Potential for immediate, future success draws Ulrey to Knightstown

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Chris Ulrey saw the level of talent at Knightstown (Ind.) Community High School and the skilled youngsters on their way to becoming Panthers. He wants to build a small-school powerhouse.

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.

Knightstown (enrollment around 320) and Hagerstown are in the TEC with Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Tri, Union City, Union County and Winchester).

The Panthers are part of an IHSAA Class 2A sectional grouping with Eastern Hancock, Hagerstown, Northeastern, Shenandoah (host) and Union County. Knightstown has won seven sectional titles — the last in 2021. 

Others on the Panthers’ schedule include Alexandria-Monroe, Blue River Valley, Connersville, Cowan, Irvington Prep Academy, Muncie Burris, New Palestine, North Decatur, Shelbyville and Wapahani.

Knightstown’s on-campus home diamond was established in the late 2010’s. It has netting behind home plate and a brick backstop.

“We’re just planning a few cosmetic things,” says Ulrey. “It’s a real nice field.”

Helping to get players ready for high school is Knightstown Optimist Baseball & Softball, which has more than 500 participants.

“It’s by far the best feeder system I’ve been a part of as a coach,” says Ulrey. “It feeds in kids from all over.”

A winter youth baseball camp, run by Ulrey, his staff and players drew 101.

“It was pretty cool and exciting to see that many kids,” says Ulrey. “We’ve got lots of good talent coming up.”

Chris Ulrey (left).

Chris Ulrey (centerl).

Chris Ulrey (in red).

Chris Ulrey (second from left).

Chris Ulrey greets Knightstown (Ind.) Community High School players.

Chris Ulrey (right)

Greensburg alum Meyer changing diamond mindset

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Alex Meyer is in the third season of changing baseball minds at his alma mater.

“We came in and the program was struggling a little bit and we’re starting to see things heading in the right direction,” says Meyer, the 2008 Greensburg (Ind.) Community High School graduate, Indiana Mr. Baseball and former big league pitcher has been head coach for the Pirates program since 2022. “It’s taken a lot of time and a lot of hard work to establish a different mindset. They’re starting to buy in and believe they can play the game, too.

“We want to throw strikes on the mound, throw strikes across the diamond, catch the ball when it’s hit to us and put the ball in-play in the batter’s box. If you do those four things as the high school level, every game you should have an opportunity to win.”

Meyer, 34, is also emphasizing enjoyment.

“We’re just trying to make it as much for the kids as we can,” says Meyer. “If people are nervous and not having fun and walking around on eggshells it’s going to be really hard to find success in baseball. 

“We want kids to have confidence. We want them to have fun while they’re doing it.”

Greensburg (enrollment around 660) is a member of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (with Batesville, Connersville, East Central, Franklin County, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn).

The Pirates are part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping in 2024 with Batesville, Connersville, Franklin County, Lawrenceburg (host), Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn. Greensburg has won nine sectional — the last in 2016.

Other teams on the 2024 schedule include Columbus East, Hauser, North Decatur, Oldenburg Academy, South Ripley and Union County.

Catcher/pitcher Gavin Owens (Greensburg Class of 2024) is committed to Indiana University Columbus and other current Pirates have shown an interest in college baseball.

Meyer’s assistants are Keegan McCamment, Kirby Dunagan and Collin Rigney with the varsity and Tom Mulig, Austin Schultz and Colton Williams with the junior varsity.

McCamment works with hitters, Dunagan guides catchers and coaches first base and Rigney oversees infielders. Meyer manages the whole program and coaches third base in games.

After a three-year stint at the University of Kentucky (2009-11) and six in pro ball (2012-17), including 22 games with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, Meyer coached in the Indiana Bulls travel organization.

He had the same approach as he does at Greensburg.

“It was about putting the kids first and making it about them,” says Meyer. “It’s what they need. Each team is different every year and you have to adjust accordingly.”

His first two years as a prep head coach, the 6-foot-9 right-hander would occasionally throw batting practice but he has left that to others so far this season.

“It’s not as easy as it used to be,” says Meyer. “I do not plan on doing that.”

The Pirates play and practice at an on-campus diamond.

