Carmel Greyhounds Claim IHSAA 4A Baseball Crown, 5-2 Over Lawrence North

CARMEL, Ind. — Carmel High School's Greyhounds etched their name in IHSAA history Saturday with a 5-2 triumph over Lawrence North in the Class 4A state championship at Indianapolis' Victory Field. The win, first reported by the Northwest Indiana Times, avenged regional setbacks and showcased Carmel's depth in a tournament that drew thousands to the Indianapolis Indians' home field. Key contributions from the mound and plate propelled the Greyhounds past a gritty Lawrence North squad from Indianapolis' north side.

Senior ace pitcher **Jake Thompson** delivered a complete-game gem, scattering seven hits while fanning 10 Wildcat batters in 7 innings. Offensively, **Ryan Keller** sparked the rally with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, part of Carmel's five-run outburst that erased an early 2-0 deficit. The Greyhounds, seeded No. 8 in their sectional bracket, navigated a gauntlet including wins over Noblesville and Fishers to reach the finals, finishing the season at 28-5.

This championship adds to Carmel's athletic legacy in affluent Hamilton County, where Greyhound baseball has long rivaled the school's swimming dynasty—national powers in their own right. Coach **Tyler Waddle**, in his fifth year, praised the team's unity after postseason droughts. 'These kids believed from day one,' Waddle said postgame. Lawrence North, runners-up with a 24-9 mark, fought valiantly but couldn't match Carmel's late surge.

As the 2025-26 season concludes ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, Carmel's title underscores Indiana's competitive 4A landscape, distinct from Valparaiso's 2025 win over Evansville North. Greyhound fans packed buses from Carmel's Clay Middle School area, celebrating a program that now boasts multiple state berths since 2022.