Penn high school honors baseball as they capture back to back state championships

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind -- Penn Kingsmen celebrate baseball's sixth state championship after beating Center Grove 2-0.

Since their celebration in 2022, the Kingsmen had their eyes set on being back in the school gymnasium to be honored in 2023.

"We wanted to go back-to-back and that's what we did. Everyone stayed working hard and everyone trusted each other. And that's what we're gonna do next year too," said sophomore Dawson French.

French was one of the catalyst to Penn’s success in the post-season, alongside the senior ace pitcher AdamLehmann. 

The dynamic duo only allowed two earned runs in 48 innings on the mound during the post-season. 

"Oh, it's very lethal me coming in starting and then he obviously closes amazing games. And then he also started the second round of semi state. He did a phenomenal job. It's just something that not many teams have in the state," Lehmann added.

Behind both Adam and Dawson, Cooper Hums.

A force at the plate and in the field, and who showed up big to make a play that made the sports center top 10. 

"It's a dream come true to be on SportsCenter like that and get the kind of attention that I've been getting, it's really awesome," Hums mentioned.

"You know, running that far catching that ball, I was definitely surprised and then like, when I caught it, I was really fired up that I saved that ball from potentially being inside the park home run or maybe even a triple," Hums added. 

After all was said about the phenomenal season today was ultimately about the seniors and sending them off in style. 

"It's all smiles and cheers right now, but I feel like the sadness is definitely going to pour in throughout the week," Lehmann mentioned.

"It's awesome. You know, it's, it's every kid's dream to end their, their high school career gonna win and to really do it. That's just an amazing feeling. And I can't even put words to describe it," Hums said.