Published: June 05, 2009 02:08 am      

CLASS A BASEBALL: CAI’s regional foe steeped in postseason tradition

Christian Academy of Indiana won’t be looking in the mirror on Saturday when it faces Tecumseh in the opening round of the Class A Loogootee Regional.

In fact, in terms of postseason seasoning, the Braves and the Warriors could probably be viewed as polar opposites.

CAI is making just its second visit to the regional round in school history, while the Braves have become almost a fixture in this round over the past decade.

No. 7 Tecumseh is appearing in its ninth regional in 10 seasons and owns seven regional titles, two semistates and a state championship in that span.

CAI’s regional resume reads one game — a 7-4 loss to Springs Valley in the 2004 season.

“I don’t think that nerves will play into anything for (Tecumseh),” joked Christian Academy head coach Ryan Wheeler. “I guess you can say it’s been there, done that for them.”

Confidence isn’t exactly something that the Warriors (15-10) are coming short on these days though, as they have closed the season on a 12-4 tear after starting the season 3-6.

“Not a lot of things seem to be fazing our guys right now,” said Wheeler. “We got down in the sectional final (against South Central) and came right back in the next inning. We took on Henryville, who a lot of people probably felt like was the sectional favorite, and jumped right up on them early.”

Wheeler said as he looks at Tecumseh (21-6), he sees a lot of similarities to the teams his club just defeated at sectional.

“They’ve got a real solid offense that is sort of anchored by the middle of the order,” Wheeler said. “They definitely appear to be a team that can hit the ball.”

Tecumseh’s lineup boasts four players that bat better than .400 on the year — led by junior shortstop Adam Westerman, who’s hitting .531.

There was a short debate in Wheeler’s head about who to give the ball to face that potent Tecumseh attack.

Wheeler said he had a short discussion with senior ace Trey Haendiges on Thursday.

“He wanted to know if he was pitching on Saturday,” Wheeler said. “He wasn’t really asking as much as saying he was getting the ball.”

Wheeler didn’t really feel like there was ever really a question that the first pitch for CAI would be thrown by his towering lefty, who delivered both sectional wins for the Warriors at the South Central Sectional.

“We always feel like we’ve got a chance when we give the ball to Trey,” Wheeler said. “That won’t be any different Saturday. The kid is throwing with confidence and when he does that, he’s going to be tough to beat.”



CLASS A LOOGOOTEE REGIONAL

Saturday

11 a.m. — Christian Academy vs. Tecumseh

1 p.m. — Trinity Lutheran vs. Springs Valley

8 p.m. — Final