East Central Indiana high school baseball 2023 season preview capsules
NOTE: Not every area coach responded to The Star Press' information request.
MUNCIE, Ind. — IHSAA baseball is officially in full swing.
East Central Indiana saw a successful 2022 season, with three teams — Cowan, Wapahani and New Castle — winning sectional titles, and the Raiders and Trojans also earning regional championship trophies.
While several program expect to compete far into the postseason again, there are also many new players and first-year coaches in the area who are eager to prove themselves.
Here's a breakdown of each ECI team entering the 2023 season:
More: East Central Indiana high school softball 2023 season preview capsules
Blackford Bruins (Class 2A)
Coach: Tony Uggen (98-132, 10th year with school)
2022 season: 14-14, 3-4 CIC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Landon Rogers (3B, P), Sr. Nate Limle (RF), Jr. Ethan Morris (SS, CF, P), Jr. Brayden Teer (CF, P), Jr. Mason Merkel (1B, P), Jr. Kaleb Patrick (2B, 3B, P), So. Max Bonewit (C, P), So. Nick Ely (C, DH, P), So. Gage Baker (2B, SS, P)
Key additions: Sr. Peyton James (LF, C, P), Sr. Derrick Elliott (OF), Fr. Trey McIntire (2B, SS, P), Fr. Trenton Nortin (LF, P)
Key departures: Gabe Foster (P)
Coach's comment: "We return nearly the same team in '23. Several starters have 2-3 years of experience. The top pitchers are also back, including Landon Rogers, Ethan Morris, Gage Baker and Brayden Teer. We have really emphasized the weight room and that is paying off. This team has the most power and players in the lineup with the ability to put the ball in play than we have had since I have been here. We had double digit players playing summer and/or fall ball, so this group is excited about the season. Time will tell, but this should be the most competitive team the Bruins have had since the COVID-year team that didn't get to play."
2023 record far: 4-3
Blue River Vikings (Class 1A)
Coach: Jake Isenbarger (28-54-1, sixth year with school)
2022 season: 10-9, 2-5 MEC (lost in sectional championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Garrett Grim (SS, P), Jr. Isaiah Gard, Jr. Clinton Turley, Sr. Brayden Blevins
Record so far: 1-2
More: East Central Indiana softball preview: 23 players to watch in 2023
Cowan Blackhawks (Class 1A)
Coach: Aaron Wells (31-24, third year with school)
2022 season: 16-10, 6-2 MEC (sectional champions, lost in regional semifinals)
Top returning players: Jr. Jackson Clifford (SS, P), Sr. Landen Hiatt (1B, P), So. Gentry Groves (1B, 3B, P), Sr. Alex King (C, OF), Sr. Seth Watson (OF), Jr. Griffin Smith (3B, P), So. RJ Dabney (OF)
Key additions: Fr. Jayden Auker (INF, P, C), So. Jaden Unger (OF, INF), Fr. Lucas Terrell (INF), Fr. Luke Garrett (INF, OF, P)
Key departures: Chase Smith (P, 1B), Austin Jones (C), Michael Hargrave (CF), Cade Brinson (1B, P), Malachi King (2B, P), Owen Brand (3B), Jr. Bradley Terrell (P, 3B, SS — out for season due To injury, will return in 2024)
Coach's comment: "We are very young this year after losing seven seniors that all played a vital role in our success. Even though we are young, we are still very talented and will play to the final out. I expect us to compete every inning. As always, we will focus inning-by-inning and game-by-game. We will set out to achieve every goal we set each game and continue to grow together to be the best version of ourselves."
Record so far: 3-2
Daleville Broncos (Class 1A)
Coach: Bob Wilson (0-0, first year with school)
2022 season: 4-21, 4-6 MEC (lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Jr. Ethan Colvin (P, INF, 2B), Jr. Meryck Adams (SS, P), So. Josh Wilson 2B, INF, P), So. Ayden Ramirez (LF, 1B, P), So. Jagger Sparks (DH, INF), Sr. Zion Bricker (C, 1B)
Key additions: Fr. Caleb Aiken (UTIL), Fr. Bryson Sigler (C), Jr. Logan Leech (RF, 1B)
Key departures: Robert Wilson (C), Zach Neff (CF, P)
Coach's comment: "2022 was a valuable learning experience for a very young Daleville Broncos baseball team. 2023 presents an opportunity (the) team to show how that experience will help this group take a big step forward. The expectation this season is much different. An excitement is back inside the program and they know they can compete every pitch of every game ... A deep pitching rotation, a talented and athletic defense, as well as a much-improved offensive attack, will hopefully set up a deep tournament run."
