Ben Finney Continues to Impress as the Mustangs Prepare for State Championship

Ben Finney, a sophomore at Kouts, showcases exceptional skills on the baseball field. Known for his versatility, he plays center field in travel ball, but with Jesse Overholt in that position for the Mustangs, coach Jason Dorshorst has utilized Finney’s talents in various roles.

Finney stands out as one of the top shortstops in the state for his class. Despite this, the team already has strong players at that position, like Billy Miller and Landon Garrett. Though Finney can pitch, Dorshorst highlights a surplus of pitchers on the team.

For two seasons, Finney played second base. Yet, for the playoffs, Dorshorst moved him to right field. Finney adapted quickly. When asked about the change, he noted, “I don’t think I brought my outfielder’s glove today, but I’ll figure it out.” His adaptability impressed Dorshorst, who praised his seamless switch and performance in right field.

Finney is also the leadoff hitter for the Mustangs, currently ranked top in their class with a record of 31-1. They face No. 4 Northeast Dubois in the Class 1A state championship at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Finney’s impressive stats include a .366 batting average, two homers, eight triples, 23 RBIs, 51 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases.

“I started off slow,” Finney said. “I was kind of in a slump in the hitting zone. But recently I’ve found myself. My swing’s coming back to me, and I feel good now.”

In the semistate final, Finney delivered an outstanding performance with 3-for-3 hitting, including an inside-the-park homer, two triples, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Last season, he hit .412 with 29 RBIs, 46 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases as a freshman.

Senior first baseman Eli Harper holds Finney in high regard. “Ben is one of the most electric baseball players I know,” Harper remarked. “He works hard and plays his hardest every game. Even when he’s struggling, he shows up. We need guys like that.”

The Mustangs have achieved 31 consecutive victories following a season-opening loss. They clinched their first outright Porter County Conference round-robin title since 2004 and their first PCC Tournament title since 1998.

Reflecting on last year’s experience, Dorshorst acknowledges the team’s growth. With no seniors on the roster last season, their presence at Victory Field was an invaluable learning experience. This year’s team is focused and driven to succeed.

Finney believes that their prior experience will help against Northeast Dubois, who are in their inaugural state championship appearance. “We’re confident. We know what to expect this time,” he said. “We’re definitely more confident than we were last year.”