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Who were the top South Bend-area high school athletes this past spring? Here's a handful

justin frommer, south bend tribune
·6 min read

SOUTH BEND — The spring sports season was very successful for the South Bend area, producing three state champions. The South Bend Saint Joseph softball team won its first state title in program history, beating Tri-West Hendricks to win the 3A crown.

A couple of weeks later, Penn baseball won its fifth title in program history, avenging its 2017 title loss against Indy Cathedral, by beating the Irish to claim the 4A championship. And Buchanan baseball beat Detroit Edison to win a state championship in MHSAA action.

Recap: The 2021-22 high school sports season is completed. Here are 12 of its finest moments

Those championship teams were led by some athletes who had stellar seasons, while other spring sports athletes also impressed.

Here is a list of 10 athletes from the spring sports season who stood out.

Berkley Zache, South Bend Saint Joseph softball

Berkley Zache pitches during the Saint Joseph vs. Tri-West Hendricks state championship softball game Friday, June 10, 2022 at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette.
Berkley Zache pitches during the Saint Joseph vs. Tri-West Hendricks state championship softball game Friday, June 10, 2022 at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette.

Only a freshman, Zache put her stamp on the Saint Joe softball program and the Indiana softball world. She was one of the most dominant pitchers in the state, especially during the Indians' championship tournament run, where they didn't give up a single run in the postseason.

3A state title game: Zache, South Bend Saint Joe outlast Tri-West Hendricks

3A semistate: Berkley Zache's semistate heroics still celebrated with Saint Joseph

Over 123 2/3 innings, Zache allowed just seven earned runs all season, striking out 262 batters. Some of her best performances came in her final three games where she threw a 17-strikeout no-hitter against Yorktown, a 21-strikeout, 13-inning shutout over Leo and a 20-strikeout shutout over Tri-West in the state championship, where she also recorded the game-winning RBI in a 1-0 win.

Matthew Hoover, Buchanan baseball

Buchanan's Matthew Hoover pitches during the Brandywine vs. Buchanan district baseball game Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at Buchanan High School.
Buchanan's Matthew Hoover pitches during the Brandywine vs. Buchanan district baseball game Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at Buchanan High School.

Hoover, who is headed to Western Michigan, was a repeat first team selection on the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team, batting .510 with 14 doubles, four homers and 54 runs batted in.

Photos: Buchanan's 6-1 win over Standish-Sterling in D3 state semifinal baseball

Victorious homecoming: Buchanan brings home the Division 3 state baseball trophy; All-Staters named

He also was unhittable at times on the mound with an 11-0 record, a 1.29 earned run average and 98 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings of work. Hoover was the winning pitcher in Buchanan's 3-1 state title win over Detroit Edison and also had two run-scoring doubles. He was also selected to play in the East-West All-Star Classic at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Alec Hardrict, Penn track

Plez Lawrence of Kokomo (494), Alec Hardrict of Penn (616), and Jaton Thomas of Concord (428) compete in the final of the 100 Meter Dash Thursday night during the Boys Track & Field Regional at Goshen High School.
Plez Lawrence of Kokomo (494), Alec Hardrict of Penn (616), and Jaton Thomas of Concord (428) compete in the final of the 100 Meter Dash Thursday night during the Boys Track & Field Regional at Goshen High School.

Hardrict didn't get a chance to reach the state meet last year because of an injury in regionals. But fully healthy this track season, Hardrict showed he was one of the fastest in the South Bend area.

Running in numerous speed races and relays for the Kingsmen, Hardrict advanced to this year's state meet where he finished sixth in the 100-meter dash (10.87) and 11th as part of Penn's 4x100-meter relay team (10.83).

Abbie Hubbard and Emma Hinsey, Brandywine tennis

Hubbard and Hinsey received honorable mention recognition on the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association Division 4 All-State Team. The duo finished 23-2 this spring at No. 1 doubles, won the BCS and Regional title and reached the state quarterfinals before falling to the eventual state champs from Ann Arbor Greenhills.

State finals: Brandywine tied for eighth at Michigan state tennis

Hinsey, a senior finished 44-5 during her career, and Hubbard, a junior, is 43-3. Just as impressive Hubbard and Hinsey were recognized on the Academic All-State Team with Hubbard posting a 4.0 grade point and Hinsey a 3.9.

