Zionsville Takes Down State Champs and heads to Semi State

Game One South Side 5 McCutcheon 1

South Side again shocked the state of Indiana by knocking off another heavyweight, McCutcheon. McCutcheon sent out it's ace Justin Curry and Curry's velocity and slider looked to be unhittable early in the game. Curry's fastball sat 85-88 early and his slider was devastating in the first inning at 74-76. But as the game progressed, South Side did what it did to Homestead a week earlier. It put pressure on the pitcher and came up with a big hit. This time it was Evan VanSmuren an outfielder/LHP headed to IPFW came through with a big two out two RBI single to put South Side up. As we saw last week, this was all the runs Carr would need. Carr matched his performance from last week, looking equally as dominant. Carr, from the fourth inning of sectionals through the fourth inning of the regional, looked like a college weekend starter throwing against high school hitters. At times, it looked unfair. Carr was throwing three plus pitches anywhere he wanted at anytime he wanted. The Indiana commit ran in trouble late this time. He gave up one run and loaded the bases for Wabash commit Christian Vukas, and also McCutcheon's best hitter. But Carr was able to get Vukas to pop up sending South Side to the regional final.

Game Two Zionsville 11 Carroll 2

Carroll's run has been special. probably as special of a run I have seen in my life time. Carroll has always started the year with the rest of the state questioning if they had the talent to win it all. The last two years they came together and played the game as efficiently as a high school team can. Coach Ginder does not get enough credit for the job he has done with good talent but not exceptional talent. With that being said, Carroll could not match the talent Zionsville possessed. Zionsville's bats were too much for the Chargers. Joe Trewartha had two extra base hits and led an all around offensive attack by the Eagles. Parker Dunshee controlled the game on the mound behind his 84-89 fast ball. Dunshee's breaking ball looked better and he continues to get better everytime out. 

Game Three Zionsville 9 South Side 2
Zionsville was just to much for South Side. South Side was un able to do what it had done in the last two games. In it's two previous wins South Side was able to execute bunts and make all the routine plays. This past Saturday however, they gave away outs and allowed Zionsville hiters to hit with runners in scoring position. It was again a team effort from the Eagles. Zionsville possesses one of the top lineups in the state. When you look down the order you will find college baseball players sprinkled throughout. Trewartha and Barientos have to be two of the hottest hitters in the state. They hit in the middle to bottom of the order. So after you get through Small, Kocher, Dunshee, Bertram and Kuhn, you can not relax you have to keep making pitches. Which makes Zionsville very dangerous and a strong threat for No 1 ranked Lake Central. 

Semi State
Zionsville will likely throw Parker Dunshee in the Semi State game. Dunshee's key will be to maintain his velocity throughout the game and command his breaking ball. Parker has gotten better at both. He will have to be really good to keep the athletic lineup of Lake Central at bay. Offensively, Zionsville is the hottest hitting team in the state. They will have to fight the urge to press as they will see a really good arm in Jimmy McNamara. Zionsville has not been tested since Hamilton South Eastern in the first game of sectionals. Which as allowed the Eagles to have a lot of relaxed at bats. if they can not get frustrated with McNamara, I predict Zionsville will score four off of him. Will that be enough to push the Eagles to a state title?