Tri-County got all the runs it needed in its first at-bat to defeat Barr-Reeve, 3-0, in the IHSAA Class A state championship game on Saturday at Victory Field in Indianapolis.

It was the first state title in any sport for the Cavaliers and also the first appearance at the state finals in any sport for Tri-County. Barr-Reeve, which finished 20-8, also was making its first visit to the state finals in any team sport.

Tri-County (30-3), which finished No. 2 in the final coaches poll under coach Denny Stitz, jumped out to a 1-0 leading in the first inning as Mark LeBeau scored off Rodney Benner's double to right centerfield. LeBeau had singled from the two spot.

Tri-County scored two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning as LeBeau led off with a walk. Benner followed with a double to rightfield. C.J. Robinson then singled to leftfield to score LeBeau from third and Wade Nevitt's single to rightfield plated Benner.

Barr-Reeve's best chance of scoring came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Andre Knepp and Keith Knepp both singled to lead off. However, two straight fly outs to left and a called third strike on the next batter snuffed out the uprising. The Vikings finished the regular season ranked fifth in the final state coaches poll under coach Joe Rademacher.

The IHSAA Executive Committee selected Rodney Benner of Tri-County High School as the recipient of the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award in Class A Baseball. Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA corporate partner, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Tri-County High School in Benner's name.

Tri-County (3)

E — Scheitlin 2, Blake 2. 2B — Benner 2. LOB — Tri-County 11, Barr-Reeve 5. DP -- Tri-County (LeBeau, Scheitlin, Zarse). WP — K. Knepp. SB -- Scheitlin, J. Knepp, A. Knepp. SAC -- Stitz, Scheitlin. Umpires — Tom Malone (Home Plate), Don Nester (First Base), John Westfall (Second Base), Larry Holtz (Third Base). Time of Game — 1:56.