Record so far: 3-0
Delta Eagles (Class 3A)
Coach: Devin Wilburn (9-17, second year with school)
2022 season: 9-17, 1-13 HHC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Jr. Kayden Thomas (P), So. Zane Cline (SS), Sr. Gaige Winchester (P), Jr. Brady Carrigan (C)
Key additions: So. Bryce Stroble (2B), So. Gavin Case (OF), So. Kaeb Stebbins (OF), So. Myles Enos (P), So. JB Claborn (P)
Key departures: Nick Crabtree (P), Parker Faletic (OF, P), Cooper Roach (1B)
Coach's comment: "We expect to take a step forward this year from a program standpoint. We have a really talented roster and a good mix of upper and underclassmen that all really pull for each other. It is an extremely fun group to coach and I am excited to see their development over the course of the season."
Record so far: 0-6
Jay County Patriots (Class 3A)
Coach: Todd Far (0-0, first year with school)
2022 season: 15-9, 3-3 ACAC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Dusty Pearson (SS, P), Sr. Josh Dowlen (CF), Jr. Ryne Goldsworthy (1B), Jr. Parker Nichols (2B), Jr. Sam Myers (3B, P)
Key additions: Jr. Cody Rowles (P, OF), Jr. Jackson Edwards (P, OF), Fr. Andrew Shemenaur (C), Fr. Carter Fugiett (SS, P), Fr. Aiden Phillips (UTIL, P), Fr. Kade Sommers (P)
Key departures: Quinn Faulkner (SS), Crosby Heniser (P, 1B, OF), Sam Dunlavy (P, OF), Gavin Myers (C, P), Kess McBride (C)
Coach's comment: "We have a lot of young guys this year due to some injuries to some guys on our team. We are excited to get started soon to show how hard these guys have been working and competing day-in and day-out. We have some great leadership coming from our older veteran guys. These guys know that we need some of these young guys to step up and compete this year, and they have done a great job of guiding them to help our baseball team become better each and everyday. We expect to compete each and every game and we expect to be playing our best ball by the end of the season to help us compete for our goals."
Record so far: 2-1
Monroe Central Golden Bears (Class 2A)
Coach: Tyler Danner (0-0, first year with school)
2022 season: 20-9, 7-2 MEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Jr. Zane Tinsman (SS), Sr. Blake Bogue (CF), Jr. Cole Luedike (C), So. Lane Wilson (3B, P)
Key additions: Fr. Levi Pence (1B, P), Fr. Logan Walker (2B, OF), Fr. Kyler Bogue (OF), So. Easton Foster (P, OF)
Key departures: Aidyn Coffey (SS, P), Caleb Snyder (INF), Joel Kennedy (C)
Coach's comment: "Although young we expect to compete in every facet of the game. We have worked extremely hard on the little things to give us the edge to accomplish our goals. Heavy focus on baserunning, defense, and hitting approach will give us the opportunity to play at a high level even with only starting 3 upper classmen. Our main goals this season are to win County and Sectionals by focusing on the mental side of the game and controlling what we can control."
Record so far: 2-2
Muncie Burris (Class 3A)
Coach: Nathan Bailey (4-30, fourth year with school)
2022 season: 3-12, 3-5 PAAC (forfeited sectional first round game)
Top returning players: Sr. Ethan Doerner (P, INF), Jr. Michael Blezek (P, 1B), So. Parker Evans (P, INF)
Key additions: Jr. Carter Mullen (1B, P), Jr. Timo Minnich (P, OF, IF), Fr. Rees Cook (P, UTIL), Fr. Reese Zaucha (P, OF), Jr. Asher Donahue (OF), Jr. Sarah Edmonds (UTIL)
Key departures: Elliott Godfrey (OF), Adam Combs (P, SS), Drew Hankins (C), Alex Trinkle (CF, 2B)
Coach's comment: "We are a young group this season. We lost five starters from last year and have only two senior players on this roster. We are excited about a lot of new faces this season and hoping to continue to build and win more games this year than we did the previous year."
Record so far: 0-1
Muncie Central Bearcats (Class 4A)
Coach: Jason Kubick (6-19, second year with school)
2022 season: 6-19, 4-5 NCC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Sr. Trenton French (C, P), Sr. Cooper Durbin (P, INF), Sr. Logan Grady (INF, P), Jr. Chase Baugh (INF, P), So. Logan Campbell (P, INF, OF), So. Chase Flannery (OF, P)
Key additions: Fr. Gage Emberton (C)
Key departures: None
Coach's comment: "We are excited about the direction we are going as a program coming off of last year. We didn’t lose any players off of last years team that had some chances to knock off the eventual sectional champion Anderson, only losing 4-2 in the sectional semifinal. We have a lot of guys on our team that have played a lot of high school baseball and we are all ready to have some success this year and in the future."