Feeding the high school program are Greensburg Junior High School. Before that comes Greensburg Youth Baseball League — an organization where Meyer himself played growing up.

“Some kids stay local and some play travel ball,” says Meyer. “As long as they’re playing, that’s the biggest thing for us. We want to make sure they have a ball in their hand as much as they can.”

Alex and Kyra Meyer have three children — sons Roman (5) and Max (4) and daughter Renn (1). 

Both sets of grandparents live in town. David and Sandy Meyer are Alex’s parents. His father helping with the transition away from owning a Ford dealership and his mother is retired. Kristen is his older sister. Eric is his younger brother.

“Family has always been a big part for my wife and I,” says Alex. “We had good support systems growing up and we wanted to make sure our kids have the same opportunity.”

The Meyer family: Alex (holding Max), Kyra (holding Renn) and Roman.

Greensburg (Ind.) Community High School.

Alum, long-time assistant Cloyd takes over as Connersville head coach

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

The diamond is important at Connersville (Ind.) High School and it’s special to Jason Cloyd.

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.”

Connersville (enrollment around 950) is a member of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (with Batesville, East Central, Franklin County, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn).

Non-conference foes in 2024 include Shenandoah, Hagerstown, Richmond, Yorktown, Centerville, Lawrence Central, Union County, Anderson, New Palestine, Knightstown, New Castle and Pendleton Heights.

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.

In 2020, Cloyd retired from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department after 21 years of service. He is now a Criminal Justice teacher at Whitewater Career Center in Connersville.

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.

Connersville High School.

New head coach Taylor wants Union County to meet standard of success

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

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.

A veteran of six years in the Patriots program, including the past two as varsity assistant to Jordan Ashbrook, Social Studies teacher Taylor became head coach in October.

Union County (enrollment around 400) is a member of the Tri-Eastern Conference (with Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Hagerstown, Knightstown, Northeastern, Tri, Union City and Winchester).

“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.

Taylor is a 2012 graduate of Preble Shawnee Junior/Senior High School in Camden, Ohio, where he played baseball for Arrows head coach Michael O’Diam.

“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.

On social media, there’s a Union County Patriots Baseball Facebook page. The Twitter/X handle is @UCPats_Baseball.

Daniel and wife Schyler have two children — son Karson (4) and daughter Gracelyn (2). Schyler Taylor is a nurse manager in Richmond.

Daniel Taylor. (Union County High School)

Union County High School.

Hendrickson steers Winchester to first sectional title since 1986

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

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.

Van Skyock preparing Centerville Bulldogs for 2023

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

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.

Arian Van Skyock (left) and Corey Van Skyock.

