By Phil Wade
Director, PBR Indiana

As we prepare for our 2014 high school preseason coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team: Hanover Central
Class:  3A
League: Greater South Shore
Head Coach: Doug Nelson
2013 Overall Record: 23-6
2013 Conference Record: 7-0
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 6

TOP PLAYERS

Jesse Wilkening, C, 2015 
Riley Welch, LHP, 2015 
Daniel Balich, 2B/RHP, 2015 

OUTLOOK:

Head Coach Doug Nelson and the Hanover Central Wildcats are coming off a successful 2013 where they finished undefeated in conference play at 7-0, winning the Porter County Conference, and were also an impressive 23-6 overall.  The Wildcats return 8 starters and 6 arms this spring.  Junior Jesse Wilkening will once again take care of the catching duties for Hanover Central.  Wilkening, a member of Team IN at last summer's Midwest Future Games, hit .510 last spring with 11 2B and 31 RBI.  Wilkening is currently ranked No. 22 prospect in Indiana's class of 2015 rankings. Junior LHP Riley Welch, ranked No. 77 in the 2015 class, will lead things on the mound for the Wildcats.  As a sophomore the 6-foot-3, 185 pound lefty went 5-1 with 28 Ks in 26 IP and a 1.24 WHIP.  Another junior, Daniel Balich, should be a big contributor both at the plate and on the mound.  Last spring the 2B/RHP finished with a .402 BA with 6 2B and 26 RBI.  On the mound Balich posted a 5-1 record with 37 K's in 32.1 IP and a 1.24 WHIP.  The Wildcats expect to contend for both a Greater South Shore and Sectional championships this spring.  

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COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.

click here for more 2014 Team Previews