Thursday, June 28, 2012

2012 State Finals webcast

http://www.livestream.com/ihsaa/video?clipId=pla_2fab34fd-5270-43ab-b6bc-de17c1e5b033&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

Seniors predict Central Catholic baseball will strive for 5

Central Catholic’s six outgoing seniors never experienced a state tournament loss in their high school careers.

But the graduating Knights don’t expect the program’s success to end just because their careers have.

“I don’t just have a lot of confidence, I expect them to win five in a row next year,” said senior catcher Wiley Lodde, one of four senior starters along with Austin Munn, Nick Stone and Dalton Skees.

Several major contributors return for a team that will attempt to defend its Hoosier Conference co-championship and extend a 26-game postseason winning streak.
Sophomore Evan Kennedy hit a team-high .448 with five home runs in the No. 3 spot. He’s expected to take over for Lodde behind the plate.

Kennedy shared the team lead in RBIs (32) with junior Andrew Hubertz, who batted cleanup and played third base. Junior first baseman Ryan DeBoy homered four times and batted .313.

Shortstop Jake Churchill, one of the Knights’ three-sport athletes, recovered from a back injury to help solidify the infield. Cowan Olinger and Mitch Witteveen are returning starters in the outfield who both had big offensive moments in the state tournament.

“We’re going to enjoy this, but we know after tonight and after the next few days that we’re going to go back to work getting ready for next year,” Churchill said after the championship. “Besides losing the seniors, we have a lot of experience coming back.”

Though Munn and Stone received the starting assignments in the postseason, the pitching staff returns three major contributors.

Sophomore Lucas Richardson went 4-0 with an 0.70 ERA while starting seven games. Hubertz and another sophomore, Hayes Cronk, combined to go 9-1 and strike out 44 batters against just nine walks.

While the six departing seniors are taking a lot of production and experience with them, the Knights say they’re also leaving something important behind.

“It’s up to the next group to carry on,” CC coach Tim Bordenet said. “The groups that have come before them have kind of laid the groundwork and built a tradition. Our guys, I think, will embrace that next year and run with it.

“We’ll give it our best shot. We’re not going to do anything fancy. We’ll play basic baseball and take our chances.”

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

CC's Munn among first-team All-State baseball selections

Written by
STAFF REPORTS
Central Catholic senior Austin Munn is one of three repeat Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association first-team All-State selections, and one of five area players honored with first-team status.

Frontier catcher Kyle Whitlow joined Munn, a pitcher, on the Class A first team. Seeger third baseman Dakota Ware (2A), Frankfort second baseman Alex Isgrigg and Crawfordsville shortstop Caleb Rasmussen (3A) also received first-team recognition.

Munn was the winning pitcher in Central Catholic’s 11-2 victory over Shakamak in the Class A state championship game. He finished 11-2 with a 1.80 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings.

Whitlow, a senior, batted .444 with 35 runs, six home runs and 38 RBIs. Ware, a junior, batted .471 with 37 runs, seven home runs and 34 RBIs.

Rasmussen, a senior, batted .378 with 43 runs, 21 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 35 chances. Statistics for Isgrigg were not available.

Honorable mention selections included McCutcheon’s Cody Strong (4A); Frankfort’s Hector Lopez, Benton Central’s John O’Malley, North Montgomery’s Taylor Jones and Crawfordsville’s Chris Minks (3A); Clinton Central’s Jeff Scott and Seeger’s Khole Stephen (2A) and Central Catholic’s Andrew Hubertz and Nick Stone, Tri-County’s Riley Benner, Rossville’s Mason Roberts and Frontier’s Hunter Gladish (A

Friday, June 22, 2012

6 is sweet, 7 sensational

6 is sweet, 7 sensational: wlfi.com



Ross Bolin

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The last 4 years have been a wild ride for Central Catholic Senior Austin Munn.

After leading the Knights to a 12-2 State Championship victory over Shakamak last Saturday, Munn accomplished something that had NEVER been done in school history.

6 is sweet but 7 is sensational. He was a four-year starter on the baseball team, a two-year starter on the football team and now he's the winningest athlete in school history.

“It's just an amazing feeling. Just knowing the people that I've played with and the coaches that I've had and the support we've had. It all came together seven times and just the practices and the grueling two a days. Everything that went into each championship is just a great memory and they will be with me forever,” said Munn.

Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Tim Bordenet has never seen or coached a harder worker at Central Catholic, which is why he isn't surprised by Austin Munn's accomplishments.

“He has that uncanny knack for knowing how to win and knowing how to perform when the game is on the line and that is a special attribute that only a few athletes have that can perform under pressure and he was able to do that for four years for us,” said Bordenet.

As he leaves Central Catholic, he hopes he has left behind the blueprint for continued success at the Class A powerhouse.

“I hope for sure that people look up to me and my senior class as role models for being victorious. For every practice you can’t take one practice off. I hope my senior class really installed that like Chris Mills and his class did along with Brett Haan and Taylor Glaze did. I hope that we did the same thing and left that winning mentality that we were left with,” said Munn.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

LinkNick looking at his double down 1st baseline. Then hit previous! All the pics are state finals!!   Nicks double in the 5th inning with Wittiveen on 1st broke open a 2-2 tie setting up the record breaking 5th inning, 9 runs were scored in that inning. Had Wittiveen not have to wait on the right fielder to see if he was going to make a play on it or not, this would have been a triple.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Martins Moments June 17

Our double play in the state finals made Martin Moments. Bases had been loaded with no outs, Munn gets a K, then the double play, clearly the game changer!

Caleb Martin

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - This week in Martin's Moments I focused on the two area teams that won state titles in baseball.

I didn't rank my plays this week because I think both of them are deserving of being number one. I have to say congratulations to both Western and Central Catholic on incredible seasons. It is amazing to see Western bring home their first state title while Central Catholic made history with their fourth straight title.

I was impressed by the double play by the Knights. The game was tied at 2-2 and Shakamak had the bases loaded. If the Knights don't turn that double play, they might not be the champs this year.

Martin's Moments June 17: wlfi.com



Saturday, June 16, 2012

How it all came down

Record 5th Inning Sparks Lafayette Central Catholic To Record Fourth Straight Championship
Lafayette Central Catholic compiled 17 hits and 12 runs including a nine run fifth inning to beat the Shakamak Lakers 12-2. Lafayette Central Catholic becomes the first school in Indiana high school history to win four straight baseball state titles. The win also marked the Knights’ 26th straight win in the IHSAA tournament series over the last four seasons.

The 17 hits and nine runs in the fifth inning were both Class A game records.

Lafayette Central Catholic started the top of the first off with a single by senior pitcher Austin Munn. Munn would later score on a sacrifice fly to center field by sophomore Evan Kennedy to put the Knights up 1-0 in the top of the first.

Lafayette Central Catholic would load the bases in the top of the second, but failed to capitalize on the situation and the Lakers would seize the opportunity. In the bottom half of the inning, the Lakers would hit a single and draw a walk with one out to set the stage for Lakers sophomore Christian Burris to hit a two RBI double and a 2-1 Shakamak lead.

The Knights answered right back in the top half of the third to tie up the game 2-2 after junior Jake Churchill hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score senior outfielder Nick Stone.

The Lakers came out in the bottom of the third and looked poised to score after loading the bases with no outs. However, Knights pitcher Austin Munn was able to get a strikeout and then get the following batter to hit into an inning-ending double play to preserve to tie.

Lafayette Central Catholic then blew the game wide open sending 13 batters to the plate in the top of the fifth inning scoring nine runs for a 11-2 lead. The first 10 batters of the inning reached base including a walk, 4 singles, 3 doubles, a triple, and an error.

The Knights would add another run in the top half of the sixth inning on a single to center field by senior catcher Wiley Lodde to make the final score 12-2.

Head coach Chip Sweet and the Lakers made the school’s fifth appearance in the baseball championship game, and finished the season with a 27-7 record.

Head coach Tim Bordenet’s Knights finished the 2012 season with a 31-4 record. Their sixth state championship moves them into second place in state history behind only LaPorte’s eight championships.

Shakamak’s Brock Dowell named Mental Attitude Award winner
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Brock Dowell of Shakamak High School as the winner of this year’s L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award in Class A baseball.

The award is annually presented to an outstanding senior participant in each state championship game who has best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in baseball. The award is named in honor of the late L.V. Phillips, who served as the second commissioner of the IHSAA from 1945-62.