Shenandoah grad Painter upbeat about Raiders for 2022

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Shenandoah High School’s 2021 baseball season did not begin with the Raiders flying out of the gate.
But once they found their stride, there was plenty of success in what was alum Ryan Painter’s first on-field campaign.
The IHSAA Class 2A program in Middletown, Ind., started out 2-8 then won 16 of 20 with a 10-game win streak, a Henry County championship and a runner-up finish in the Centerville Sectional.
While seven seniors — including six starters — from that team graduated, Painter sees bright possibilities in 2022.
“We’re very optimistic,” says Painter, a 2004 Shenandoah graduate who played four years on the varsity for head coach Jack Lewis — two at second base and then two at catcher — and later was an assistant for six years on the staff of Bruce Stanley (who was a Raiders assistant when Painter was a player) before taking over the program prior to the 2020 season canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were 24 players in the program in 2021 and the Raiders played a full junior varsity schedule.
One of the newcomers for 2022 is freshman middle infielder/pitcher Collin Osenbaugh, who has already made a verbal commitment to the University of Louisville.
Shenandoah (enrollment around 420) is a member of the Mid-Eastern Conference (with Blue River Valley, Cowan, Daleville, Eastern Hancock, Monroe Central, Randolph Southern, Union of Modoc, Wapahani and Wes-Del).
Wes-Del head coach Daniel Hanson was a teammate of Painter’s at Shenandoah.
MEC games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays with each team facing the others one time.
In 2021, the Raiders were in a sectional with Centerville, Hagerstown, Northeastern and Union County.
As a smallish school, Shenandoah has many multi-sport athletes.
This fall has been more about field maintenance and some strength training that baseball activities during the IHSAA Limited Contact Period (two days a week, two hours at a time).
“We went very heavy in the summer,” says Painter, who regularly saw 16 to 22 players at workouts. “Once football hit our numbers went down.
“I look forward to winter contact period (Dec. 6-Feb. 5 for all sports and until the start of official practice for spring sports). We’ll be flexible with morning and evening sessions. It’s important for us to build durability and make sure kids are agile and getting their arm care. We want complete full athletes. If we can find 9 to 11 true athletes we’re usually in pretty good shape.”
The Raiders’ on-campus diamond was recently aerated and seeded.
“The other coaches and I take pride in our facility,” says Painter. “We mow year-round. In the past 10 years we’ve had some nice renovations (including a brick backstop with netting and expanded dugouts). In the spring, we plan modifications to the mound and plate areas.”
Assistant coaches include Jamey White, Rusty Conner and Kris Harter. Anderson (Ind.) Highland High School White helps with hitters and infielders, Shenandoah alum Conner is the junior varsity coach and helps with outfielders, Painter’s former SHS classmate Harter serves as a mentor and fosters relationships with players.
Painter handles pitchers and catchers, but keeps his finger on the pulse of everything else.
“I don’t want to be a control freak, but I want to know where everybody stands,” says Painter.
Feeding the high school program are a junior high team (seventh and eighth graders playing in the East Central Indiana league), Shenandoah Boys Baseball (ages 4-12) in Middletown and several travel ball organizations catering to boys in grades 4-8.
Recent Shenandoah graduates on college baseball rosters include Maxwell McKee (Ball State University) and Cy Stanley (Taylor University).
Three 2021 graduates moved on for other sports — Blake Surface (Indiana State University) and Tanner Goff (Trine University) for football and Kaden McCollough (Hanover College) and Michael Howard (Hanover College) for basketball.
Painter is employed as a senior systems analyst at Fiserv in Fishers, Ind.
Ryan and wife Stephanie have a blended family with five children — Kesley Baker (20), Hunter Baker (18), Rylan Tubbs (16), Jayden Painter (12) and Nolan Painter (10). Kelsey is a junior at Indiana University in Bloomington. Senior Hunter, sophomore Rylan, seventh grader Jayden and fifth grader Nolan are all in Shenandoah schools.

Ryan Painter.

Shenandoah High School’s 2021 Henry County baseball champions.

Jayden and Ryan Painter.

Jayden, Ryan, Nolan and Stephanie Painter.

Nolan Painter (front), Jayden Painter, Rylan Tubbs, Kelsey Baker and Hunter Baker.

