FROM IHSAA

INDIANAPOLIS -- Lafayette Central Catholic compiled 17 hits and 12 runs including a nine run fifth inning to beat the Shakamak Lakers 12-2 in the Indiana Class A state championship game on Saturday, June 16. 

Central Catholic becomes the first school in Indiana high school history to win four straight baseball state titles. The win also marked the Knights’ 26th straight win in the IHSAA tournament series over the last four seasons.

The 17 hits and nine runs in the fifth inning were both Class A game records.

Central Catholic started the top of the first off with a single by senior pitcher Austin Munn. Munn would later score on a sacrifice fly to center field by sophomore Evan Kennedy to put the Knights up 1-0 in the top of the first. 

Central Catholic would load the bases in the top of the second, but failed to capitalize on the situation and the Lakers would seize the opportunity. In the bottom half of the inning, the Lakers would hit a single and draw a walk with one out to set the stage for Lakers sophomore Christian Burris to hit a two RBI double and a 2-1 Shakamak lead.

The Knights answered right back in the top half of the third to tie up the game 2-2 after junior Jake Churchill hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score senior outfielder Nick Stone. 

The Lakers came out in the bottom of the third and looked poised to score after loading the bases with no outs. However, Knights pitcher Austin Munn was able to get a strikeout and then get the following batter to hit into an inning-ending double play to preserve to tie.

Central Catholic then blew the game wide open sending 13 batters to the plate in the top of the fifth inning scoring nine runs for a 11-2 lead. The first 10 batters of the inning reached base including a walk, four singles, three doubles, a triple, and an error.

The Knights would add another run in the top half of the sixth inning on a single to center field by senior catcher Wiley Lodde to make the final score 12-2.

Head coach Chip Sweet and the Lakers made the school’s fifth appearance in the baseball championship game, and finished the season with a 27-7 record.

Head coach Tim Bordenet’s Knights finished the 2012 season with a 31-4 record. Their sixth state championship moves them into second place in state history behind only LaPorte’s eight championships.