Dowell finished his high school career ranked ninth academically in his senior class. He holds the school’s single season record with 48 base hits, is a U.S. Army Scholar Athlete and earned the Louie Romine Scholarship as Shakamak’s Best Male Athlete.

The son of Matt and Jessica Dowell of Linton, he will attend Olney Jr. College (IL) where he’ll play baseball and study pharmacy.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of all IHSAA tournaments, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Shakamak High School in the name of Brock Dowell.

State Finals teams &stats

State Finals teams & n stats

Knights win 4th straight title

Knights win 4th straight title: wlfi.com



Nick starts a rally in I think the 4th inning by doubling down the right field line moving a runner to 3rd. That runner scored, Nick then scored on a single & we lead 4-2.

Caleb Martin
Ross Bolin

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Lafayette Central Catholic's baseball team faced Shakamak in the class 1-A state title game on Saturday at Victory Field. The Knights were looking to earn their fourth straight title.

“To win four in a row, something that no one else has done is really special and for them to stay as focused as they did is really unbelievable. When you dedicate yourself to be the best players that you can be and the best team that you can be, good things are going to happen. These guys were warriors from day one and all the way to today. We had a lot of adversity today to overcome and luckily in the fifth inning we were able to put together a crooked number,” said head coach Tim Bordenet.

The Knights scored first as Evan Kennedy hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Austin Munn. Central Catholic led 1-0 in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the second inning, Shakamak grabbed the lead as they scored two runs but that would be the end to the Lakers offense.

“I’m really happy that I am in the class that I am. As seniors we have banded together since freshman year and to be able to win four years in a row is a bonding experience and we all love each other. I am going to remember this for the rest of my life,” said senior Austin Munn.

The Knights tied the game up at 2-2 in the top of the third inning. Central Catholic then added 10 more runs to beat Shakamak 12-2. The Knights earned their fourth straight state title.

“It’s the Crown jewel of our athletic careers here at C.C. and honestly the only word to describe how I am is speechless. It is a dream to play in one state championship and then two and three and four, it's indescribable,” said senior Wiley Lodde.




Thursday, June 14, 2012

Munn and Knights set to make history in Indianapolis

Munn and Knights set to make history in Indianapolis: wlfi.com



Ross Bolin

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - When Central Catholic takes the field on Saturday at Victory field the Knights will be lead by Senior Austin Munn who will get the start against Shakamak.

Munn will be making his 4 th consecutive appearance at Victory Field, and a win on Saturday would be his 7 th state championship victory in his high school career.

Last Saturday in South Bend, Ind. head coach Tim Bordenet and the Knights saw why he has been so successful during his 4 years in a Central Catholic uniform. From the start it was clear that Munn was not coming out of the game against Fort Wayne Blackhawk. After throwing more then 120 pitches he recorded the last out of the game by recording his 13 strikeout before the celebration began.

After every start it’s back to the basics for Munn which separates him from any other pitcher that has come before him at CC. That is according to his head coach who believes no one has ever worked harder then he has in between starts.

“The one thing about Austin is that he is in great shape and he is probably in as good of shape as any pitcher we have ever had here. He works extremely hard in the days between his starts. He felt really good yesterday so that was a good sign. I expect that he is going to pick up where he left off last Saturday in South Bend,” said head coach Tim Bordenet.

The relationship between pitcher and catcher may be the strongest bond in the game of baseball. For senior Wiley Lodde it’s been a fun ride behind the plate with number 12 on the mound.

“The first thing out of Austin's mouth on Saturday is that if he had to throw another game he could have. He said he felt awesome and I don't doubt that at all. His velocity stayed consistent the entire game and I have all the confidence in the world in him that he will be able to compete at the highest level on Saturday,” said senior catcher Wiley Lodde.

The other 7 guys on the field behind Austin believe that they always have a chance to win when their best pitcher is on the hill.

“I expect him to keep doing what he's been doing. He struggled a little bit at the beginning of the year with his control but he has just been a star on the mound for us during this state run. What has he giving up, 1 run i think this whole time. He just needs to keep pitching the way he has, he knows he has a good infield and defense behind him so we will keep working for him,” said senior second baseman Dalton Skees.

