The Versailles Republican Sports
June 26, 2008

Some of Indiana's best hurlers show their stuff

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Raider graduate and ace baseball pitcher BJ Sieverding, as one of the 2008 Indiana Mr. Baseball nominees, competed in the Mr. Baseball Classic held on Tuesday, June 17, at North Central High School.
Hoosier Diamond, Hoosier Authority and the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) sponsors the Classic. Criteria which the '08 Indiana Mr. Baseball will be selected from first requires a nomination and invitation to the Classic, then selection as Mr. Baseball is based on the nominee's 2008 season statistics, performance while at the Classic and the coaches association voting by ballot.
The Classic sets the format for a double header during which time teams are divided into Red and Navy teams.
This years' Navy team was led by Coach Dick Alter of Lutheran High Schools baseball program. Alters' team swept the double header. His comments, as reported in the Indianapolis Star included, "This was a great experience, you see your own team play and you see individual players here and there, but it's really impressive to see all the good players we have in Indiana."
Proudly representing himself and his sport of choice on the Navy team when given the opportunity in game two, Sieverding pitched well. In his two innings on the mound, he rang up three batters on strike outs, allowed no walks, gave up two hits and allowed no scoring by the Red team.
Sieverding reflected on his participating in the Mr. Baseball Classic, "I found honor in representing not only South Ripley baseball, but also the South Ripley community. It was a great way to finish a record-breaking season."
Accomplishments Sieverding managed to elevate to during his senior season at South Ripley included setting new SR record for strikeouts in a game with 19, strikeouts in a season with 145, and he tied the school record for pitching victories in a season with 12. He already held the best season record at 9-0, but bested it himself this year.
Added to his illusive season was tournament play, which included 29 consecutive shut-out innings pitched by him. BJ was recorded as the winning pitcher for SR in 5 of the 6 SR tournament games played in '08.
In summary, "Sieverding thanked Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home for their sponsorship in the Indiana Mr. Baseball publication."
Sieverding was selected to Honorable Mention in Class 2A by the IHSBCA's voting coaches for the All-State Team.
Superb performance, BJ!

SUBMITTED PHOTO South Ripley Raider graduate BJ Sieverding warms up for his debut on the mound in the '08 Indiana Mr. Baseball Classic.

JCD graduate Brandon Gehl invited to 34th Annual IHSBCA All Star Series

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

According to the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) dated June 21, JCD graduate Brandon Gehl has been selected to participate in the 34th Annual IHBCA All Star Series.
Fifty players were selected by the IHBCA membership and will play a three game series at Notre Dame. The series will be played at Frank Eck Stadium on the Notre Dame campus on July 12th (doubleheader) and July 13th (wooden bat game).
Last year the North All-Star team won all three games when the series was played at Huntington University. Currently, the North leads the series with 53 wins to the South's 43 wins.
The All Star players will be the guest at the Hoosier Diamond/IHBCA All-Star Recognition Banquet held on Friday evening, July 11th. Speaking at the banquet will be Dave Schrage, the lead baseball coach at Notre Dame.
A representative of the baseball newspaper Hoosier Diamond will be presenting their annual awards for statistical leading players from across Indiana. The much coveted "Mr. Baseball" of Indiana Award will also be presented at the banquet by the Hoosier Diamond publication.
Over the years, several members of the All-Star squads have been drafted by professional baseball clubs and many have been awarded college baseball scholarships.
Gehl has proven to be a highly respected competitor in every sport he has competed in from an early age. His senior year on the baseball field for the Jac-Cen-Del Eagles has proven to be no different. He achieved an illusive 14-0 season record on the mound.
Strong defensive play by fellow Eagles, as well as solid supportive influence from coaches, parents and Eagle fans were key elements attributing to the superbly fine season experienced by Gehl.
However, his strength as a pitcher on the mound for the Eagles helped propel the team to semi-state action in the Class 1A championship game at Indy.
On the season, Gehl earned an outstanding 1.59 ERA. For the Eagles, his records indicate 83.67 innings pitched with 86 strike outs recorded. While on the mound, Gehl allowed 60 hits, walked 26 batters, hit 5 and was charged with 2 wild pitches. His season ended with a 1.000PCT at 14-0 with 34 runs scored against him (19 earned).
At the productive end of the bat, Gehl closed the season with a batting average of .381 after 26 games played, which found him at the plate 84 times. His production from the batters box resulted in 26 runs scored off 32 hits with 10 doubles and he led the team for Home Runs with nine.
During his at bats, Gehl drew the walk 13 times, was taken down via strikes 21 times and stole 12 bases.
Gehl has been named as a pitcher on the 2008, Class 1A, All-State First Team.
Nice job Brandon!

Editor's notes:
The IHSBCA also selected Eagle graduate Zach Simon to the Honorable Mention list for Class 1A.
(Clay Meyers, an '08 graduate of Greensburg High School is one of those drafted.)

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Gehl winds for the delivery via "Air Mail".

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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO SR Raider baseball players display their earned '08 season awards Pictured seated from left are Raider graduates BJ Sieverding (Outstanding Pitcher Award) and Kyle Patrick (Senior Academic Award). Standing are: Jared Grossman (JV Mental Attitude Award), Chase Grider (Most Improved), Jared Keck (Best Defensive Player Award), Brian Thomas (Leading Hitter Award) and Andy Miller (Varsity Mental Attitude Award). Available South Ripley Raider Baseball team members, their parents and coaching staff met on Friday, June 13, to distribute the awards and celebrate their grand 2008 baseball season. Fine job Raiders!