Volume 1, No.

27

One (Sports) Nation Under God

June 28, 2011

Where No Sport Is Too Small

LOCAL SPORTS IN YOUR INBOX

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Sports Journal of Central Indiana

The Sports Journal salutes our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians who defend our freedom everyday. Thank you!

3 7 8

McPIKE IS McCHAMP
H.P. McPike of UCT wins the David A. Kasey Memorial title

AND DONT MISS

12 15 Need to Know IndyCar Series Results Fun & Games The Deans List 16 17

WINS AND LOSSES

The final bracket of the Kasey Memorial tournament

TOURNEY IN PICS
Two pages of Kasey Memorial tourney pictures

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OUTDOORS WITH TOM

New Sports Journal outdoor columnist Tom Fagel Jr. debuts

After Luke Cameron scored the winning run (inset), McPike celebrated its City-County baseball championship
(Photo by William Gibson)

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

June 28, 2011

After 40 years, H.P. McPike lays claim to the Ralph Stewart Trophy
STORY BY DEAN HOCKNEY
PHOTOS BY WILLIAM GIBSON

USSIAVILLE Instant classic! That is how those who witnessed the finale of the Kokomo Tribune sponsored David A. Kasey Memorial Youth Baseball Tournament will remember the 2011 rendition of the annual end to the local baseball season. Strong pitching, excellent defense and clutch hitting made this championship one for the ages. With more than a thousand spectators circling Russiavilles Robert M. Waddell Memorial Park, highly favored H.P. McPike of UCT used a oneout, sixth inning, walk-off single to win Howard

County bragging rights with a 4-3 win over Whites Meat Market of Taylor Southeast. They always come through with the bats sooner or later, said winning manager Jason Hurlock. You can hold them down for a while, but they get hot. Entering the game with an unblemished record and outscoring all-comers 80-6 through the first five games of the tourney including Russiaville league champion Hollingsworth Lumber (25-2) many in attendance thought McPike would win
June 28, 2011

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

Hes Out!: McPikes shortstop Noah Hurlock takes a cleat to the face but still makes the ESPN-worthy highlight play against Whites Chad Brubaker..

in a rout over Whites (20-7). But with three shutout wins in four games, Whites showed it was a force to be reckoned with. After giving up two runs in the first inning thanks to hits by Nate Hemmerich, Noah Hurlock and Josiah Bolton Whites veteran pitcher Kacy Wilson showed why he was on the hill in the championship game as he held the UCT squad scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings. At the same time, McPike ace Jack Perkins was firing a gem of his own, tossing a three-hit, eight strikeout shutout through the first five innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Perkins added an insurance run to the board with a solo home run and heading into the sixth and final inning,

McPike held a 3-0 lead. But Perkins had reached his tourney-mandated pitching limit, which brought in relief pitcher Garreck Durato. What can I say about him, he threw great and hit that home run that really meant something when it was said and done, said Hurlock. The pitching change was just what Whites needed as Noah Poe, Wilson and Brayden McKay started the inning with singles to score the first run. Following an out by the No. 6 hitter, Aiden Arnold drilled a single down the line, scoring Wilson and McKay to tie the game at 3. Just when it looked like Whites would take the lead, the McPike defense turned a 5-4-3 double-play to squash the rally and leave the game knotted heading into the bottom of the sixth. That was a big play. Wow! It really picked the players spirits up, said the winning manager. The UCT champions wasted little time in the sixth. No. 9 hitter Luke Cameron led off the inning with a single to center field, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored the championship winning run on Hemmerichs second hit

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

June 28, 2011

Outstanding Pitching: Jack Perkins pitched five shutout innings for McPike in the championship game. He also had a key solo home run.