For the first time since 2004, Central Catholic will play a state championship game on a Saturday at Victory Field. Austin Munn and the entire Knights team is ready for their shot at history on Saturday.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Central Catholic returns to baseball state finals



Written by
NATHAN BAIRD
SOUTH BEND — Approaching 125 pitches on the sizzling Coveleski Stadium field turf on Saturday, Central Catholic pitcher Austin Munn wouldn’t wilt.

The high sun beating down on the senior right-hander and his Knights teammates during a Class A semistate game against Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian could have taken its toll. A tiebreaking three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning provided the necessary rejuvenation.

Munn struck out the final three Blackhawk hitters, giving him 13 for the game and securing a 4-1 victory that made Central Catholic the first program to advance to four straight state championship games.

“Playing that game, just how it went down, it was awesome,” said Munn, who scattered six hits and walked three while improving to 10-2. “The defense came together. We started hitting the ball, we started getting runs any way we can, and it was just an amazing feeling.”

Central Catholic, ranked No. 1 in the final regular season coaches poll, extended its postseason winning streak to 25. The Knights go for their fourth straight state championship and sixth overall next weekend.

“The teams before us have really shown us the way, and we’ve just got to keep it going,” said junior center fielder Cowan Olinger, who went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

Through five innings, Munn dueled Blackhawk senior right-hander Matt Kaplanis (7-2). Entering the bottom of the sixth, Kaplanis had allowed two singles and an Olinger fly ball that was misplayed into a triple.

With one out in the sixth, CC’s Evan Kennedy singled. Pinch runner Mitch Witteveen took third when Andrew Hubertz doubled to left center.

Jake Churchill followed with a grounder to short, and Blackhawk’s Reid Zimmerman threw home. With Braves catcher Damon DeJesus obstructing his path to home plate, Witteveen leaped over the catcher’s diving tag attempt and touched home plate for the tiebreaking run.

“I knew it was going to be a close play,” said Witteveen, who started in left field but yielded at-bats to Kennedy, the designated hitter. “Cowan was behind the plate telling me where to slide, angling me. (DeJesus) was right in front of the plate, so I decided to take a leap of faith and tried to jump over him, and it worked out.”

Olinger blooped an RBI single to right center, and Churchill scored on Wiley Lodde’s second RBI groundout of the game. The Knights batted around in the inning and gave their ace some breathing room.

“I had a feeling, because we hang around and have that one big inning usually,” Olinger said. “Evan did a great job getting us going, and Mitch with his slide – that was unbelievable.”

Munn, who had thrown 112 pitches through six innings, struck out the first three hitters in the Blackhawk lineup in the seventh. Munn also struck out the side in the first and, mixing a fastball that touched the mid-80s on the stadium radar gun with a 12-to-6 curveball, fanned at least one batter in each inning.

Munn allowed two of his three walks in the fourth inning, loading the bases with two outs. But he struck out Riley Reimschisel, who had singled in his first two at-bats, with a called third strike to end the threat.

“Making pitches is always a big thing,” Munn said. “I caught him off-guard, which felt good. Ending the inning like that got the momentum back on our side.”

Blackhawk tied it 1-1 in the top of the third when Kaplanis blooped a two-out double down the right field line. CC right fielder Nick Stone crashed into the side wall on the play, but the Knights caught a break when the ball bounced out of play and only one run scored due to the ground rule double.

Had that ball stayed in play, Blackhawk would have scored at least one additional run and taken the lead. Instead, the Knights made history and could make more if they win a fourth straight state title.

“We’re not really thinking about that right now,” CC coach Tim Bordenet said. “We’re just so happy for this group to have the opportunity to go back. For this group of seniors to lead us back there is really special for me and special for them.”

CC pitcher stays cool on scorching day


Munn credits defense for confidence

Written by
NATHAN BAIRD

SOUTH BEND — The numbers predicted a pitching duel between Central Catholic’s Austin Munn and Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian’s Matt Kaplanis at Saturday’s Class A semistate.

The pitchers delivered on that promise. Kaplanis held the Knights in check most of the day, but Munn’s strikeout stuff led Central Catholic to a 4-1 victory.

The field turf that stunk of melted rubber after the game magnified an already hot afternoon at Coveleski Stadium, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Class A affiliate. Yet after throwing 125 pitches, Munn said he could throw more if needed, and his final strike registered 85 miles per hour on the stadium scoreboard.

