Phone: 317-846-6601
Fax: 317-575-4244 Website:
www.ihsaa.org
Blake Ress,
Commissioner
____________________________________________________________________________________________
June
17, 2006
JASPER WINS FIFTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH SENSATIONAL COMEBACK
The
top-ranked Jasper Wildcats (34-1) claimed the IHSAA Class 3A state title in
dramatic fashion with a 13-12 comeback victory over the Norwell Knights (29-2)
in Saturday’s state championship game at Victory Field.
The
Wildcats made a late surge in the bottom of the seventh inning to capture the
win with a two-out single to right field by junior right-fielder Josh Sermersheim to complete a three-run rally.
After the
first inning of play was finished one would have thought a pitcher’s duel was
in store, however, everything after the first inning was the complete opposite.
Jasper took
the lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a pair of runs, one of which was
batted in by senior catcher Sam Linette. Linette would go on
to score the second run of the inning on a double steal, making it 4-2.
The fourth
inning was packed with statistical mayhem as Norwell answered the call by
putting a five spot on the scoreboard in the top half, before Jasper fired back
with two runs, making it 7-6 Knights.
Norwell
continued their scoring ways in the top of the fifth by adding four runs and
extending their lead to five at 11-6.
However, Jasper chipped away at the lead and stayed within striking
distance by scoring a run in the bottom half, closing to within 11-7.
Senior
pitcher Jamie Feldheiser added an insurance run to
the Knights total with a lead-off home-run down the left field line in the top
of the sixth. The Wildcats kept on
fighting, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull to within
12-10.
Senior
right-handed pitcher Luke Mehringer held the Knights
scoreless in the top of the seventh. The
nail-biting began in the bottom of the seventh when freshman second-baseman Ian
Boone doubled, advancing Mehringer to third. Junior center-fielder Derek Katter was then
walked to load the bases. One out later,
Linette drove Mehringer in
on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on an error. Boone also scored on the throwing error,
tying the game at 12. After senior first
baseman Broc Litherland was
intentionally walked, Sermersheim came through with
his game-winning single, with Linette sliding to just
barely beat the throw.
Mehringer
(4-0) earned the win on the mound with a three-inning performance. The Wildcats were led at the plate by Katter
and Sermersheim with three hits each. Katter and Boone also had three RBI.
The Norwell
attack was led by sophomore first baseman Ryne Otis
with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored.
Junior shortstop Kreigh Williams and senior
second baseman Clay Dafforn had two hits and three
RBI each.
Jasper set
the Class 3A record for doubles with five.
Feldheiser tied the individual record for most
home runs in a Class 3A state game with one.
Boone broke the individual record for doubles with a pair. Norwell junior third baseman Adam Rupright and Jasper’s Katter and Boone all tied the individual
record for most runs scored with three.
JASPER’S SAM LINETTE NAMED ESKEW MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Members of
the IHSAA Executive Committee selected Sam Linette of
Jasper High School as the winner of the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award for
Class 3A baseball.
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.
Linette’s
activities and accomplishments are varied and numerous. He was a member of the
National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, Key
Club and Student Council among others. He also was a four-year participant in
football and baseball for the Wildcats and has started 114 consecutive games as
the varsity catcher.
He will
continue his education at DePauw University to which he has earned an academic
and athletic scholarship to play baseball and football.
He is the
son of Bill and Judy Linette of Jasper.
Indiana
Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000
scholarship to Jasper High School in the name of Linette.
The award
is named in honor of the former IHSAA commissioner who served the Association
from 1945-62.
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
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 (