Alum Ashbrook teaching, coaching Union County Patriots

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Jordan Ashbrook is invested in education and athletics in Union County, Ind.
The 2011 Union County High School graduate represents the third generation of his family to teach at Union County.
A physical education teacher, strengh and conditioning coach and head baseball coach at UCHS in Liberty, Jordan has a mother — Teresa Ashbrook — who teaches first grade at Liberty Elementary School.
Jordan’s grandfather — the late Norbert Bleill – was also a Union County teacher.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jordan moved to Oxford, Ohio, then to Union County as a preschooler. He played high school baseball then coached alongside Jeff Matthews and took over the Patriots program before the 2020 season canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ashbrook admires retired Navy Master Chief Matthews for his ability to motivate and to forge those with leadership leanings.
“You can talk about championships, but until you put in the work and effort to get there, it’s just talk,” says Ashbrook. “He really left it up to the guys he trusted in — his captains.”
A catcher and first baseman earlier in his prep career, three-year varsity player Ashbrook was an all-state second baseman as a senior.
At NCAA Division III Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, Ashbrook was a corner infielder and designated hitter for head coach George Powell.
Coming to the Cardinals at 5-foot-10 and 180, Ashbrook was encouraged to add 20 pounds of muscle by the spring. He came close, getting up to 195.
The lefty swinger hit .287 with four home runs and 29 runs batted in as a sophomore in 2013 and .200 with two homers and 14 RBIs as a senior in 2015.
Ashbrook was a double major at Otterbein in Health Education and Physical Education.
“It’s good to bring knowledge from college and see the development we’ve been able to have in the last three years,” says Ashbrook the strength and conditioning coach for all Union County athletic teams. “I have pre and post data. We max out about every fourth week. It’s nice to see the steady increase throughout the year. You see the change in bodies from fall to spring.”
With an enrollment around 400, Union County is full of multi-sport performers.
“Sharing the athletes here is something we have to do if we want to be successful,” says Ashbrook. “I tell my (baseball players) to play at least one other sport and be an all-around athlete.”
Teacher Pat Tafelski handled strength and conditioning duties when Ashbrook attended Union County.
An IHSAA Limited Contact Period goes from Aug. 30-Oct. 16. For the final five weeks of the window, Ashbrook intends to have traditional baseball practices on Tuesdays and intraquad scrimmages on Thursdays. The past two weeks he was regularly getting 16 athletes at weight room sessions. He expects around 20 at LCP dates.
Union County is a member of the Tri-Eastern Conference (with Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Hagerstown, Knightstown, Northeastern, Tri, Union City and Winchester). TEC games are generally played once a week.
In 2021, the Patriots are part of an IHSAA Class 2A sectional grouping with Centerville, Hagerstown, Northeastern and Shenandoah. Union County has won eight sectional titles — the last in 2018.
Ashbrook is assisted by Union County teacher Daniel Taylor and longtime Pats assistant Ron Webb.
Union County plays on Bill Webb Field, which gives spectators, players and coaches a view of the Liberty water tower.
The varsity diamond is behind youth fields.
“It’s cool seeing all the kids you’re going to coach in the future playing alongside you,” says Ashbrook, who has ramped up to middle school baseball program at Union County and got 48 to come to a callout meeting last week. Those players are invited to participate in fall workouts with the high school.
Being a small school, Ashbrook says getting college exposure for his athletes calls for some grinding. He sends on profiles to help the process. Recent Union County graduates to move on to the next level include Mason Hornung (Wilmington College), Denton Shepler (University of Indianapolis) and Nate Webb (Ohio Northern University).
As a hitting and pitching instructor at the former Powerhouse Performance Training facility in Richmond, Ind. (now Morrow’s Yard), Ashbrook worked with several players who went on to play college ball.
Jordan and wife Shelby Ashbrook have a daughter — Mylee (16 months). Jerry Ashbrook is Jordan’s father. His younger sister is Taylor Ashbrook.

Jordan Ashbrook (Union County High School Photo)

Union County High (Liberty, Ind.) baseball.

Jordan Ashbrook (right) and Union County High School baseball players.

Feats of strength Union County High School (Liberty, Ind.) style.

IHSCBA names all-staters for 2021 season

By STEVE KRAH
http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Members of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association voted for all-state teams and the organization has released that list.
All-staters are honored in all four classes. As a selection in the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Southridge shortstop Colson Montgomery was automatically named all-state.

2021 IHSBCA ALL-STATE TEAM
Class 4A
Pitchers: Grant Stratton (Jasper), Nate Dohm (Zionsville).
C: Hunter Dobbins (Mount Vernon of Fortville).
1B: Kaleb Kolpien (Homestead).
2B: Joel Walton (Mount Vernon of Fortville).
3B: Connor Foley (Jasper).
SS: Tucker Biven (New Albany).
OF: Carter Mathison (Homestead), Max Clark (Franklin), Tommy O’Connor (Mooresville).
Honorable Mention: Evan Waggoner (Bedford North Lawrence); Austin Bode (Columbus North); Jaden Deel (Hobart); Andrew Wallace (Jasper); Jackson Micheels (Carmel); Breenen Weigert (Homestead); Jack Braun (Fishers); Tyler Walkup (Lawrence North); Quentin Markle (Westfield); Joe Huffman (Avon); Nick Mitchell (Carmel); Brad White (Andrean); Blake Herrmann (Castle); Camden Jordan (Cathedral); Sam Gladd (Columbia City); Eli Hopf (Jasper); Brody Chrisman (Zionsville); J.D. Rogers (Carmel); Keaton Mahan (Westfield); Gage Standifer (Westfield); Kyler McIntosh (Columbus North); Chris Gallagher (Cathedral); Carter Doorn (Lake Central); Grant Comstock (Valparaiso); Tate Warner (Fishers); Carter Gilbert (Northridge).