Headin for home: In a bang-bang play at the plate, Justin Hurlock is tagged out by Whites catcher Braydon McKay.

of the game this one a walk-off single to center. He has been coming through all year, said Hurlock of Cameron. That is why he is there to put the ball in play and bring up the top of the order. I had to stay focused and thats what I did, said Hemmerich just prior to posing with his team and the Ralph Stewart Insurance Trophy, which has been presented to the winning sponsor for 33 years. I saw the pitch down the middle and just drove it. McPike assistant coach Scott Perkins may have been the most excited person on the field as he was pulling triple duty assistant coach, father of the pitcher, and son-in-law of the team sponsor.

It was incredibly special, said Perkins after watching his family collect their trophies. This group of kids, I cant say enough about them. They are not only good ball players, but just good kids they have tremendous heart. But it has been special for Jack to be a member of this team, with Steve (McPike, Jacks grandfather) and his dad sponsoring this team for the past 40 years. He really appreciates being out here and wearing that uniform. Along with strong pitching and the solo home run, Perkins added a double to finish an outstanding championship game 23. Hemmerich also had a pair of hits and Durato picked up the win in relief. For Whites, Wilson and Poe each finished with a pair of hits.
SJ Photos:

William Gibson

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

June 28, 2011

Clutch Performances: (Above) McPike slugger Josiah Bolton takes a rip at a pitch down the middle resulting in a base hit. (Below) Despite the loss, Kacy Wilson was sensational on the hill for Whites, holding the high-powered McPike team to four runs.

On the Field: (Above) After questioning a call at third base, Whites manager Scott Sullivan gives a high five to third baseman Preston Pearce. (Below) McPikes third baseman Garreck Durato prepares to fire to first after making a nice play on a slow roller.

SJ Photos:

William Gibson June 28, 2011

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

2011 David A. Kasey Memorial Major League Howard County Baseball Tournament Championship
1 Whites Meat Market (TSE) 0 H.P. McPike (UCT) 2 2 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 1 6 3 1 R 3 4 H 7 8 LOB 5 8

H.P. McPIKE
Road to the Championship
FIRST ROUND WIN June 18 vs Thriveat Financial (GT) 20-0 SECOND ROUND WIN June 19 vs Hague Quality Water (ES) 15-0 SWEET SIXTEEN WIN June 20 vs Coke (TSE) 20-0 ELITE EIGHT WIN June 21 vs CFD Investments (TSE) 17-1 FINAL FOUR WIN June 22 vs Hollingsworth Lumber (R) 8-5 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WIN June 23 vs Whites Meat Market (TSE) 4-3

McPIKE TOURNEY FACTS & FIGURES First Howard County tourney title Outscored opposition 84-9 in tourney Outscored opposition 72-1 in first 4 games Posted three shutouts in six games Finished season undefeated at 29-0 8th tourney champion from UCT

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

June 28, 2011

(Above) Brayden DeWeese touches home plate for Hollingsworth Lumber after crushing a home run. (Below) Expression hitter Noah Dowden makes solid contact.

(Above) Chandler LaMott of Hollingsworth Lumber eyes a fly ball from his center field position. (Below) T.J. Macaluso reacts after getting hit by a pitch while batting for Expresssions.

SJ Photos:

William Gibson June 28, 2011

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

(Above) Hammers rightfielder Rylee Burnett fires the ball back to the infield after scooping up a groundball single. (Below) Kolten Gifford on the hill for Salsbery Garden Center.

(Above) Hammers shortstop Tanae Stigger rifles the ball to first base after making a nice stop on a hot grounder. (Below) Salsbery Garden Center shortstop Trevor Fortune catches a pop fly.

