BASEBALL SECTIONAL: Tourney play set to start on Wednesday

Putnam County high school baseball teams will need to make a habit of beating teams with superior records as sectional play begins on Wednesday.

Cloverdale and South Putnam meet in the opener at North Putnam, with the host Cougars playing Thursday’s second semifinal game.

Greencastle opens play on Wednesday at Danville against the host team.

County teams have had tough seasons this year, with none owning a winning record. Many of them play numerous freshmen and sophomores, though, providing more optimism for the future.

South Putnam has been led by the hitting of catcher Aiden LeBlanc (.324, three home runs, 11 RBI) and versatile teammates Tanner Pistelli, Branden Demoret, Jackson Wood, Devin Cashion and Dawson Cash.

Cloverdale is paced by the 1-2 pitching combo of junior Parker Watts and senior Nick Winders.

Junior Jaren Rossok, another standout pitcher, was lost due to an injury at mid-season.

Besides Watts and Winders, other top hitters for the Clovers have been seniors Nick Smith, Tyce Jackson and T.J. Hagymasi.

North Putnam is led in hitting by Kolten Thorson at .289 and Colton Clifford at .281. Jalen Berry and Kaine Benge lead the team in RBI with seven.

The teams with the best records in the field, South Vermillion and Fountain Central, play in Wednesday’s other quarterfinal game.

North Putnam faces Monrovia, also above .500, in Thursday’s second semifinal game.

Greencastle is led in hitting by freshman Nick Sutherlin, who is hitting .328 with 12 RBi, three triples and a double. Jacob Harris is close behind with a .325 average and 10 RBI, while Brody Whitaker hits .291 with 17 RBI.

Gus Manion leads the way with 20 RBI and 20 runs scored, while Abe Wade contributes 17 runs scored and 14 RBI.

The Cubs will play a 15-11 Danville team that has only the third-highest win total among the sectional teams.

Cardinal Ritter and Tri-West each has won at least 17 games, and they play each other in Monday’s second semifinal game.

Sectional winners advance to the regionals next week.

Baseball sectional schedules

Class 3A At Danville

Wednesday

5 p.m. — Greencastle (9-17) vs. Danville (15-11)

7 p.m. — Brebeuf Jesuity (8-15) vs. Indianapolis Northwest (record unavailable)

Monday

10 a.m. — Today’s winners in first semifinal game

Noon — Cardinal Ritter (17-7) vs. Tri-West (18-6)

7 p.m. — Championship game

Class 2A at North Putnam

Wednesday

5 p.m. — Cloverdale (4-14) vs. South Putnam (5-18)

7 p.m. — South Vermillion (23-2) vs. Fountain Central (16-8-1)

Thursday

5 p.m. — Wednesday winners in first semifinal game

7 p.m. — North Putnam (2-18) vs. Monrovia (14-11)

Monday

1 p.m. — Championship game