2024 High School Team Previews : Volume IV
January 24, 2024
With the spring fast approaching, our staff has turned the focus to preparing for the 2024 spring season. Read along to find previews on a handful of programs that have already submitted their preseason poll.
All information has been provided to us through our preseason coaches poll, please email [email protected] if you have not received this poll.
Perry Meridian Falcons
Head Coach: Jake Banwart
Class: 4A
2023 Record: 19-12
Conference (2023 Record): 8-6
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/2
2024 Team Strengths:
Defense & Team Speed
Impact Players:
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Austin McNabb, RHP, 2025, Dayton
47 IP, 7-1, 57 K, 25 BB, 2.383 ERA
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Aiden Kerr, C/RHP, 2025
.298 avg, .361 OBP, .766 slug, 6 2B, HR, 14 RBI
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Jayden Simpson, RHP, 2024
33.2 IP, 4-3, 34 K, 14 BB, 2.287 ERA
Northwestern Tigers
Head Coach: Ryan Ward
Class: 3A
2023 Record: 16-12
Conference (2023 Record): 6-3
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/5
2024 Team Strengths:
Experience & Pitching Depth
Impact Players:
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Lincoln Cardwell, C, 2024, Parkland
.444BA, .559OBP, .815SLG, 15 2B, 3 3B, 3HR, 28 RBI
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Cole VanNatter, OF, 2024, Anderson
.283BA, .385OBP, .391SLG, 18RBI, 28R
- Maddox Hunley, 3B/1B, 2024
.316BA, .494OBP, .351SLG, 12RBI, 15R
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Eastin Whaley, RHP, 2024
31.2IP, 3-3, 29K, 23BB, 5.084ERA, 1.958 WHIP
- Karson Griggs, RHP, 2025
19.1IP, 1-2, 28K, 12BB, 5.069 ERA, 1.5 WHIP
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Hayden Cook, RHP, 2025
21.1IP, 2-0, 17BB, 21K, 2.625ERA, 1.5 WHIP
Plainfield Quakers
Head Coach: Steve Mirizzi
Class: 4A
2023 Record: 10-17
Conference (2023 Record): 4-10
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/5
2024 Team Strengths:
Pitching & Defense
Impact Players:
- Carter Orner, RHP, 2024, Purdue-Fort Wayne
- Nathan Holowka, RHP/IF, 2024, Marietta
- Grady Broughton, MIF, 2024, Indianapolis
- Max Mantooth, RHP, 2024
- Gabe Hansen, LHP/UTL, 2024
- Alex Holsclaw, C/3B, 2025
- Gavin Lykins, RHP/1B, 2026
- Zach Rhoden, OF, 2026
Lafayette Jefferson Broncos
Head Coach: Clayton Richard
Class: 4A
2023 Record: 17-13
Conference (2023 Record): 5-5
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/8
2024 Team Strengths:
Pitching & Defense
Impact Players:
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Garrett Rainey, OF, 2024, Indiana Tech
.351 BA, 19 RBI, 26 R, .450 OBP - Miles Williams, P/OF, 2024
4-2, 2.60 ERA, 29.2 IP, 43 K, .194 BAA - Aiden Marcus, P/OF, 2024
3-2, 2.17 ERA, 48.1 IP, 38 K, .186 BAA - Leyton Corbin, SS/C, 2025
.218 BA, 11 RBI, 10 SB, .365 OBP -
Ben Pickering, C/P, 2026
.342 BA, 4 2B, .490 OBP, .526 SLG
Lebanon Tigers
Head Coach: Rick Cosgray
Class: 3A
2023 Record: 15-12
Conference (2023 Record): 8-6
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3/1
2024 Team Strengths:
Team Defense
Impact Players:
- Corbin Wells, LHP/OF, 2024
- Jack Ferrell, 1B, 2025
- Bryce Nelson, SS, 2025
Kokomo Wildkats
Head Coach: Mike Plank
Class: 4A
2023 Record: 11-17
Conference (2023 Record): 5-7
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/3
2024 Team Strengths:
Toughness
Impact Players:
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Isaac Flamino, LHP, 2025
28 IP, 29 K, 14 BB, 3.00 ERA -
Jordyn Gillespie, C, 2025
.382 avg, .494 obp, 6 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR -
Chad Washburn, CF, 2024
.222 avg, .352obp, 3 XBH
Hamilton Heights Huskies
Head Coach: Adam Hughes
Class: 3A
2023 Record: 14-12
Conference (2023 Record): 6-3
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/5
2024 Team Strengths:
Veteran Pitching Staff & Lineup
Impact Players:
-
Dean Mason, 3B/C, 2024
.417 AVG, .622 OBP, 3 HR, 21 RBI -
Nick Hulen, P/SS, 2025
25 Runs Scored / 17 Ks in 15.1 IP -
Adam Hughes, 1B, 2025
14 Runs 14 RBI - Jon Irion, OF/P, 2024
.287 avg, 18 RBI 15 R / 2.04 ERA -
Dilion Pitts, P, 2026
26 K's in 21 IP - Levi Chandler, P, 2025
1.05 ERA, 18 K, 13.1 IP
East Central Trojans
Head Coach: Bob Reynolds
Class: 4A
2023 Record: 18-8
Conference (2023 Record): 12-2
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/5
2024 Team Strengths:
Frontline Pitching
Impact Players:
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Max Hotze, RHP, 2024, Morehead State
7-0, 0.99 ERA, 70 K -
AJ Reynolds, RHP, 2024
7-1, 1.12 ERA -
Brayden Rouse, OF, 2024
.472 AVG, 14 2B, 7 HR - Lincoln Wilhelm, C, 2024, Capital
- Joel Richter, CF/RHP, 2025
- Ryan Ott, 3B/RHP, 2025
- Seth Strobl, 1B/OF, 2025
- Cole Reynolds, SS/RHP, 2027
South Central (Union Mills) Satellites
Head Coach: Brent Jones
Class: 2A
2023 Record: 18-9
Conference (2023 Record): 6-1
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/15
2024 Team Strengths:
Experience, Pitching, & Athleticism
Impact Players:
- Brayden Grass, RHP, 2024
- Zach Hanchar, 3B, 2024
- Tommy Sullivan, 1B, 2024
- Billy Byrd, OF, 2024
- Gavin Gross, RHP/SS, 2024