It was a tough ending to a tremendous season for Bloomington South baseball, falling 4-0 to Lake Central in the IHSAA Class 4A state championship game Saturday, June 20, at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Indians sophomore Owen Kopercinski was brilliant, pitching a complete game, striking out seven while surrendering just three hits and two walks. He did not allow a base runner in the second, third, fourth or seventh innings.
South’s best chances to score came in the first and fifth innings when they put two runners on. Both of those chances came with two outs, though, with Kopercinski being able to get soft groundouts to end each threat.
LC led two batters into the bottom of the first. Keegan O’Bryan tripled, and Parker Robinson singled to bring him home. They added another run in the frame, then solo additions in the fifth and sixth.
Lake Central won 4A titles in 2012 and 2024. Bloomington’s lone title came before it was even South high school, as it was just one Bloomington in 1972.
Below were our updates of the IHSAA Class 4A baseball state championship game. See those below for more highlights from the game. We will have all the analysis from the South perspective later tonight at heraldtimesonline.com.
Bloomington South vs Lake Central IHSAA Class 4A baseball state championship live updates
10:26 p.m. | FINAL: Lake Central 4, Bloomington South 0
It’s a second state title in three years for the Indians. They win the 4A softball and baseball titles in back to back weekends, joining 2023 Penn as recent schools to accomplish that.
10:21 p.m. | END 6: Lake Central 4, South 0
The Indians tack on another run with an RBI single from Parker Robinson.
10:09 p.m. | MID 6: Lake Central 3, South 0
Another tough half-inning for South. They had a runner picked off at first base, thwarting any potential momentum.
9:59 p.m. | END 5: Lake Central 3, South 0
The Indians add an insurance run on an infield RBI single from Andrew Brower.
9:44 p.m. | MID 5: Lake Central 2, South 0
South’s best chance in four innings goes awry. They finally get runners to reach, both with two outs and the top of the order coming up. The Indians defense induces a fielder’s choice, though, to end the threat.
9:32 p.m. | END 4: Lake Central 2, Bloomington South 0
Once again the Panthers bend, but don’t break on defense. They completed a 1-5-2 play at the plate to eliminate an Indians scoring threat.
9:18 p.m. | MID 4: Lake Central 2, South 0
Some great defensive work in that inning from the Indians. South has not had a runner reach the last three innings.
9:13 p.m. | END 3: Lake Central 2, South 0
Huge defensive play for the Panthers, turning a 6-4-3 double play to end a scoring threat from the Indians. Bloomington hanging around after a tough start.
9:04 p.m. | MID 3: Lake Central 2, South 0
Nothing doing for the Panthers that frame. Owen Kopercinski has settled in on the mound for the Indians.
8:57 p.m. | END 2: Lake Central 2, South 0
Relatively quiet half-inning from the Indians.
8:50 p.m. | MID 2: Lake Central 2, South 0
1-2-3 inning for the Panthers.
8:42 p.m. | END 1: Lake Central 2, South 0
That was fast. Keegan O’Bryan with a lead-off triple, then an RBI single from Parker Robinson two pitches later made it 1-0. Indians double their lead then with an RBI groundout from Andrew Brower a few batters later.
8:32 p.m. | MID 1: South 0, Lake Central 0
South had a leadoff double from Reid Walker and two-out walk from Connor Couch, but were unable to score.
8:22 p.m. | First pitch
We’re underway!
Starting lineups
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (away team)
LAKE CENTRAL
7:07 p.m. | 2A game just ended
The Class 2A game went eight innings, with Mater Dei winning a thriller over Bluffton, 6-3. Good chance South vs. Lake Central does not start until closer to 8:20 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington South shutout by Lake Central in IHSAA 4A title game | Instant recap
Reporting by Austin Hough and Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin Hough and Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times | USA TODAY Network
