MEDIA INFORMATION                                                                                                            

June 4, 2008

Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director

E–Mail: jwille@ihsaa.org

 

FOUR TEAMS RETURN TO SOFTBALL STATE FINALS THIS WEEKEND

Four teams that advanced to the state finals a year ago, including the defending Class A state champion, are amongst the 16 teams that will compete in the 24th annual IHSAA Softball State Finals in the Indianapolis area beginning Friday evening.

 

Two semifinal games at four different sites will be played Friday beginning at 6:30 pm ET. The second games will not begin any earlier than 8:30 pm ET. The sites of the semifinals are as follows: Carmel (Cherry Tree Elementary) hosting Class 4A, Pike hosting 3A, North Central the site for 2A and Hamilton Southeastern the site for Class A. Saturday’s four state championship games will each be played at the Ben Davis High School Softball Complex in Indianapolis. The Class A championship contest is set to begin at 10:30 am ET, the 2A final is scheduled for 1:30 pm, 3A at 4:30 pm and 4A at 7:30 pm.

 

All four teams in the Class A field were ranked in the top five of the final regular season poll including undefeated No. 1 Whiting (32-0) and defending champion and No. 2 Indianapolis Lutheran (25-4). Whiting is led by junior pitcher Mel Dumezich, who led the Oilers to the 2006 state title, and currently leads the state in several statistical categories, including batting average (.626), runs (68) and hits (62), pitching victories (29) and strikeouts (456). Both teams will face stiff challenges in the semifinal round as Whiting takes on No. 5 Frontier (26-5), which is making its first trip to the state finals, while Lutheran meets No. 3 Tecumseh (24-4). The latter is a matchup of last year’s state championship game which went 9 innings before the Saints claimed a 1-0 decision.

 

The foursome in Class 2A shows three teams that have previously advanced to the state finals but none of the four finished ranked in the top 10 this season. Bremen (22-8), which is making its second appearance in four seasons, will take on South Spencer (20-10) in the first contest. South Spencer is making its second trip to state after its 1999 season ended with a Class A state runner-up finish when the sport was in three classifications. The second contest features Cass (19-11), making its third straight appearance and is two years removed from its first state title taking on first-timer Southwestern (Hanover) (18-6). Southwestern upset top-ranked Indianapolis Scecina, 3-2, in the regional semifinal last Saturday and then shutout Alexandria, 2-0, for its spot in the state finals.

 

In Class 3A, three of the four teams are ranked in the top five of the coaches poll led by top-ranked Mishawaka Marian (29-4) and No. 2 New Palestine (27-3). New Palestine, which has been to a championship game twice before including its 2004 title, will face unranked Bellmont (26-7) in the first game. New Palestine is led by senior catcher Alyssa Marcum who leads the state with 56 RBI. Bellmont is no stranger to the softball finals either making its third appearance this decade but will try to get past the semifinal round for the first time since its 1989 runner-up season when the tournament was a one-class affair. Senior centerfielder Kaylee Faurote ranks among the state leaders with 46 runs scored this year. The second game features Marian facing No. 4 Jasper (27-4). Marian beat defending champ Andrean in the regional semi then followed with 12 inning win over Benton Central for its first regional crown. Jasper handily won its first regional last Saturday outscoring its two opponents, 8-0 and 7-1, respectively. Interestingly, Bellmont, Jasper and Mishawaka Marian were each state finalists in last fall’s IHSAA volleyball tournament with Bellmont defeating Marian for the championship.

 

Among the 4A teams, No. 2 McCutcheon (29-5) has been the only regular visitor to the state finals making its third appearance in four years but is searching for its first state crown. The Mavericks were the 2005 runners-up and were an extra inning victim in last year’s semifinals. They’ll face unranked LaPorte (20-13) in the second game. The Slicers survived a pair of one-run encounters on Saturday to claim the school’s first softball regional championship. The early game calls for No. 6 Franklin Central (27-4) to meet unranked East Central (30-3). Franklin Central dispatched top-ranked Center Grove for its first sectional crown in 10 years and then also took a pair of one-run decisions for its regional title. The Flashes will have senior pitcher Chanda Bell, the state’s leader with a 0.10 ERA in 20 appearances, in the circle this weekend. East Central will be making its first appearance in the state finals in 18 years this weekend and are winners of 20 straight games.

 

Meet the Teams

For roster, stats and schedules on all 16 teams in this year’s state finals, click here.

 

Driving Directions

For driving directions to all four semifinal sites as well as for Saturday’s state championship games at Ben Davis, click here.

