Westview Warriors celebrate their victory over the Lakeland Lakers . (From Left to Right) Max Engle, Jack Massey, Maverick Deveau, Jaxon Engle, Gavin Engle, and Kamden Yoder. (Photo by Kahlina Siemers)
The Westview Warriors secured their spot in the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) regional playoffs by defeating the Lakeland Lakers. The Lakers entered the sectionals as the #1 team in the Northeast Corner Conference (NECC), boasting a conference record of 10-0, while the Warriors were #2 with a conference record of 7-3.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the 8th inning when senior Max Engle (#7) hit a run batted in (RBI), allowing freshman Jaxon Miller (#5) to cross home plate and putting the Warriors up 1-0. However, the Lakers quickly responded. In the bottom of the 8th inning, senior Carson Mickem (#5) hit an RBI, tying the game at 1-1.
As the 9th inning began, Westview and Lakeland were still tied at 1-1. The Lakers allowed Brendan Miller (#3) and Jaxon Miller (#5) to walk, loading the bases. This situation led to Miller (#5) crossing home plate, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead. But the inning was far from over.
Lakeland’s pitcher stood on the mound, focusing on the strike zone. Westview’s senior, Maverick Deveau (#24), prepared for the pitch. When the ball was thrown, Deveau sent it soaring into the outfield, earning two RBIs as Owen Weinburg (#2) and Miller (#3) crossed home plate, extending the Warriors’ lead to 4-1.
Warriors Baseball Team hoists up their trophy after defeating the Lakeland Lakers (Photo by Kahlina Siemers)
With the half-inning concluded, the Lakers had one final chance to score, but ultimately fell short. The Westview Warriors were crowned sectional champions and will play against Adams Central on Saturday, June 7, in their first game of the regional playoffs.
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