Evansville Christian School in Newburgh, Ind., opened the home portion of the 2024 high school baseball season Thursday, April 1 against defending IHSAA Class 1A state runner-up Barr-Reeve.
“We lost a yard barn, a batting cage, half of our fence all-around including our backstop. We also had some damage to our concession stand,” says Evansville Christian coach Joe Paulin in a partial list of the wreckage at Scott Township Park caused by high winds. “Our first base bleachers blew up over a 20-foot fence and skipped across our field and into the left field corner and smashed the fence out. We woke up to that damage and it was heart-breaking.”
At a house next to the field, a tree fell and covered it and the roof was blown off of its hollow-block garage.
“There were no fatalities and thankful no one was (at the field) at the time,” says Paulin.
Almost immediately the clean-up work began. The community has rallied to repair the off-campus facility the team has called home for seven years while Eagles baseball — varsity, junior varsity and Cub — has scrambled to find places to play and practice.
“We’ve had to do a lot of re-scheduling,” says Paulin.
The weekend before the storm, there were about 50 volunteers doing work on the field to get it ready for the season.
“We had it in the best shape it’s ever been,” says Paulin. “Less than a week later is when he damage occurred.”
Through much time, effort and donations, the field is coming back.
“We feel that God has a plan,” says Paulin. “We’re going to build it better than it was.”
More than a month after the today, Evansville Christian plans to play its second home game of the spring on its home field. There’s a night game slated Friday, May 10 against Vincennes Rivet.
Paulin started the EC program in 2017. Another memorable moment is his time there is when the team bus broke down. While waiting for help, he had the Eagles practicing in a gas station parking lot.
Says Paulin, “We needed the work.”
Heading into a May 3 road game against Perry Central, Evansville Christian is 4-6. The 2024 regular season is winding down with IHSAA sectional tournaments beginning the end of the week leading into Memorial Day (May 27).
Development — on and off the baseball field — is a point of emphasis for Bloomfield (Ind.) Junior/Senior High School head coach Ryan Harvey, who takes over leadership of the program in 2024 after four years as a Cardinals assistant.
“Not just athletic development, but professional development,” says Harvey. “I tell the kids they are an athlete, but being a student is more important. I want to help guide them on a career path.
“On the baseball side, it’s convincing them that it takes more than the one- or two-hour practice we put together everyday to make us better.
“A lot of kids have access to hitting barns. Kids can get in their work outside of school hours. Baseball is a game of repetition. The way you’re going to get better is putting in as many reps as you can.
“You need to put in the extra time doing the little things.”
Harvey wants his players to build up their Baseball I.Q. — an understanding of the game — and to take their mistakes and learn from them.
“The chance of playing a perfect game is very slim so you have to be very mentally strong,” says Harvey.
There are 19 players in the program this spring — the most since Harvey has been involved.
“We had 17 last year,” says Harvey of the 2023 squad that went 15-10 overall and 5-2 in the SWIAC (losing the title to Shakamak in the last inning). “The numbers look very good going forward.
“We want to continue to have the winning atmosphere and kids who want to play in the program.”
The plan is to play a few junior varsity games on days the varsity has no game or a few innings following a varsity contest.
Two-time IHSBCA all-state shortstop and IHSBCA North/South All-Star Series participant Brett Sherrard (Class of 2023) is now a utility player at Butler University.
Harvey says catcher/pitcher Braxton Clark (Class of 2024) is undecided about his college choice. The coach also sees collegiate baseball potential in third baseman/pitcher/shortstop/catcher Dillon Warnick (Class of 2025), left-handed pitcher Chase Wiles (Class of 2026) and middle infielder Tyler Patterson (Class of 2027).
Besides Harvey, the coaching staff features Jeremy Vest, Andy Clark, Tucker Evans and Casey Rice.
Harvey, who sees himself as a CEO of the team, works with catchers and pitchers.
Vest also instructs pitchers, Clark outfielders and Evans and Rice both with infielders and hitters.
Harvey is a 2009 graduate of Rushville (Ind.) Consolidated High School, where he was a catcher. He did not play in college, but earned a Business degree at Indiana State University.
He began helping Jason Pegg, who has served multiple stints as high school head coach, with Babe Ruth League baseball in Bloomfield and later was a volunteer then an assistant to Jarrod Holtsclaw.
An on-campus diamond is lighted. A few years ago, it was re-sodded. Last November before Holtsclaw departed as Cardinals head coach, the field got a new turf home plate area.