“I still feel good,” Munn said. “It’s just going out there and knowing to throw your pitches, because you have a defense. I know I can work a deep count. In case they do put it in play they’re going to be there for me.”

Munn had struck out 112 and walked 45 in 73 2/3 innings entering the game, so high pitch counts are nothing new. Yet Munn said he wasn’t compelled to try a more efficient approach despite the conditions.

Although junior Andrew Hubertz did warm up in the bullpen at one point, CC coach Tim Bordenet said the game was Munn’s to lose.

“Austin’s in great shape,” Bordenet said. “He’s a very hard worker, and there was no way he was coming out of this ballgame. He’s worked too hard for his career to let one slip away because of the heat. He gutted it out and just a whale of a performance from him.”

Kaplanis struck out only three Knights (compared to Munn’s 13 strikeouts), and even walked two batters after walking only nine in his first 53 innings. Central Catholic did not put multiple runners on base against the future University of Indianapolis pitcher in any inning until their breakthrough in the sixth.

“He was throwing the ball pretty hard; it was coming at us,” said CC center fielder Cowan Olinger, who tripled and singled as one of the few Knights to solve Kaplanis. “He had a good bite to his curve, and a couple of times it fooled us. The whole week we just said stay short on the fastball and look for the fastball, and that’s what we got most of that inning.”

Munn will make his fourth start in a state championship game, but his first as a pitcher. In his first three seasons, he watched Taylor Glaze (twice) and Brett Haan pitch Central Catholic to championship game victories.

Munn knew he needed a strong performance opposite Kaplanis to ensure his own moment on the Victory Field mound.

“We knew it was going to be a pitcher’s duel,” said Munn, who will play at Ave Maria University in Florida. “It was going to be the team that put the bat on the ball more, made the most plays. I knew I had a defense behind me and I knew the runs were going to come.

“The pitcher’s duel came out the way we thought it would, and we came out victorious.”

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Braves lose in baseball semitstate

Knights return to Victory Field

Beautiful Coveleski Stadium in South Bend, IN, where our Knights won their 4th straight semi state title.















Knights return to Victory Field: wlfi.com


Caleb Martin

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WLFI) - The Central Catholic Knights faced Fort Wayne Blackhawk in the class 1-A South Bend semi-state baseball game. The event took place at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend.

Central Catholic jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, but Fort Wayne responded quickly. In the top of the third inning, Fort Wayne scored on a ground rule double RBI to tie the game up at 1-1.

The game stayed tied until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Knights poured on three runs to open up a 4-1 lead.

The Knight's pitcher, Austin Munn, would get the last out of the game with a strikeout. He finished with 13 strikeouts on the day to help Central Catholic pick up the 4-1 win. The Knights advance on to the state finals for a chance to win their fourth straight state title.

"We had to overcome a lot of things through the course of the game," said Central Catholic head coach Tim Bordenet. "In the sixth inning we broke through and had some big time hits in that inning. Now, Austin was awesome obviously on the mound. He was tired but he was not coming out of the ball game and he did a great job for us."

"It is a really great feeling," said Central Catholic's Nick Stone. "I mean would could have just rolled over but we battled through and we got hits when we needed them and it was pretty clutch there at the end with Austin's pitching. He got himself out of a couple jams and we pulled it together.

In the other class 1-A semi-state game, the Shakamak Lakers defeated South Central 8-5. The Knights will face the Lakers at Victory Field in Indianapolis on Friday, June 15. The first pitch is set to be thrown out at 7:30 pm.




No. 1 Central Catholic respects semistate pitcher

CC believes schedule readies them for Ft. Wayne Blackhawk
Central Catholic's Nick Stone is one
of a handful of Knights to possess a
home run bat. / By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier



Written by NATHAN BAIRD
Central Catholic’s players hadn’t yet learned much about semistate baseball opponent Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian earlier this week.

But the Knights already knew about Matt Kaplanis.

Blackhawk’s senior right-handed pitcher has dominated at times this season, and he’ll likely be on the mound for today’s Class A South Bend Semistate game at Coveleski Stadium. Central Catholic would need to get past him to become the first program to advance to the state championship game four straight years.

“Basically, the season is one giant practice,” CC pitcher/outfielder Nick Stone said. “We’ve seen guys anywhere from 70-85 (miles per hour), guys that throw fastballs, curveballs, everything. Hopefully the season has prepared us.”


