Robin Haddox says six years is enough

That's how long he's been president of the Portage Little League.

So what better way to leave the program than with its first state title in 32 years?

The league's Senior (ages 15-16) all-star team has at least one more tournament to complete after it captured the state title over the weekend with a 6-4 victory over Wabash. It's only the second state title for any Portage Little League squad and first since 1976.

"As president I can't be an all-star manager and I have twins moving up next year," Haddox said.

The Senior players showed their appreciation for Haddox with a gift after their victory.

"They gave me the game ball," he said. "It was the nicest going-away present they could ever give me. I told them now I don't want to leave."

It was sweet revenge for Portage after it lost in the state tourney last year. One of its two losses in pool play last season was to Jeffersonville, whom Portage defeated last week in pool play.

"We had six guys coming back from last year's team, so we were pretty confident in what we were doing," Portage manager Tom Mosley said. "That was a big key. They knew what it took to beat a team like Jeffersonville."

Portage will be headed to Missouri on Friday to play their first game in the Central Regional.

* The Schererville 12-year-old Cal Ripken team failed in its bid to bring home a regional title, losing to SE Lexington 11-1 in Tuesday's final.

It was the second time in two days Schererville lost to Lexington after a 10-5 defeat on Monday.

Cory Dickelman had a solo home run for Schererville's only tally.