Fri March 17, 2023
#1
2023 HS TEAM PREVIEW: Lafayette Central Catholic Knights
Head Coach: Tim Bordenet
Class: 1A
2022 Record: 27-6
Conference (2022 Record): 8-1
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/7
2023 Team Strengths:
Pitching
Athleticism
Experience from State Championship team
Top Players:
Ben Mazur, RHP, 2023: Murray State University recruit
62.1 IP, 9-1 record, 0.56 ERA, 102 K’s
Brinn Robbins, RHP/OF, 2024
59 IP, 9-1 record, 0.95 ERA, 61 K’s
Evan Dienhart, SS, 2023
.473 avg, 32 R, 18 RBI, 17 SB
.365 avg, 8 2B, 34 R, 23 RBI, 21 SB
Ryan Schummer, C, 2023: Calvin University recruit
.345 avg, 8 2B, 2 HR, 27 RBI
Kayden Minnich, LHP/OF, 2024
36.2 IP, 5-1 record, 1.15 ERA, 36 K’s / .263 avg, 21 RBI, 20 R
TJ Bell, 1B, 2023
Outlook: Lafayette Central Catholic, the defending 1A State Champions, return a quality group of players this season that will undoubtedly put them in contention for another deep playoff run. The Knights’ pitching staff will be strong again, with Senior Ben Mazur returning as the ace of the staff. Mazur went 9-1 last season with a 0.56 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 62.1 IP. Junior Brinn Robbins returns after posting a 0.95 ERA in 59 IP, going 9-1 on the season. Junior Kayden Minnich was 5-1 with a 1.15 ERA as a sophomore. Offensively, the Knights return experience and athleticism that will create a deep offensive unit. Seniors Evan Dienhart (.473 / 32 R), Owen Munn (.365 / 8 2B / 34 R), and Ryan Schummer (.345 / 10 XBH) all return after being key pieces last season. Junior Kayden Minnich, Senior TJ Bell, and Sophomore Jackson Cain will provide depth to the offense after they all gained varsity experience in 2022.
#2
2023 HS TEAM PREVIEW: Tecumseh Braves
Head Coach: Ted Thompson
Class: 1A
2022 Record: 18-13
Conference (2022 Record): 7-5
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 9/6
2023 Team Strengths:
Experience
Defense
Team Speed
Top Players:
Conner Anglin, C/RHP, 2023: University of Southern Indiana recruit
.489 avg, 6 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 35 R, 13 SB / 31 IP, 5-2 record, 1.13 ERA
Dax Bailey, RHP/INF, 2023: Oakland City University recruit
60.1 IP, 5-5 record, 3.13 ERA, 45 K’s / .333 avg, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 27 RBI
.367 avg, 5 2B, 27 R
.256 avg, 5 2B, 1 HR, 20 R, 11 SB / 13 IP, 0-2 record, 5.38 ERA
.326 avg, 7 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI / 42 IP, 5-1 record, 3.00 ERA, 47 K’s
.289 avg, 5 2B, 1 HR, 30 R, 15 SB / 30.2 IP, 1-1 record, 6.16 ERA, 26 K’s
.259 avg, 9 RBI, 18 R
Mason Gogel, INF/P, 2025
.250 avg, 3 2B, 18 RBI, 14 R / 14 IP, 1-1 record, 5.00 ERA
Outlook: The 2022 1A State runner-up, Tecumseh Braves, return virtually their entire roster and will look to make their way back to Victory Field in June. The Braves will be led by a pair of Seniors in C/RHP Conner Anglin and INF/RHP Dax Bailey. Anglin posted massive numbers on both sides of the ball in 2022, while Bailey brings back tons of experience on the mound and will be one of the top hitters in the Braves’ lineup. Seniors Brody Julian (.367), Chase Jones (.256), and Drew Dupont (.326) made big impacts during the Braves’ playoff run and will look to do much of the same in their senior season. Junior DJ Dupont, and Sophomores Wyatt Huddleston and Mason Gogel, gained starting experience last season and will provide the Braves’ lineup with quality depth. Aside from Anglin and Bailey, Tecumseh will look to a combination of Jones, Gogel, and both Drew and DJ Dupont to anchor the Braves’ pitching staff.
2023 HS TEAM PREVIEW: Borden Braves
Head Coach: Eric Stotts
Class: 1A
2022 Record: 22-7-1
Conference (2022 Record): 5-0
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/2
2023 Team Strengths:
Starting Pitching
Defense
Hitting
Top Players:
.414 avg, 9 2B, 1 3B, 41 R, 17 SB
.405 avg, 7 2B, 4 HR, 32 RBI / 42.1 IP, 7-0 record, 1.65 ERA, 55 K’s
Garrett Schmidt, UTL/RHP, 2025
.366 avg, 4 2B, 1 HR, 24 R / 16.1 IP, 0-1 record, 4.29 ERA, 17 K’s
Dylan Toler, OF, 2023: Kentucky Wesleyan College recruit
.316 avg, 11 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 31 RBI
.319 avg, 4 2B, 13 RBI, 17 R
Outlook: Borden returns a strong core of players from their 22-win team from a season ago. Junior SS/RHP Alex Schuler returns to lead a strong offensive unit after batting .414 with 9 2B as a sophomore. Seniors AJ Agnew (.405 / 4 HR) and Dylan Toler (.316 / 14 XBH) will hit in the middle of the Braves’ lineup after having strong seasons offensively in 2022. Sophomores Garrett Schmidt (.366 / 24 R) and Zander Keith (.319 / 13 RBI) were everyday starters last season and will look to use their varsity experience to take on bigger roles this season. On the mound, Borden returns AJ Agnew, who went 7-0 last season with a 1.65 ERA in 42.1 IP. Sophomore Garrett Schmidt made 10 appearances on the mound as a freshman and will be expected to take over a starting role this season. Expect Junior Alex Schuler and Senior Brody Kennedy to be impact arms coming out of the Braves’ bullpen.
