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Andrean scored five runs through the first three innings and went on to post a 6-3 victory over West Vigo for the 3A state championship at Victory Field.

The top-ranked 59ers (33-2) were led by shortstop Ryan Dineen who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice in the first three innings to give Andrean an early 5-0 lead.

It was the second 3A baseball championship for Andrean (2005) which ended the season with 31 straight victories while the loss halted West Vigo's (28-2) 26-game win streak. Dave Pishkur, now in his 30th season, was the Andrean coach.

In the third, Dineen led off with a triple and scored on a single but the big shot came with two outs when Mike Pokers hit to rightfield and rounded the bases for an inside the park homer scoring two more. It was Pokers sixth of the year.

West Vigo answered in the fourth with two straight sacrifice flies that scored two runs. First, Brodey McCalister sent one to right to score Jeremy Lucas followed by Scott West's that scored Aaron Welch. The Vikings cut it to 5-3 when Tyler Wampler's single to left scored Cameron Fagg who had doubled to get on base.

Ken Mahala's 10th home run of the season to right center led off the Andrean sixth inning and provided the final margin. Mahala finished 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

Tyler Wampler, Jeremy Lucas and Aaron Welch each went 2-for-3 for West Vigo and 23rd year coach Steve DeGroote.

JEREMY LUCAS NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNER
Jeremy Lucas of West Vigo High School was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year's recipient of the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A baseball.

The award is presented annually to an outstanding senior participant who has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award is named in honor of the late L.V. Phillips, who served as the second commissioner of the IHSAA from 1945-1962.

Lucas, an Indiana State recruit, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He was a four year varsity letter winner for the Vikings, made All-Western Indiana Conference three years, All-County three years, All-State Honorable Mention in 2008, and ranked the 17th Overall Baseball Player in State by Prep Baseball Report. He also played tennis and basketball for the Vikings.

The National Honor Society member finished his senior year ranked sixth in his class of 147 with a 3.75 GPA. He scored an impressive 1660 on his SAT and is a Viking Ambassador. Lucas volunteers regularly in his community as the West Vigo Community Center Youth Leader, and as a Youth Leader at the Terre Haute First Church of the Nazarene.

Jeremy is the son of Mike and Carol Lucas.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to West Vigo High School in the name of Jeremy Lucas.