An athletic complex south of campus on C.R. 450 has cross country, soccer, tennis and track and field facilities and baseball and softball are expected to be added in the future. Bloomfield does not have football.
Bloomfield’s school-sponsored junior high team of sixth through eighth graders boasts a 2024 roster of 26.
Bloomfield Youth League serves players who wind up at Bloomfield and Greene County neighbor Linton-Stockton.
Several players in second grade and above play for area travel teams.
Ryan and wife Kaitilyn, who met at Indiana State, reside in Bloomfield and have been married 10 years. They have two sons — Gunner (8) and Lincoln (4). Ryan Harvey is transitioning in a few weeks to a job at Naval Service Warfare Center Crane (Ind.) Division in Martin County.
A 1-0 win against No. 1 Barr-Reeve (29-4) Saturday, June 17 at Victory Field in Indianapolis gave No. 3 LCC back-to-back state crowns.
“My hero growing up was (Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer) Spider Fields,” said Lafayette Central Catholic coach Tim Bordenet of the man who died in October 2022 at 96. “The advice he always gave me when we faced a good pitcher is shut them out and find a way to score one run.
“We did that today.”
The Knights’ third inning featured senior Evan Dienhart drawing a one-out walk, moving to third base on senior Ben Mazur’s two-out single to right and scoring on a balk.
Lafayette Central Catholic collected four hits — two by senior T.J. Bell and one each by Mazur and junior Brinn Robbins.
Of Barr-Reeve’s four hits — three were infield singles. Junior Donnie Miller doubled to left field in the first inning and added a safety in the sixth.
Junior Tyler Graber reached on a bunt single in the second and junior Ethan Graber got on via hit toward the mound in the fifth.
“We knew that was their game,” said Bordenet, an Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer with a 660-181-1 career record. “Our guys were ready. (Third baseman) Hudson Gutwein was ready to come in and field bunts.
“They layed down some tremendous bunts and our guys made great plays.”
The Vikings left five runners on base, including three in scoring position (LCC stranded six.
Right-hander Mazur (8-0) was the winning pitcher with eight strikeouts and one walk in seven innings. He threw 83 pitches (59 strikes).
“The more intense the game got, the more adrenaline that came to me and the more I was able to focus in,” said Mazur.
Said Barr-Reeve coach Trevor McConnell,
“We went against an amazing kid (in Mazur). He’s a competitor. There’s a reason he’s a Division I commit to Murray State.
“And you’re going up against a program who’s been here a lot so for us to go toe-to-toe with them with a really young team — we have a lot of guys back next year — that bodes well for our confidence.”
The Vikings won 28 straight before Saturday’s loss.
Sophomore right-hander Seth Wagler (8-2) went the distance for Barr-Reeve and took the loss. He fanned 10, walked two and threw 105 pitches (71 for strikes).
Lafayette Central Catholic senior Ryan Schummer was selected as the 1A Mental Attitude Award winner.
Lafayette Central Catholic — 2023 IHSAA Class 3A state champions. (Steve Krah Photo)
Jeff VanderWoude (4th Year; Illiana Christian Vikings): “We lost a couple from last year but we brought a lot back (including probable Friday starting pitcher Kevin Corcoran Jr. plus Cody DeJong, Aaron Gouwens, Gavin Meyer, Isaac VanderWoude and Joe Vis). The kids we’ve brought up from JV have stepped up and done a great job. We’ve got a couple of freshmen that have done really well … We have the same set-up as last year (playing the first game on Friday). I didn’t have to change the itinerary … I like this team a lot. It competes really well … We’re starting to see the process of a program. You leave a legacy and something that is hopefully carried on generation to generation. That was our vision when we took over this program. It’s good to see it starting to work.”
Chris Stevenson (3rd Year; Covenant Christian Warriors): “We play an extremely tough schedule (No. 2 in 2A strength by MaxPreps). That schedule (which includes tough Circle City and city tournament opponents) really prepares these guys well … We thought last year we had the talent to make a run to state … Even when we were 7-14 we thought we had a team (led by probable Friday starting pitcher Ethan Kimmerle plus Brad Nardi and Nolan Jones) good enough to make a run to State … At the end of the season, we figured some things out. Our hard work is paying off.”