SJ Photos:

William Gibson June 28, 2011

SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

Feelin for snappers

s we slide down the grassy bank of a small creek that wound its way through the secluded woodlands of Indianas farm country, the rush of adrenalin began to buzz around our heads along with the mosquitoes. The day was hot and the water cool, and only one thing laid on our minds snapping turtles. Accompanying me this day was a good friend of mine, Vince Pitstick, a classic good ol boy who I had met in southern Indiana while studying at Vincennes University. It was rare to find someone who shared the same passion for catching turtles as I did, a sport almost unheard of today. We had spent countless nights reliving previous hunts, speaking of old mentors and giant snappers. Now the season was here, and the wait was over. The muddy water quickly filled our boots as we each took to the opposing banks. Crawling upstream with hands probing beneath undercut banks and logjams, the anticipation grew. Got one! I turn to see Vince pull out a nice heavy snapper from his muddy hole underneath the tangled roots of an old river birch. He let out a holler that can only come from a man turned wild. As the old dinosaur clawed and snapped we lowered him into the burlap sack. First turtle of the season, and it was going to be a good one. Turtle hunting, more specifically the art of using your hands to find and capture the turtle, is a sport known by few, and practiced by even fewer. The common snapping turtle is a tough opponent, with its beak-like jaws and large size it has an intimidating disposition. Yet once this animal is properly understood and respected it proves to be one of the most exciting animals to chase. Though there are many ways to catch these rarely seen reptiles, such as using hand lines (fishing poles) or jugs (floating containers with line tied to a baited hook on the other end), not much compares to the excitement and efficiency of using bare hands to capture them. This is done usually in small to medium size creeks, reaching into holes under the banks or within debris where the snappers usually lie. Upon feeling the top of the turtles shell, use your other hand to locate the jagged edge where the tail is located, and pull it out.

Outdoors with tom

Snapper: Stacie Wolfe displays a snapping turtle.

By Tom Fagel, Jr.

Outdoor Columnist

The idea sounds simple, though the idea of using the feel of fingers alone to catch an animal known for its bite sounds ludicrous to most, yet for those who do, the excitement is like nothing else. I asked Vince why he decided to start feeling for turtles, and he simply said I wanted to do something different. As with any sport there are precautions and safety
June 28, 2011

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

Snappers times two: Veteran snapping turtle hunter Vince Pitstick shows off two of his latest catches.

measures a hunter must employ to enjoy a fun, safe hunt. Never hunt alone. If you are injured far away from your vehicle it is imperative to have someone with you to seek help. Boots and jeans are a must as they will protect your feet and legs to prevent cuts which could prematurely end a hunt. It would be wise to always carry a knife, as in all hunting situations. Becoming entangled in line in deep water can be deadly. With a knife close at hand you can cut yourself free. The most important lesson I learned was from the one who taught me about the sport, The most dan-

gerous thing in the water is not the turtle, nor the snake, or the muskrat. It is man. What he meant by this is the litter in the water, such as broken bottles or scrap metal, will cause the most damage. Be careful around bridges and populated areas as these are the most likely places to run across these manmade dangers. If you are looking for some excitement, or just want to try something different, give turtle hunting a shot. Take a friend or find someone experienced in the sport and you might just find you like snapper on the menu. (Tom Fagel Jr. is a monthly outdoors columnist for the Sports Journal.)
June 28, 2011

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

Need to Know
(Do you have an upcoming event or recent results that you would like to see on the Need to Know pages? If so, send the information to editor@indianasportsjournal.com and we will do our best to publicize it.) PRICE CHOOSES MICHIGAN STATE Eastern three-sport star Josiah Joey Price ended months of speculation on where he would play football following his senior season by verbally committing to Michigan State University and 2010 Big Ten Coach of the Year Mark Dantonio. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Price was listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com following a junior season at linebacker in which he tallied 95 tackles, 68 solo tackles, 10 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. He also entertained offers from Indiana, Purdue, Ball State, Bowling Green, Illinois and Minnesota before committing to be a Spartan. Price is on pace to have one of the best Comet athletic careers on record. When his senior year begins in August, along with dominating the gridiron as an All-State caliber player, he could be-

