Sectional 1: Defending Champ – Lake Central

Lake Central (25-1) is the favorite and ranked #1 in the state. On the mound they have two of the best arms in the state in Jimmy McNamara and Taylor Lehnert, both committed to Central Michigan.  At the plate they are led by Chase Fieldhouse, Austen Wagoner, Nick Kellams, Adam Fulk, and Ryan Burvan. They have beaten #6 Crown Point twice, #5 Cathedral, and #16 Portage. In the first round they get Munster (13-13), who they narrowly beat this year 1-0. Scott Jerge (Valparaiso commit) will likely get the ball for Munster which will provide a tough test for the defending sectional champion. Lowell could give another tough game in round two if they have Danny Deboer on the mound. If Highland and Lake Central advance that Championship game  it could feature a great pitching duel with Jordan Minch (PBR #2, Purdue commit) against McNamara or Lehnert.

Sectional 2: Defending Champ – Crown Point

Crown Point (25-4) is coming in as the favorite, ranked #6, but this is a tough sectional with several teams that could walk away with the title. Crown Point is led on the mound by Jake Lindeman (7-1, 1.50 ERA) and Zach Plesac (7-1, 0.89 ERA). Chesterton is another team that could make a push behind the arm of Jake Post (PBR #7, Ohio State commit). Chesterton will have to take on Valparaiso in the first round and will have a tough time against LHP Devin Bafia. In the bottom half of the bracket Portage (22-6) and Hobart (21-7) should face off in round two. Portage comes in as the ranked 16^th in the state and features two of the better hitters in the state in Gabe Acevedo (Western Illinois) and David Jercha (Indiana State).  Hobart will be led on the mound by Senior Phil Madvek (Lincoln Trail) and sophomore Brandon Murray.

Sectional 3: Defending Champ – Penn

Penn (18-9) will come in as the favorite, but this is a sectional that is fairly open. Penn will be led on the mound by Senior LHP Tyler Thompson (83-86 mph) and Junior RHP Chad Whitmer, who sits in the mid to upper 80s. South Bend Adams is another team to keep notice of. On the mound they are led by Senior Justin Reinke (Holy Cross) and have a big win against highly ranked Elkhart Central. Mishawaka (15-13) will be another team that has a good chance to win the sectional behind the arms of Trey Bickel and Jordan Gard, both committed to Southeastern Illinois College.

Sectional 4: Defending Champ – Elkhart Central

Elkhart Central (21-4) ranked #8 comes in as the favorite. Pitching depth will be a key as Tanner Tully (0.22 ERA), Cory Malcom (1.71 ERA), Riley Futterknecht (1.87 ERA), and Ronnie Hawkins (1.99 ERA) have all thrown big innings throughout the season. They put out one of the most complete lineups in the state with batters 1-9 all capable to doing damage at the plate. As a team they are hitting .347 this season led by Casey Ianigro (.418) and Kaleb DeFreese (.411). Northridge (20-5) has been playing well lately, but will have a tough test in round one with Concord and likely starting pitcher Seth Huxford.

Sectional 5: Defending Champ – Carroll

Carroll (21-7) is the two time defending state champ and is the favorite to win this sectional again. On the mound they are led by Peyton Lengacher and Mason Neuman. At the plate Grant Wilson is one of the top hitters in the state, Drue Tranquill and Ross Koble set the table well for Wilson to drive in runs. Their record may not be as good as last year, but no one in the state knows how to win during the state tournament better than Carroll. DeKalb (19-9) is a team with lots of upper class talent and should be a tough out for anyone. They will get a tough test in the first round with Northrop (17-10). Snider will also be a team that can be a tough out with Junior RHP Brandon Phelps (84-87) on the mound.

Sectional 6: Defending Champ – Huntington North

This will be a very competitive sectional. Huntington North (27-2) ranked #2 will come in as the favorite. On the mound they are led by Trevor Storie (Heartland CC), who has been as good as any pitcher in the state this year. Cody Frazier (Huntington), Kendall Whitman, Evan Brown, Mitch Trieglaff (Parkland), Ethan Bartrom, and Storie make up one of the most complete hitting lineups in the state. They will have a tough road though facing New Haven (17-11) in the first round and likely facing ace LHP Kyle Sovine. The winner will get Homestead (22-4), ranked #12 in the state. Homestead has one of the best lineups (.410 team BA) in the state led by Austin Plasterer (.489, 35 RBI), Brandon Soat (.452, 44 RBI), and Jake Weber (.417, 32 RBI). Southside (14-7) should be waiting in the final for whoever advances out of the top and will be tough to beat if LHP Will Coursen-Carr (PBR #4, Indiana) is still available.

Sectional 7: Defending Champ – Lafayette Jefferson

McCutcheon (22-7) ranked #22 will come in as the favorite. On the mound they will be led by Senior Christian Vukas and Junior Justin Curry. Vukas and Purdue commit Cody Strong lead an offense that can put up a lot of runs. Lafayette Harrison will be a tough out when Michael Carnahan is on the mound. They also have one of the best pure hitters in the state in Nick Bartolone (Butler).