Dave Pishkur (43rd Year; Andrean 59ers): “We do everything OK. There’s nothing we do poorly and there’s nothing we do great. Sometimes we hit. Sometimes we play really good defense. Sometimes we pitch really well. It’s a team that can do a little bit of everything pretty good. There’s no really week parts to our game … The only full-time returning starter (from the 2022 championship game) is Mason (Barth since Noah Chase only played on defense and Moises Vazquez was brought up during the postseason) … (Probable Friday starting pitcher Garrett Benko) throws strikes. He’s probably had two questionable outings. Everything else has been pretty good. He’s a three-pitch pitcher — fastball, slider, change-up … We don’t have that overpowering guy. If we get seven strikeouts that’s only 14 we have to get with our defense.”
Joe Decker (21st Year; Silver Creek Dragons): “It’s a good mix of young guys and old guys coming together at the right time. We lost four really good seniors and we thought it might take awhile for this team (featuring Dane DeWees, Spencer Durham and Jace Burton at the top of the lineup and probably Friday starting pitcher Preston Burton) to figure out its identity … The biggest thing is (the players on this team) are very competitive … This will be my last game. Before the season I told (the team) I’m hanging it up after this year. My daughter (Reese) is going to be a senior next year. She plays softball and I’ve never really got to watch her play. My son (Dominic) is playing softball and I want to be able to go and watch him. A lot of factors added up. It’s worked out really well that we’ve gone as far as we have. I’ve been lucky to enjoy the ride on my last go-round.”
Tim Bordenet (26th Year; Lafayette Central Catholic Knights): “We have a lot of experience. That’s been a big plus for us. We have eight guys who started last year in the state championship game (Owen Munn, Evan Dinehart, Ryan Schummer, Ben Mazur, Kayden Minnich, T.J. Bell, Tyler Fox and Brinn Robbins). We have six seniors and a lot of them have started now for three years. We have senior Ben Mazur on the mound who pitched last year (in the State Finals). He’s had another outstanding year and been lights-out in the postseason … We’re happy for the opportunity to go down there and hopefully defend our title.”
Trevor McConnell (4th Year; Barr-Reeve Vikings): “We talk to our kids all the time about respecting the opponent and preparing for the opponent but not being scared or fearful. We respect (Lafayette Central Catholic). They’re going to be a tough challenge. We also believe in ourselves. I told the kids they won 28 games in a row (led by probable starting pitcher Seth Wagler plus Levi Lester, Ethan Graber, Braydon Knepp, Colton Stoll and Jacob Pauw). It that’s not proof enough you’re a good baseball team and you can go up there and compete, I don’t whatever will be.” Source: WHIT-TV.
Greg Dikos (36th Year; Penn Kingsmen): “We’re constantly trying to put pressure (on the opponent) … Center Grove has been No. 1 throughout the season for a reason. They’ve got some boys … I’m sure (Center Grove) preaches state championships like we preach state championships … We play a very tough non-conference schedule. We take our lumps. It costs us in the rankings, but who cares? … We try to put the best team out there — the best hitting team and the best defensive team (which includes six starters from the 2022 state championship game in probable Saturday starting pitcher Adam Lehmann plus Cooper Hums, Cam Dombrowski, Evan Tuesley, Zach Pelletier and Colton Hudnall; Dawson French earned a save and a win at semistate). Through trial and error we think we’ve got it down now.”
Keith Hatfield (10th Year; Center Grove Trojans): “It’s been a lot of fun. This group has been is going to be sorely missed when this is all over. We have 13 seniors (including probable starters Drew Culbertson, Garrison Barile, Evan Zapp, Grant Sawa, Bradley Gilliam and probable Saturday starting pitcher Jacob Murphy). We have a lot of pitcher-onlys (in the Class of 2023) … It’s something different everyday. Our pitching has been better than I thought it would be. We didn’t have a whole lot of innings coming back (outside of Ben Murphy, Caden Cornett and Jacob Murphy). There are other days are defense is unbelievable. There are other days when we put 14 runs on the board.”
Cost is $15 per day. All four state championship games will air on Bally Sports Indiana and be streamed on IHSAAtv.org via pay-per-view for $15 per game or $20 for all four games.
IHSAA STATE FINALS Friday, June 16 Class 2A Illiana Christian (24-9) vs. Covenant Christian (16-15), 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 CT)
Class 3A Andrean (28-6-1) vs. Silver Creek (25-7), 8 p.m. ET (7 CT)
Saturday, June 17 Class 1A Lafayette Central Catholic (24-11) vs. Barr-Reeve (29-3), 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 CT)
Class 4A Penn (26-8) vs. Center Grove (29-3), 8 p.m. ET (7 CT)
Covenant Christian: Cascade Sectional — University 2-0, Cascade 5-1; Loogootee Regional — Cloverdale 13-1; Mooresville Semistate — Brownstown Central 12-8, Heritage Christian 10-6.
