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.”