Sectional 8: Defending Champ – Westfield

This will be a very competitive sectional. Zionsville (23-4) ranked #9 and Fishers (22-8) ranked #24 will come in as the favorites. Both teams are great hitting teams. Zionsville is led by Ohio State commit Troy Kuhn (.481, 6 HR, 34 RBI) and Sophomore Ben Kocher (.448, 4 HR, 36 RBI). On the mound Zionsville is led by Senior Mic Richey (8-1, 2.61 ERA) and Parker Dunshee (5-1, 3.07 ERA). Fishers also two of the top hitters in the state this year Heartland CC commit Drew Clark (.433, 26 RBI) and John A. Logan commit Matt Woolwine (.422, 30 RBI). Hamilton Southeastern (18-10) and defending sectional champ Westfield (15-11) will also be teams to look out for.

Sectional 9: Defending Champ – Richmond

Pendleton Heights (21-4) ranked #10 comes in as the favorite. Eight players in their lineup are hitting over .333, led by Cincy commit Mitch Patishall (.494, 27 RBI) and sophomore Hunter Cook (.435, 6 HR, 36 RBI). Pendleton has a deep staff with four quality arms: Dayton commit Jordan Humfleet (6-1, 2.62 ERA), Cody Altherr (6-2, 2.63 ERA), Patishall (6-1, 1.77 ERA), and Skyler Reis (4-0, 3.00 ERA). Anderson (18-8) will be the toughest test to keep Pendleton out of the championship game. The big matchup before the final will be between New Castle (20-8) and Greenfield-Central (16-11). New Castle has 2013 #1 player LHP Trey Ball (Texas) who is 6-2 with a 1.45 ERA. He is also hitting .434 with five homeruns and 27 RBI. Connor King is also a big bat for New Castle hitting .436 with 28 RBI (he set the school record for hits in a career).  Junior Michael Baer (81-85) will also be a big arm for NC. Greenfield-Central’s offense is led by Morehead St. commit Clark Pence (.547, 6 HR, 26 RBI) and Junior Curtiss Irving (.511, 25 RBI).

Sectional 10: Defending Champ – Cathedral

Cathedral enters sectional 10 once again as the favorite, however will have potentially tough matchups against either Roncalli, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, or Warren Central.  The Irish have won the last six sectional titles, in one of the toughest sectionals in the state.  They are led on the mound by senior RHP Nick McCarty (PBR #13, Notre Dame) and his mid to upper 80’s fastball.  Offensively they are led by senior SS Matt Dauby (PBR #3, Virginia Tech), junior Brendon Flood, senior 1b Ryan Levenhagen (PBR #33, Army), and junior catcher Austin Sparks (PBR #24).  Cathedral should advance to Monday’s second round against the Lawrence North/Warren Central winner.  Roncalli takes on Lawrence Central in the second round on Monday.  Roncalli will most likely start senior RHP/SS Colin Hawk (PBR #10, University of Cincinnati) against the Bears.  Hawk and the Rebels have beaten L.C. twice already this season, with their last victory over the Bears coming last week at Victory Field for the Marion County Championship.  Nick Wright (PBR #93, Bellarmine), Joey Ardizzone , Joey Mulinaro, Aaron Schnell, Chase Steinbrunner (PBR #146), and Jason Simpkins (PBR #101, Franklin)  will are all key contributors for the Rebels.  Roncalli defeated Cathedral earlier in the season.  Lawrence Central is led by RHP Michael Moffit, who will likely get the start against Roncalli.  Offensively the Bears are led by Jaylen Quarles (PBR #52), Glenn Jones (PBR #59, University of Dayton), and John Jones (PBR #70, Southeastern Illinois).  Lawrence North will face conference foe Warren Central in the opening round on Wednesday.  L.N. and W.C. split a home and home series a couple of weeks ago.  This opening round matchup should feature a great pitching matchup with L.N. sending senior RHP Nick Weybright (PBR #27, University of Datyon) and his 0.32 ERA to the mound and W.C. sending senior RHP Charlie Dant (low to mid-80’s fastball) to the mound for the Warriors.  The Wildcats are led offensively by senior Craig Larew (PBR #116, Rose Hulman, .417 BA) and Julian Flanary (PBR #16, Miami (Oh) University, .368 BA).  The winner of the L.N./W.C. game will set up an interesting matchup against Cathedral on Monday, with each team being able to throw their No. 1. 

Sectional 11: Defending Champ – Brownsburg

Sectional 11 is pretty wide open. Brownsburg (14-10) and Ben Davis (15-13) are the slim favorites to win this sectional. Brownsburg’s offense is led by Purdue commit Isaac Sampen (.492, 7 HR, 26 RBI) and Senior John Moore (.429, 4 HR, 16 RBI). Bellmont commit Jordan Deal is their #1 on the mound with a 4-3 record and a 3.82 ERA. Drake Duncan (.362, 4 HR, 23 RBI, Galveston JC) and Donovan Rhodes (.359, 4 HR, 22 RBI) lead the Ben Davis offense. Avon could also be a team in contention. They are young, but have some talent. Junior Dylan Jones leads their offense hitting .409 with a homerun and 21 RBI.