Andrean: Griffith Sectional — Rensselaer Central 12-2, Hanover Central 7-5, Boone Grove 9-3; Plymouth Regional — New Prairie 9-4; Oak Hill Semistate — Norwell 8-3, Heritage 8-2.
Silver Creek: Madison Sectional — Charlestown 3-0, Scottsburg 9-5; Floyd Central Regional — Connersville 1-0; Southridge Semistate — Evansville Memorial 7-2, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 8-1.
Lafayette Central Catholic: Lafayette Central Catholic Sectional — Attica 13-0, Covington 7-2, Fountain Central 13-0; Lafayette Central Catholic Regional — Rossville 9-0; Lafayette Jeff Semistate — Wes-Del 6-2, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 6-4.
Barr-Reeve: North Daviess Sectional — North Daviess 9-0, Loogootee 7-1; Castle Regional — Evansville 10-0; Jasper Semistate — Greenwood Christian Academy 3-1, Shakamak 4-2.
Penn: Northridge Sectional — Concord 11-0, Northridge 1-0, Goshen 10-0; LaPorte Regional — LaPorte 6-2; LaPorte Semistate — Lake Central 7-6, Hamilton Southeastern 1-0.
Center Grove: Mooresville Sectional — Bloomington South 4-1, Greenwood Community 16-0; Jasper Regional — Columbus North 4-2; Plainfield Semistate — Brownsburg 6-0, Castle 5-2.
All-Time Titles Sectional Illiana Christian (2) Covenant Christian (5) Andrean (31) Silver Creek (12) Lafayette Central Catholic (19) Barr-Reeve (14) Penn (24) Center Grove (21)
Regional Illiana Christian (2) Covenant Christian (1) Andrean (16) Silver Creek (4) Lafayette Central Catholic (16) Barr-Reeve (13) Penn (12) Center Grove (7)
Semistate Illiana Christian (2) Covenant Christian (1) Andrean (10) Silver Creek (2) Lafayette Central Catholic (11) Barr-Reeve (2) Penn (6) Center Grove (2)
State Championships Illiana Christian (1 — 2022; 2A) Covenant Christian (0) Andrean (8 — 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022; all in 3A). Silver Creek (0) Lafayette Central Catholic (8 — 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022; all in 1A). Barr-Reeve (0) Penn (5 — 1994, 1998, 2011, 2015, 2022; last four in 4A). Center Grove (0)
State Runner-Up Finishes Illiana Christian (0) Covenant Christian (0) Andrean (1 — 2003; 3A) Silver Creek (1 — 2018; 3A) Lafayette Central Catholic (2 — 2015, 2016; both 2A) Barr-Reeve (1 — 1998, 1A) Penn (1 — 2017; 4A) Center Grove (0)
It’s down to the “Elite Eight” in each of the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s four baseball classes. Under the new tournament format, there were one-game regionals and this Saturday, June 10, teams will vie in four-team semistates for the right to play at the State Finals at Victory Field in Indianapolis either Friday, June 16 or Saturday, June 17. There were no first-time sectional champions this year. The program that had gone the longest without hoisting the trophy until doing it in 2023 was Winchester. The Golden Falcons’ other sectional crown came in 1986. Tops in sectional championships among teams still alive in the postseason are Class 3A’s Evansville Memorial (32), 3A’s Andrean (31), 1A’s Shakamak (28), 4A’s Penn (24), 4A’s Lake Central (22), 4A’s Center Grove (21), 1A’s Lafayette Central Catholic (19), 3A’s Norwell (19), 4A’s New Palestine (18), 4A’s Homestead (17), 4A’s Brownsburg (16), 4A’s Castle (16), 4A’S Hamilton Southeastern (16), 1A’s Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (16), 1A’s Barr-Reeve (14), 2A’s Mitchell (11), 3A’s Heritage (10) and 2A’s Westview (10). 