Kaplanis, a University of Indianapolis recruit, opened the season with iffy starts against Fort Wayne South and Bishop Dwenger. Since then he’s 6-0 with an 0.98 ERA, allowing 31 hits and six walks while striking out 65 over 43 innings.

Three of those victories were shutouts, including a 13-strikeout, no-walk performance against Morgan Township in the Caston Regional championship.

“We have to have shorter swings at the plate in order to hit a faster pitcher,” CC catcher Wiley Lodde said. “We also need to be more selective. We can’t be swinging at pitches out of the zone, because if you get behind a good pitcher he’s going to make good pitches to get you out.”



Facing tougher pitchers throughout the season didn’t hinder the Knights’ offense. CC owns a .321 team batting average and five players – Stone, Evan Kennedy, Andrew Hubertz, Ryan DeBoy and Austin Munn – have hit three or more home runs.

Munn, who will play at Ave Maria University in Florida, is expected to start against Blackhawk.

Central Catholic has outscored its five postseason opponents 47-4. Despite a postseason winning streak that dates back to 2009, the Knights say they take nothing for granted.

“Still, every day, you’ve got to come out and get better,” Munn said. “There’s no easy victory in the postseason.”





2011 state championship game

http://www.livestream.com/ihsaa/video?clipId=pla_070e948d-8b14-4e84-9b85-3a3b7822e1a7&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

Friday, June 8, 2012

Blackhawk baseball ready for Class A giant Semistate foe Lafayette Central Catholic has three straight state titles

By Reggie Hayes of The News-Sentinel

They've heard the question all week, and with Blackhawk Christian High School's religious roots, it fits well: Can the baseball team slay Goliath?

Goliath, in this case, is Lafayette Central Catholic. It's obviously similar to Blackhawk in enrollment, both schools being in the Class A Semistate. But LCC, as it's known, has won three straight state titles.

When it comes to Class A prep baseball in Indiana, Lafayette Central Catholic is Goliath.

“They're a team, just like any other team,” Blackhawk centerfielder Brice Urschel said. “They have a good past, but that doesn't mean anything for this year. We think we're a good team, too.”

Blackhawk Christian (22-6-1) will play Lafayette Central Catholic (29-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Coveleski Stadium, South Bend. The winner will play the winner of Shakamak (26-6) vs. South Central (24-8) for the state title a week later.

Blackhawk Christian faced Lafayette Central Catholic in the semistate two years ago, when the key players in Blackhawk Christian's lineup were sophomores. Blackhawk lost 14-0. But that was a Blackhawk team that entered the tournament well under .500.

That was a Blackhawk team still learning how to deal with baseball Goliaths.

“The situation overwhelmed them a little bit as sophomores,” Blackhawk coach Kevin Kinnison said. “I think they have their heads on a little bit straighter this time. This time, they're embracing the challenge, and it will be a challenge.

“They're looking forward to seeing if they're good enough to be at that level or not.”

Blackhawk leans heavily on four seniors starters: Matt Kaplanis and Dru Sebastian, who alternate at pitcher and third base, shortstop Reid Zimmerman and Urschel.

Their experience as a team and in tournament play could be a big factor on Saturday.

“That's kind of the difference this year,” Kaplanis said. “We expect to be here. We expect excellence instead of feeling lucky to be here. The last couple of years have built up those expectations.”

Sebastian said the team's confidence is high entering the game.

“I think we're the best and we have to beat the best to prove it,” Sebastian said. “We've won 11 straight games and we think we have things figured out and we can take them.”

Kinnison took over as Blackhawk coach when this year's seniors were freshmen. So they've grown and built the program together. Watching them during practice, it's evident that the coaches and players feed off each other. Despite being out of school and temperatures breaking into the 80s, they brought a lot of energy to the field on Thursday.

The seniors have done a nice job in helping the younger players adjust to the team, too, Kinnison said. Freshman Riley Reimschisel leads the team with a .430 batting average.

Kaplanis (7-1, 2.10 ERA) will start on the mound in the semistate. But Kinnison said he has confidence in Sebastian and some of the other younger pitchers, such as sophomore Aaron Jones, who closed out a game at regional.

The seniors have set the tone of high expectations, Kinnison said.

