Scrimmages are wrapping up and indoor track season is finished. That means one thing, spring sports are set to get underway. North Star Editor Jared Rigdonpreviews each spring sport with players to watch, outlooks and games to watch as seasons get underway.

Baseball

Outlook: After winning two consecutive sectional titles, LN Baseball’s run came to an end last year to eventual state champions and undefeated Cathedral. Garrett Burhenn kept the Irish bats at bay before a Jared Poland homerun fueled a comeback for Cathedral. This year, LN might be using their youngest lineup since the 2014 season. Gone are the bats of Max Wills, Adam Quigley and Andrew Benson as well as a plethora of holes in the field. Fortunately for head coach Richard Winzenread, the Wildcats return a pitching rotation headed by Ohio State commit Garrett Burhenn. Seniors Dylan Scheid and Riley Hargis figure to fill in as starters in MIC contests as well. A junior class led by Maalik Houston, Will Spear, Spencer Price and Bryce Dickerson make their returns as second year varsity players. Price and Spear started the entire year last year while Houston led the infield from the shortstop position. The Wildcats figure to be in play for a solid season as long as Burhenn remains at top form. The MIC will be competitive as usual with Center Grove and Carmel near the top, but LN should settle in right after that. In the sectional, Cathedral loses ace and Indiana freshman Nick Eaton who wielded the Irish to a state title last year, but return the Louisville commit Poland as well as talented players such as Mack Murphy. LN and Cathedral have battled it out for the sectional crown two out of the last three years and figure to be top contenders for the title once again. LC will be a player as well with a strong senior class. Warren, New Pal and Tech round out the sectional.

Best Returning Players:

Senior Garrett Burhenn-  Batting: .338 AVG 10 RBI, Pitching: 1.91 ERA

Senior Dylan Scheid- Pitching: 2.26 ERA

Junior Maalik Houston- Batting: .290 AVG 11 RBI

New Faces:

Junior Cole Sherman, Junior Caleb Vaughn, Junior Connor Benson

Biggest Games:

April 4 vs. North Central, April 25 vs. Carmel, April 26 vs. Cathedral, April 27 vs. LC (Victory Field), May 4 vs. NC (County)

Softball

Outlook: For the first time since the 1999 season, Lawrence North softball comes in as the defending sectional champs. Now, with a target on their backs, LNSB looks to head back a second consecutive regional. LN features four seniors that all played consistent time last season including leadoff hitter Katie Demas who hit over .300 before missing a portion of the season with injury. Leah Richards comes back to head the effort in the circle where she spent most of the first half of the season. What carries LN, however, may be the young lineup that carried them to the sectional title last year. Taylor Erschen, Raniah Rogers and Maddie Howe balance out a LN lineup that showed it could hit for average and power last year. Taylor Erschen hit over .400 with ten plus homeruns in her freshman campaign and figures to comeback with a similar season this year. LN returns sophomore Anna Florczak after missing her freshman season with injury. With Mt. Vernon moving out of the sectional, LN appears to be on the path to repeat as sectional champions. Cathedral and LC will provide a steady challenge once again. LN also benefits from a favorable draw in the Marion County Tournament. Decatur Central and Karli Ricketts are on the other side of the bracket.   

Best Returning Players:

Sophomore Taylor Erschen

Senior Katie Demas

Sophomore Raniah Rogers

New Faces:

Sophomore Anna Florczak

Biggest Games:

April 19 vs. HSE, April 24 vs. Carmel, May 4 vs. NC (County), May 8 vs. LC, May 18 at Greenfield Central

Girls Tennis

Outlook: After finishing runner-up in the county and sectional, LN Girls Tennis returns a young lineup in search of overcoming the steps that tripped them up in previous years. Senior Grace Rowland returns along with juniors Kiley Shaw, Rachael Hinshaw and Kristen Mouser who have played quality varsity time over the past years. LN has struggled with taking doubles points in past year and will need to shore up that area of the lineup before going into postseason play. The juniors will carry this team as they attempt to overcome Heritage Christian in the sectional.

Best Returning Players:

Junior Kiley Shaw

Junior Rachael Hinshaw

Junior Kristen Mouser

New Faces:

Sophomore Gabby Manner

Biggest Matches:

April 12 at North Central, May 3 at MIC Championships.

Boys Golf

Outlook: The LN Boys Golf team comes into the season after losing multiple seniors, but remains strong with returning players. Jack Griman and Jacob Penrose lead a team that replaces players like Tanner Higgins and Jack Griman. Coach Tom Ferry has a big job on his hands to challenge sectional power and top ten ranked Cathedral.

Top Returning Players:

Senior Jack Griman

Junior Jacob Penrose

Junior Lucas Wynne

Biggest Matches:

April 23 at Marion County Championships, May 14 at MIC Championships

Boys and Girls Track: A once consistent track power around the state is now trying to rebuild towards the top again. LN is two years removed from a top ten finish at state in Boys Track and has won multiple titles in both boys and girls. The MIC will be competitive as usual with Warren Central returning as Girls State Champs and Carmel took the Boys. LN returns Maddie Loughery, Grace Dean and Nick Petroy in the distance events while Kennedy Barlow and Lauren Gunn. In field events, Nathan Stone comes back as a nationally ranked pole vaulter while Derin McCulley is back in the high jump. The LN Girls look to compete at a high level while the Boys team comes into the season ranked 7th in the state.

Top Returning Runners:

Junior Grace Dean

Senior Kennedy Barlow

Senior Nick Petroy

Junior Nathan Stone  

Biggest Meets:

April 20 Charlie Riley Invite, April 27 MIC