3A’s Tri-West Hendricks, Class 2A’s Brownstown Central, Covenant Christian, Mitchell, Westview and Winchester and Class 1A’s Greenwood Christian Academy were first-time regional champions in 2023. Among teams still playing, 3A’s Evansville Memorial (18), 3A’s Andrean (16), 1A’s Lafayette Central Catholic (16), 1A’s Shakamak (15), 4A’s Penn (12) and 1A’s Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (10) has won the most regional crowns. Vying for their programs’ first semistate crown will be 4A’s Castle, 3A’s Franfort and Tri-West Hendricks, 2A’s Brownstown Central, Covenant Christian, Mitchell, Westview, Winchester and 1A’s Greenwood Christian Academy, Marquette Catholic and Rising Sun. 1A’s Lafayette Central Catholic (10), 3A’s Andrean (9), 1A’s Shakamak (8) and 4A’s Penn (5) are leaders in semistate championships won among teams still in the hunt. Ranking semistate teams by past state titles: Andrean (8 — 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022; all at 3A), Lafayette Central Catholic (8 — 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022; all at 1A), Penn (5 — 1994, 1997, 2001, 2015, 2022; first two single-class; last three in 4A), Evansville Memorial (3 — 1978, 1989, 1993; all in single-class), Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (3 — 2005, 2005, 2006; all in 1A), Norwell (3 — 2003, 2007, 2013; all in 3A), Heritage Christian (2 — 2009, 2010; both in 2A), Shakamak (2 — 2008, 2014; both in 1A), Brownsburg (1 — 2005; 4A), Hamilton Southeastern (1 — 2019; 4A), Lake Central (1 — 2012; 4A) and New Palestine (1 — 2004; 3A).
IHSAA SEMISTATES (June 10, 2023) North Class 4A at LaPorte (Schreiber Field)
G1: Homestead (19-9) vs. Hamilton Southeastern (19-14), 10:30 a.m. CT
G2: Penn (19-8) vs. Lake Central (27-4), 1 p.m. CT
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 7 p.m. CT
Tournament Trail Homestead: Huntington North Sectional — Columbia City 5-0, Huntington North 1-0, Fort Wayne South Side 10-0; Plymouth Regional – DeKalb 10-0. Hamilton Southeastern: Carmel Sectional — Westfield 5-2, Noblesville 3-1; Lafayette Jeff Regional — Lafayette Harrison 4-0. Penn: Northridge Sectional — Concord 11-0, Northridge 1-0, Goshen 10-0; LaPorte Regional – LaPorte 6-2. Lake Central: Munster Sectional – East Chicago Central 20-0, Munster 11-0, Hobart 16-2; LaPorte Regional — Valparaiso 3-0.
Class 3A at Oak Hill
G1: Heritage (19-7) vs. Frankfort (19-12), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Andrean (26-6-1) vs. Norwell (23-7), 2 p.m. ET
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m. ET
Tournament Trail Heritage: Garrett Sectional — Angola 4-3, Leo 11-5, Concordia Lutheran 6-4; South Bend Clay Regional — East Noble 13-1. Frankfort: Northwestern Sectional — Northwestern 3-1, Western 2-1; Lafayette Central Catholic Regional — Mishawaka Marian 11-7. Andrean: Griffith Sectional — Rensselaer Central 12-2, Hanover Central 7-5, Boone Grove 9-3; Plymouth Regional — New Prairie 9-4. Norwell: Oak Hill Sectional — Mississinewa 4-1, Peru 5-1, Bellmont 14-0; Oak Hill Regional — New Castle 12-2.
Class 2A at Kokomo (Municipal Stadium)
G1: Westview (19-8) vs. Illiana Christian (22-9), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Winchester (15-11) vs. Delphi (21-10), 2 p.m. ET
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m. ET
Tournament Trail Westview: Westview Sectional — Churubusco 11-1, Eastside 12-9, Central Noble 6-0; South Bend Clay Regional — Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 6-0. Illiana Christian: Whiting Sectional — North Newton 16-0, Whiting 14-0, Hammond Bishop Noll 11-1; Griffith Regional — Hebron 18-0. Winchester: Lapel Sectional — Frankton 3-0, Lapel 1-0; Logansport Regional — Eastern (Greentown) 3-2. Delphi: Delphi Sectional — Clinton Prairie 11-1, Carroll (Flora) 2-0; Lafayette Jeff Regional — Bremen 10-2.
