Catholic won the Lafayette Central Sectional (Attica 13-1, Riverton Parke 8-0, Covington 10-0), Lafayette Central Regional (Union City 12-2, Rossville 10-0) and LaPorte Semistate (South Central of Union Mills 9-4 in 8 innings). The Knights have won a season-best 13 straight after a two-game losing streak. The team’s other setbacks came between April 1 and May 4. Knights head coach Tim Bordenet (27th season, 634-203) says: “We were kind of up-and-down until our (Hoosier) Conference championship against Western (a 6-1 victory on May 13 against University of Louisville pitching recruit Mitchell Dean). I think that was really the turning point. We had two games that week and were not playing that well. (Beating Western) proved to our guys that when we play the way we’re capable of we can compete and beat anybody … You’ve got to be able to get in a lot of hitters’ counts and put pressure on the opposing pitcher and opposing defense. Saturday (in the regional against South Central) we only had one hit for seven innings, but we did draw a lot of walks and hit by pitches and so we had a lot of traffic on the bases. I thought our approach at the plate was really good … We know we play a tough schedule and intentionally put ourselves in some adverse situations where we have to come back or hold on to a late lead in a close ballgame. Undoubtedly those situations have helped us here in the (state) tournament … We brought (junior right-hander) Evan Dienhart in (to pitch) with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh in a tie game … He got a strikeout and fly out to get out of that inning … Our outfielders have to have good angles at balls in the gaps (at spacious Victory Field) and not let balls get past them. Fortunately for us, our outfield (senior Carter Johnson in left, Brinn Robbins in center and sophomore Kayden Minnich in right) is probably the strength of our team and has really good speed … Our kids are pretty savvy. The moments haven’t been too big for them to this point.”
Indiana Wesleyan University will be at center stage when the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North/South All-Star Series is held Friday through Sunday, June 24-26. Practice is slated for Friday, June 24. The North works out from 1:30-3 p.m. and the South 3-4:30. The All-Star banquet is slated for 7 p.m. Friday, June 24 at Roseburg Event Center with former big league pitcher and 2008 Indiana Wesleyan alum Brandon Beachy as keynote speaker. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, June 25. The three-game series concludes with a wood bat contest Sunday, June 26. The North leads 68-66 in the all-time series. Indiana all-stars are seniors nominated by IHSBCA members and selected by a committee. In addition, the IHSBCA Futures Game (non-seniors) is to be staged at IWU Wednesday, June 22. A doubleheader featuring four teams is scheduled to begin at noon.
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