By Phil Wade
Director, PBR Indiana

Today marks the start of the annual Marion County Baseball Tournament. A total of 16 teams will compete for the opportunity to play in the championship game at Victory Field, home of the Tripe A Indianapolis Indians, in downtown Indy next week.  Last year's Marion County Champion, Franklin Central, heads in to this year's tournament as a heavy favorite.   

Below we take quick glance at the first round matchups as well as predict the first round winners:

(Stats as of Wednesday, 5/7)

Decatur Central vs. North Central 

Decatur Central: 11-7

The Hawks are only hitting .278 as a teams this season and will rely on offensive production from Junior Matt Wolf who's hitting .431 on the season with 7 RBI 6 2B and 15 runs.  Junior catcher Austin Nixon will also be counted on offensively.  The Junior is hitting .371 with 2 HR and 13 RBI.  

On the mound the Hawks will rely on Junior RHP Jack Wohlert, sophomore LHP Brian Compton and Junior Mason Webb. Wohlert is 3-0 on the year with 3 saves in 28 IP.  The lefty Compton is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA wile Webb is also 3-0 in six appearances with a 1.91 ERA

North Central: 7-10

The Panthers are led by recent Ball State commit Roman Baisa, Brian Butchee, Roy Thurman, Gui Earlywine, Lance Howard and Alan Lozer.

PREDICTION: NORTH CENTRAL

Pike vs. Speedway

Pike: 0-15

It's been a tough season thus far for the Red Devils.  Offensively, they are only hitting .233 as a team and have a combined ERA o 9.68.  Key players offensively are Junior Leighton Turnpaugh (.375 BA), senior Jared Ruth (.325 BA, 4 2B) and senior Tate Spence (.317 BA, 11 RBI).  

On the mound the Red Devils will rely on senior Andre Hart, Junior Mitchell Graff, senior Matthew Mikesell and sophomore Lucas Sadenwater.  In order to pick up their first win on the season, the Red Devils must player better defense, having made a total of 49 errors so far this year. 

Speedway: 8-10

Key player for the Spark Plugs include Lincoln Trail commit Nick McCormick and Marian University commit Matt Turk. 

PREDICTION: SPEEDWAY

Warren Central vs. Southport

Warren Central: 3-11

The Warriors, who are hitting .271 as a team so far this spring, will look to Juniors Keith Ellison (.400 BA), Jordan Bare (.357 BA), Justin Hidelburg (.389 BA) and seniors Lane Stotts (.344 BA) and Jeff George (.304 BA) for offensive production.  Stotts leads the Warriors with 11 hits and 6 RBI this spring and is also tied with the most stolen bases at two.  

The Warriors will lean on Junior Austin Montgomery, Stotts and sophomore Drew Summeier on the mound. Defense will be a key component to any success the Warriors may have in the County Tournament. So far this season they have committed a total of 44 errors. 

Southport: 3-13

The Cardinals have some solid wins on the season, but have struggled as of late.  As a team they are hitting .262.  They are led offensively by Junior A.J. Wampler who is currently hitting .333 with 8 RBI. Junior Wyatt Cullom (.327 BA, 8 RBI), sophomore Dennis Maxey (.348 BA, 6 RBI) and James Sheets (.320 BA, 6 RBI) lead the way for the Cardinals offense.  

On the mound Southport will rely on Cullom (3.78 ERA) and Zack Odom (3.92 ERA)

PREDICTION: SOUTHPORT

Beech Grove vs. Ben Davis

Beech Grove: 5-7

Ben Davis: 10-6-1

The Giants are having a solid season thus far, hitting .327 as a team.  Leaders at the plate include seniors Sean Boswell (.364 BA, 4 2B), Tanner Wall (.340 BA, 7 2B, 15 RBI), sophomore Jimmy Kizer (.469 BA, 5 2B, 15 RBI) and Junior C.J. Vaugn (.323 BA, 6 2B).

On the mound Ben Davis will rely on Vaughn, Quinton Brumett and Travis Sanders. 

PREDICTION: BEN DAVIS

Park Tudor vs. Lutheran

Park Tudor: 8-8

Lutheran: 10-4

Key players for Lutheran include senior P/1B Eli Goff and Junior's Addison Robertson and Seth Hougesen. 

PREDICTION: PARK TUDOR

Lawrence North vs. Roncalli

Lawrence North: 9-8

The Wildcats have the talent, but have struggled around the .500 mark most of the year. They are led offensively by seniors Drew Madden (.393 BA, 4 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI), John Scheil (.327 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI), and Junior Nolan Watson (.339 BA, 1 HR, 14 RBI). 

On the mound they will look to Watson, senior Max Gray and sophomore Justin Reed.  Watson has a 2.96 ERA and is 2-2 on the year.  Reed has posted a 1.56 ERA in five appearances while Gray is 2-1 in five appearances. 

Roncalli: 12-3

The Rebels are off to a strong start this spring, hitting .326 as a team with 40 stolen bases.  They are led at the plate by Junior Tyler Schoettle (.447 BA, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 4 SB), sophomore Jake Franklin (.375 BA, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 8 SB), sophomore Tyler Lucas (.385 BA, 4 SB), senior Aaron Schnell (.366 BA, 4 2B, 1 HR, 18 RBI. 7 SB) and sophomore Robbie Starder (.321 BA, 6 RBI, 4 SB).

On the mound Roncalli will lean on sophomore Michael McAvene (3-1, 1.99 ERA), Christian Beard (2-1, 3.37 ERA) and Drew Naumovich (2-0, 2.52 ERA)

PREDICTION: RONCALLI

Franklin Central vs. Lawrence Central

Franklin Central: 15-2

The Flashes return as the defending Marion County champion, and are currently ranked No. 7 in the 4A team rankings.  As a team they are hitting .366 on the year.  They are led by seniors Jon Knies (.400 BA, 8 RBI, 5 SB), Jimmy Yates (.438 BA, 4 HR, 16 RBI), Brandon Ruble (.357 BA, 6 2B, 15 RBI) and Junior Aaron Snyder (.400 BA, 1 HR, 12 RBI).

On the mound they have depth in seniors Jake Sprinkle (4-0, 1.11 ERA), Kevin Hammond (3-1. 1.77 ERA, Ben Sprinkle (1-1, 1.40 ERA) and Zack Whitehead (2-0, 4.32 ERA).

Lawrence Central: 13-6

They Bears are hitting .312 on the season and are led by Juniors Jarrett Montgomery (.439 BA, 7 HR, 4 3B, 22 RBI, 20 SB), Ernie Harshman (.418 BA, 1 HR, 7 2B, 15 RBI, 7 SB), Dre Davis (.383 BA, 5 2B, 8 RBI, 5 SB) and senior Braxton Krieg (.305 BA, 2 HR, 19 RBI). 

Jarrett Montgomery leads the Bears on the mound with a 5-3 record and 1.60 ERA.  Lefty Ernie Harshman is their No. 2 and is 3-1 on the year.

PREDICTION: FRANKLIN CENTRAL

Perry Meridian vs. Brebeuf

Perry Meridian: 3-14

The Falcons are led by senior Collin Timmons who is hitting .400 on the year with 1 HR and five toal extra base hits.  He leads the team in RBI with 11. 

Brebeuf: 14-3

The Braves are having a solid season and are currently ranked No. 6 in the 3A Team Rankings.  Key players for Braves include Nick Chambers, Eric Petruzzi, Hunter Hale, Tyler Holt, Ben Powell and Marshall Farren.

PREDICTION: BREBEUF