Class 1A at Lafayette Jefferson (Loeb Stadium)
G1: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (12-12) vs. Marquette Catholic (9-9), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Wes-Del (21-8) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (22-11), 2 p.m. ET
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m. ET
Tournament Trail Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian: Fremont Sectional — Fort Wayne Canterbury 9-1, Lakewood Park Christian 8-4; Logansport Regional — Southwood 4-1. Marquette Catholic: Tri-Township Sectional — Westville 11-5, Tri-Township 14-4, Triton 1-0; Griffith Regional — Morgan Township 4-3. Wes-Del: Anderson Prep Sectional — Southern Wells 8-1, Cowan 4-3, Daleville 2-1; Oak Hill Regional – Blue River Valley 9-2. Lafayette Central Catholic: Lafayette Central Catholic Sectional — Attica 13-0, Covington 7-2, Fountain Central 13-0; Lafayette Central Catholic Regional — Rossville 9-0.
South Class 4A at Plainfield
G1: New Palestine (23-9) vs. Castle (24-6), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Center Grove (27-3) vs. Brownsburg (16-12), 2 p.m. ET
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m. ET
Tournament Trail New Palestine: Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Sectional — Muncie Central 9-0, Pendleton Heights 1-0, Mt. Vernon 2-0; Mooresville Regional — Cathedral 4-2. Castle: Evansville Reitz Sectional — Evansville Harrison 5-1, Evansville North 6-2; Castle Regional — Jeffersonville 4-0. Center Grove: Mooresville Sectional — Bloomington South 4-1, Greenwood Community 16-0; Jasper Regional — Columbus North 4-2. Brownsburg: Brownsburg Sectional — Plainfield 2-1, Avon 13-9, Terre Haute North Vigo 12-2; Mooresville Regional — Franklin Central 4-1.
Class 3A at Southridge (League Stadium)
G1: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (18-10-1) vs. Tri-West Hendricks (23-6), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Silver Creek (23-7) vs. Evansville Memorial (20-8), 2 p.m. ET
G1: Covenant Christian (14-15) vs. Brownstown Central (24-8), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Mitchell (26-6) vs. Heritage Christian (17-15), 2 p.m. ET
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m. ET
Tournament Trail Covenant Christian: Cascade Sectional — University 2-0, Cascade 5-1; Loogootee Regional — Cloverdale 13-1. Brownstown Central: Austin Sectional — Brown County 11-0, Milan 1-0, Austin 4-2; Floyd Central Regional – Providence 7-3. Mitchell: Mitchell Sectional — South Knox 3-2, Linton-Stockton 7-6, Sullivan 6-4; Mitchell Regional — Perry Central 7-1. Heritage Christian: Park Tudor Sectional — Irvington Prep 10-0, Park Tudor 12-2; Park Tudor Regional — Hagerstown 3-2.
Class 1A at Jasper (Ruxer Field)
G1: Shakamak (15-10) vs. Rising Sun (17-16-1), 11 a.m. ET
G2: Barr-Reeve (27-3) vs. Greenwood Christian Academy (15-12-1), 2 p.m. ET
Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 8 p.m. ET
Tournament Trail Shakamak: White River Valley Sectional — North Central (Farmersburg) 6-2, Clay City 12-5; Mitchell Regional — Bethesda Christian 4-3. Rising Sun: Shawe Memorial Sectional — Shawe Memorial 13-3, Henryville 3-2, Trinity Lutheran 7-0; Loogootee Regional — Borden 6-5. Barr-Reeve: North Daviess Sectional — North Daviess 9-0, Loogootee 7-1; Castle Regional — Evansville 10-0. Greenwood Christian Academy: Morristown Sectional — Indianapolis Metropolitan 24-0, Indianapolis Lutheran 6-2; Morristown Regional — North Decatur 10-0.
