2007, Week-9 NWI's BASEBALL Top-10 Poll

CROWN POINT (6-05-2007) - The weather didn't disrupt the high school baseball playoffs in NW Indiana and all the favored teams got through sectional play except for LaPorte (22-9), which was upset on a seventh inning three run homer 8-6 by South Bend rival Clay (17-12) in the South Bend Sectional championship game; and Munster (23-8), which was upset 3-2 by Highland in the sectional opener on Munster's home field.

Power teams Crown Point (28-2), Boone Grove (25-5-1), Andrean (23-9), Griffith (24-7) and Marquette (25-2) survived sectional play and appeared to be in good shape going into the regional. The drama surrounds Crown Point, which finished the season as the state's No. 1 team. The Bulldogs won three playoff games without starting shortstop (32-78, .410) and No. 2 pitcher Matt Ernest (5-0, 0.83 ERA) who was suspended for a violation of team rules.

Ernest, a Division I-caliber football star, will return only if Crown Point defeats Lake Central Tuesday night in the Class 4A Crown Point Regional. I understand that schools are in a bind in situations where they must protect students, even when they commit rules violations. The problem is, the school appears to be covering for the star athlete to get him back on the field with a minimum punishment. Coaches, athletic directors and principals, who want maximum publicity for stars, deal out 'no comment' statements when a teen does wrong and go into a bunker mentality, damning everybody who wants to know the truth as the enemy. Rumors about what Ernest did abound and most of them are not true.

What schools need to do is to find a friendly media person in a position of power and let it be known off-the-record exactly what the real deal is. That way, the subject can be framed in the correct context. Call up the sports editor of the Times or Post-Tribune and tell him that he gets the whole story to print if he puts it in perspective during the suspension and simply tells the whole unvarnished story after the suspension ends. This requires the schools to have someone they trust in the media, which most schools, perhaps do not. But that is the correct way to handle it. The down side of clamming up is, the boy looks like a low-life delinquent, the coach looks like a cover-up artist only concerned with winning and the principal looks like a corrupt administrator. In the case of CP, none of the three things are true. But outsiders don't know that because everybody circles the wagons and blames outsiders for trying to find out what's going on.

Matt Ernest isn't the issue with me. CP can win with or without him and I know he's not a hooligan. If the desire to have the truth spoken here sounds self-serving from a media standpoint, you haven't been reading this site much. I'm pretty much a zero tolerance kinda guy on athlete behavior. To me, anyone who commits a violation of team rules should be banned forever. If you get out of line in any way or you simply don't want to play hard, hey, go work at McDonald's. There are young people who truly believe that practicing a sport is work. It isn't.

College athletes who complain about how tough it is to be on scholarship should be thrown out of school for whining. Let's see how much playing time they get pushing that blue light at K-Mart. To me sports isn't politics where loser elected officials can make fatal mistake upon fatal mistake and cheap suit, stuffed shirt, spin doctors can lie and excuse it all. And this isn't pro sports where everybody lives on attitude and where two losers can beat the crap out of each other and come back and say they're sorry the next day.

I appreciate that schools can't be this disciplined because people rely on getting a second chance. But to me, any violation of any rule by any amateur athlete can lead to immediate expulsion from sports forever. And if the coach doesn't like it, fire him too. Athletics are extra curricular activities that take up a lot of time and money at a school and there needs to be core values they must stick to. In prep sports administration, you are going to be damned by parents whatever you do so you might as well do right. But more important than any of that in my mind is the truth. Everyone and everything at school should be all about the truth. Any time you cover up, it is bad and it is wrong. That cannot be debated. And allowing a misconception to stand is a lie.

It may be the parental thing to do, but I'm not a parent. To me it's a bad thing message to send to kids who do wrong to tell them, "Shut up, be quiet and we'll protect you." Grown people have to face their mistakes and take their whippings and grown ups should allow teenagers to do the same thing.

You can be forgiven without being excused. All adults have done more wrong than any kid could possibly imagine. We just tend to lie about it.

In the state tournament, perennial power and 4A No. 7 Brownsburg (23-5) was eliminated in the playoff opener as was 4A No. 4 (Fort Wayne) Carroll (25-4). Throw in 4A No. 10 Munster and three of the Top-10 were out on opening night. In 3A, Norwell (31-0) and state player of the year Jarrod Parker (10-0) are still in line to become the third team in state history to go undefeated. Griffith (23-9) or Andrean (20-9) could see Norwell in the Plymouth Semistate championship game the night of June 9. No. 2 Boone could play No. 1 Northwestern in the finals of the 2A Lafayette Semistate at Loeb Stadium the night of June 9. Top-ranked Marquette (26-2) would see perennial dominator Lafayette Catholic (26-5) in the semifinals of the 1A regional at Highland Park in Kokomo Saturday afternoon, June 9.

