By Michael Moreci
Last season, Lafayette Central Catholic coasted through the regular season and state playoffs, going 30-5 in route to a state title, its second in four years. It was an amazing accomplishment, one that’s heightened by the fact that the Knights did it with only two seniors on their roster.
This, of course, makes the Knights a dangerous team in 2008. They’re loaded with depth and championship experience, and have very few spots to fill. They key to Lafayette's prolonged success, according to coach Tim Bordenet, rests in the wholistic strength of the program.
"It's been about establishing the program, not just having a good team," Bordenet said. "The seniors this year have been our core for four years now."
The Knights also prepare themselves by scheduling the best competition around, from every class.
"We schedule games against 3A and 4A schools," Bordenet said. "That benefits us going into the tournament."
The two seniors Lafayette graduated in 2007 (Samuel Walker and Nicholas Schrader) were the backbone of their pitching staff; combined, they gave the Knights 124 innings. Walker finished the season 11-0 with a 2.50 ERA; Schrader 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA.
The Knights do have some experienced arms returning: Senior RHP-OF Michael Schaeffer threw 48 innings for Lafayette last season. He compiled a 7-1 record with a 2.94 ERA and struck out 54 batters. Lafayette will also rely on senior RHP Michael Bagnoli (3-0, 2.10 ERA, 23 IP) and senior RHP Griffin Richeson (1-0, 0.56 ERA, 10 IP). Also in the mix will be a pair of talented sophomores: LHP Taylor Glaze and RHP Chad Bobillo.
Lafayette’s strength resides in its offensive firepower. While it’s possible that their team ERA rises from last season’s 2.39 mark, they’re likely to match the 326 runs they scored last season (in 2007, the Knights had a +220 run differential).
Richeson, who is more a shortstop than a pitcher, will anchor the Knights’ attack. Last season he hit .456 with 5 doubles, 3 homeruns, and 34 RBI. He’ll be matched up with senior 2B Jade Anthrop (.393 BA, 6 HR, 39 RBI) in the heart of the order.
Also contributing will be junior 1B Dru Anthrop (.413, 4 HR, 39 RBI), sophomore 3B Reed Drysdale (.349 BA, 23 RBI), and Schaeffer (.340 BA, 26 RBI).
By all estimations, Lafayette has as good of a chance as anyone to repeat and win the 1A title (the Indiana High School Coaches Baseball Association has them ranked preseason No. 1. They’ll have to be cautious of last season’s state title runners-up Shakamak who, like Lafayette, have an experienced team returning.