IHSAA baseball Fab 15: Carmel, Noblesville make big jumps; 3 schools make debut (2024)

We're two weeks into the Indiana high school baseball season and the top of our Fab 15 has already been shaken up. With several teams surging toward the top, three new teams make their debuts.

1. Center Grove (6-0)

Last ranking: No. 1

The Trojans remain undefeated and have thrown four shutouts in six games.

Best win: Center Grove earned two one-run wins en route to the Johnson County tournament title. The nine-strikeout combined no-hitter from Ben Murphy and Tyler House during a 10-0 win over Tri-West earlier in the week shows just how dominant the Trojans have been so far.

2. Carmel (4-0)

Last ranking: No. 5

Carmel makes a big jump after earning two close wins over Penn, one of the top teams in the state.

Best win: Either win over Penn and Carmel's 10-6 win over Zionsville could qualify as its best result so far. I'll give the nod to Carmel's 1-0 win over Penn. Adam Buczkowski led the way, throwing five scoreless innings allowing just one hit and striking out five.

3. Fishers (5-4)

Last ranking: No. 2

Fishers has played a really tough schedule so far, so don't let the 5-4 record fool you. The Tigers could use some more timely hitting, but its pitching staff has the talent to keep it in every game.

Best win: One day after losing on a walk-off steal, the Tigers responded with a walk-off win of their own. Gavin Clayton's two-out single gave Fishers a 2-1 win over Zionsville in a top-5 showdown.

4. Zionsville (5-2)

Last ranking: No. 4

Zionsville stays pat at No. 4, but with a game against Cathedral, two games against Hamilton Southeastern and two games against Brownsburg in the next two weeks, the Eagles' standing in the Fab 15 should become clearer moving forward.

Best win: Jered Moore's team is an athletic and courageous group. Jacob Girvan used a delayed steal of home to earn a walk-off win over Fishers.

5. Noblesville (7-1)

Last ranking: No. 9

Noblesville makes a big jump up the rankings with a strong start to the season. The Millers have outscored opponents by a 64-28 margin. Their lone loss was by one-run to St. Xavier (Ky.) in the season opener.

Best win: I'll combine Noblesville's doubleheader sweep of Avon into one impressive win. The Millers' dominant pitching staff was on full display. Nolan Decker threw a 13-strikeout, eight-inning, one-hit shutout in the first game. Bryce Riggs followed with a 12-strikeout, three-hit win in game number two.

6. Mooresville (3-0)

Last ranking: No. 6

Mooresville's offense has led the way in wins over Martinsville and Beech Grove, two squads with talented pitching staffs.

Best win: Mooresville scored seven runs over its final two innings to earn an 8-3 win over Martinsville in its season opener. Levi Dorn led the Pioneers offense going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs.

7. Mt. Vernon (4-1)

Last ranking: No. 7

Mt. Vernon's high-powered offense has led the way so far this season. The Marauders have scored 10 or more runs in three of its five games.

Best win: Mt. Vernon responded to a shutout loss to Fishers with a 10-5 victory over the Tigers. Eli Bridenthal and D.J. Scheumann were red hot at the plate going a combined 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs, one stolen base and three runs scored.

8. Cathedral (3-1)

Last ranking: No. 3

This ranking is likely only temporary and a reflection of Cathedral's schedule to start the season. The Fighting Irish will be tested with games against Zionsville, Westfield, Homestead (twice), Lawrence North, Center Grove, Lawrence Central and Brebeuf Jesuit in the next two weeks. Wins against even a few of those quality teams could boost Cathedral back toward the top of the Fab 15.

Best win: Cathedral's win over Columbus East featured a dominant performance from Kyuss Gargett. The Kentucky commit went 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, four runs scored and three stolen bases.

9. Guerin Catholic (4-0)

Last ranking: No. 8

Guerin's proved to be a well-rounded team with power bats and strong pitching so far this season.

Best win: Will Fremion, Davis Wagner and Tate Troxell all hit home runs in a 13-3 win over Bishop Chatard.

10. Franklin (3-2)

Last ranking: Tied for No. 15

Franklin's two losses have been by a combined two runs. The Grizzly Cubs pulled out a hard-fought win over Indian Creek and dominated in wins over Plainfield and Greenwood.

Best win: Franklin used a five-run fourth inning to defeat Indian Creek. Max Clark went 4-for-5 with a home run, a stolen base and three RBIs.

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11. Cascade (3-1)

Last ranking: N/A

Cascade's ability to perform in the clutch has the Cadets off to a strong start. Logan Howard helped the Cadets overcome an eight-run deficit to defeat Covenant Christian in their season opener. Howard drove in another walk-off run to defeat Scecina for Cascade's second victory.

Best win: Overcoming an eight-run deficit to defeat Covenant Christian is a great way to start the season.

12. Lebanon (2-1)

Last ranking: N/A

Lebanon's ability to get its offense going early allowed it to jump out to quick leads in wins against Pike and Western.

Best win: Corbin Wells helped Lebanon defeat Western, one of the top teams in Class 3A. Wells allowed two runs over four innings, striking out six. Wells added an RBI and scored a run.

13. Beech Grove (2-1)

Last ranking: No. 11

Beech Grove's offense carried it to two commanding wins before Mooresville mounted a late comeback to end the Hornets' win streak.

Best win: Skyler Thacker and Eli Sego combined for a two-hit shutout against Triton Central.

14. Westfield (2-2)

Last ranking: No. 12

The Shamrocks have played a tough early schedule. The offense has produced 33 runs in four games, but they've allowed 32.

Best win: Westfield and North Central combined for 27 runs and 24 hits in Westfield's 15-12 win. Matt Dorzlek went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two doubles and two runs scored.

15. Pendleton Heights (4-1)

Last ranking: N/A

The Arabians offense has been on fire. They scored 10 or more runs in three of their five games.

Best win: Spencer Leppink struck out six and allowed just two hits over three shutout innings during a 16-0 win over New Castle.

Just Missed (alphabetical): Bishop Chatard, Cascade, Hamilton Southeastern, Plainfield, Park Tudor, Roncalli, Warren Central, Whiteland.

Follow IndyStar high school baseball Insider Akeem Glaspie on Twitter at @THEAkeemGlaspie. Have any story ideas? Pass them along to AGlaspie@gannett.com.