 

State Finals

Admission: $8 per session; $12 both sessions.

 

Semifinal Games, Friday, June 6

Class 4A

1.   Carmel (Cherry Tree Elementary, 13989 Hazel Dell Parkway, Carmel)

Game 1 – East Central (30-3) vs. Franklin Central (27-4). 6:30 pm ET

Game 2 – McCutcheon (29-5) vs. LaPorte (20-13). 8:30 pm ET

 

Class 3A

2.   Pike HS, 5401 W. 71st Street, Indianapolis

Game 1 – Bellmont (26-7) vs. New Palestine (27-3). 6:30 pm ET

Game 2 – Jasper (27-4) vs. Mishawaka Marian (29-4). 8:30 pm ET

 

Class 2A

3.   North Central HS, 1801 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis

Game 1 – Bremen (22-8) vs. South Spencer (20-10). 6:30 pm ET

Game 2 – Cass (19-11) vs. Southwestern (Hanover) (18-6). 8:30 pm ET

 

Class A

4.   Hamilton Southeastern HS, 13910 E. 126th Street, Fishers

Game 1 – Frontier (26-5) vs. Whiting (32-0). 6:30 pm ET

Game 2 – Indianapolis Lutheran (25-4) vs. Tecumseh (24-4). 8:30 pm ET

 

Championship Games, Saturday, June 7

Ben Davis High School, 1200 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis.

 

Class A, 10:30 am ET.

Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Class 2A, 1:30 pm ET.

Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Class 3A, 4:30 pm ET.

Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Class 4A, 7:30 pm ET.

Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Media Information

 

Media Hosts – Sports Information Director Jason Wille, Communications Director Chris Kaufman and other members of the IHSAA staff will be at each site to assist in your coverage.

 

Media Credentials: The 2007-08 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously this year will allow for admission to each site. Those outlets needing credentials should fax a letterhead request immediately to Sports Information Director Jason Wille at 317-575-4244. The application deadline is Thursday at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the site requested on Friday or Saturday. Those wishing to broadcast at any site should immediately contact Liz Milne of Associated Sports Productions at 317-633-1462 to make arrangements.

 

Services – Starting lineups and game programs will be circulated to members of the media in attendance at Friday’s semifinal sites. Computer-generated official box scores will be available only during Saturday’s four state championship games. Line scores for all games will be posted on the IHSAA website. For those individuals wishing to file stories and/or photographs from any site, please see a member of the IHSAA staff or the site’s tournament director for post-game arrangements.

 

Notables

 

Defending State Champions in the Field

A: Indianapolis Lutheran.

 

Returning to State Finals from 2007

4A: McCutcheon.

2A: Cass.

A: Indianapolis Lutheran, Tecumseh.

 

Former State Champions in the Field

3A: New Palestine (2004 3A).

A: Whiting (2006).

 

First-Time Participants in the State Finals

4A: Franklin Central, LaPorte.

3A: Jasper, Mishawaka Marian.

2A: Southwestern (Hanover).

A: Frontier.

 

 

BEECH GROVE’S BOGARD NAMED STATE’S OUTSTANDING SOFTBALL UMPIRE

David Bogard of Beech Grove is the recipient of the 2008 Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for excellence in the sport of softball.

 

David will be honored during this weekend’s state finals. He has worked four regionals, two semi-states and two state finals in his officiating career.

 

Each year, the IHSAA, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each of 11 sports during the school year.

 

Bogard was nominated for this award by his peers in the Indiana Officials Association, one of 26 associations located throughout Indiana and made up of men and women who give much of their personal time to assist in providing wholesome, worthwhile and healthy activities for the student-athletes of our state.  This honor comes as a result of David’s selection by a committee representing those 26 associations. Statewide, there are more than 8,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.

 

A licensed official for 16 years, Bogard has served as a rules interpreter for six years and clinician for 11 years.  In addition, he has officiated six national softball tournaments as well as the 2001 World Police and Fire Games.

 

Bogard is retired after serving 37 years for the United State Postal Service.  He is a graduate of Beech Grove High School. He and his wife, B.J., have four children, Rachel, Amy, Nathan, and Jolynne.

 

 

SINGLES, DOUBLES CROWNS UP FOR GRABS IN GIRLS TENNIS

One singles player and two doubles teams are among those returning from last year as the individual crowns will be awarded in girls tennis this weekend in Indianapolis.

 

One first round match in singles is scheduled for Friday morning at North Central High School before all No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles teams begin quarterfinal play on Friday afternoon.