come the eighth member of the 1,000 point club on the hardwood, and in the spring will compete for top shot put and discus honors in the conference and area. BEACHY, BERRYMAN NAMED ALL-STARS Northwestern High School graduate and Indiana Wesleyan University pitching recruit Bryan Beachy has been named to the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Associations North All-Star Team. He will be joined by Ryan Berryman - who recently announced his resignation as the head coach of the Tigers to spend more time with his young family - who will serve as the North squads head coach. Berryman and Beachy led the Purple Tigers to Class 3A No. 1 ranking during the 2011 season. The annual North/South All-Star Series will be played at Fort Waynes Parkview Field on July 9 (two games) and July 10 (one wooden bat game). Parkview Field is the home of the Ft. Wayne TinCaps Minor League Baseball club, a Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. BEACHY RETURNS TO BRAVES HILL After nearly six weeks on the sideline with a strained left oblique, Kokomos Brandon Beachy returned to the Atlanta Braves hill on June 22 with a masterful performance as he picked up his second career victory. The Northwestern High School product struck out a career-high 11 Toronto Blue Jay hitters while giving up just one run on four hits over six innings. In his first full Major League Baseball season,

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

June 28, 2011

Beachy has 57 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings in his nine starts and has walked 18 while maintaining an earned run average of 3.22. KOKOMO ALL-NCC ACADEMIC WINNERS The North Central Conference announced its allconference teams, and several Kokomo High School studentathletes were recognized: (Baseball) Austin Colby; (boys golf) Taylor Balog, Blake Brown and Nicholas Cardwell; (boys track and field) Adrian Glover; (girls tennis) Ellen Ewbank, Eileen Oaks, Jacy Rush and Hannah Werner; (girls track and field) Emily Keller. IHSAA GIRLS HOOPS CHANGE The IHSAA Girls Basketball State Finals has a new home for 2012. Terre Hautes 10,000-seat Hulman Center - home to the Indiana State University basketball programs will host the four state championship games after agreeing to a one-year contract. The girls state finals were held in the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne the past two years and in Lucas Oil Stadium in 2009, but no Indianapolis venue has been available since. The 2012 girls state finals will be held on March 3. HOOPS HALL GOLF OUTING The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame will host a fundraiser golf outing at Kokomos Chippendale

Golf Club on Wednesday, July 6. It is the eighth consecutive year the event has been held at Chippendale and will incorporate a number of Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductees and notable basketball names. The event is a bestball scramble and each participant will include golf fees, cart, favor, prizes, a post-round buffet meal, free passes to the Halls New Castle museum, and awards. Registration begins at 12:15 p.m. with a scheduled 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. The cost for a foursome is $300 and registrations may be made by contacting the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame at (765) 529-1891 or info@hoopshall.com. Hole sponsorships are also available for $100. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit that receives no tax dollars and is self-sufficient to operate its 14,000 square foot museum in New Castle. The museum is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday Saturday and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays and celebrates the rich, proud history of Indiana high school basketball. The Kokomo boys basketball team will participate in the prestigious 2011 City Securities Hall of Fame Classic, hosted by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, on December 30, 2011 at the New Castle Fieldhouse.

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA June 28, 2011

Northwestern Youth Baseball Rookie League Champions - 13-0 HUSTON ELECTRIC (Front row) Wes Miller, Cayden Greer, Kellen Greer, Gavin Foreman, Connor Bostic, and Josh Bell; (middle row) Brayden Prince, Cole Cardwell, Eayn VanSickel, Kyle Cardwell, Tyson Good, Caden Talor, and Jeremy Bell; (back row) coach Rick Cardwell, coach Kevin Bostic, coach Dennis Bell, and manager Brent VanSickel

