By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Editor’s note: Reporter sports writer Craig Adkins contacted each of the Sectional 8 baseball coaches to get their thoughts on the competition and intensity of the sectional. Today’s responses are from Matthew Cherry of Fishers.
Describe Sectional 8 from your standpoint.
From my standpoint, Sectional 8 is equivalent to playing a semi-state game every game. The games are always close and back-and-forth. The crowds are electric. And every base runner, no matter the inning, feels like the winning run is on base. It doesn’t matter what the overall record of the season, there are no clear-cut favorites as every team, every year is capable of winning Sectional 8.
Why is it so difficult to advance out of Sectional 8?
You have five of the top programs from the HCC (Hoosier Crossroads Conference), which is arguably the best baseball conference in the Midwest plus the biggest school in the state (Carmel) playing in a single-elimination tournament. The pitching is elite every year. Every play matters. Every base runner could be the winning run. The way the ball bounces, the calls by umpires. It is like watching sudden-death hockey game where you hold your breath on every shot on goal. And then if you survive the first game, you have to wake up and do it two more times just to win the sectional.
No matter what the sectional draw outcome is, what keeps Sectional 8 such a gauntlet and a “meat grinder?” (Eerily similar to the HCC)
You mentioned similar to the HCC. Sectional 8 is kind of the HCC Tournament. You have six teams (because we all play Carmel in non-conference) who are very familiar with each and have already played each other twice, with coaches who work hard, build scouting reports, make adjustments, etc. Plus, you have some of the top pitching arms in the state facing some of the top hitters in the state. As I mentioned before, every base runner could be the winning run, so every walk or error is magnified, even if it is the first inning of the game. All of the teams in Sectional 8 are really good teams, really good programs, well coached. Records do not matter in baseball. The World Series champ has 60 to 70 losses, so in baseball there is always a chance you could lose to the game of baseball and then you pile on that you are playing really good teams. It is a gauntlet for sure.
Does hosting Sectional 8 make it that much harder to win it? (Noblesville is the last host to win in 2014)
We have never hosted, so I don’t know if I can answer that question. I honestly do not want to host. I like that we have access to our field to practice when we want. I like that we get on a bus and travel to play. Our routine for the tournament run is the same every game, all tournament long. I do not believe there is home-field advantage in baseball, especially in high school baseball where the crowds are going to travel with the team no matter what.
How does Sectional 8 prepare you for the rest of the tournament?
Honestly, I believe we are playing a semi-state just to get to the sectional championship for a right to go to the regional. So, the team who is able to advance out of Sectional 8 has already played the most intense, high-leverage games that they can play. They are prepared for any intensity that comes in the regional or semi-state or state. On the flip side, I do believe Sectional 8 can also have a negative effect, as it is exhausting to win our sectional. The emotions and the energy that it takes to win three games in less than a week, and then turnaround and do it again in the regional, etc. all while having players take final exams, finish the school year, graduate, open houses, etc. When we have been fortunate to make a run, the month of the tournament is some of the most emotionally draining and exhausting times that I have experienced. So, while Sectional 8 prepares us for the rest of the tournament, I believe it can also affect teams as they advance through the tournament facing teams who have had some easier games along the way.