PENDLETON — On paper, the Arabians appear to be the overwhelming favorite to repeat as sectional champions. They have already won a conference title, but there is the possibility that Pendleton Heights could run into two teams that have already proven to be stumbling blocks this season, including their first-round opponent.

Muncie Central and Richmond open the sectional at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 (after press time); Pendleton Heights and New Castle follow at 7:30 p.m.

Winners of these games face each other in semifinal action at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 27; Anderson and Greenfield-Central play in the other semifinal game at 1 p.m.

The championship is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, May 29.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Here is a snapshot look at the six teams that will compete in Pendleton for the right to advance to regional.

ANDERSON (11-13) — Since the start of May, Anderson has struggled. This team is 4-7 since May 1, with two of the four wins coming via forfeit. Anderson drew a first-round bye but will face Greenfield-Central in the second semifinal Saturday afternoon. Anderson is led by junior Jacob Morris and his .321 average, five home runs and 26 RBI. Morris also anchors a pitching staff that has a 4.44 team ERA with his 29 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.

GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (15-10) — The Cougars are one of the teams that could be a dangerous opponent, if they were to play Pendleton Heights. Greenfield split a doubleheader with the Arabians earlier in the season, winning the first game behind the dominant pitching of senior Drey Jameson. The Ball State recruit is the team’s offensive leader with a .400 average, six home runs, 16 RBI and eight stolen bases. But it is on the mound that Jameson will is at his best, with a 5-1 record and a 0.69 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched.

MUNCIE CENTRAL (9-14) — The Bearcats are 2-4 against teams in this sectional and will open with Richmond, a team they lost two out of three meetings with this season. The team’s top hitter is senior Joey Davis (.414), but their top run producer is senior Zach Schultz with 19 RBI. Muncie Central has a solid starter in sophomore Jacob Clark (2-2, 1.37 ERA), but with a team ERA of 5.17, the Bearcats lack pitching depth.

NEW CASTLE (19-8) — The Trojans finished third in the strong Hoosier Heritage Conference following a season-ending doubleheader split with New Palestine; they lost three of their last four, including a no-hitter in a 2-0 loss at home to Lapel. Senior Caleb Matthews leads a solid offense (team BA .294) with a .333 average, two HR and 26 RBI, while senior Jared Heard hits .348 with four HR. A trio of senior pitchers — David Bennett, Garrett Welch and Titen Bennett — front a deep pitching staff with a team ERA of 2.04. The Trojans were winners in one of the five Arabian losses this season.

PENDLETON HEIGHTS (19-5) — The HHC champs come in winners of their last five games. Corbin Cox (4 HR, 17 RBI) and Jake Harris (.500, 15 RBI) are two of a school-record 15 seniors on this roster that has won the past two sectionals and are hungry for a regional title. With Chace McDermott (5-2, 2.07) and Eston Stull (8-0, 1.16) leading a deep pitching staff with a team ERA of 1.67, runs are hard to come by against the Arabians. Slick fielding second baseman Phil Lawson with a .985 fielding percentage anchors the best defense in this field, with a team fielding clip of .960.

RICHMOND (14-13) — The Red Devils lost three of their past four outings, including a 4-1 loss to PHHS. Senior Thomas Stanley is the top run producer with 22 RBI for a team that has not homered this season. They have stolen 40 bases and nearly match the Arabians defensively, but struggle in the pitching department. Sophomore Phillip Hobbs leads the Red Devils with 48.1 innings pitched and has a 5-2 record with a 3.62 ERA.