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Southridge put aside three years of heartbreak by claiming a 2-0 win over Hanover Central in the Class 3A championship game.

After falling short in the Class 2A title games in both 2018 and 2019, then losing an opportunity to return in 2020 thanks to the pandemic, the Raiders of coach Gene Mattingly received a complete-game, two-hit performance from senior right-hander Ethan Bell to key the victory.

Bell also drove in the only two runs of the game with a two-out double down the third-base line in the fifth inning.

The title is the first in program history for the Raiders (26-7), who came in unranked.

Bell finished with eight strikeouts and walked only one as he allowed only one Hanover Central hitter to even reach second base.

Coach Ryan Bridges guided the Wildcats to a 29-4-1 record and only their second appearance in a state title game. Hanover Central, which came in on a 13-game winning streak, also lost in the Class 2A championship game in 2011.

Hanover Central's Galbreath named Mental Attitude recipient
Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Stanley Galbreath of Hanover Central High School as the recipient of this year’s L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Baseball.

Galbreath finished his high school career near the top of his senior class with a 4.15 GPA excelling through several honors and AP classes and earning membership in the National Honor Society. He accomplished that while running his own business - Stan's Lawn Service - and participating in baseball, basketball and cross country during his career.

Stanley also has been a vital member of the school's Hanover Helpers, which pairs upperclassmen with an at-risk incoming freshmen and special needs to provide guidance as they make the transition into high school.

He is the first student-athlete in school history to receive an IHSAA mental attitude award.

Stanley is the son of Darvin and Judy Galbreath of Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and will report for duty in August.

The award is annually presented to an outstanding senior participant in each state championship game who has best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in baseball. The award is named in honor of the late L.V. Phillips, who served as the second commissioner of the IHSAA from 1945-62.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA's corporate partner, presented $1,000 to Hanover Central High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Stanley Galbreath.