All-Time Titles (with most recent if before 2023) Class 4A Sectionals Homestead (17 — 2022) Hamilton Southeastern (16 — 2019) Penn (24 — 2022) Lake Central (22 — 2022) New Palestine (18 — 2022) Castle (16 — 2019) Center Grove (21 — 2021) Brownsburg (16 — 2022)
Regionals Homestead (4 — 2015) Hamilton Southeastern (6 — 2019) Penn (12 – 2022) Lake Central (8 — 2014) New Palestine (7 — 2014) Castle (9 — 2018) Center Grove (7 — 2016) Brownsburg (6 — 2005)
Semistates Homestead (1 — 2008) Hamilton Southeastern (1 — 2019) Penn (5 — 2022) Lake Central (1 — 2012) New Palestine (1 — 2004) Castle (0) Center Grove (1 — 1996) Brownsburg (2 — 2005)
Luke Woolems has coached at multiple Indiana high schools and in youth baseball. His goal is always the same. “We try to win a lot of baseball games, but ultimately it comes down to what kind of men we’re turning out,” says Woolems, who has been head coach at Northeast Dubois Junior/Senior High School in Dubois, Ind., since the 2018 season. “We’re trying to make quality young men. We want them to become better fathers, husbands and members of the community.” Woolems is a 1999 graduate of Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Ind., where he played baseball for Brian Kirchoff and was later a student teacher and assistant coach for one season. He was Kirchoff’s assistant at Northeast Dubois in 2017 before taking over the Jeeps program. Prior to that Woolems was head baseball coach at Loogootee (Ind.) High School for two seasons and head softball coach at Mitchell (Ind.) High School for five. Before his stint at Heritage Hills, he was head baseball coach at Paoli (Ind.) Junior/Senior High School right after graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington. Woolems was a teacher for 12 years and is now human resources manager at Patoka Lake Regional Water & Sewer District in Dubois County. Northeast Dubois (enrollment around 275) is a member of the Blue Chip Conference (with baseball-playing schools Barr-Reeve, Loogootee, North Knox, Shoals, South Knox, Vincennes Rivet and Wood Memorial). BCC teams played each other one time. The Jeeps are to be part of an IHSAA Class 1A sectional grouping in 2023. Northeast Dubois has won 10 sectional titles — the last in 2017. Tecumseh was the 2022 Class 1A state runner-up. The Braves beat Northeast Dubois 9-8 in the first round of the Cannelton Sectional. “We’ve had some battles the last few years,” says Woolems of the Jeeps and Tecumseh. The 2022 season saw Northeast Dubois go 10-11. There were 21 players in the program, including several seniors. One of those — Colby Pieper — moved on to Brescia University (Owensboro, Ky.). Reece Bauer (Class of 2020) is at Wabash (Ind.) College. One of the top returnees is Class of 2023’s Ty Kalb. A lead-off hitter, catcher, shortstop and pitcher, he paced the 2022 team in batting average (.403), doubles (11), runs scored (21), pitching victories (3) and earned run average (0.97) while tying for lead in runs batted in (17). Like Woolems did as a high schooler, Kalb plays for Rockport American Legion Post 254 and manager Jim Haaff. Woolems expects to gain five freshmen at Northeast Dubois in 2023. His varsity assistant is Ian Denu, a U.S. Marines veteran who has helped Woolems coach at the youth level. Harold Bleemal is head junior varsity coach and Andrew Matheis is his assistant. The fall IHSAA Limited Contact Period saw five or six players participate in twice-a-week activities with many others in fall sports. “We try to make the most of it and get them as many defensive and offensive reps as possible,” says Woolems of the players that did practice. “It was very individual-based.” Pitchers tossed bullpens and were throwing live to hitters by the end of the period. Northeast Dubois plays on-campus on the field known as “The Hill.” “It’s very nice and something the community is very proud of,” says Woolems. “The kids take very good care of it.” Junior high baseball is popular in the area around Northeast Dubois. The Jeeps field a team of seventh and eighth graders (and sometimes sixth graders). The spring schedule parallels the varsity season. “It’s been a focus on mine,” says Woolems. “Junior high baseball is so important. It’s critical for our program.” Players get to wear nice uniforms and get what they need to succeed. “We want to make sure those kids are having a positive experience,” says Woolems. “We want to make them able to compete.” The coach also serves on the board of Northeast Dubois Little League (which changed from Little League to United States Speciality Sports Association affiliation after the 2022 season) which has teams from T-ball through age 12. Eighty players participated in the fall league. Luke and Emily Woolems have two children — son Tucker (11) and daughter Brynley (8). Tucker is a batboy for the Jeeps.
Northeast Dubois Junior/Senior High School head baseball coach Luke Woolems (21) greets Jasper’s Terry Gobert (23) and umpires at home plate.
Head coach Luke Woolems and the 2022 Northeast Dubois Jeeps baseball with the new scoreboard.
The Northeast Dubois Junior/Senior High School baseball team plays on “The Hill” in Dubois, Ind.
