By Blake Hibler
Scouting Director, PBR Indiana

Portage

Record: 19-13

Conference: Duneland Athletic Conference

How did they get here: Upset No. 10 Crown point 4-1 behind the strong pitching performance of junior Kevin Jones.

Lake Central

Record: 22-8

Conference: Duneland Athletic Conference

How did they get here: Came back in the seventh inning on a two run double from Schneider to defeat Munster 6-5.

SB Clay

Record: 18-7

Conference: NIC

How did they get here: Conference foe and sectional favorite Penn lost a round early to Mishawaka. Clay then knocked off Mishawaka to advance.

Elkhart Central

Record: 28-1

Conference: NIC

How did they get here: Cruised through sectionals only giving up one run. They defeated Elkhart Memorial 3-1.

This Regional has the most story lines in 4A. Lake Central is the defending State Champions, Elkhart Central has been the favorite all year, Clay enters as the unknown, and Portage has the arm in Kevin Jones that not many people know of.

Both semifinal matchups are rematches from conference games. Lake Central defeated Portage by the 10 run rule in both of this year's conference games, while Elkhart Central knocked off Clay twice as well, 15-0 and 2-0.

Lake Central will have the tougher of the first two games. Portage will undoubtedly send junior stand out Kevin Jones to the mound. Lake Central has shown time and time again it can handle velocity. Kevin Jones will have to pitch a great game to knock off the defending 4A state champions.

Elkhart Central will have an interesting decision on who to throw against Clay. Elkhart is one of the few programs privileged enough to have two stand out arms in Tanner Tully and Cory Malcom. Tully is 1A and Malcom is 1B. I envision both Elkhart and Lake Central too advance to the regional final, setting up a rematch of last year’s epic game. They also have Riley Futterknecht, who got the start in the sectional championship game.

Last year Lake Central got the best of Elkhart Central on a Chase Fieldhouse homerun. I envision this year’s game being the exact opposite. It will be low scoring,  but Elkhart Central finds enough offense to advance.

Elkhart Central’s key will their defensive play. Elkhart Central’s biggest weakness has been their infield play, at times it becomes sporadic. They are the best pitching team in the state and swing the bat well enough to be a true contender for a state title. The defense has to hold up.

Lake Central will have to first deal with a really good pitcher in Jones. If they can scratch enough runs across to get to Elkhart Central they will have to have better performances on the mound to repeat as the regional champion. If any of these games become a sluggfest the advantage immediately goes to Lake Central. They are the best offensive team in this regional. Ryan Burvan has put up video game type numbers all year with a supporting cast of Olund, Seren, Kellams, and Schneider.