 

Fresh off their school’s fourth straight team title last Saturday is the Park Tudor doubles team of seniors Elizabeth Emhardt and Heather Rogers. Emhardt and Rogers earned a bye into Saturday’s semifinal round by virtue of their team’s performance last weekend. The pair were eliminated in last year’s semifinal round by eventual champions Deahna and Tiffany Welcher of Clarksville and finished fourth.

 

The other doubles team back is the North Central tandem of seniors Maggie Ashby and Alena Perez-Majul. Ashby and Perez-Majul also fell victim to the Welcher sisters a year ago losing in the semifinals and Perez-Majul was a doubles participant in the 2005 tournament advancing to the semifinals.

 

Columbus North’s Caroline Hedrick also returns to the singles tournament after falling a match short in 2007. As a freshman last year, she went unbeaten the entire season before falling in straight sets to Megan Martzolf of Park Tudor. She returns with another unblemished record as a sophomore and will face Marion’s undefeated Kristen Futrell on Friday afternoon.

 

After spending her freshman and sophomore campaigns going undefeated at No. 2, Munster’s Mary Hill, is making her first appearance in the singles tournament. She received the bye into the quarterfinals following her team’s third straight state runner-up finish last weekend. She holds a 25-0 mark this season and is 77-0 in career matches.

 

Avon junior Christina Riley, also undefeated this year, was a participant in the 2006 singles tournament but lost her opening match to … Clarksville’s Tiffany Welcher, during her run to the singles title that year. Riley will meet Sarah Hebble of Silver Creek, who was a doubles tournament contestant as a freshman in 2005.

 

Please note the pairings for the singles tournament have been revised from their original release on Tuesday morning.

 

State Finals

Date: Friday, June 6; Saturday, June 7.

Times: Friday, 2 pm; Saturday 10 am, 2 pm.

Admission: Free.

Site: North Central High School, 1801 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis.

 

Players listed in bracket order; records include regular season marks followed by post-season marks.

 

Singles  Second revised singles pairings, Wed, 2 pm ET

 

First Round, Fri, 10 am ET.

JoHanna Manningham, 10, Penn (17-2, 6-0) vs. Bayley Brown, 12, Evansville Central (11-2, 5-0).

 

Quarterfinals, Fri, 2 pm ET.

Mary Hill, 11, Munster (17-0, 8-0) vs. Manningham-Brown winner.

Caroline Hedrick, 10, Columbus North (17-0, 5-0) vs. Kristen Futrell, 10, Marion (10-0, 5-0).

Sarah Hebble, 12, Silver Creek (18-1, 5-0) vs. Christina Riley, 11, Avon (15-0, 7-0).

Jade Johnson, 11, Homestead (19-1, 7-0) vs. Courtney Wild, 9, Carmel (16-3, 7-0).

 

Semifinals, Sat, 10 am ET.

Championship Match, Sat, 2 pm ET.

Consolation Match, Sat, 2 pm ET.

 

Doubles

 

Quarterfinals, Fri, 2 pm ET.

Emma LaDuke, 12 | Kayla Prusinski, 12, Floyd Central (18-1, 6-0) vs. Elizabeth Bremer, 11 | Madison Leslie, 11, West Lafayette (12-2, 8-0).

Lindsey Applegate, 11 | Jayme McCormick, 12, Michigan City (19-0, 6-0) vs. Maggie Ashby, 12 | Alena Perez-Majul, 12, North Central (Indianapolis) (14-0, 6-0).

Amy Kline, 12 | Andrea Moore, 12, Concord (12-7, 3-0) vs. Courtney Scott, 12 | Caroline Wright, 10, Fort Wayne Canterbury (14-3, 7-0).

 

Semifinals, Sat, 10 am ET.

Elizabeth Emhardt, 12 | Heather Rogers, 12, Park Tudor (10-3, 9-0) vs. Floyd Central-West Lafayette winner.

 

Championship Match, Sat, 2 pm ET.

Consolation Match, Sat, 2 pm ET.

 

 

 

 

BASEBALL SEMI-STATES THIS WEEKEND

So long as the weather holds off the remainder of the week, the baseball state tournament moves to the semi-state round this Saturday. Semifinal games and a championship matchup will be played out at eight locations with a berth in the state finals at Victory Field on the line.

 

Keep in mind that one state championship game in Class A, 2A or 3A will be slated for a Friday, June 13 start at 7:30 pm ET. That game, along with the others scheduled for Saturday, will be released as soon as all the semi-state contests are decided whether that be this weekend or early next week if weather becomes an issue.