Class 3A
Pitchers: Garrett Harker (Lebanon), Luke Hayden (Edgewood).
C: Keifer Wilson (Greencastle).
1B: Brycen Hannah (John Glenn).
2B: Gavin Morris (Northview).
3B: Dalton Wasson (Heritage), Camden Gasser (Southridge).
SS: Dominic Decker (Silver Creek).
OF: Jared Comia (Hanover Central), Evan Pearce (Oak Hill), Kade Townsend (Peru), Sergio Lira Ayala (NorthWood).
Honorable Mention: Jacob Loftus (Peru); Xavier Nolan (Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger); Aidan Hardcastle (Oak Hill); Cameron Sater (Edgewood); Riley Western (Western); Brody Whitaker (Greencastle); Nick Sutherlin (Greencastle); Jack Moroknek (Brebeuf Jesuit); Landon Carr (Northview); Kameron Salazar (Wawasee); Damien Gudakunst (Leo); Connor Schmiedlin (Culver Academies); Jacob Pruitt (Yorktown); Zach Forner (Madison); Andrew Dutkanych (Brebeuf Jesuit); Mitchell Dean (Western); Holden Groher (Silver Creek); Bret Matthys (Hanover Central); Trey Reed (Washington); Coley Stevens (Leo); Peyton Olejnik (Hanover Central).

Class 2A
Pitchers: Owen Willard (Eastside), Brady Linkel (South Ripley).
C: Joel Kennedy (Monroe Central).
1B: Parker Allman (Lapel).
2B: Alex VanWinkle (Union County).
3B: Gavin Lash (Wapahani).
SS: Landen Southern (Clinton Prairie).
OF: C.J. Richmond (Park Tudor), Dane DuBois (Cascade), Andrew Wiggins (Heritage Christian).
Honorable Mention: Gavin Gleason (Delphi); Brayden Stowe (Perry Central); Aidan Roach (Cascade); Drew Murray (Boone Grove); Andrew Shepherd (Mitchell); Snyder Pennington (Eastern of Pekin); Eli Watson (Providence); Aidyn Coffey (Monroe Central); Darien Pugh (Cascade); Gavin Noble (Wapahani); Chase Long (Delphi); Caleb Henderson (Wapahani); Gabe Eslinger (Linton-Stockton); Adam Besser (South Adams); Dominic Anderson (Hagerstown); Josh Pyne (Linton-Stockton); Khal Stephen (Seeger); Bryce Deckman (Monroe Central); Wyatt Blinn (Cascade).

Class 1A
Pitchers: Garrett Stevens (Bethesda Christian), Luke Leverton (Seton Catholic).
C: Mo Lloyd (Southwood).
1B: Alex Farr (Southwood).
2B: Ethan Bock (Fremont).
3B: Ethan Wendling (Southwestern of Shelbyville).
SS: Brett Sherrard (Bloomfield).
OF: Nolan Harris (Clay City), Landon Cole (Rising Sun), Evan Price (Rossville).
Honorable Mention: Pierson Barnes (Riverton Parke); Nick Miller (Fremont); Nick Swartzentruber (Barr-Reeve); Riley Schebler (Oldenburg Academy); Kyle Swartzentruber (North Daviess); Jordan Jones (Southwestern of Shelbyville); Aaron Wagler (Barr-Reeve); Kameron Colclasure (Fremont); Joey Spin (Caston); Andrew Oesterling (Oldenburg Academy); Mason Yentes (Southwood); Jake Moynihan (Seton Catholic); Cayden Gothrup (Daleville); Samuel Gasper (Borden); Gavin Gentry (Borden).

Miller-led Knightstown Panthers win first sectional since 2016

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Robbie Miller experienced postseason as a head baseball coach at Greenfield (Ind.)-Central High School, helping the Cougars to an IHSAA Class 4A sectional title in 2017.

