STATE CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An exciting but very nerve racking game!!!

INDIANAPOLIS — Central Catholic’s baseball players were unanimous in agreement Friday night.

The last championship is definitely the sweetest.

Despite a strong challenge from Tecumseh and a rain delay of two-plus hours, Central Catholic repeated as Class A state champions with a 4-2 victory over the Braves at Victory Field.

“This is what every senior that plays sports lives for: winning the final game,” said CC pitcher Taylor Glaze, who improved to 10-2 with a complete-game victory. “We came out here and did it. We played a helluva game.”

The Knights (27-7) won their fourth baseball state championship and repeated as champion for the first time. It is the 11th state championship in school history and second this school year, following the football team’s Class A title in the fall.

Unlike CC’s last two state championships, won by a combined score of 26-2, Tecumseh made the Knights sweat on Friday.

“The intensity was higher, and the stakes seemed a lot higher,” said CC senior catcher Reed Drysdale, who started in a state championship game for the third time. “The close game, it’s almost what I wanted. I wanted to win big, but I wanted it to be intense.”

Glaze went the distance to improve to 8-0 over the past two state tournaments. He became just the third pitcher to earn the victory in consecutive state championship games.

The senior left-hander scattered six hits, walked three and struck out six, giving him 205 for his varsity career. He escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam following the rain delay by striking out Braves cleanup hitter Trevor Noffsinger and designated hitter Nick Williams.

“(Glaze) had a lot to prove,” CC coach Tim Bordenet said. “He was down, to be quite honest, there in the fifth inning. I think the rain came at a good time for us. He had a chance to refocus and re-energize. He came back after the rain delay, and I thought he had a lot more velocity and life on his fastball than he did before.”

Austin Munn’s two-out two-run single in the fourth inning gave Central Catholic a 4-1 lead. Yet that clutch hit couldn’t prevent the Knights from setting a state record for any class by stranding 14 runners on base, including eight in scoring position.

“Our pitchers got command of the curveball, and we got a lot of ground ball outs,” Tecumseh coach Dave Duncan said. “We just couldn’t put anything together when we got a guy on. We should have scored about eight runs off of (Glaze).”

Tecumseh (22-11) pulled within 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth. After Logan Greenwell’s sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third with one out, a flash of lightning prompted umpires to send Central Catholic’s players to the dugout.

The Knights did not return to their positions for two hours and eight minutes while rains soaked downtown Indianapolis. In the interim, they discussed what strategy they should utilize when play resumed with Tecumseh No. 3 hitter Adam Westerman at the plate.

“Coach actually told me, hey, we’re going to pitch around this guy,” Glaze said. “If we walk him, fine. Let your defense make plays for you.”

Glaze walked Westerman on a 3-2 pitch, but struck out the next two hitters to end the inning and the rally.

Glaze singled home Cole Hruskovich in the top of the first, continuing Central Catholic’s streak of scoring in every first inning of the tournament. Chas Bobillo has hit by a Westerman pitch in the third, then scored on a wild pitch by reliever Alex Oliver to make it 2-0.

Glaze retired Tecumseh in order in the seventh, coaxing a pair of flyouts and getting Westerman to ground out to third baseman Billy Fusiek.

“It’s definitely better the second time,” said Munn, who is 5-for-8 with five RBIs in state championship games. “After that long rain delay and coming back and putting up runs and competing, it’s a great feeling to win again.”

More JC news on our Knights!!!!

According to the JC & stats this could be an oh so close game!!! Both teams have brutal non-conference schedules with wins against bigger schools.

JCOnline:
A confident and focused Central Catholic team enters Victory Field for tonight's Class A state championship game.

Yet the Knights also described themselves with a different word leading up to the final: relaxed. Most players on Central Catholic's roster were in the Victory Field dugout for last year's state championship, and some were a part of another title as freshmen.

By contrast, opponent Tecumseh has no players with state championship experience.

"Coach was talking about that yesterday, too, how we've got to jump on them early, since none of their players have been to Victory Field," said CC senior shortstop Chas Bobillo, who started a third base in last year's title game.

"We went last year, so we're going to be a little more calm and we know what to expect. With eight seniors, with a veteran team, we'll be able to keep our team calm."

Both Central Catholic and Tecumseh dominated their class this season. The Knights went 14-0 and outscored Class A opponents 172-13. Tecumseh's 14-0 mark came while outscoring Class A teams 164-31.

However, both teams prepared for the tournament by playing a strong non-conference schedule in the regular season. Tecumseh has won 14 of its last 15, with four victories coming against Class 3A teams.

"We know they're going to be a tough foe for us," CC coach Tim Bordenet said. "It's not going to be like the last couple of times we've been down there."

Tecumseh averages just under 10 runs per game and has scored 10 or more on 17 occasions. (Central Catholic reached double digits 16 times.)