 

Check ihsaa.org for all the remaining regional and semi-state game scores along with the state finals pairings announcement.

 

42nd Annual Baseball State Tournament

Regional, Semi-State, State Championship Brackets: 4A | 3A | 2A | A

 

 

BOYS GOLF REGIONALS THURSDAY, FRIDAY

Seven golf courses will host regional competition this week in the 72nd Annual IHSAA Boys Golf State Tournament. The top three teams and top three low individuals not including those that advance with their team, will earn a tee time in the state finals at The Legends of Indiana in Franklin beginning on Tuesday, June 10.

 

Results from each host site will be added at ihsaa.org as they are received this week with the intention of posting the state finals pairings and tee times on Saturday afternoon as long as all regional tournaments are completed Thursday and Friday.

 

Regionals

Dates: Thursday, June 5; Friday, June 6; Saturday, June 7.

Admission: Free.

Advancement from Regionals to State Finals: Top 3 teams plus; Top 3 low individuals, including all ties for 3rd, excluding those individuals who advance with a team.

 

1. Center Grove (4), Hickory Stick, Thurs, 8 am

Greenfield-Central, Lawrence Central, Martinsville, Southport.

2. Homestead (4), Orchard Ridge, Thurs, 8 am

East Noble, Fort Wayne South Side, Northridge, Warsaw.

3. Lafayette Jefferson (4), Battle Ground, Fri, 8 am

Crawfordsville, Lafayette Jefferson, Logansport, Western.

4. LaPorte (4), Beechwood, Fri, 9 am CT

Boone Grove, Lake Central, South Bend Riley, Valparaiso.

5. Muncie Central (4), The Players Club, Fri, 9 am

Huntington North, Monroe Central, Noblesville, Richmond.

6. Seymour (4), Shadowood, Fri, 8 am

Bedford North Lawrence, Floyd Central, Greensburg, Madison.

7. Washington (4), Country Oaks, Thurs, 8:30 am

Evansville Mater Dei, Jasper, Owen Valley, Vincennes Lincoln.

 

 

State Finals

The Legends of Indiana Golf Course, 2555 N. Hurricane Road, Franklin, IN, 46131.

About The Course | Driving Directions | Course Statistics | Course Photographs

Dates: Tuesday, June 10 (Round One); Wednesday, June 11 (Round Two).

Time: 8 am ET / 7 am CT both days.

Admission: $5.00 per person per day.

Advancement from Round One to Round Two: Top nine teams; Any team within 12 strokes of the lead after Round One; Top nine individuals, excluding those individuals who advance with a team plus; Any individual within four strokes of the lead after Round One; Teams tied for ninth place and medalists tied for ninth.

 

 

STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS

 

Baseball Leaders | Softball Leaders

 

 

NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE

 

Have an interesting note? A conference or school record, coaching milestone or something else of interest? Please e-mail IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org for consideration.

 

Last month, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers was included in Sports Illustrated’s national rankings of the top high school athletic programs of the 200-7-08 school year. Bishop Luers was listed 24th of 25 and was the only Indiana school listed. SI praised the Knights’ programs with the following: “With titles in both boys and girls basketball, the Knights lived up to the Hoosier state’s standard of excellence.” Luers won the 2A title in football, its seventh, and boys basketball earlier this year and the girls basketball team owns five state championships since 1999, most recently in 2006. The softball team played in the state finals last year and the volleyball team finished as runners-up in 2002 and 2003. The baseball team is currently ranked second in the 2A coaches poll and is playing in the regional round.


Jay County’s baseball team finished the 2008 season with 65 home runs which ranks third-best in state history. Only Marion’s 68 homers in 1998 and Brownsburg’s 66 in 2004 rank higher on the list compiled by the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association. The 4A No. 4 Patriots (25-3) fell, 4-0, to Homestead in the championship game of the Huntington North Sectional.

 

Andrew Riddick has been named athletic director at Heritage Christian School. Riddick has been athletic director the past nine years at Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Va. Riddick takes over for Jeff Hester, who is leaving to become athletic director at Columbus North.

 

Loogootee baseball coach Mike Wagoner will resign effective at the end of the current season.  Wagoner is the school’s all-time leader in wins with 279-246 over 21 years.  He will take over the head coaching duties for the boys basketball program starting next season. Wagoner had seven sectional championships and four Blue Chip Conference titles in his tenure as baseball coach.

 

 

IHSAA 07-08/42