MUNSTER | Lake Central tied a school record and used the wind to its advantage as it beat host Munster 16-6 in the first semifinal of the Class 4A baseball sectional Monday afternoon.
The Indians hit seven home runs off of three Munster pitchers, tying the school record for most homers in a game. L.C. also hit seven homers against the 'Stangs during regular-season play in April.
Steve Letz hit two over the wall, driving in three runs. After holding a 5-5 tie through three innings, Lake Central scored eight runs over the fourth and fifth inning to open the game.
"It was a typical Lake Central-Munster sectional baseball game, then their bats took over," Munster coach Bob Shinkan said. "Walks killed us because they took advantage of the walks with their home runs. Once they had the four-run inning after it was 5-5, that took the wind out of our sails."
The Indians added back-to-back-to-back solo bombs by Austen Wagoner, Letz and Nick Kellams in the fifth inning.
Lake Central will play the winner of the Highland vs. E.C. Central second semifinal game at approximately 7 p.m. Monday.
The Mustangs (10-17) added their own bombs. A two-run-homer in the third inning by John Cristo tied the score at 5-5. Munster had its only lead of the game in the second inning on a three-run double by nine-hole hitter Nate Eagan.
Behind 16-5, Mark Strbjak hit a seventh-inning solo homer for the 'Stangs.
Lake Central pitcher Brad Wartman (6-1) went the distance, allowing seven hits while striking out six.
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