Braves coach Dave Duncan described his team as having "decent team speed and average power." Kolton Chapman (.500, 9 home runs) and Trevor Noffsinger (.426, 6 HR) are the biggest hitters on a team that likes to play aggressive offensively.

"We like to make a lot of stuff happen," Duncan said. "It's pretty exciting baseball, normally."

Tecumseh lost starting infielder Colton Jung just before the start of the state tournament. Duncan said Jung, who was batting .404 with 10 doubles, suffered a broken arm when struck by a teammate's bat during practice.

Central Catholic's players weren't making too much of avenging a pair of state semifinal losses to the Braves from 2002-03. Tecumseh also defeated the Knights boys basketball team in the 1999 Class A state championship.

The Knights seniors are more motivated by potentially becoming the second program to win three state titles in a four year span. Jasper won three straight and four in five years from 1996-2000.

"Every day you come here and you try to get your year up on the scoreboard," CC junior Brett Haan said of the team's list of state champions at Leming Field. "Going for back-to-back is something I don't think has ever happened at CC. This would be a great moment, just to see history."

Big time baseball tonight!! State Championship is on

It's Showtime!!!!

JCOnline:
Taylor Glaze gave his junior high baseball teammates little indication he would become Central Catholic's future ace.

Glaze spent the majority of his seventh and eighth grade seasons on the Central Catholic Squires' 'B' team. Yet since his sophomore season, Glaze has taken the mound for the Knights' biggest games.

The winning pitcher in last year's Class A state championship game will attempt to repeat the feat Friday night at Victory Field against Tecumseh.

"I never thought I'd be a No. 1," said Glaze, who is 25-5 in his CC career. "I always thought I'd be a 3 or 4. It just goes to show anything can happen if you work hard. You just have to put your mind to it and good things will happen for you."

Glaze, a left-hander, admits his low-80s fastball won't blow opponents away. So he sets it up with a big, breaking curve, mixes in a changeup and slider and supports it all with excellent command.

In over 200 varsity innings, Glaze has struck out almost a batter per inning while compiling a 1.35 ERA.

"In high school, when you're able to throw breaking pitches over for strikes, you've got a good chance, because most pitchers can't do that consistently," CC coach Tim Bordenet said. "Taylor has a knack for being able to do that. He has a lot of confidence in that pitch, and his slider, both. He's not afraid to throw it in any count."

With only 45 walks in 139 innings over the past two seasons, Glaze also hasn't hurt himself by giving away free baserunners.

"What I worked on from eighth grade year on is location," said Glaze, also a letterwinner on the Knights' soccer team. "That's what works for me: I hit my locations well, and I hardly miss my spots. Tell me to put it somewhere, and I'll put it there. If you throw low 80s, you've got to."

Glaze first stepped onto the big stage in 2008. Bordenet started his sophomore in the sectional championship against Frontier, when the Falcons were ranked No. 1 and CC No. 2.

Though the Falcons won 3-0 behind the two-hit shutout of another sophomore, Dylan Sterrett, Glaze's confidence continued to grow.

"Since then, we've kind of known that he was going to be special," said CC senior catcher Reed Drysdale. "He kind of came into his own late in his career, which is good for him and good for us too."

Glaze's career numbers rank with some of Central Catholic's all-time best pitchers. Yet the one-time wrestler reaches another level in the state tournament.

Over the past two postseasons, Glaze is 7-0 with 24 hits allowed, 11 walks, 53 strikeouts and an 0.85 ERA in 41 innings.

"I always say, as soon as we get that big lead, you're coming out and I'm closing it, and he always says, 'No, we're not doing that,' " said CC junior Brett Haan, who did relieve Glaze for the final two innings of last year's 14-1 state championship victory over Vincennes Rivet.

"Even in Kokomo (at semistate) when his perfect game got ruined I was telling coach, hey, it's time to put me in. I always want to go in, but I know he's a senior and he's doing a great job this year. I couldn't be happier for him."

Another factor has motivated Glaze during the postseason. He's still auditioning for college coaches in need a reliable left arm. He plans to visit Franklin, where teammate Scott Windler has already committed, on Saturday.

Tonight, he'll attempt to join Jasper's Heath Uppencamp (1997-98) and North Posey's Jared Baehl (2005-06) as the only pitchers to win consecutive state championship games.

"This is his game right here," CC senior shortstop Chas Bobillo said. "He's going to be ready for this."

State finals

According to this article, this State Final game could be a good one!!!
GO BLUE!!!

JCOnline:
According to Tecumseh baseball coach Dave Duncan, the Braves will face Central Catholic in the Class A state championship game one year later than expected.