UCT Youth Baseball Rookie League Champions RETHLAKES S.S. MARATHON (Front row) Fain Mundy, Lucas Cummings, Jon Callane, Jr., Caleb Moon and M.J. Norman; (middle row) Cameron Arcari, Jervionte Horton, Trevor Stucker, Trey Shelby, Drew Bowser, Seth Hrabos, Breighzion Carpenter and Ty Lauderbaugh; (back row) coach Jon Callane, coach Stacy Hrabos, coach Don Lauderbaugh, team sponsor Mike Rethlake, manager Zach Cummings and coach Martin Norman. Not pictured is coach Steve Shelby. Battle of the Bullpen Tournament Runners-up HOOSIER HIGHLANDERS 13U (Front row) Cameron Dessing, Sean Smith, Tanner Heady and Brayton Woolley; (back row) Tim Blankenberger, Ben Tracy, Julie Tracy, Aden Merchant, Aaron Deis, Trey Richmond and Rob Merchant. Not pictures is Ezra Berry

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June 28, 2011

Andretti ends 79-race streak with a win in the Iowa Corn Indy 250
NEWTON, Iowa - Marco Andretti overtook former Andretti Autosport teammate Tony Kanaan on Lap 232 of 250 and went on to a 0.7932-of-asecond victory in the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer at Iowa Speedway. Andretti had passed Kanaan on Lap 209, only to have Kanaan return the favor four laps later. Andretti was running second to Dario Franchitti when they cycled through for their final round of service on Lap 184 under caution. Andretti got out first. On a Lap 199 restart, Kanaan overtook Franchitti for second and the charge to the checkered flag was on. It was the third victory for Andretti Autosport in the five races at Iowa Speedway, including Kanaan in 2010. Scott Dixon charged from 23rd on the starting grid to finish third and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dario Franchitti, who led the most laps, was fifth. Rookie JR Hildebrand, the Indianapolis 500 runner-up, passed Franchitti on Lap 242 for fourth place. Also on June 25, Josef Newgarden, who overtook pole sitter and Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammate Esteban Guerrieri on Lap 26, turned a 0.3574 of a second advantage into a 5.4724second victory. Newgarden, earning his third victory of the season, improved his championship points lead from 13 to 46 over Guerrieri, who retired midway through the race with a mechanical issue (steering) and was credited with 12th place. Gustavo Yacaman, driving the No. 2 TMRTuvacol-Xtreme Coil Drilling car, recorded a Firestone Indy Lights-best runner-up finish. Clauson, competing in his third Firestone Indy Lights oval race, was 5.8 seconds back but also finished a season-high third. ROCKET RICK HELPS FRANCHITTI It was 1997 and a 23-year-old Dario Franchitti moved to the States to drive for Hogan Racing in CART, which included a mixture of road courses and ovals. Franchitti had a best finish of ninth at Australia, earned his first pole at Toronto and wound up 22nd in the championship standings. Franchitti, whose best oval finish was 13th at Nazareth, sought and received oval racing input from Rick Mears, who had amassed 29 victories over the course of his career under USAC and CART sanction. Now, the four-time Indianapolis 500 and six-time series champion (Mears) and the two-time Indianapolis 500 and three-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion (Franchitti) are tied for ninth on the all-time win list. "If I'd had known that I wouldn't have helped," Mears deadpanned as the drivers discussed the past and future of IndyCar racing and their legacy a few hours before the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer at the Iowa Speedway. Mears recorded seven USAC- and 22 CARTsanctioned race victories (22 on ovals) in a three -decade Indy car career. "I had opportunities to do other things over the years, whether it be Formula 1 or (stock cars) or whatever, but I always enjoyed our series because of the diversity of tracks," said Mears, whose first Indy car victory came June 18, 1978, at the Milwaukee Mile. "I felt like you accomplished more if you won the championship; you had to be a more well-rounded driver. That was always the challenge of the series.
June 28, 2011

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

Fun & Games

Guess Who ???
Sports Trivia
With Cal Ripken all-stars kicking off, here is some Ironman trivia 1. What positions did Cal Ripken, Jr. play on a regular basis? 2. How many consecutive games did Ripken play in to break Lou Gehrigs record? 3. How many games did Ripken play in during his MLB career? 4. How many home runs did Ripken hit during his final season in 2001? 5. In how many seasons did Ripken play in 162 or more baseball games?
Answers can be found on the Sports Journal of Central Indiana website: www.indianasportsjournal.com.

