Two top 15 teams in Indiana met up Saturday, in a highly anticipated pitching matchup, #7 Penn hosted #13 Andrean. On the mound for Penn, was unsigned senior lefty Tyler Thompson. Thompson was consistently 82-84 with a 65mph curve ball. Thompson was most impressive in his way to throw both pitches for a strike where ever and when ever he wanted. He was dominant because of his pitch ability. On the mound for Andrean, was 2013 Georgia Tech commit Zac Ryan. Zac has an electric arm sitting 86-90. He threw a plus change up on occasion and showed a 78mph slider and against 95% teams in the state Ryan was good enough to win and dominate a game. Penn was not one of those teams however.

Caleb Birkey committed to Indiana Wesleyan set the tone early for Penn taking an 88mph fastball back up the middle to lead off the game. Birkey would later be strqnded on third but he set the tone. Penn was going to compete every at bat and they could handle Ryan. Both teams would get little going in the first two innings.

Penn would strike first in the bottom half of the third, Smallwood got things started with a bloop single to left, Birkey followed with a bunt for a hit. With runners on first and second and no one out, Alex Hostelter hit an RBI single to left. Thompson delivered a one out RBi double followed by a two double from catcher Jordan Gosztola.

That was all the Penn lefty needed, Thompson threw no hit ball for four innings. 2014 DeSomer would break up the no hit bid in the 5^th with a single to right. Thompson would go on to throw six innings striking out 9, 3 hits and one run.

Penn—9 Andrean 1

Thoughts from the Game

Penn

Thompson is one of if not the best unsigned lefty. Birkey is a top leadoff hitter. He does nothing flashy but he runs well, competes every at bat. He will set the tone for Penn offensively. Penn, in all, is a true state contender. Penn plays a lot of seniors and will not wow you with size and physicality but 1-9 they have great at bats and have a high baseball IQ. Combine that with Thompson and junior Chad Whitmer on the mound this will be a tough out for anyone.

Andrean

Andrean will be fine. Defensively, Andrean needs to sure things up and they will. There is too much talent on the field not too. Offensively, I worry a little bit about this team. Andrean has to find a way to score runs against good pitchers and strike out less. On the mound, Ryan will admit this was not his best outing but when he can throw his slider consistently as a plus pitch he will be one the toughest pitchers in the state. Andrean will factor in the state title for 3A and will be tough to beat come the end of the year.