June 14, 2013
Norwell Edges Jasper for 3A State Championship
A record Friday night crowd of 3,522 saw Josh VanMeter score both Norwell runs and also get it done on the mound as the third-ranked Knights edged top-ranked Jasper 2-1 for the IHSAA Class 3A Baseball State Championship at Victory Field.
VanMeter walked to lead off the third and fifth innings and was driven home both times by Jonah Patten base hits. Patten's single to center in the third inning scored VanMeter from third and his double to right center in the fifth inning scored Van Meter from second base. Patten finished the game 2-for-3 as did teammate Austin Dettmer.
VanMeter (14-1) went the complete game on the mound holding the high-powered Jasper bats to just three hits and eight strikeouts.
It was the third 3A state championship in 11 years (2003, 2007) for Norwell (33-3) and first under coach Andy McClain. McClain became the first coach to lead two different schools to a state championship game. His Brebeuf Jesuit team finished as the 3A runner-up a year ago.
Jasper (32-4) scored its run in the bottom of the second inning as Austin Alles scored from third on a fielder's choice. He led off the inning with a single to left, advanced to second on a throwing error and later took third on a wild pitch.
Wildcats pitcher Nick Gobert absorbed the loss to finish 9-1. His father, Terry, is the 26th year Jasper coach.
Nick Gobert of Jasper Wins Mental Attitude Award
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Nick Gobert of Jasper High School as the winner of this year’s L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Baseball.
The four-year starting pitcher was named the 2013 Jasper High School Outstanding Senior Athlete, 2012 All State Honorable Mention, the team's Most Valuable Player and team captain for two years. Gobert has been involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes throughout his high school career, most recently holding the Senior Officer position. He is on the Jasper High School Student Athletic Advisory Committee, IHSAA Leadership Conference Delegate, Student Council, as well as a Natural Helpers Peer Mentor. In addition to baseball, Nick played basketball all four years.
Within his community, Nick is a member of St. Joseph's Church as well as the Dubois County Leukemia Society. He has contributed his time volunteering for Jasper Youth Football programs, the Dubois County Food Bank and Nursing Home visitations.
He is the son of Terry and Caroline Gobert of Jasper and plans to attend Indiana University of the University of Dayton to study Education or Chiropractic.
The award is annually presented to an outstanding senior participant in each state championship game who has best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in baseball. The award is named in honor of the late L.V. Phillips, who served as the second commissioner of the IHSAA from 1945-62.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of all IHSAA tournaments, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Jasper High School in the name of Gobert.