Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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                                                                                                                                                 June 16, 2007

 

SOUTH SPENCER CRUISES TO CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP

 

South Spencer (27-6) cranked out 16 hits in a 13-0 victory over Heritage (20-11) in the Class 2A state finals at Victory Field.  South Spencer senior hurler Blake Monar shut down the Patriots offense by tossing a seven-hit shutout.  The championship is the first ever title for South Spencer in any sport.

 

South Spencer scored in five of the seven innings—its biggest scoring output came in the second when the Rebels scored five runs led by senior third-baseman Todd Martin’s three-run homer to left.  It was Martin’s eighth homer this season.  Martin finished the game 2-3 from the plate with a pair of run-scoring sacrifice flies and five RBI’s.  South Spencer also tallied four runs in the sixth inning highlighted by Rebel pitcher Blake Monar’s triple down the right field line.

 

South Spencer is coached by 11th year head coach Brian Kuester. The Rebels last made the state finals in baseball in 1969. Heritage is making their first appearance in the state finals. Led by 30th year head coach Dean Lehrman, Heritage had won its previous 11 games but couldn’t get the bats rolling against Monar.

 

Monar concluded the season with a perfect 9-0 record, allowing no runs on seven hits while fanning nine batters in a complete game for the Rebels.

 

Heritage’s best scoring opportunity came in the fourth inning when the Patriots loaded the bases with two outs behind a single to right field, a walk, and a hit by pitch.  However, the threat was quickly extinguished when the Rebel’s third-baseman Martin made a nice play to his left on a hard hit ball in the hole and threw to first to end the inning.

 

South Spencer broke a Class 2A record for most hits and runs in the state championship game. The Rebels’ 13 runs breaks the previous mark of 12 by Taylor in 2000 and their 16 hit performance breaks the mark set by North Posey (15) two tears ago. South Spencer also tied a Class 2A record for runs in an inning (five in the second inning) and RBI’s in a game (12 runs). They also set the record for most at bats in a game with 38. Martin tied the Class 2A record with five RBI’s.

 

The two teams tied for most combined doubles (South Spencer had three and Heritage one). The two combined for most left on base in a state final (South Spencer left 12 and Heritage nine) and South Spencer’s total was the most for a single team.

 

 

John Seiler of South Spencer Named L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award Winner

 

John Seiler of South Spencer High School was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A baseball.

 

Seiler ranked 13th in his graduating class of 90. He was senior class vice-president and has been involved with the Beta Club and the Future Farmers of America for four years and a member of the Fish and Game Club for three years.  

 

John’s charitable work includes the W.H.O.O. Carnival, Little League baseball and Little Rebel basketball and attends Mount Zion United Methodist Church.

 

Athletically, Seiler hit .465 this year batting lead off for the Rebels. He was named Honorable Mention All-Conference as a junior centerfielder. He is also a 2-time All-Conference selection in tennis and played basketball for two years as well.

 

He is the son of John and Kim Seiler of Rockport.

 

John plans to study computer programming at the University of Southern Indiana in the fall.

 

Brent Hoober of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to South Spencer High School in the name of Seiler.

 

 

VSN MEANS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY

Visit our friends at Visual Sports Network, the IHSAA’s official photographer for all state championship events and one of the leading action photographers in the Midwest. VSN, which was on site on Saturday, has captured hundreds of images from this year’s State Finals and will have them ready for viewing and purchase.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP MERCHANDISE STILL AVAILABLE

For t-shirts and other merchandise commemorating this year’s tournament or for any of our events, visit our friends at Morris, Inc.

 

STATE FINALS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Couldn’t be there for the state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official souvenir program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at the IHSAA Office (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $5.00 by mail (postage included). To order, have your Visa or MasterCard ready and call us at 317-846-6601 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. EDT).