3A Sectional Preview

The IHSAA State tournament begins next week.  Click to read PBR Indiana?s 3A sectional preview?

Defending 3A sectional champions: Andrean, Brebeuf Jesuit, Corydon Central, Crawfordsville, Evansville Bosse, Fort Wayne Elmhurst, Franklin County, Hammond Clark, Jasper, New Haven, New Palestine, South Bend St. Joseph?s, Tippecanoe Valley, West Vigo, Western, Yorktown.

 

Sectional 18

Andrean, 19-4:  Andrean is looking to repeat as sectional champions.  The 49ers are led by sophomore Zak Ryan.  On the mound Ryan throws a fastball consistently in the mid to upper 80?s.  Mike Hanchar is a LHP that will eat up innings for the 49ers, with a fastball consistently 81-83 mph.  Offensively they are led by seniors Tyler Ochi and Cam Cooper.

Kankakee Valley, 16-9:

Sectional 20

Western, 17-1:  Western?s Adam Bolen is ranked 10^th in PBRs 2012 class along with Damon Reel, ranked 79^th in 2011. Bolen is Western?s ace on the mound and a big contributor offensively.  Western is currently 6-0 in conference play.

Northwestern, 18-4:

West Lafayette, 18-5:

Sectional 22

Norwell, 16-8:  On the mound Norwell is led by senior Noah Patten and sophomore Josh Vanmeter.  At the plate Patten, Vanmeter, and Curry (Indiana State) are Norwell?s leaders.  Travis Gray (Heidleberg) and Kyler Mills (2B/C) will also be key components to Norwell?s success. 

Sectional 23

Ft. Wayne Concordia, 17-3:  Concordia is the early favorite to win this sectional.  They are led by seniors Connor Wilkins and Tanner Pollock.  Wilkins is ranked 50^th in PBRs 2011 class.  Concordia has wins against 4A ranked teams Huntington North (14^th) and twice against Homestead (20^th).  They are winners of 13 of their last 14 games.

New Haven, 18-7:  Seniors Brandon Pease and Lucas Salerno are key contributors offensively for the Bulldogs.  Pease is a LHP with an 83 mph fastball and has committed to play at Valpo next fall.  Andy Jones is a senior pitcher that should eat up innings, throwing three pitches for a strike.  Senior catcher Logan Baker will be a key contributor offensively.

Sectional 25

Crawfordsville, 20-6:  Crawfordsville is the clear favorite to win their sectional.  They are led by senior Cory Rice who is 8-2 on the year with 87 k?s and two no-hitters.  Seniors Jordan Kiger Reece Heron will also eat up innings for the Athenians.  The Athenians are led offensively by Chris Minks (8 HRs, 44 RBI,.464 BA), Jordan Jackson(.488 BA, 6HRs, 38 RBI), and Joel Hobson (.462BA, 3 HRs, 28 RBI, 17 2Bs).

Sectional 26

Bishop Chatard, 6-5:  The Trojans are coming off an impressive City Championship win over 4A Cathedral.  Chris Jensen leads the team on the mound with a low to mid 80?s fastball. 

Roncalli 11-3:  The Rebels are coming off an impressive Marion County Championship win over 4A Lawrence Central.  Hawk and Mulinaro will be key contributors at the plate and defensively for Roncalli.  Alex Simpson will the lead the Rebels on the mound.  Pitching will be key if Roncalli expects to make a deep run. 

Brebeuf Jesuit, 13-7: The Braves are led on the mound by junior Connor Hale and his 86-88 mph fastball.  Sophomore Chase Shaw will also be a key contributor on the mound for Brebeuf.  Sophomore Joey Perkins and seniors Alex Cohn and Andy Enright will have to hit the ball in order for Brebeuf to move on past sectionals. 

Sectional 27

New Palestine, 20-3:  The Dragons are led on the mound by senior RHP Nick Smith (Western Illinois).  Smith is currently ranked 19^th in PBR?s 2011 class.  He has a fastball consistently in the mid-to upper 80?s topping out around 91 mph.  Smith currently has 47 k?s for the Dragons. Senior David Gunst leads the team offensively with 3 HRs and a .536 BA.  New Pal is the early favorite to win this sectional.

Hamilton Heights, 12-8:  LHP Tyler Anderson and 8^th ranked prospect in PBRs 2012 class is the ace the Huskies.  He is 6-foot-5 inches tall with a fastball in the mid to high 80?s.  Any time he is on the mound the Huskies will be tough to beat.  When Anderson is not pitching, Hamilton Heights? bats must show up in order to compete. 

Mt. Vernon (Fortville), 14-6:  Junior Matt Lohrey and senior Logan Blair (Wright State) will lead the Marauders on the mound.  Lohrey is 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA.  Blair currently has 60 Ks to go along with a 1.32 ERA.  Blair is also a big presence at the plate where he is hitting .481 with 3 HRs and 18 RBI.  Troy Montgomery leads the team with a .561 BA and also has 5 HRS.  Zack McKinney leads the team in HRs with 7.   

Sectional 29

West Vigo, 21-0:  West Vigo is the clear favorite to win this sectional.  Offensively they have 8 players hitting .300 or higher.  Scott West (.489 BA, 4 HR, 6 2B, 24 RBI) and Zack Kent (.463 BA, 4 HR, 5 2B, 34 RBI) lead the team offensively.  West , Kent, and Ryan Crowther lead the team in pitching with all three having ERAs below 2.0.  West Vigo should cruise through this sectional and head into regionals.

Sectional 30

Silver Creek, 19-4: Silver Creek has lots of offensive power with 6 players hitting well over .300.  Kyle Briner, Layne Taylor, JD Ehringer and Jacob Armstrong will be key contributors at the plate.  On the mound Briner currently has a 0.00 ERA with 31 Ks in 22 IP.  Lucas Barnett leads the team in games pitched (7) and has a 2.45 Era with 21 Ks.  Silver Creek is the favorite to come out of this sectional.

Sectional 31

Jasper, 18-5:  Jasper is currently ranked 10^th in the latest IHSBCA 3A poll.  They have a strong baseball tradition and are always tough out.

Heritage Hills, 18-4:  They are led offensively by Drew Rosbottom (.438 BA, 4 HR, 10 2B, 37 RBI) Ty Simpson (.411 BA, 9 2B, 14 SB) and Trent Simpson (.455 BA, 9 2B, 3 HR).  On the mound look for contributions from Wes Ward (5-1, 2.23 ERA, 35 Ks) and Ty Simpson (4-0, 33 Ks). 

Sectional 32

Evansville Memorial 19-4:  Memorial is the clear favorite to win this sectional.