The sectional pairings for the IHSAA 49th Annual State Baseball Tournament have been announced. Take a look at how the tournament shakes out for Hancock County’s teams.
All stats and records are what coaches made available via Maxpreps as of Tuesday.
1. Class 4A Sectional 9 at Pendleton Heights
Two of the county’s teams play in this sectional, and both will face familiar opponents.
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Mt. Vernon drew the host and Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Arabians in Round 1, while Greenfield-Central will take on HHC foe New Castle.
The Marauders (13-10) split their two-game series against Pendleton Heights (16-9) this season. Mt. Vernon ace Zach Spears dealt a beauty in Game 1 of the mid-April doubleheader, striking out 11 Arabians while tossing a complete game to lead the black and gold to a 9-5 victory. In Game 2, Mt. Vernon had more trouble suppressing the Pendleton Heights offense, as it allowed 12 runs, falling 12-5.
The winner of this tilt will take on Richmond (9-6), which drew a first-round bye, on May 30.
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Pendleton Heights High School
Last season: The Marauders lost an 8-5 first-round game against New Castle at Greenfield-Central. The Trojans would go on to claim the sectional title with a 12-10 win against Richmond.
Last sectional title: 2011
The Cougars look to be the favorite in their matchup against the Trojans, as New Castle struggled to score runs in the teams’ two meetings this season. The Cougars 1-2 punch of Seth Adams and Drey Jameson held the Trojans to just two runs in a combined 12.2 innings and led Greenfield-Central to 11-1 and 3-1 victories.
The winner of this matchup plays in a May 30 semifinal against the winner of Anderson (11-13) vs. Connersville (19-5).
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Pendleton Heights High School
Last season: The Cougars lost a 6-1 second-round game against Richmond.
Last sectional title: 2013
2. Class 3A Sectional 26 at Bishop Chatard
Of all the county teams, reigning sectional champion New Palestine (15-10) will know the least about its opponent heading into the tournament. The Dragons have neither played Herron (8-3), nor have they faced a similar opponent to the Achaeans. What they do know is that a win will be the first step on the road to securing a 16th sectional championship and what would be a third under head coach Shawn Lyons.
The winner of the this game will advance to the semifinal May 30 to face either Marshall (1-7) or Chatard (14-4).
On the other side of the bracket, Guerin (13-8) and Brebeuf (14-7) each drew first-round byes and will play each other in the May 30 semifinal.
When: 5 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard High School
Last season: The Dragons defeated Brebeuf 7-5 and conquered the Chatard Sectional, then won the Crawfordsville Regional before finally falling 8-5 against Gibson Southern in the Plainfield Semistate championship game.
Last sectional title: 2014
3. Class 2A Sectional 41 at Centerville
Eastern Hancock (12-10) drew Union County (7-9) in its opening-round matchup. The Royals and Patriots did not square off this season, though they have faced six common opponents through Tuesday. Union County is 3-3 in those games, while the Royals are 4-3.
Based on those contests, the teams appear evenly matched, as each easily handled tilts vs. Randolph Southern and Blue River Valley while losing close games against Northeastern.
They also have big losses in common against Class 2A No. 3 Knightstown (19-3), which could be a big problem for both. The Panthers, who drew a first-round bye, will be waiting for the winner of the Royals-Patriots game in a June 1 sectional semifinal.
On the other side of the bracket, host Centerville takes on Northeastern, while Hagerstown faces off against Cambridge City Lincoln.
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Centerville High School
Last season: The Royals lost a 3-2 first-round game against host Centerville. Knightstown claimed the sectional title vs. Hagerstown.
Last sectional title: 1976
