Braves One Win Away From Trip To State

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DECATUR, Ind. (WANE) - The only thing standing between the Bellmont baseball team and a trip to the 3A state title game is a Western team the Braves will face this Saturday in Kokomo at semi-state.

Bellmont (24-8) and Western (23-9) will play at 1 p.m.

The Braves topped Leo 10-2 Saturday afternoon then won the regional championship later that night by beating Hamilton Heights 4-3.

Bellmont only other trip to state was in 2002 where the Braves lost to Vincennes Lincoln 4-0 and finished 23-8 on the season.

Bellmont is led by senior third baseman Brian Hakes with a .467 batting average, six home runs, and 38 RBI. Ben Baker has five homers and 29 RBI while Gunnar Cale (.394), Landon Baker (.330), Brooks Faurote (.346), Nick Fueling (.337) and Matt Stidham (.330) are all regulars hitting over .300.

The Braves have nine seniors on their roster.