1.) 4A CROWN POINT (28-2)
22-9 (2006), 21-12 (2005), 17-11 (2004), 22-10 (2003)

CROWN POINT - Crown Point swept the Crown Point Sectional, beating Valparaiso 8-7, Portage 11-6 and Chesterton 5-2. They were shaky in the first two games, but they were strongest when they needed to be, turning back the Trojans behind right-hander Chris Saroff (9-0). The Bulldogs were in survival mode without shortstop Matt Ernest, an undefeated pitcher and a .400 hitter, who is serving a seven game suspension. Eric Clayton was key as a fill-in pitcher with two shutout innings against Valparaiso and five innings and a winning decision against Portage. The Bulldogs posted a school record 28th win and won a third consecutive sectional title. CP's Tommy Parks (36-83, .434, 4 HRs, 30 RBIs) has blossomed into a potent No. 4 hitter. Catcher Nick Hladek (35-90, .389, 2 HRs, 27 RBIs) has also had a big second half and has added a surprising 11 stolen bases. Senior Tim Mummery (32-82, .390, 3 HRs, 28 RBIs) has 16 walks and 17 stolen bases. The sectional win over Chesterton (20-6) and right-hander Sean Green (9-2) was a major victory and a major relief. No matter what they say publicly, a season like CP has had would be extremely disappointing if Crown Point does not win the sectional and regional on their home field. Anybody who says anything else is not being sincere.

2.) 4A Chesterton (20-6)
15-13 (2006),12-12 (2005), 19-9 (2004), 8-20 (2003)

CHESTERTON - The Trojans had their shot at Crown Point and they didn't get it done, losing 5-2 at CP in the sectional championship game. Right-hander Sean Green (9-2) struck out eight, but he allowed a home run to Blake Mascarello with the score tied 1-1 in the fourth inning. The Chesterton defense made three errors and they didn't really play well enough to win. Green might have had a little less juice because the Trojans needed him for two innings two nights earlier against Merrillville in a 1-0 sectional semifinal win. But that just may be an excuse as well. John Miller (24-47, .511) had an RBI double against CP and Matt Bailey (26-59, .441) hit a homer off winning pitcher Chris Saroff. The 6-foot-7 right-hander did an outstanding job for the Trojans all year and he will certainly be selected this Wednesday, June 6 in the major league's amateur draft of players. As for Chesterton, there's no telling what happens next year because Chesterton graduates 13 seniors including Green and all-area catcher Jeff Gaston (25-56, .446) from one of the school's best teams.

3.) 2A Boone Grove (25-5-1)
26-4 (2006), 24-7 (2005), 17-12 (2004), 21-7 (2003)

PORTER TOWNSHIP - Boone also needed to win the sectional on its home field and they got it done by beating Wheeler 6-1, Bishop Noll 6-0 and Hanover Central 11-1. Kyle Ferber pitched two complete games and gave Noll and Hanover no chance. The junior right-handed control specialist is on a roll, but they must be careful not to overuse him or his effectiveness will fade. A boy from Westville reportedly threw 158 pitches in a playoff game last week. That's hard core. To start a pitcher four times in 13 days is pushing it and you'll usually get the boy bombed by doing that. Boone was 26-4 last season and they have seen an offensive upgrade in recent days as well. The Wolves were to leave their home field for the first time in the playoffs Tuesday night to take on Rochester (16-12), a team that lost just 5-0 to Crown Point. Catcher Josh Cobb (36-80, .450), Joe Johnson (39-95, .411) and Kyle Ferber (37-89, .416) give the Wolves three .400 batters. But like CP, they have achieved the minimum requirement to even think about having a great year. Don't let anyone kid you. When you are a Top-10 team and you host the sectional, you have to win or your season goes down the drain. You can't call yourself a competitor and then say the season is a success even if we don't win the sectional. The regular season actually means nothing.

