The Herald Bulletin

Morning Update

Sports

Discussion

June 28, 2009

George Bremer: Area baseball talent abounds

Let’s start this week with an apology. Unwittingly, my Mr. Baseball Classic preview story last week was incomplete.

For that, and any resulting confusion, I apologize.

But enough about that. This should be about the players.

Four stars from Madison County made the trip to Indianapolis last Tuesday to compete in the Mr. Baseball Classic at North Central High School. Considering the doubleheader featured only about 30 players from around the state, that’s a remarkable percentage.

Anderson’s Nolan Earley was joined by Highland’s Trevor Humes, Elwood’s Jacob Dunnichay and Frankton’s Brandon France.

Earley was 2-for-6 with a double, three RBIs and one run scored. France, who was rotating among many catchers in the intense heat, was 2-for-3 with a double. Dunnichay said he was able to showcase his speed on the base paths, and Humes said only that he failed to meet his own high expectations.

The latter trio is playing this summer for Anderson Hockett, contributing to a highly talented roster that could contend for a state championship.

“This year we had a great turnout of talent,” France said of Madison County’s overall excellence. “Especially the senior class. I grew up with a lot of them. It’s fun.”

France, considered by many to be the area’s best catcher, is looking at Lake Land College in Illinois. The junior college would give him a stage to be seen by a four-year school as well as the pros.

Humes, one of the area’s top pitchers, also could go the junior college route. He spent Saturday trying out at Kishwaukee College in Illinois.

Although he didn’t play as well in Indianapolis as he’d hoped, Humes said the experience was worth it.

“It was fun,” he said. “I liked it. I saw a lot of people I’ve played with in recent years.”

Dunnichay, who joined France as Hockett split a doubleheader at Terre Haute on Saturday, still is trying to decide between Kansas and several state schools. He said the Jayhawks are scheduled to attend an upcoming Hockett game, and that could make his decision more clear.

Coming from a 2A school, even one that spent much of the season ranked No. 1, kept Dunnichay under the state’s radar.

“I never really played with that many players who are projected to go to big schools and who got drafted,” Dunnichay said. “But there was no pressure. Coming from a small school, it was just fun to be there.”

All three stars repeated that refrain.

Each will be in the running for the Indiana Mr. Baseball Award, which will be presented by Hoosier Diamond on July 13 at a site to be determined.

And each is a big part of the reason Madison County should be proud of its baseball tradition.

Contact George Bremer: 640-4831, george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com.

Text Only
Sports
  • 0215 sports alex vs eastern hancock 033.jpg Royals edge out Tigers

    If Alexandria’s non-conference matchup with Eastern Hancock was relatively meaningless, someone forgot to tell just about everyone involved.
    The two teams turned a sleepy weeknight crowd electric Tuesday night with a wild, high-flying affair that ended with a 92-91 Royals victory, new individual scoring records for both schools and a home crowd that remained standing in proud applause long after the final buzzer.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0128 sports phhs vs greenfield 010.jpg Power outage grounds Arabians

    An accident on Indiana 13 at Indiana 38 knocked power out throughout the southern part of Madison County on Tuesday and caused the postponement of Pendleton Heights’ boys basketball game against New Castle.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • 1115 Peyton.jpg Irsay throws ball into Manning's court

    The March 8 deadline for the Indianapolis Colts to determine the future of quarterback Peyton Manning is quickly approaching.
    And owner Jim Irsay fired off the most recent salvo in an ongoing public-relations standoff Tuesday.
    Contradicting rampant speculation by the national media concerning Manning’s imminent departure, Irsay told the Indianapolis Star’s Mike Chappell the team would love to have the four-time MVP back.
    At the right price.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_125062352 Ken de la Bastide: 'Mile' back on IndyCar schedule

    There was good news for IZOD IndyCar fans this week with the announcement that the famed “Milwaukee Mile” is back on the 2012 schedule.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • Heat Pacers Basketbal_Brem.jpg Miami hits new milestones by routing Pacers

    LeBron James scored 23 points and nearly produced his first triple double in 11 months and Dwyane Wade had 16 points Tuesday night, leading the Miami Heat to a 105-90 rout of the Indiana Pacers to become the first team in 33 years to win three straight on the road in three days.

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0215 sports alex vs eastern hancock 001.jpg Tigers lose to Royals 92-91 Photos from Alexandria as the Tigers hosted the Eastern Hancock Royals on Tuesday.

    February 14, 2012

  • 0128 sports phhs vs greenfield 038.jpg Arabians still on rise

    The Pendleton Heights boys basketball team is riding an 11-game winning streak and rose to No. 4 in the Class 4A state rankings Monday.
    But, with the sectional set to begin exactly two weeks from today, coach Brian Hahn isn’t about to let the Arabians (18-2) get too comfortable.

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • meghan_wiles031.jpg Wiles’ heart leads her to Hoosiers

    Meghan Wiles took some time to explore her options, but she always kind of knew where she would end up.
    She’s an IU girl.
    Wiles, a Pendleton Heights senior, signed to play soccer at Indiana University on Feb. 1, the NCAA’s National Signing Day. Her parents, Tom and Mandy, both attended IU.

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • b2.jpg Bellator hopes to push UFC

    Even novice mixed martial arts fans will recognize that the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the No. 1 MMA promotion in the United States and on the planet.
    What makes businesses better is when there is competition. In the case of MMA in North America, there have been contenders such as the International Fight League, BoDog Fights, Affliction and Elite XC since the explosion in popularity of MMA in 2005 with the introduction of the UFC’s reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.”

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • Quintin Harlan 01.jpg Quintin Harlan: Wrestlers prep for state finals

    Taking part in the Parade of Champions during the opening ceremonies of the IHSAA State Wrestling Finals is a thrill that stays with competitors and coaches for as long as they’ll remember.
    For some, taking part in the ceremonial start for the state finals is the best memory.

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo