NOTES: Andrean's Blake Kouder brings electricity like a spark plug (2024)

MERRILLVILLE— Whether Blake Kouder is blocking a baseball from getting to the backstop or hitting one out to left-center, the sport itself is always giving him drive.

"I have a lot of love for it. My life is really surrounded by it," Kouder said. "During the offseason I was working everyday really hard."

When Andrean's starting catcher Braylon Holland graduated after last season, Kouder worked overtime to earn that position. Kouder spent his entire baseball career catching until becoming the 59ers starting left fielder last year.

During the preseason, Kouder and three other teammates were vying to be the No. 1 catcher. In February, head coach Dave Pishkur said the 59ers' pitching staff had a chance to be real special, but things could go downhill fast without someone behind the plate.

Assistant coach Tyler Cambe said Kouder has done everything he's needed to do to earn the starting position.

"He's a great piece for us," Cambe said after Andrean's game Wednesday evening. "He's setting himself apart, being a leader and going out and getting the job done."

After sitting out last week due to a back injury, Kouder returned to the lineup for Andrean's conference matchup against Hobart (4-4) on Tuesday evening.

The game began on Monday at Hobart, but was delayed due to darkness until Tuesday with the Brickies and 59ers tied 4-4 heading into the eighth. Kouder admitted to feeling minimal pain as he entered Tuesday's game, but was determined to push through and help his team win the first matchup.

Andrean won 5-4 in nine innings.

The Brickies came back ready to battle on Broadway Wednesday evening, scoring three runs in the third.

Hobart's 3-0 lead kickstarted the 59ers offense as it scored nine runs that inning. With two runners on, Kouder stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive to left to bring in Andrean's first run.

"It felt pretty good," Kouder. "The team was coming off of a hard tie last night and we ended up getting the W, but it was really great to get the team going tonight."

The 59ers were missing a pivotal piece in their lineup while Kouder was still out on Monday, Cambe said.

"Blake is our spark plug," Cambe said. "He was in the lineup for us today and he started it off. That's what he does."

Cambe said the coaching staff couldn't be happier with Kouder's drive. He's the guy who makes the team go, he added.

The 59ers' momentum continued as they demolished the Brickies in a 20-3 win. Senior Tyler Peller went 3-for-4, hitting two doubles and a 2-run home run.

Peller said the entire team was prepared to attack the fastballs and the pitchers going into the game. This was Peller's second home run of the season. Before his high school career concludes, Peller hopes to have hit at least 10 homers after hitting five last season.

"The biggest thing for (Peller) is you don't have to make him go," Cambe said. "He's going to do it himself, but at times you kind of have to reel him in. He's going to do the right work for him, it's just keeping him in the right direction."

After Kouder watched his teammates put up four runs on Monday night, he told them he wanted to come back Wednesday and see a 10-spot on the scoreboard.

"This team has drive. We've struggled a little bit, but we play a really good schedule," Kouder said. "I think we have a lot of drive, passion and some great guys."

Griffith on the board

The Panthers season got to a rocky start, getting mercy-ruled in their first four games of the year, including two Greater South Shore Conference matchups.

Griffith began this week strong earning its first two conference wins against Calumet and Lake Station. Freshman Parker Hecht threw four innings with eight strikeouts and no earned runs on Monday against Calumet. Junior Mazen Mroueh and senior Collin Young both had multi-hit games leading the Panthers to a 14-0 victory.

Young pitched four innings with four strikeouts on Tuesday against Lake Station. Mroueh had another multi-hit game. Sophom*ore Steve McDermott had two hits and freshman Jason Quillen had one double. Griffith went home with an 11-1 win.

LC bounces back

Lake Central was ready to attack in this week's Duneland Athletic Conference matchup against LaPorte after losing to Valparaiso twice last week.

After going scoreless for eight innings on Tuesday evening, the Indians scored four runs at the top of the ninth to knock off the Slicers. Senior Griffin Tobias gave up three hits with 13 strikeouts through the eighth. Junior Josh Flores came in as relief in the ninth with two strikeouts.

LC came back swinging on Wednesday scoring two runs in the first and two in the fifth to leave the turf with a 4-1 win against LaPorte. Tobias led the team with three hits, while senior Nick Robinson had two.

Area teams ranked

Several Region teams hang in the state rankings this week.

In Class 4A, Valparaiso is No. 7 on Prep Baseball Report. Lake Central is No. 14 on PBR.

In Class 3A, Andrean is ranked No. 1 on PBR and the IHSBCA Coaches Poll. Hanover Central is ranked No. 8 on PBR.

Illiana Christian is No. 1 on PBR and No. 5 in the coaches poll in 2A.

Kouts is No. 7 on PBR and the coaches poll for Class 1A.