4.) 4A LaPORTE (22-9)
25-6 (2006), 30-5 (2005), 25-7 (2004), 22-10 (2003), 20-9 (2002), 28-2 (2001)

LaPORTE - The Slicers got jolted with four runs in the sixth inning as Clay rallied to upset them 8-6 and win the South Bend Sectional. Here's an example of what can happen when you do not host the sectional and the regional. LaPorte senior Mike Walls (6-4), who had a strong final three weeks in relief, gave up a two-run homer to Josh Willis inside a four-run sixth inning. The Slicers led 6-4 after five innings before their bid for a 35th sectional title ended just short of a three-game sweep. LaPorte edged Michigan City 5-4 and stomped Riley 11-1 behind junior Ian Nielsen (8-2) who stuck out 14. This is a very young team and Neilsen is probably the best returning player in the DAC. They did win 20 or more for the 41st season in a row and the Slicers got very good seasons out of junior pitchers Nielsen and lefty Neal Hackett (8-2). But LaPorte's string of four consecutive sectional titles has been broken and next year they move into the eight-team 'super' sectional with 4A No.1 Crown Point. Here's a school that has no problem admitting that the season is a failure if they do not win the sectional. LaPorte just has higher standards than everybody else.

5.) 3A Griffith (23-9)
23-8 (2006), 19-15 (2005), 19-14 (2004), 17-12 (2003)

GRIFFITH - The Panthers came through in the sectional, crushing 20-game winner Morton 10-0 to take their first sectional in three years. Matt Kuna (8-2) was dominant. He pitched a one-hitter and struck out 11 to hand Morton (21-7) their worst loss of the season. This was how this sectional was supposed to go because Griffith plays a vastly more difficult schedule than Clark, the team that defeated them the last two seasons or Morton who, like Clark, plays in the LAC Blue Division. Senior shortstop Ryan Bridges lifted another homer against Morton and he'll be a key factor against Andrean in the 3A regional final game Tuesday. Griffith faces an issue that all teams with one dominating pitcher face with the IHSAA's "I wanna go on vacation soon" format. The Panthers, who got about 100 pitches out of Kuna Friday night, have to decide whether to start Kuna on three days rest against Andrean Tuesday, or go with senior lefty Will Frets (3-1). The goal is to reach the state finals and you'll need 7-10 innings from Kuna next Saturday at the Plymouth semistate. Nobody cares if you lose at the regional or the semistate. Either way, you still didn't make the finals. If an ace like Kuna starts on three days rest and throws 100 more pitches late Tuesday, he's shot for anything but a relief role Saturday afternoon. If you use him as a relief pitcher Tuesday and he throws maybe 30 pitches, he'd be able to throw 100 in 90-degree heat Saturday. Until the IHSAA comes up with a realistic format, coaches get put in the trick bag.

6.) 3A ANDREAN (22-9)
25-8 (2006), 33-2 (2005), 26-8 (2004), 27-7 (2003)

MERRILLVILLE - Andrean won the game they had to win, 6-4 over Kankakee Valley and then overmatched two other foes to win the KV sectional. The Kougars had beaten Andrean 2-out-of-3 during the regular season. Carl Chambers (7-2) struck out 11, allowing five walks, but just two hits as the 59ers took care of the host school when they had to. It helps when you get to play the baseball-challenged Gary schools, but the Niners would also have appeared to have saved Adam Norton (5-3) for the regional title game against Griffith. The Niners have three starting pitchers who are pretty much equal, so they are well-suited for the non-thinking IHSAA baseball format. Again, once you win your sectional, you either reach the state finals or you don't. So whether you admit it or not, you arrange your pitching to get to Indianapolis. You might split the mid-week regional between two starting pitchers, knowing you'll needs two starts Saturday. The Niners know that No. 1 Norwell (31-0) blocks their path at the semistate, and again, it's just an ego trip as to whether you lose at the regional or semistate. It's all about making the state finals.

7.) 4A Munster (22-8)
23-11 (2006), 19-14 (2005), 23-6 (2004), 20-10 (2003)

MUNSTER - The Mustangs got surprised by Highland 3-2 in the sectional quarterfinals to end the year. It was a stunner because Munster was 3-0 against Highland during the regular season. The surprise was that Munster, a solid offensive team, only scored two runs against Highland's Nick Cianci (8-2). The wild horses got eight hits and a walk and that should equal more than two runs. Senior pitcher Chris Winterhaler gave up just six hits and two walks, but an RBI single by Mike Bremer. The early exit for the 2006 regional champs signals a changing of the guard. Munster loses core position players like Brett Keeler (48-103, .466) and Bret Keil (41-102, .402) from the 2007 lake Athletic Conference (LAC) champions and they must revamp the varsity roster. Munster has top caliber youth leagues and they seem to rebuild successfully every other year. But right now, they would seem to be looking for position players. The landscape for Munster changes in 2008 with a new league, some extra non-conference games and a new sectional lineup that includes Morton.

