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: Lawrence Central
Class: 4A
League: Metropolitan Interscholastic (MIC)

Head Coach: Matt Buczkowski
2013 Overall Record: 17-11
2013 Conference Record: 4-2 (Conference Indiana)
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS

Jarrett Montgomery, OF/RHP, 2015
Braxton Krieg, 1B/LHP, 2014
Ernie Harshman, OF/LHP, 2015
Dre Davis, INF, 2015
Marcus Jessup, OF, 2014
Brian Haas, MIF, 2015

OUTLOOK:

Head Coach Matt Buczkowski and the Lawrence Central Bears enter their first season in their new conference, the Metropolitan Interscholastic (MIC).  In the MIC they join township rival Lawrence North, Ben Davis, Carmel, Center Grove, North Central, Pike, and Warren Central.  The Bears return five positional starters along with two pitchers from last season's 17-11 team.  OF/RHP Jarrett Montgomery returns as the top player for LC. Montgomery, ranked 5th in Indiana's class of 2015 rankings, was recently named to the Preseason All-State 2nd team. The Florida State commit hit .344 last spring with 8 HR, 24 RBI and 16 SB.  On the mound the righty was 1-3 with a save and a 4.48 ERA.  Look for Montgomery's numbers to improve on the mound this season.  LHP Ernie Harshman will play a key role on the mound once again this year. The 52nd ranked prospect in the 2014 class went 6-1 on the mound in 2013 with a 1.21 ERA and 33 Ks.  Senior 1B Braxton Krieg returns after hitting .286 as a Junior.  Other players expected to contribute this spring include infielder Dre Davis, OF Marcus Jessup, and MIF Brian Haas (transfer from Cathedral).  Expect the Bears to be highly competitive in their new conference and in sectional play.  Last season the Bears nearly knocked off eventual state runner-up Cathedral in the sectional final before losing 6-5.  

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Click here for the 4A Preseason Team Rankings

click here for more 2014 Team Previews