Batesville Bats earn runner-up finish at Cardinal Classic

The Batesville Bats 15u traveled to Muncie, IN, this past weekend to participate in the Cardinal Classic played on the Ball State University First Merchants Field and finished runner-up.

Pictured left to right front row: Leo Hartley (Batboy) row two kneeling: R.J. Foster (Hauser ’26), Cade Simonson (Batesville ’26), Noah Weigel (Batesville ’26), Carson Hartley (Batesville ’27), Preston Blessing (Batesville ’27), Jayden Blair (Hauser ’26). Third row standing: Coach Paul Drake, Jaxon Stenger (South Ripley ’26), Austin Hodge (South Ripley ’26), Cayden Drake (Batesville ’26), Kameron Blair (Hauser ’26), Clay Eckstein (Oldenburg ’26), Keegan Walke (Batesville ’25), Coach Jason Walke, Coach Brandon Blessing. (Provided Photo).

Leaders for the team in hitting for the weekend were Keegan Walke, batting .500, Clay Eckstein .417, Cade Simonson and R.J. Foster .400, and Carson Hartley .333.

Outstanding pitching efforts were Eckstein, posting a 0.00 ERA while striking out 7 and walking 2 in 6 innings of work. Cayden Drake was solid in 5 2/3 innings, posting an ERA of 2.47 while striking out 9 and walking 4.

Leaders in fielding were Austin Hodge from behind the plate with a 1.000 fielding average and throwing out two runners trying to steal second in the championship game. Drake was 1.000 and Hartley .929.

The squad was very aggressive on the base paths tallying 20 steals for the tournament. Foster led the way with 7, Noah Weigel had 5 and Walke 3.

The team will be in action next weekend in Columbus, IN, at Ceraland, where they will participate in the USSSA Indiana State Tournament. Pool play begins on Friday night.

Recap provided by Paul Drake.