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David Ledbetter went 2-for-2 at the plate and tossed six one-hit innings to lead the Heritage Christian Eagles in a hard-fought, 5-1 victory over Delphi on Saturday at Victory Field for the school’s second consecutive Class 2A state baseball championship.

Ledbetter never quite found a groove on the mound, as he walked eight hitters over his six innings, but he consistently worked out of trouble by striking out six Delphi Oracles. The only hit that Ledbetter yielded on the day was a Tanner Cripe popup to shortstop that his twin brother, Ryan, lost in the sun.

Heritage Christian (27-10) jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, powered by a Ryan Ledbetter RBI single and an Adam Meadows triple. It turned out to be all the runs the Eagles would need.

Pat Lowrey’s Delphi Oracles (26-8), who were making their first appearance in the state finals, threatened constantly throughout the game. Tyler Smith scored the Oracles’ lone run on a wild pitch after he walked and advanced to third on a double play groundout. The Oracles’ starting pitcher, lefty Austin Hawn, gave up eight hits and five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings.

Jeff Miley, who started the game at third base, finished on the mound for Dan Ambrose’s Heritage Christian squad by striking out pinch hitter Tyler Willis with runners on first and second in the top of the 7th inning.

Eight members of this year’s state championship team also played in last year’s title game for Heritage Christian, including five players who started in both games.

DELPHI’S NEIL SNOEBERGER NAMED MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD RECIPIENT
Following the game, Delphi High School’s Neil Snoeberger was named the winner of the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award for Class 2A Baseball by the IHSAA Executive Committee.

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.

During his baseball career at Delphi, Snoeberger has been a part of the school’s first conference, sectional, regional and semi-state championship teams. He’s served as team captain the last two seasons and was an All-Conference selection this year. He also played tennis and basketball during his prep career.

Academically, Snoeberger maintained 10.9 GPA on a 12.0 scale and graduated 16th in his senior class. He was a member of the Chess Club, Varsity D Club, was a DARE Role Model and a 10-year 4-H Club member. He will attend Central Michigan University in the fall and intends to study math education and minor in history education.

He is the son of Beth Snoeberger of Camden, Ind.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of all IHSAA state tournaments, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Delphi High School in the name of Snoeberger.