Sectional 12: Defending Champ – Terre Haute South

Northview (18-8) and Terre Haute South (20-8) are the favorites to win the sectional. Northview did beat South at home 6-4 earlier in the year. Northview has struggled lately losing five in a row. On the mound they are led by Kodie Girton (3-0, 3.60 ERA), Craig Peters (3-1. 1.46 ERA), and Brock Wheeler (8 SV, 1.02 ERA). Connor Pierce was their top hitter at .427 with 21 RBI. South is led by seniors Daniel Marlow, Colton Rupska, and Preston Tofaute. They get Martinsville in the bye. Terre Haute North (17-11) is a team that could keep Northview out of the championship game.

Sectional 13: Defending Champ – Whiteland

Three teams in this sectional will have a strong chance to win. No. 21 Center Grove (20-7) and No. 17 Greenwood (18-6) face off in the first round. Seniors Brock Koehler (.407, 6 HR, 29 RBI) and Brad Walker (.392, 5 HR, 23 RBI) have had big years at the plate for Center Grove. On the mound their 1-2 will be Zach Anderson (6-1, 2.12 ERA) and Nick Owen (3-0, 3.03 ERA). Greenwood’s offensive leaders this year have been Juniors Alex Krupa (.538, 2 HR, 29 RBI) and Landon Fink (.395, 5 HR, 36 RBI). Fink is also their top arm at 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA. Greenwood’s other two arms are Tylor Martin (6-1, 2.21 ERA) and Tyler Beck (4-1, 1.88 ERA). The two teams split the season series. No. 14 New Palestine (21-5) will likely be waiting for one of those to in the championship game, but they will have to get past a tough Franklin team in their first game. New Pal will have three good arms to use led by Brain Page (6-0, 1.21 ERA). The other two will be Reid Clark (5-2, 2.13 ERA) and Ryan Evans (3-0, 1.57 ERA). Jacob Barnes has been the leader offensively hitting .425 with 7 HR and 25 RBI. New Pal has six players with 20 or more RBI.

Sectional 14: Defending Champ – Bloomington North

No. 4 Columbus North (20-2) will come in as the favorite on the back of their pitching. Western Michigan commit Daniel Ayers (6-0, 1.31 ERA, 104 K), Alabama St. commit Hunter McIntosh (4-0, 0.87 ERA), and Parker Shelton (6-0, 2.44 ERA) all should see innings during their sectional run. McIntosh (.382, 17 RBI) and Freshman Devin Mann (.410, HR, 11 RBI) have both had good years at the plate for CN. They could run into in-town rival Columbus East in round two which should make for a fun sectional game. Bloomington North (16-9) and Bloomington South (16-8) will face off in the bye game. North’s offense is led by Franklin commit Brice Stratton (.385, 3 HR, 20 RBI) and Michael Oliphant (.362, 2 HR, 27 RBI). Oliphant, Colby Stratten, Adam Cornwell, and Tyler Hurt could all see time on the mound. South is led on the mound by Indiana commit Jake Kelzer. At the plate Nolan Rogers (Duke) and Caleb Baechtold (John Hopkins) provide a lot of pop for a good offense. South won the matchup between the two this season.

Sectional 15: Defending Champ – New Albany

This should be the most competitive sectional in 4A. Four of the six teams have legitimate shots at winning: No. 3 New Albany (25-3), No. 18 Seymour (19-4), Jeffersonville, and Floyd Central. Seymour and New Albany face off in the bye which should be a good game, they split the double header they played early in the year. Zach Brown is an arm to keep a watch out for from Seymour (86-89). New Albany’s staff is led by Louisville commit Josh Rogers (2013 PBR #2). Jordan Streigel (Louisville), Eric Burnett (Southeastern Illinois), Garrett Sherrell, and Tucker Marcum led an offense that can be very explosive. Jeffersonville and Floyd Central meet up in round one with the winner likely to advance to the championship game. Jeffersonville is led on the mound by Junior LHP Trent Astle. At the plate Isaac Crafton (Liberty) has had a big year hitting over .600, he also had a walk off homerun against New Albany. Astle and sophomore Drew Ellis will also be big part of the offense for Jeff.

Sectional 16: Defending Champ – Evansville Harrison

Evansville North (17-8) is the favorite to win the sectional. On the mound they are led by Juniors Devin Williams and Ryan Dills. At the plate the top part of their order is very tough to deal with. Junior Lucas Scarlett caps off the top four. Scarlett has shown power to all fields with eight homeruns on the year. The will get Evansville Harrison in round one, they have beaten them twice this year. Castle (16-12) and Evansville Reitz (12-9) should have the best chance to upset North.