Miller, who led the GC program from 2015-18 and then assisted at New Palestine for the 2019, was hired at Knightstown (Ind.) Community High School for the 2020 campaign, which was taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knightstown won the 2021 Class 2A Heritage Christian Sectional crown, beating Triton Central 9-6 and Heritage Christian 7-4 for the right to play Saturday, June 5 in the Cascade Regional. The 17-12-1 Panthers meet Parke Heritage (15-10) in the second semifinal. The first game at 11 a.m. features University (21-9) against Centerville (23-5). 

Miller has his team focused inward.

“I don’t care who’s in the other dugout,” says Miller. “I worry about us. If we do the things we’re capable of doing, we’ll be successful.

“Just be us and we’ll be fine.”

The Knightstown-Triton Central sectional game featured former Franklin (Ind.) College teammates as head coaches — Miller with his Panthers and Justin Bergman with his Tigers.

Miller called on senior workhorse Mason Muncy to take the mound against Triton Central.

“He threw a great game and he got big hits throughout the lineup,” says Miller of the comeback win. “We scored three in the first and gave up five in the top of the second.

“But the kids never quit.”

Muncy was able to pitch again in the Heritage Christian game. The Panthers faced sophomore Andrew Wiggins (an Indiana University commit) and were down 1-0. 

Senior Ben Newby hit a two-run home run and senior 8-hole hitter Robert Porter produced two clutch hits for Knightstown.

Then there was senior Aaron Reagan.

“He might be one of the best baserunners I’ve ever coach,” says Miller of Reagan. “He ade a great slide that put us ahead 6-3 in the sixth. We executed a suicide squeeze on the next pitch (for a 7-3 lead).”

The Panthers fields a team with experienced seniors and a mixture of freshmen and sophomores. Junior Carson Smith is the starting shortstop.

Knightstown (enrollment around 360) is a member of the Tri-Eastern Conference (with Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Hagerstown, Northeastern, Tri, Union City, Union County and Winchester).

TEC teams play each other one time in 2021 as it worked into their schedules. 

With the most-recent title, Knightstown has won seven sectionals. Three of those came back-to-back-to-back (2014, 2015 and 2016). The Panthers were regional victors in 2015 and 2016, losing to eventual state champion Providence in the Plainfield Semistate.

Miller, who resides in Greenfield with wife Allison and daughters Ella and Abbi and works for Anthem, enjoyed his time as a volunteer coach at New Palestine (he is a 1997 graduate) with Dragons head coach Shawn Lyons.

“I learned a lot from him,” says Miller. “I had been coaching against him for like 15 years.

“New Pal’s a great program. (Lyons) does things the right way. He wants to win as much as anybody and he prepares better than any coach I’ve ever been around. His other assistants are phenomenal. They made me feel wanted from Day 1.”

Miller wasn’t looking for another coaching gig when he was told about the opening at Knightstown. A basketball official in the winter, he happened to be going to Knightstown a few weeks after learning about the opportunity. He was hired in January 2020 by Panthers athletic director Matt Martin.

When the season was taken away and workouts were then allowed in July, Miller took the opportunity and had 10 or more at each session while sharing athletes with football and basketball.

“I was still trying to get to know the kids when they said baseball was done (in March),” says Miller. “The good news is a lot them played travel ball and I tried to see as many games as possible.”

Miller’s assistant coaches are John Walters, Nic Murray and Jim Kayajan.

Knightstown had 20 players in uniform this spring. The junior varsity schedule was clipped because of COVID contact tracing.

The Panthers play on a field that’s part of a complex that’s just a few years old.

“It’s a really nice facility,” says Miller.

High school baseball is fed by Knightstown Youth Sports and a middle school program. Those Knightstown Intermediate School students use the old varsity diamond.

Knightstown (Ind.) Community High School head baseball coach Robbie Miller with his wife Allison and daughters Ella and Abbi and the 2021 IHSAA Class 2A Heritage Christian Sectional trophy.

Allison and Robbie Miller with the 2021 IHSAA Class 2A Heritage Christian Sectional trophy won by Robbie’s Knightstown team.

The Miller home team: Robbie, Allison and daughters Ella and Abbi.

Knightstown won the 2021 IHSAA Heritage Christian Sectional baseball title. It was the first sectional crown for the Panthers program since 2016.