Angel Thomas, South Bend Adams track

Adams’ Angel Thomas wins the 100 meter dash at the Mishawaka Girls IHSAA Sectional track meet Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Mishawaka High School.
Adams’ Angel Thomas wins the 100 meter dash at the Mishawaka Girls IHSAA Sectional track meet Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Mishawaka High School.

Heading into her junior track season Thomas had one goal: to be named the Northern Indiana Conference's MVP, which she accomplished after another strong year.

State finals: Adams' Angel Thomas finishes 4th in 100 at girls state track meet

Rising star: Adams' Angel Thomas sets lofty goals for junior track season

Thomas was almost unbeatable this season in her main events, the 100 and 200-meter dashes, and she also competed in some field events throughout the year as well. She made her second appearance in the IHSAA state meet, finishing fourth in the 100 (11.91), 24th in the 200 (28.01) and 24th with South Bend Adams' 4x100-meter relay team (50.33).

Luke Stowasser, Edwardsburg track

Edwardsburg's Luke Stowasser won a state title in the long jump during the Michigan High School track & field championships Saturday at Zeeland High School near Holland, Mich.
Edwardsburg's Luke Stowasser won a state title in the long jump during the Michigan High School track & field championships Saturday at Zeeland High School near Holland, Mich.

Stowasser, who is headed to the University of Michigan, won the high jump for the second straight year in the Division 2 boys state track meet. His jump of 6-foot-8 was 2 inches farther than his winning jump of 2021, but 2 inches short of his school record, set in the 2021 regional.

State finals: Edwardsburg's Stowasser repeats as state champion in high jump

Making a leap: Luke Stowasser reaching new heights for Edwardsburg track, and more in Michigan sports

Stowasser failed to repeat as state champion in the long jump, finishing second to Berrien Springs' James York with a jump of 21-5.

Drew Stultz, South Bend Adams baseball

South Bend Adams Drew Stultz (10) celebrates after a double play during Monday’s 4A Baseball Sectional Final against LaPorte at Centennial Park in Plymouth.
South Bend Adams Drew Stultz (10) celebrates after a double play during Monday’s 4A Baseball Sectional Final against LaPorte at Centennial Park in Plymouth.

Stultz was a key member of South Bend Adams' baseball team, which one its second consecutive sectional title before falling to Penn in the regional semifinals.

'It's amazing': South Bend Adams upsets No. 7 LaPorte for second straight 4A sectional title

A senior who was named the NIC's baseball MVP, Stultz came up clutch in the sectional final against LaPorte, tying the game at two with a home run. At one point during the season Stultz was batting over .600 for the Eagles.

Ashi and Anni Amalnathan, South Bend Saint Joe Tennis

South Bend Saint Joseph's Anni Amalnathan makes a return in the state team semifinals against Carmel June 4. Amalnathan and her sister, Ashi, won the Indiana state doubles championship Saturday in Indianapolis.
South Bend Saint Joseph's Anni Amalnathan makes a return in the state team semifinals against Carmel June 4. Amalnathan and her sister, Ashi, won the Indiana state doubles championship Saturday in Indianapolis.

South Bend Saint Joe tennis' star sisters were as good as any tennis players in the state this season, winning a pairs state title. Ashi, a sophomore, and Anni, a freshman, defeated junior Amelia Meunier and sophomore Elizabeth Banet of Floyd Central 6-3, 6-4 in the final match of the season at Park Tudor High School.

State finals: Another tennis title at South Bend Saint Joseph as Amalnathan sisters claim doubles crown

The win gave the sisters a perfect 18-0 record this season. During their run to a state title, the Amalnathan sisters beat Carmel's top doubles team 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 in the state semifinal to keep their season going.

Honorable Mention

  • Abby Robakowski, New Prairie softball

  • Aubrey Zachary, Penn softball

  • Ben Gregory, Penn baseball

  • Brycen Hannah, Glenn baseball

  • Ella Frick, South Bend Saint Joseph track

  • Robert Nabieu, South Bend Riley track

  • Connor Ostrander, Edwardsburg baseball

  • Hannah Herman, Buchanan softball

  • Mike Paquette, Penn track

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend area high school athletes had great spring seasons