Bulldogs win seventh-straight sectional

The Batesville boys tennis team is marching on to the regional for the seventh-straight year. Batesville’s tennis program is now a regional qualifier for the 32nd time in the last 34 years.

Batesville boys tennis is a household name. 30-plus years of success has created such a title and this past weekend added on to the tradition as the Bulldogs claimed their seventh-straight IHSAA Boys Tennis Sectional Championship with a 5-0 win at East Central.

The Bulldogs are sectional champions for the 15th time in 16 years and dating back to the 1992 season are winners in 32 of the last 34 sectionals played.

Batesville was never threatened in Saturday’s championship match against East Central. Caleb Mohr at No. 1 singles was a 6-2 and 6-4 winner while Jevan Smith won 6-4 and 6-0 at No. 2 doubles. Carson Meyer completed a singles sweep in the No. 3 spot with identical 6-0 shutouts.

Doubles action saw Lincoln Garrett and Wes Peters win by identical 6-1 scores at the No. 1 slot and the No. 2 doubles team of Landon Raver and Owen Westerfeld won 6-1 and 6-2.

The victory followed up a 4-1 win for Batesville in its sectional opener over Lawrenceburg. Smith by 6-1 and 6-0 decisions won at No. 2 singles, Meyer won at No. 3 singles via 6-1 and 6-0 finals and both doubles teams swept. At No. 1 it was Garrett and Peters at 6-2 and 6-3 and Westerfeld and Raver won 6-0 and 6-1.

Batesville (14-6) is in action tonight as part of the IHSAA Boys Tennis Regional at Columbus North. The Bulldogs face Seymour in the semifinal round with the winner facing either Columbus North or Southwestern (Hanover) on Wednesday in the championship.