2011 Sports Journal of Central Indiana

It took five tiles but we have a winner. TOM MITCHELSON will forever be remembered for his correct guess of basketball hall of famer Michael Jordan. Tom wasnt the only correct guess this week, but his name was drawn and he takes home a prize pack from the Sports Journal. A new puzzle will appear in the next edition of the Sports Journal, so be ready to guess and win a prize pack of goodies.

SJ Original Artwork:

Douglas Hockney

I took a little English, a little math, some science, a few hubcaps and a some wheel covers.
GATES BROWN MLB outfielder on high school
June 28, 2011

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SPORTS JOURNAL OF CENTRAL INDIANA

David Kasey tournament a success

look forward to certain times of the year, such as opening night and tournament action in high school basketball, the World Series, the Super Bowl and the Indianapolis 500. Last week was another one of those times as 46 teams played in the David A. Kasey Memorial Howard County Youth Baseball Tournament at the eight ballparks in the county. There are not many if any tournaments of this kind in Indiana, and I love when it rolls around. If you are a baseball fan, there isnt much like watching these 9-12 year-olds play their hearts out for a chance to hoist the Ralph Stewart Insurance Trophy. As I wrote on page 3, this years championship game was epic as H.P. McPike scored in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat a surprising Whites Meat Market squad 4-3. If you werent there, you missed a dandy and I am already excited for next years tournament. This was the 55th rendition of the Kokomo Tribune sponsored tournament and my hat goes off to Steve McPike and his family for finally capturing the title after sponsoring a team at UCT for 40 years. McPike has fielded some very good teams in years past but they never climbed the hill to local glory until now. McPike is the eighth champion to hail from UCT and they join the 2003 Eriks Chevrolet team to run the season undefeated. Other winners from UCT include Coca-Cola (1958, 1959 and 1977), Lowdermilk Electric (1986 and 1988) and Replay Physical Therapy (1998). The win puts McPike on the elite list of 33 local businesses and organizations that have sponsored a championship team since 1957. To show how hard it is to win the City/County tournament, since 1991 only Northwesterns Cossells Landscaping (2007 and 2010) and Russiavilles Mikes Pizza (2002 and 2009) have won more than one title. This is a big time tournament and those who play in it remember it for life. After the championship game, McPike assistant coach Scott Perkins, son-in-law of Steve McPIke, told me of his pre-game talk to the team. I told the kids before the game that there are certain

The Deans List

By Dean W. Hockney
Sports Journal Publisher

memories that you will never forget, he said. The folks who have never been around youth baseball dont understand how important this memory truly is. It is something that you will create tonight that will always be there it wont be a memory that is black and white, it will forever be in a vivid color picture. I played in three of these tournaments with Eastsides Sprite, and yes, losing the 1979 championship game in extra innings to First Federal of Southside is still a full color memory some 32 years later. I can even remember how a ground ball headed my way at shortstop stuck in the extremely wet UCT dirt infield instead of popping into my glove. It was a miserable rainy night, but one full of memories that are as vivid as yesterday. One final note on this years tournament; what a great job league president Rob Gifford and the entire Russiaville Youth Baseball League organization did in hosting the championship game. It was a carnival atmosphere as they hosted a live band and a pregame hog roast to entertain those who ventured out to the finale. With no offense to other leagues, Russiaville is a near perfect facility to host the championship game due to generous parking, amble seating and fantastic diamonds and concessions. Job well done, Russiaville! Now it is on to all-star competition, which I am not a huge fan. It sure would be nice to be playing the David A. Kasey tournament championship game in July instead of June. But that is a discussion for another day and the Sports Journal will follow our local teams as they make their bids for state tournaments and beyond. I wish all eight leagues well and hope they advance far. Until next time, remember to keep the man and ship in sports and Ill see you at the game.

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June 28, 2011