1A CHAMPIONSHIP: Lakewood Park Christian Wins First State Championship in School History

A year after finishing runner-up, second-ranked Lakewood Park Christian captured the 2012 Class A softball state championship defeating Indianapolis Lutheran 3-2 at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.

Scoreless through the first two innings, the Panthers broke open the scoring column in the third with two runs on two hits by Courtney Sliger (11) and Jaclyn Delgrange (10). Indianapolis Lutheran answered in the bottom of the third however, with two runs of their own. Delaney Arnold (10) had an RBI single and a run scored on error in the inning.

The score remained tied at 2-2 until the top of the seventh inning when Sliger hit an RBI single and scored Jamie Budreau for what turned out to be the winning run. Indianapolis Lutheran commited two errors in the inning.

Lakewood Park Christian was led by Sliger (three hits, two RBI, one run) and Delagrange (two hits and one RBI). The Saints were paced by Arnold, (one hit, one RBI, one run).

Mikeila Boroff (27-5) was the winning pitcher for Lakewood Park Christian. The sophomore went all seven innings, throwing 10 strike outs.

For Lakewood Park Christian, today’s win was their first state championship in school history in any sport.  David Carnahan’s Lakewood Park squad finishes the season with a 27-5 record, while head coach Mike Reed led the Indianapolis Lutheran Saints to a 24-5 record.

Lakewood Park’s Kelsey Kruse Wins Mental Attitude Award
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Kelsey Kruse of Lakewood Park Christian High School as the winner of this year’s Mental Attitude Award in Class A Softball.

Kelsey has been an integral part of four sectional championships, three regional championships, two semi-state championships, and two state finals appearances.  Kelsey is ranked fifth in her class and is a Panther Award winner, the highest award bestowed on student-athletes at Lakewood Park Christian.

She is the daughter of Mitchell and Susan Kruse of Auburn.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of all IHSAA tournaments, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Lakewood Park Christian High School in the name of Kelsey Kruse.