#4
2023 HS TEAM PREVIEW: Shakamak Lakers
Head Coach: Dylan Collins
Class: 1A
2022 Record: 16-14
Conference (2022 Record): 5-2
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/12
2023 Team Strengths:
Pitching
Hitting
Experience
Top Players:
Brady Yeryar, INF, 2023: Indiana Wesleyan University recruit
.559 avg, 9 2B, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 38 R
Lindon Jenkins, 1B/OF/LHP, 2025
.322 avg, 2 2B, 5 HR, 22 R, 26 RBI / 9.1 IP, 1-1 record, 6.75 ERA, 9 K’s
Luke Cornelius, 2023
.338 avg, 3 2B, 4 HR, 25 RBI / 13 IP, 2-1 record, 6.46 ERA, 18 K’s
Owen Cox, 2025
.259 avg, 5 2B, 2 HR, 17 R
Colin Barber, UTL/RHP, 2023
.294 avg, 3 2B, 19 RBI, 26 R, 20 SB
.250 avg, 6 2B, 36 R, 15 SB
Xavier Fiscus, OF/C, 2023
.368 avg, 3 2B, 1 HR, 14 R
Gavin Gallagher, P, 2023
17.1 IP, 0-1 record, 4.04 ERA
Bryce Cazee, P, 2023
20.1 IP, 1-1 record, 6.54 ERA, 24 K’s
58 IP, 9-6 record, 3.86 ERA, 60 K
Outlook: Shakamak returns a strong unit that led them to a sectional title in 2022, led by Senior Brady Yeryar. Yeryar had an outstanding junior campaign, batting .559 with 9 2B and 7 HR. Sophomores Lindon Jenkins (.322 / 5 HR) and Owen Cox (.259 / 5 2B) will be impact bats after starting last season as freshmen. Seniors Luke Cornelius (.338 / 4 HR) and Xavier Fiscus (.368) should give the Lakers depth in the middle of the lineup. Junior Riley Huckaby (.250 / 15 SB) and Senior Colin Barber (.294 / 20 SB) are speedsters that will inject athleticism into the Lakers’ lineup. On the mound, the Lakers return Junior Jaxon Cox, who went 9-6 last season with a 3.68 ERA in 58 IP. Senior Bryce Cazee logged 20.1 IP a season ago and will be counted on to throw more this season. Seniors Gavin Gallagher (17.1 IP) and Luke Cornelius (13 IP) are also likely to see plenty of time on the mound this spring. Sophomore Lindon Jenkins will provide depth to the Lakers’ pitching staff after seeing time on the mound as a freshman.
#5
2023 HS TEAM PREVIEW: Union City Indians
Head Coach: Jason Dowler
Class: 1A
2022 Record: 18-7
Conference (2022 Record): 4-4
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/4
2023 Team Strengths:
Pitching
Hitting
Experience
Top Players:
Camden LaFuze, 2023: Indiana Wesleyan University recruit
.514 avg, 8 2B, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R / 70.2 IP, 6-5 record, 1.88 ERA, 119 K’s
Owen Dowler, 2024
.395 avg, 4 2B, 25 RBI, 10 SB / 24.1 IP, 4-0 record, 2.01 ERA, 16 K’s
.386 avg, 12 2B, 1 3B, 12 RBI, 25 R, 10 SB / 64 IP, 8-2 record, 1.86 ERA, 53 K’s
Brayden Huggins, 2025
.300 avg, 2 2B, 12 R
.278 avg, 6 2B, 20 R / 4 appearances, 6.2 IP
Corbin Richards, 2024
.200 avg, 4 2B, 1 HR, 14 R, 10 SB
Outlook: Union City returns a strong group of returning players from a team that won a sectional title in 2022. Senior Camden LaFuze will lead the Indians both offensively and on the mound after a big junior season. LaFuze hit .514 with 8 2B and 3 HR last season, while also posting a 1.88 ERA in 70.2 IP with 119 strikeouts. Junior Zach Fulk is another strong two-way player that went 8-2 on the mound with a 1.86 ERA in 2022, while also batting .386 with 12 2B. Junior Owen Dowler (.395 / 25 RBI) will be an impact bat and returns varsity experience on the mound as well (4-0 / 2.01 ERA). Senior Jude Connor will likely be an impact arm out of the bullpen and should hit in the middle of the Indians’ order. Sophomore Brayden Huggins (.300 / 12 R) and Junior Corbin Richards (.200 / 14 R) are returning starters that will look to improve upon their numbers from a season ago.
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