ST. JOHN — As Lake Central’s Griffin Tobias crept closer to his 120-pitch count limit at the Class 4A State Championship game, he had one thing on his mind. “We have to win so I can go get food and celebrate,” he said with a chuckle.
The Indians No. 1 pitcher threw 118 pitches in 8 1/3 innings against Mooresville in what became the longest game in IHSAA state tournament history. As the Indians celebrated the 2-1 victory on the bus ride home, Tobias scarfed down three chicken sandwiches catered to the team by Chick-fil-A.
Tobias was surprised, but satisfied with the late night celebration bite. “It was definitely a much better meal than what I was expecting,” he said. “That meal tasted really good.
” The Indiana signee had what he described as an “eventful” season for LC with 41 strikeouts and six walks in the state tournament alone. The four-year varsity letterman is The Times Player of the Year. Head coach Mike Swartzentruber recalls discovering Tobias’ athletic abilities a few years prior to his freshman year.
Swartzentruber said Tobias “oozed” with baseball talent from the first time he watched him play. “He was a must-get at LC,” said Swartzentruber, The Times Coach of the Year. “I had a pretty good indication that when he came he’d have a chance to compete right away.
During the fall of his freshman year it became evident he’d be one of our top guys.” Tobias entered Lake Central’s program as solid middle infielder, unaware he’d ex.