8.) 4A LAKE CENTRAL (16-12)
19-10 (2006), 28-3 (2005), 24-7 (2004), 23-6-1 (2003)

ST. JOHN - Lake Central got a best case scenario here when Highland KO'd Munster and Lake Central beat Highland and then Lowell 16-3 for the sectional championship. A young squad with senior pitchers Matt Murphy (6-3) and Scott Handley (6-4) got the bats going when they needed to. They'll certainly throw both Handley and Murphy against Crown Point (28-2) in the regional championship game at CP Tuesday night, and with senior pitchers they have an outside chance. No one expects them to beat the top-ranked Bulldogs at CP, but this is a championship team now and it's just a matter of time before they win another. Who is Ryan Boss? Boss, who had two homers and five RBIs against Griffith on May 20, had three hits and six RBIs against Lowell. This is great experience for a young team that returns all eight position players in 2008, and if you've watched this poll much of the year, this is a team that has as much or more natural ability than any other in this region. They are just very young players right now. The scheduling of Benton Central and sectional champ Penn (23-7) in the final week was a boost to this team even though LC did not beat either one. You'd better beat Lake Central now because in a year or two, you won't be able to.

9.) 4A Valparaiso (13-12-1)
15-13 (2006), 8-21 (2005), 16-13 (2004), 25-5 (2003), 27-5 (2002)

VALPARAISO - The Vikings could not hold a 6-2 lead, losing 8-7 to Crown Point in what was almost a major sectional upset. Nate Windsor held the Bulldogs to four runs in five innings, but CP overwhelmed relief pitcher Chooch Sizemore to rally for the win. This was a solid team that was 0-3 against CP (28-2), 0-2 against Chesterton (20-6), 0-1 against Munster (22-8) and 1-1 against LaPorte (22-9). Valparaiso seemed on the verge of a significant winning surge this year but it never came. I would suggest that they can't be too unhappy losing to a CP team that's still playing. But they might argue that they're going to have to get past the Bulldogs sometime and this is the second consecutive time CP has eliminated Valpo. The Vikings lose most of their pitching to graduation. Except for sophomore Mike Krantz, the staff will have a lot of new faces in a league where LaPorte and Lake Central are going to return most of their varsity rosters.

10.) 3A Kankakee Valley (20-11)
16-15 (2006), 22-9 (2005), 19-14 (2004), 14-17 (2003)

DeMOTTE - Kankakee Valley tried to rally from a 6-0 deficit against Andrean, but they fell short, losing 6-4 in the KV Sectional semifinals. KV, which did not truly have a No. 1 starting pitcher all year, went with lefty Matt Dobin, probably planning to come back with right-hander Micah Raebel later in the game. Dobin (2-1), gave up six runs early and while Raebel came on to pitch four shutout innings, KV could not come back. The Kougars lose Dobin (37-64, .578, 7 HRs, 32 RBIs) and Derek Kunzman (40-83, 3 HRs, .482, 33 RBIs). The Kougars bring back Raebel and Ryan Popp (4-0) in 2008, but they'll need some new position players. They'll have to find good ones. Griffith joins the sectional mix in 2008. But the 2007 Kougars appeared to close the gap on the 59ers and Griffith, the top 3A programs in this area. Here's another area where the youth leagues consistently produce good position players.

On the outside looking in ...

3A Clark (20-10)
25-6 (2006), 22-7 (2005), 24-5 (2004), 21-8 (2003), 20-5 (2002)

HAMMOND - I liked Clark's season more than the ones in the past two years when they won the sectional title. The addition of Chicago's Mt. Carmel (31-7-1) was a step in the right direction on the Pioneers' schedule and there will be other changes. Junior Trent Howard (6-6) stepped into the No. 1 role are he battled the big teams like LaPorte and Andrean. That's why his record slipped from the 7-2 record he had as a soph. Chris Schmittel (6-2) did a fine job facing some of three lesser teams, although he did pitch against Munster (22-8). Clark graduates Mike and Al Carpen, but they retain Jon Carpen, Trent and Trace Howard and Josh Moore. Clark didn't get by Morton this year, but the landscape changes drastically for them in 2008. The Pioneers move into a 'yellow brick road' sectional with Gary schools Roosevelt, Wirt and Lew Wallace plus Hammond and Gavit. Clark should dominate that sectional for the next four years. Since they have a lock down on that new sectional, the Pioneers should go out and take advantage of the bust up of the Lake Athletic Conference to schedule much tougher teams. The Pioneers want to play most game on the road because their home field is so bad. Clark should try to host a four or eight team tournament at Riverside Park, bringing in top teams to take on the Hammond schools. The Pioneers' record might suffer during the season, but they would be primed for post-season play, and with a soft sectional, they would be geared up to leap the regional and semistate hurdle and get to the state finals. The next four years for Clark presents a major opportunity for the Pioneers to get to the state finals.

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