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No. 1 Elkhart Central is Loaded for State Title Run

March 27, 2013

By Phil Wade
Director of Operations, PBR Indiana

Head Coach Steve Stutsman and the Elkhart Central Blue Blazers have earned the 2013 Power 25 Preseason No. 1 ranking in Indiana in a unanimous decision.  Elkhart Central is coming off a 24-6 overall record, and a 12-4 record in the Northern Indiana Athletic Conference (NIC).  With high expectations last season, the Blue Blazers suffered a tough loss in Regionals to eventual 4A State champion, Lake Central, 2-1.

Stutsman and the Blue Blazers once again have high expectations heading into the 2013 season with 7 returning starters and 4 returning pitchers. 

Tanner TullyTanner Tully (LHP), the No. 9 player in Indiana’s 2013 class, will lead the Blue Blazers on the mound.  The Ohio State commit went 6-2 in 2012, compiling 64 strikeouts with a 0.30 ERA.  From the left side he sits in the mid-to-upper 80’s with two solid off speed pitches.  Tully (left) is also a force at the plate, hitting .362 with 6 HR, and 29 RBI last season.  Tully was a member of Team Indiana at the 2011 Under Armour Midwest Future Games.

Cory Malcom (RHP/SS) will be the No. 2 on the mound behind Tully.  Malcom (right),Cory Malcom ranked No. 24 in Indiana’s 2013 class, is a 6-foot, 190 pound senior that sits upper 80’s and has been as high as 90 mph. The Arkansas-Little Rock commit went 4-1 last season with a 1.46 ERA, 49 strikeouts, and 2 saves.  Malcom will also be key for the Blue Blazers offense.  In 212 Malcom hit .400 with 24 RBI, 8 doubles, and 3 homeruns. 

Matthew EppersSeniors Matt Eppers (OF), Riley Futterknecht (LHP/OF), Kaleb DeFreese (OF), and Casey Ianigro (MIF) will all be key contributors in 2013.  Eppers (left) hit .328, with 17 runs and 9 RBI in 2012.  He missed eight games due to injury, but is healthy now and should have a huge year for the Blue Blazers. Eppers, ranked 35th in Indiana's 2013 class, was also a member of Team Indiana at the 2011 Under Armour Midwest Future Games.


Futterknecht (right) will contribute both on the mound and at the plate.  The lefty is very crafty on theRiley Futterknecht mound and should fit in well with the rest of the rotation. In 2012 he hit .333 with 28 RBI.  DeFreese (below) is a force from the left side offensively.  Last year he hit .429 with 32 runs, Kaleb DeFreeseand 22 RBI.  He possesses good speed, and is a contact hitter that will be a solid leadoff hitter.  Ianigro hit .386 last year with 21 RBI and 6 doubles.  He will be a key defensive player up the middle.




Other players expected to contribute include juniors Kyle Smith (C) and Jesse Zepeda (OF).  Smith is a 6-foot-2, 180 pound junior that will also get some innings on the mound.  Zepeda is a 6-foot, 180 pound junior that possesses one of the strongest arms in the outfield for Elkhart Central. 

The 2013 Elkhart Central squad is extremely loaded and possesses all the tools and talent necessary to make a run at the 4A state title game at Victory Field this June.  

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