By Michael Moreci

INDIANAPOLIS - Un-ranked in the preseason and having started its season 2-3 (and allowing 24 runs in those three losses) Decatur Central wasn't a team most would have penciled in to go deep in the tournament. But as the old saying goes, that's why they play the games. After their rough start, the Hawks went on to win 15 straight to become one of the state’s hottest teams. On Saturday night in the 4A championship game against Homestead, Decatur Central went out and played its game—take advantage of errors and walks, get timely hitting. The recipe was again a success as the Hawks won the 4A title, their first ever, 7-3.

“We turned it around after the county tournament,” Coach Phil Webster said. “We said if we’re going to do it, we’ve got to do it now. It’s been a real nice ride.”

The Hawks took the game’s first lead and never looked back. Junior shortstop Nick Stoia singled and was plated by senior second-baseman Adam Kirk. From there, Homestead senior ace Travis Carsten (8-4) worked himself into a jam, allowing the inning’s third hit to senior Jeff Pace and then walking junior Gregory to load the bases.

But with the sacks packed and one out, Decatur Central wasn’t able to capitalize. Senior catcher Issac Pruitt singled in a run, but Carsten got a big strikeout and induced a groundout to get out of the inning largely unscathed.

In the third, the Spartans came right back, plating two runs of their own. After back-to-back hits, senior Logan Bultemeier singled to bring home Ryan Trieglaff, and junior Patrick Veerkamp brought home senior Ryan Wright with a sacrifice fly.

But Carsten found himself in another jam in the bottom half of the third. After an error and a run scored, Carsten was again in a bases loaded situation. This time, the Hawks wouldn’t let the opportunity go for naught. Gregory, batting in the eight spot, roped a two-run double to give Decatur Central a 5-2 lead. He was followed by Pruitt, who brought home the inning’s fourth run on a sacrifice fly. Gregory and Pruitt combined to go 3-for-3 with four RBIs on the night.

“We got some lucky breaks, but that’s what happens in a championship game,” Webster said.

From there, the game belonged to Decatur Central ace Shawn Mattingly.

After allowing one more run to score in the fourth, Mattingly (11-2) settled into a groove, allowing only one hit in the final three frames. Mattingly pitched a complete game, giving up three runs, walking one and striking out four.   

“I’ve got that performance from him [Mattingly] all year long,” Webster said. “He’s a great competitior.”

GAME NOTES: This championship was Phil Webster’s first in 25 years as Decatur Central’s head coach; Homestead’s Ryan Trieglaff won the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award.