Tecumseh won its ninth sectional in 10 years last season and took a 22-6 record into the Loogootee Regional championship. But Vincennes Rivet stunned the Braves 4-2, then tripped up annual power Shakamak at the Avon Semistate before losing to Central Catholic at Victory Field.

"It was probably the most devastating loss of my life, and I've played ball my whole life," Duncan said. "It was the worst defeat of my career. I've never seen guys hurt as bad as they were."

Led by 10 seniors, the Braves recovered to win their eighth regional in 10 years. A 4-3 Southridge Semistate victory over North Central (Farmersburg) sent Tecumseh back to the state finals for the first time since they won their only title in 2003.

"We knew they were very athletic and had a good group coming back," CC coach Tim Bordenet said. "We knew all along they were probably the strongest team coming out of the south, and that kind of held true during the tournament."

Duncan, a Tecumseh graduate, took over as head coach in 2004. After graduating from the Lynnville high school, he pitched at Wabash Valley College and Union College and played independent minor league baseball in the Frontier League.

Three senior right-handed pitchers anchor the Braves. Duncan refers to Adam Westerman, Alex Oliver and Dalton Froman as his "three No. 1 pitchers."

Westerman started the semistate game, though Oliver earned the victory in relief.

"I probably won't make a decision until game time," Duncan said when asked who would start on Friday. "I like to keep all three of them on their toes."

Those pitchers have allowed eight runs in five tournament games. Tecumseh hitters have backed them with 11 or more runs in three games, and Duncan said the team batting average is around .350.

Kolton Chapman, the Braves' leadoff hitter and center fielder, will play at Hanover College.

Despite opening the season 0-5, Tecumseh has a chance to make last season's disappointment disappear.

"We never once talked about getting back until now, and now we can talk about it," Duncan said.

Video broadcast of CC's semi-state win!

The link, scroll down to bottom of page & type in 46901 zip code & hit listen. Scroll down to Blackhawk & Central Catholic link & click VIDEO REPLAY on right side. Nick enters the game in I think the 5th inning & is in right field barely visible. He gets 2 put outs, the 1st out of the inning the last out, a running catch all the way over near first base & bullpen to end the game & can't see him make the catch. The announcer shows some emotion tho..
Nick enters around the 1:25.00 mark.

http://broadcastsport.net/ZipPages/ZIPCode-BaseballSectionalJimtown.aspx

Highlights of semi-state!

Headed to state

ONLinenews:
KOKOMO -- Central Catholic hasn't wasted any time jumping on opponents in this postseason.

The Knights have scored in the first inning of every tournament game. CC has totaled 12 first-inning runs and 18 in the second inning. The Knights led 11-0 after two innings of Saturday's 14-0 Class A Kokomo Semistate victory over Fort Wayne Blackhawk.

"They were straight on from the get-go, just getting runs for me," winning pitcher Taylor Glaze said. "That's exactly what I need as a pitcher. It gets my mindset set for the game and helps me relax a lot. I couldn't have asked for anything better."

Including a 25-1 regional championship victory over Randolph Southern, Central Catholic has scored 39 runs in its last 10 innings. The Knights have scored eight or more runs in every tournament game but one.

"What we've done better than anything come tournament time is we've stayed within ourselves up at the plate," CC coach Tim Bordenet said. "We didn't try to do anything that we're not capable of doing. Just stay back and hit the ball hard somewhere and good things will happen."

Spoiler alert

Even Central Catholic's young players are aware of the baseball superstition that forbids talking about a no-hitter in progress.

So the Knights placed partial blame for Glaze's near-perfect game on assistant coach Tim Whiteaker. According to CC's players, Whiteaker gathered the seniors in the top of the fifth and made them aware Glaze had not allowed a baserunner.

Blackhawk cleanup hitter Ryan Hartsough lashed Glaze's first pitch up the middle for a clean single.

"We were joking around in the dugout, because one of our coaches ruined the no-hitter by talking about it," designated hitter Austin Munn said. "He pitched a heckuva game for sure."

Short porch

Munn, a sophomore who bats from the left side, tried to ignore the sign down the right field line at Highland Park that tantalizingly read '270.'

The park's short right field extends to 370 feet in the alley. Munn took a Matt Kaplanis pitch out to right for a grand slam in the second and almost repeated the feat the next inning.

His bases-loaded drive in the third sailed just wide of the foul pole, however, and he finished the at-bat with a sacrifice fly to spacious center field.

"I was trying just to hit singles, but I got the pitch I liked and I just tried to drive it," Munn said of the slam, his third home run of the season and second in as many games.

Back in action

Central Catholic senior Jason Aldridge sat out last Saturday's regional championship over Randolph Southern. Earlier that day, the first baseman took a fastball to the helmet from Cowan's Justin O'Conner in a regional semifinal victory.

Bordenet said after the semifinal that Aldridge had sustained a concussion. Aldridge received clearance on Wednesday to play.