OXFORD — Benton Central had a slow build that brought a name formerly known statewide in baseball circles back to prominence.
Last year's disheartening sectional championship loss to Western meant a partial Bison makeover, though.
Coach Jon Vernon's club graduated four college-bound baseball players in Payton Hall, Matt Taylor, Taylor Varnado and Alex Stout from a 21-6 team.
But this year's BC squad was not void of talent whatsoever.
Led by silky smooth four-year starting shortstop Alex Thurston, who verbally committed to Valparaiso University's baseball program as a high school freshman, the Bison believed 2020 could be a special season.
"We were wanting to have the opportunity to get back to the sectional championship and see what happened," Vernon said.
The Bison had an incredible three-year run with last year's senior class, but had fallen short in championship opportunities.
The bases were loaded in the bottom of the seventh against Lewis Cass in last year's Hoosier Conference title game. Cass held on for a 5-4 victory.
Thurston was part of an experienced senior trio that included four-year letter winning catcher Ethan Hallenbeck as well as Kolten Rider. Fellow senior Kale Kottkamp, who excelled in track and cross country for the Bison, was returning to baseball as a pitcher.
Juniors Connor Hall, Nick Fry, Dalton Rennaker and Casey Hallenbeck provided plenty of firepower on the mound.
Jacob Meredith and Landon Brighton, along with sophomores Justin Tucker and Jesse Stout all had experience from last season.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic that ultimately canceled the season, things were rapidly coming together for the Bison.
"Our seniors, Thurston, Hallenbeck and Rider, had been doing a great job leading in limited contact," Vernon said. "The players really felt as if even though we lost some key pieces, that no one would expect us to be as good as we were in 2019, which would allow us to play without pressure and continue to play at our high level."
Vernon could rely on previous experience here, sharing a story of his high school playing days.
As a junior at Logansport, Vernon was part of a team that went 29-2, losing one regular season game and then in the regional.
The following season, Vernon was a part of a senior class that led the Berries to a 31-4 record and an appearance in the state championship game.
"That team played loose and jelled together as the year went on in '89, and that is what we were trying to push for," Vernon said.
Sam King covers high school sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
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Benton Central baseball had championship aspirations - Journal & Courier
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