“They're setting the standard that everybody else will be graded upon moving forward,” Kinnison said. “They're embracing working hard. They're good athletes and pretty smart players, too. What some of them lack in physical talent, they make up for in baseball smarts. That helps from a coaching standpoint.

If Blackhawk pull the upset, the school will be primed to return to state glory. Blackhawk won the Class A state titles in 2002, 2005 and 2006.

“We wouldn't want it any other way,” Kaplanis said. “We want to play LCC and we want to beat them. We think we have a really good shot at this.”

We'll find out Saturday if Blackhawk indeed has a shot (a slingshot?) against Goliath.

Central Catholic relishes the opportunity to play at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend

Central Catholic relishes the opportunity to play at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend: wlfi.com



Ross Bolin

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - With a win on Saturday at Coveleski Stadium the Central Catholic baseball team will advance to their 4th consecutive Class 1A State Championship game.

For the first time in their 3 year State championship run the Knights will not be playing their Semi-State game in Kokomo at Highland Park. Central Catholic insists that where the game is played will not be a problem. For Senior Pitcher Austin Munn, it's about getting 21 Fort Wayne Blackhawk outs.

"It's going to be a little different. I'm not really superstitious but I like to have the same routine. It's not going to be any different were going to come out and play our game and hopefully come out victorious like that last three years," said Munn.

By bus it will take Central Catholic every bit of 3 hours to reach their destination which was not popular news when the team learned their semi-state fate. However, as the game has gotten closer the Knights have changed their tone.

"At first I think some of us questioned it because we weren't sure with the extra hour drive we didn't want to take that long of a bus ride. Going and playing on all turf is definitely going to be worth it and a lot of fun," said junior Cowen Olinger.

During spring break the Knights played a tough series of games in Louisville on turf which at the time didn't seem like a big deal but now seems like a great decision by Hall of Fame head coach Tim Bordenet.

"I always look forward to playing on big fields like that. It's turf like we played on in Louisville during spring break so that is going to be a bit of a change but baseball is baseball and you got to do what you got to do," said senior Nick Stone.

CC's senior catcher keeps Knights on track for fourth straight state title


Written by
NATHAN BAIRD
Central Catholic’s pitchers are grateful to have Wiley Lodde behind the plate.

Grateful for his pre-game pep talks, for his ability to block a would-be wild pitch and for the way he strikes down opposing baserunners.

Yet no Knight is as grateful for Lodde’s presence on the field than the senior catcher himself. After a potentially career-ending shoulder injury two years ago, Lodde returned to become an integral part of Class A No. 1 Central Catholic’s pursuit of a fourth straight state championship.

“When he got the chance, he really excelled,” CC senior pitcher and outfielder Austin Munn said. “He’s saved all the pitchers a lot. He’s a really good blocker, and he’s been throwing people out all season. Watching him grow as a catcher has been really fun.”

Lodde expected to compete for varsity time as a sophomore in 2010. But shoulder soreness that began during his freshman season only worsened while playing in Indianapolis the following fall.

An MRI revealed two tears in the labrum of his right shoulder. The surgery cost him his entire sophomore year, and Lodde said the shoulder didn’t return to normal until late in his junior season.

Once healthy, Lodde decided to make the most of the opportunity.

“This offseason is basically when it popped into my head that this was my chance and my shoulder was 100 percent ready to go,” Lodde said. “I just devoted myself to the team and got in a lot better shape, got my arm a lot stronger and here we are.”

His teammates say Lodde was one of the most consistent Knights in terms of attendance, and performance, at offseason workouts. The effort is evident in the results.

Along with his solid defensive play, Lodde is batting .274 with 18 RBIs out of the No. 7 spot. He’s also displayed one of the best batting eyes on the team, with 14 walks (tied for second on the team) and just six strikeouts.

“The way he worked in the offseason I think really set the tone for all of our guys,” CC coach Tim Bordenet said. “Especially our younger guys, who see there’s a guy who’s never really played who’s a senior and he’s the hardest worker we have in the weight room, that sets a great example for others to follow.”

Lodde said he learned a lot playing behind CC catchers Tyler Child, Reed Drysdale and Devin Morgan the past three seasons. Now he’s mentoring sophomore Evan Kennedy and the Knights’ other young catchers.

Next year, Lodde will be at Franklin College, continuing a baseball career that almost ended before it began.

