Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - In his seventh year as head coach of the Manchester Squires baseball team, Jack Rupley is in the elite eight of the tournament for the second time.
Rupley, who served four years as a varsity assistant under former Squire head coach Ron Eberly, is kind of a local boy who has made good.
A Manchester High School graduate and former player, Rupley says it feels good to have the sort of success his team has had in his hometown.
The Squires (16-13) are prepared for their Saturday matchup at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette against Glenn (26-6) in the first game of the Lafayette semistate at 11 a.m. Northwestern (17-12) and Lake Station Edison (19-13-1) play in the days' second game.
In 2002, when the Squires won the 2A state championship, there was no semistate. Manchester defeated Taylor in the semifinal then defeated Batesville 9-8 in the state championship at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Rupley and Co. left Indianapolis with a state crown and a modest 14-16 record.
"I kind of look at our season in three different seasons," said Rupley. "Our non-conference schedule we're going to see where we're at and try kids out at different places. Then we shoot to win conference and then shoot to win sectional."
It's not that Manchester doesn't care about winning regular season games, it's that the team realizes everyone needs to be able to contribute come tournament time.
And by growing a crop of varsity-ready players during the regular season, the Squires can make hay in June.
Players like third baseman Brian Runkel (.286 BA) and designated hitter Nate O'Hara (.367 BA) were given playing time at different places before finding homes at their respective positions and becoming integral parts of Manchester's success.
Jason Dale moved from third base to the outfield and has scored 20 runs as the second-place hitter in the lineup.
Senior pitcher Joe Egner has been the standout for this year's Manchester squad. Last year, the flame-throwing righty won eight games while striking out 116 with a scant 2.35 ERA.
Egner's numbers are even more impressive this year as he's won 10 games while striking out 127 and compiling a 2.90 ERA.
With an above-average fastball and curveball, Egner and catcher Evan Speicher make Rupley's job much easier.
"We kind of go over what we want to do. They're playing the game and I leave a lot of stuff in their hands. Our catchers call 90 percent of the game," said Rupley.
Speicher will need to call and Egner will need to throw their best games of the season against Glenn.
The Falcons enter the semistate with the best record and an excellent pitcher.
Senior pitcher Chris Walls is 11-3 on the season with an ERA under 2.00.
Glenn also plays a tough Northern State Conference schedule that has prepared them for Saturday.
Rupley knows that Walls isn't going to blow Manchester away with fastballs but that Glenn's pitching ace hits his spots well.
The Squires need to execute well on the base paths and with advancing runners, as the Falcons are an above average defensive team.
Manchester isn't known for its power despite hitting five home runs in a game against Oak Hill this year. The Squires hit just 16 home runs this season while scoring 183 runs as a team.
"We've been able to manufacture some things," said Rupley.
In its regional win against Woodlan Tuesday, Manchester took advantage of five Warrior errors to grab the crown with a 7-3 win.
Rupley said that there aren't a lot of similarities in the '02 squad and this year's squad but the feeling he had then is the same one he has now.
"I'm excited because I believe in our kids," said Rupley.
Six players on the Manchester squad are batting over .300. Nick Poe leads the team with a .409 batting average, six home runs and 31 RBI.
Directions to Loeb Stadium in Lafayette:
- Take State Road 25 South to I-65 S
- Get off I-65 S at Exit 168 (25 S/38 W)
- Take 25 S/38 W past State Road 52 where 38 ends
- Loeb Stadium is two miles past 52 and is on the right.