Record so far: 0-3
New Castle Trojans (Class 3A)
Coach: Jody Gray (0-0, first year with school)
2022 season: 18-6-1, 10-4 HHC (sectional and regional champions, lost in semistate championship)
Top returning players: Jr. Gavin Frazier (P, INF, OF), Sr. Max Upchurch (P, 1B)
Key additions: So. Gannon Harris, So. Garron Mefford, Sr. Haidyn Bulmer
Key departures: Corbin Malott (SS, P), Aydan Decker-Petty (P, 1B), Garrett Rusch (INF, P), Jake Barber (3B, P), Bryce Jenkins (UTIL, P), Dawson Scott (C), Eli Cooper (OF, P), James Harris (P), Trighton Cummings (OF, P)
Coach's comment: "We will deal with a handful of players who will taste varsity innings for the first time ever. We will focus on taking small steps as we learn and grow as a team. Great leadership will allow us to be moving fast and in the right direction once we get rolling and these players gain confidence each game. Our overall goal this year is he compete and grow as a group."
Record so far: 0-4
Shenandoah Raiders (Class 2A)
Coach: Ryan Painter (32-23, fourth year with school)
2022 season: (lost in sectional )
Top returning players: Sr. Dylan McDaniel (P, 1B), Sr. Carson Brookbank (P, 3B), Sr. Jobe Robinson (OF, C), Sr. Gabe Lowder (OF), Jr. Ethan Loy(C, 2B)
Key additions: Sr. Gavin Wilson (2B, OF — returning from injury last season), So. Collin Osenbaugh (P, SS —Louisville commit returning from injury last season), Fr. Drew Fredenburg (P, INF)
Key departures: Jasper Campbell (3B, SS, P), Hunter Baker (CF), Clay Conner (OF), Connor White (1B), Lucas Mills (2B)
Coach's comment: "Our competitive goals remain the same: win the conference, win the county tournament and advance in the state tournament. This is an internally-competitive team and they push each other daily. Our leadership on the mound and experience defensively is a positive, but the season is a marathon and we must continue to raise our expectations of each other every day."
Record so far: 3-2
Wapahani Raiders (Class 2A)
Coach: Brian Dudley (809-311, 38th year with school)
2022 season: 24-5, 7-1 MEC (sectional and regional champions, lost in semistate championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Gavin Lash (SS, P), Sr. Daxton Dudley (3B, P), Sr. Joe Foster (OF), Sr. Paul Fisher (C), Jr. Landon Weller (1B), Sr. Ian McClellan (OF, P), So. Nate Luce (INF, P), Jr. Carter Noble (OF), Sr. Payton Baker (UTIL, P)
Key additions: Sr. Daniel Blevins (OF, P), Fr. Quentine Jame (C), So. Clay Ester (3B, P)
Key departures: Luke Willmann (C), Isaac Jackson (OF), Landen Thompson (OF)
Coach's comment: "With an experienced team back, expectations are high for this season. We hope to see improvement throughout the season as our team grows together."
Record so far: 2-1-1
More: 'Friendships will not be forgotten': Brian Dudley is 7th Indiana coach to reach 800 wins
Wes-Del Warriors (Class 1A)
Coach: Daniel Hanson (36-17, third year with school)
2022 season: 16-9, 4-4 MEC (lost in sectional championship)
Top returning players: Sr. Travis Bunch (P, INF), Sr. Dawson Bookout (1B), Jr. Kade Banter (2B), Jr. Jared Ladd (P, INF), So. Greyson Mealy (C)
Key additions: So. Tyler Summers (OF) , Jr. Kenny Drake (OF), Fr. Carter Flynn (INF, C), Jr. Brady Burden (OF), Sr. Connor Smith (P, OF)
Key departures: Zack Todd (P, INF), Alex Light (P, OF), Will Kelly (OF), Harrison Pittsford (OF), Jace Wilson (DH)
Coach's comment: "We look to grow on our experiences from the last two seasons and lean on this experience as many of the guys have been starting for multiple years. This group has worked extremely hard in preparing for this season as we look to take it one pitch, one game at a time and improving each day out. Our goal is to get better every day and see where the chips fall at the end of the year. I am proud of the progress and look forward to a great spring with a great group of young men."
Record so far: 4-1
Winchester Golden Falcons (Class 2A)
Coach: Ken Hendrickson (, fifth year with school)
2022 season: 10-13, 5-3 TEC (lost in sectional semifinals)
Top returning players: Justin Cox, Noah Heaton, Charlie Sauser
Record so far: 2-1
Yorktown Tigers (Class 3A)
Coach: PJ Fauquher (91-58, seventh year with school)
2022 season: 16-11, 7-7 HHC (Delaware County champions, lost in sectional first round)
Top returning players: Sr. Cole Temple (SS, P), Sr. Jackson Furnish (CF, P), Sr. Garret Thurman (OF, 1B), Sr. Landon Case (1B, P), Jr. Jayce Key (C), Jr. Jacob Grim (INF, P), Jr. Landen Eppard (P)
Key additions: None
Key departures: Jacob Pruitt (P, CF), (Hayden Carrow (2B, P), JD Morris (P, 1B)
Coach's comment: "We look to be very competitive again this season. We have a solid, experienced group of seniors and talented underclassmen that are ready to contribute."
Record so far: 4-1
Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: IHSAA baseball East Central Indiana ECI 2023 season preview capsules
