IHSAA baseball sectional predictions: Our Insider makes his postseason picks
The IHSAA baseball state tournament begins Wednesday starting with sectional play. IndyStar high school baseball Insider Akeem Glaspie makes his predictions for Central Indiana sectionals.
Class 4A
Sectional 8 (Noblesville)
The toughest sectional in the state. In any other sectional all of these teams would have a great chance at titles, unfortunately, after the first round, two really talented teams will be done for the season.
Noblesville has been consistent all season en route to its second-consecutive Hoosier Crossroads Conference title. I think the Millers make it out of the top side of the bracket. Fishers split with Hamilton Southeastern during the regular season. I think the Tigers win the third game, setting up a blockbuster championship game.
My Pick: Fishers over Noblesville.
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Sectional 9 (New Palestine)
I think New Pal cruises to the sectional final. Mt. Vernon beat Pendleton Heights twice during the regular season, both by 2-1 scores. Cam Sullivan dominated in the first game. Tristan Sitton threw a one-run complete game in the second game. Mt. Vernon will need another strong performance in the sectional semifinal, likely from Sitton. If Mt. Vernon gets to the championship game, I can't pick against Sullivan, one of the top pitchers in the state and potential MLB draft pick.
My pick: Mt. Vernon over New Palestine
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Sectional 10 (Lawrence North)
Lawrence North avoids a semifinal matchup with Cathedral, allowing it to advance to the sectional final. Cathedral beat North Central 12-2 early in the season. Both teams have improved since that late-March game. LN and Cathedral split during the regular season, setting up a toss-up of a game in the sectional final. Wildcats pitcher Brendan Boynton will be the X-factor in the third meeting.
My Pick: Lawrence North over Cathedral
Sectional 11 (Roncalli)
Roncalli versus Perry Meridian should be played in the sectional Final, instead, Sectional 11 begins with a great first-round matchup. Jayden Simpson led Perry Meridian past Roncalli in the regular season. I think the Falcons get it done again. I think Franklin Central beats Warren Central, setting up another great game between the Flashes and the Falcons in the semifinal.
My Pick: Perry Meridian over Southport
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Sectional 12 (Decatur Central)
I think Terre Haute North advances out of its side of the bracket, and Avon defeats Plainfield in the semifinal. Avon struggled down the stretch losing 11 of its last 13 games, but the Orioles' schedule is daunting, and the tough regular season should have them postseason ready.
My Pick: Avon over Terre Haute North
Sectional 13 (Bloomington North)
This sectional sets up perfectly for a matchup between to two of the top teams in the state: Mooresville and Center Grove. Both teams have solid 1-2 pitching options for the semifinal and final matchup. Center Grove has sophomores Kellen Thompson and Kobe Cherry. Mooresville has seniors Brendin Oliver and Hogan Denny. Ultimately, I think Mooresville's experience gives it the edge.
My Pick: Mooresville over Center Grove
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Sectional 14 (Shelbyville)
I think both of the first-rounds games can go either way, and Shelbyville advances to the championship game. An Aiden Smith versus Drew Helton pitching matchup in the championship game would be exciting to watch.
My pick: Whiteland over Shelbyville
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Class 3A
Sectional 25 (Danville)
Western Boone swept Lebanon during the regular season and I think WeBo gets its third win over the Tigers. Danville beats Monrovia, advancing to face WeBo. The two teams split during the regular season, but Danville's pitching led by Kole Miller and Garrett Groce gives it the advantage. Crawfordsville gets its third win over Tri-West to advance to the sectional final.
My Pick: Crawfordsville over Danville
Sectional 25 (Edgewood)
Northview pulled out a 2-1 win over West Vigo in the regular season. I think the Knights get another close win, setting up a matchup with Indian Creek in the semifinals. Talan Steinway led Indian Creek to a 4-3 win over the Knights in the regular season. In think Northview gets its revenge in the postseason, setting up a championship match against Edgewood.
My Pick: Edgewood over Northview
Sectional 27 (Brebeuf Jesuit)
Brebeuf swept Bishop Chatard during the regular season, and I think the Braves get their third win over the Trojans to advance to the championship game to face Guerin Catholic. I don't think Guerin will need to throw Ryan Zimmerman or Davis Wagner to advance passed Shortridge, giving the Golden Eagles its choice of starter or reliever in the championship game. Brebeuf likely starts Maverick Geske or Christian Forniss against Chatard, meaning its pitching depth will be tested in the championship game.
My Pick: Guerin Catholic over Brebeuf Jesuit
Sectional 28 (Beech Grove)
This sectional features programs who struggled to find consistency during the regular season. Strong pitching performances from sophomore Jordan Strong and freshman Luke Chastain helped Speedway sweep Beech Grove during the regular season. I think the young Sparkplugs have enough pitching to advance.
My Pick: Speedway over Beech Grove
Class 2A
Sectional 40 (Frankton)
Lapel junior Kai Newman is having a strong two-way season, while senior Cody Baker is the Bulldogs' top offensive player. I think Lapel advances to the championship game to face Winchester.
My Pick: Lapel over Winchester
Sectional 41 (Shenandoah)
Luckily for the bottom half of the bracket, the top two teams — Knightstown and Hagerstown — are meeting in the first round of the sectional where Knightstown pulls out a close win. Shenandoah will test Knightstown, but the Panthers' talented offense led by Travis Louks and Dallas Bramell will be too much to contain.
My pick: Knightstown over Shenandoah
Sectional 42 (Park Tudor)
Park Tudor has dominated its competition all season, and I don't think the Panthers slow down in the postseason. Triton Central (23-3) is having a great season as well. Sophomore Eli Sego and junior Hayden May are two of four Tigers starters batting above .400 for the season.
My Pick: Park Tudor over Triton Central
Sectional 43 (Sheridan)
Sectional 43 is a loaded sectional with Class 2A runner-up Covenant Christian showing it could catch fire and reach the state championship last season. I think the bracket sets up for a Cascade vs. University semifinal. Both Cascade and University play strong regular-season schedules, but the Trailblazers are battle-tested and ready for a deep postseason run.
My Pick: University over Covenant Christian
Sectional 45 (South Ripley)
I think Brownstown Central and Hauser advance to the championship game. Senior Ethan Garland led the Braves offense to 14-4 win over Hauser in the regular season. The Braves offense will lead it to victory in the postseason as well.
My Pick: Brownstown Central over Hauser
Class A
Sectional 58 (Bethesda Christian)
Don't let Bethesda Christian's 10-12 record fool you. The Patriots have a plus-77 run differential with an offense led by junior Noah Dininger with top pitcher Isaiah Giegerich leading the way on the mound.
My Pick: Bethesda Christian over Tindley
Sectional 59 (Morristown)
I think Edinburgh and Greenwood Christian advance to the championship game. GCA dominated Edinburgh 15-5 in the regular season. Freshman Will Simons and senior Cole Muhlhauser led the Cougars offense.
My Pick: Greenwood Christian Academy over Edinburgh
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA baseball sectional predictions: Central Indiana postseason picks
