Follow @PBRIndiana

With the 2017 spring season right around the corner, PBR Indiana is eagerly anticipating bringing the best high school baseball coverage throughout the entire state.

Leading up to the season we will be releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into our Preseason All-State Teams and Preseason Team Rankings.

CLICK HERE to view more Team Previews

2017 TEAM PREVIEW: lake central indians

Head Coach: Mike Swartzentruber
Class: 4A
2016 Record: 27-5
Conference (2016 Record):  Duneland Athletic Conference -  12-2
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/5

2017 Team Strengths:

• Starting Pitching
• Experience
• Defense 

Top Returning Players:

• Ben Nisle, OF, 2017: .429BA 36RBI 12SB
• Jarrett Lopez, C, 2017:.298BA 16SB
• Connor Tomasic, INF, 2018
• Nick Bandura, INF, 2017: .271BA 10RBI 8SB
• Matt Litwicki, P, 2017: 1.81ERA 57K (right)
• Joe Graziano, LHP, 2017: 8-0 0.55ERA 54K
• Kyle Freel, P, 2017: 6-0 1.02ERA

Outlook:  Lake Central comes off a sectional finals appearance and a 27-5 record in 2016.  The Indians will return 5 starters and almost all of their innings on the mound. Coach Swartzentruber has several players committed to play at the next level including Ben Nisle (Purdue), Jarrett Lopez (Indiana Tech), Connor Tomasic (Purdue), Matt Litwicki (Indiana), Joe Graziano (Butler), and Kyle Freel (Purdue-Northwest).  The Indians have the talent to win 25 plus games again against a tough schedule which should prepare them for a deep state playoff run. Lake Central is absolutely a team to keep an eye on in 4A this season.