“Baseball’s his passion,” Bordenet said. “When you have the drive he has, it’s not surprising to see him make the recovery that he did.”

Thursday, June 7, 2012

CC headed to South Bend for semistate

By JCOnline:
No. 1 Central Catholic will face Fort Wayne Blackhawk at 1 p.m. Saturday in South Bend’s Coveleski Stadium in the northern Class A semistate championship game.

The winner will play either Shakamak or South Central (Elizabeth) in the state championship game the following week in Indianapolis.

CC (29-4) is gunning for its fourth consecutive Class A state championship. Fort Wayne Blackhawk is 22-6-1. The Knights advanced to the semistate with an 18-3 victory against Daleville this past Saturday at Leming Field in the regional title game.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Lafayette CC eliminates Daleville baseball in regional final

Star Press

Written by
SAM WILSON
LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Lafayette Central Catholic's Austin Munn drove the game's first pitch over the wall for a home run. The Knights' offense didn't slow down much the rest of the game on Saturday night as Central Catholic claimed an 18-3 victory over Daleville in the championsLinkhip game of its own Class A baseball regional.

Munn, who later hit a double, hit one of four Knight homers, as pitcher/right fielder Nick Stone hit two and Andrew Hubertz hit the other.

Lafayette Central Catholic (29-4, No. 1 Class A) scored multiple runs in five of the game's seven innings.

Daleville did threaten in the fourth inning despite the lopsided final score. Taylor Clark and Caleb Maddox each had doubles, and the Broncos scored three runs and trailed the Knights 7-3 at the end of the inning.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Knights' offense picked up again, scoring five runs in the sixth inning and six in the seventh in what turned into a blowout win.

"I'm proud of our guys," Daleville coach Daniel Hanson said. "We opened up a little slow there and their lineup, you just never get a break in their lineup."

Lafayette Central Catholic picked up a total of 17 hits in the game, including 10 in the last two innings when its run total more than doubled. Seven of the nine batters in the LCC starting lineup had at least two hits. Munn and Stone each had three hits. Six of the Knights' hits went for extra bases.

Brent Blackwell was the only Daleville player to log two hits, one a double. Drew Nuce and Maddox also each reached base twice. Both players had one hit apiece. Nuce also got hit and Maddox reached on a fielder's choice. The Broncos had six total hits.

Nuce (9-4) started for the Broncos and pitched 6 2/3 innings, taking the loss. Clark pitched the last two outs in relief and allowed a run.

Daleville finished its season 17-13 and won its first sectional championship in five years when it claimed the Cowan Sectional Title on Monday.

The Broncos beat Union City earlier Saturday to advance to the title game. The Broncos scored two runs each in the first, third and sixth innings in the victory. Cody Duke and Clark each had two hits and an RBI to pace the Bronco offense, while Blackwell had a two-RBI single to drive in both third-inning runs.

"We were focused from the get-go," Hanson said. "I felt all week long they were focused in practice and they came out ready to go and we jumped on them early a little bit."

Clark pitched a complete game for the Broncos, allowing five hits and striking out nine batters. He walked one.

"He threw a heck of a game earlier today for us," Hanson said. "I've been saying it all week long, we felt comfortable with Taylor or Drew (Nuce) on the mound. We had confidence in both of them."

Gary Williams pitched a complete game for Union City (8-18). Richie Foster had two singles to lead the Indians offensively. The Indians won the Randolph Southern Sectional Monday to claim their school's first-ever sectional title.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Early season game

Knights get win over Chargers: wlfi.com



Caleb Martin

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Lafayette Central Catholic Knights' baseball team ended last season as class 1A state champions for the the third time in a row.

The Knights opened the 2012 season on Monday night against North Montgomery at Gordon Lemming Field.

Central Catholic scored their first run in the 3rd inning as Austin Munn singled to center and Nick Stone scored from third.

The Knights added eight runs in the 5th inning as they beat North Montgomery 11-1 in six innings of play.

Austin Munn went 3-4 from the plate in the win.

Central Catholic returns to action on Tuesday night as they play host to Western at 5 pm.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Webcast of regional final

http://delawarecountyvoice.com/index148.htm

Then click this link:http://www.ezstream.com/play/index.cfm?fuseaction=playsl&id=2D13C55CCF

Baseball: Regional Championship Daleville vs Winner