Year one of the NIC Baseball Blog culminated in amazing fashion. Elkhart Central rode the back of a great group of seniors and an epic performance by C0-NIC Player of the Year, Tanner Tully, to win the 4A State Championship. Elkhart Central finished 32-1, their only blemish was a conference loss to Penn in a game that was started and stopped due to weather and finished at a later date.
Along the way to the championship, Elkhart Central faced its toughest test in the first game of the Regional. NIC foe Clay, showed their toughness and battled the Blazers for 11 innings, before Elkhart Central held on 5-4. The effort, pride, and determination shown by Clay all season was a testament to their late coach, Chad Hudnall. Chad passing leaves a void at Clay, in the NIC, and all over Northern Indiana. Chad was a kind person, great coach, and amazing mentor to all and he is deeply missed.
Saint Joseph won the 3A Plymouth Sectional. Their season came to a tough ending on a walk off Grand Slam in game one of the Regional. The future is bright for Saint Joseph as they reload with some great young talent.
Here are the returning players from the 2013 All-NIC teams.
Steve Stutsman was NIC coach of the year.
2013 First Team All NIC
Jesse Zepeda – Elkhart Central – Senior – OF/Utility
Joey Lange – Clay – Junior – C/IF
Sam Hosinski – Adams – Senior – P/OF
2013 Second Team All NIC
Jesse Stires – Adams – Senior – IF
Tyler Beck – St. Joseph – Senior – P/IF
Reed Lewis – Marian – Senior – P
Josh Turnock – Marian – Senior – C/IF
Andrew Herman – Penn – Senior – IF
Cole Harlacher – Penn – Senior – IF
2013 Honorable Mention All NIC
Tyler Perry – Penn – Senior – C
Austin Toth – Penn – Senior – IF
Wes Short – St. Joseph – Junior – OF
NIC BASEBALL 