Iliana Christian won its first Indiana High School Athletic Association sectional baseball title. Jasper hoisted the sectional championship trophy for a state-leading 40th time. Sixty-two other schools also reigned and moved on to regional play on Saturday, June 4. The IHSAA Class 2A Carroll Flora Regional features four teams from the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Top 10 — No. 1 Carroll, No. 3 Wapahani, No. 4 Eastern (Greentown) and No. 9 Delphi. The 2A Park Tudor Regional has No. 2 Cascade playing No. 7 Centerville in the first game followed by Parke Heritage and vote-getter Heritage Christian. The 3A Griffith Regional includes No. 1 Andrean, No. 2 Western and No. 7 Glenn along with South Bend Saint Joseph. The 3A Danville Regional includes No. 3 West Vigo and No. 4 Brebeuf Jesuit in the opener followed by Lebanon and Beech Grove. The 4A Jasper Regional features No. 2 Mooresville, No. 8 Jasper and vote-getter New Albany plus Columbus East. The 4A Lafayette Jeff Regional opens with vote-getter Homestead against No. 6 Fort Wayne Carroll followed by Harrison against Zionsville. In 1A, the Loogootee Regional has No. 1 Borden meeting No. 2 Barr-Reeve in Game 2 after vote-getter Tecumseh plays New Washington.
The 1A he South Bend Washington Regional has three Top 10 teams — No. 4 South Central (Union Mills), No. 9 Caston and No. 10 Fremont — plus Morgan Township. The 1A Lafayette Central Catholic Regional features vote-getters Cowan and Rossville in Game 1 and No. 3 Lafayette Central Catholic and No. 5 Union City in Game 2. Three teams at the 1A Morristown Regional received votes in the final regular season poll — Indianapolis Lutheran, Rising Sun and Shakamak. Traders Point Christian is also in the field. South Central of Union Mills (6), Indianapolis Cathedral (5), Silver Creek (5), South Bend Saint Joseph (5), Evansville Memorial (4), Shakamak (4) and Tecumseh (4) comes into regional play with the longest active sectional title streaks. 1A New Washington won its first sectional crown since 1998. It had been since 1999 that 2A’s Eastern (Greentown) and Winamac had won sectional titles. By the time three-team regionals in four classes are complete, there will be 16 teams left in the field. Semistates are scheduled for Saturday, June 11 with the State Finals at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday and Saturday, June 17-18.
2022 IHSAA REGIONALS Saturday, June 4 (IHSBCA Ranking in Parentheses) Class 4A LaPorte Regional Crown Point vs. Lake Central (Receiving Votes) South Bend Adams vs. Penn Championship Regional titles (most recent): Penn 10 (2017), Crown Point 9 (2011), Lake Central 7 (2014), South Bend Adams 3 (1979).
Highland Sectional (1) Championship — Lake Central 15, Highland 12. Sectional titles through 2022: Highland (13) — Previous 2000. Trojans head coach: John Bogner.
Valparsaiso Sectional (2) Championship — Crown Point 12, Hobart 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Crown Point (22) — Previous 2019. Bulldogs head coach: Steve Strayer.
Plymouth Sectional (3) Championship — South Bend Adams 5, LaPorte 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Adams (10) — Previous 2018. Eagles head coach: Mike Cass.
Penn Sectional (4) Championship — Penn 7, Northridge 5. Sectional titles through 2022: Penn (23) — Previous 2018. Kingsmen head coach: Greg Dikos.
Lafayette Jeff Regional Homestead (RV) vs. Carroll (6) Harrison vs. Zionsville Championship Regional titles (most recent): Carroll 5 (2011), Harrison 5 (1998), Zionsville 4 (2017), Homestead 3 (2015).
DeKalb Sectional (5) Championship — Carroll 7, Snider 6. Sectional titles through 2022: Carroll (15) — Previous 2019. Chargers head coach: Dave Ginder.
Huntington North Sectional (6) Championship — Homestead 10, Wayne 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Homestead (16) — Previous 2021. Spartans head coach: Nick Byall.
Logansport Sectional (7) Championship — Harrison 5, McCutcheon 4. Sectional titles through 2022: Harrison (13) — Previous 2021. Raiders head coach: Pat Lowrey.
New Palestine Regional Anderson vs. Indianapolis Cathedral New Palestine vs. Brownsburg Championship Regional titles (most recent): Indianapolis Cathedral 14 (2018), New Palestine 6 (2014), Brownsburg 5 (2005), Anderson 3 (1995).
Mt. Vernon Sectional (9) Championship — Anderson 13, Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 7. Sectional titles through 2022: Anderson (8) — Previous 2012. Indians head coach: Adrian Heim.
Pike Sectional (10) Championship — Indianapolis Cathedral 10, Lawrence North 8. Sectional titles through 2022: Cathedral (25; five straight) — Previous 2021. Fighting Irish coach Ed Freje.
Roncalli Sectional (11) Championship — New Palestine 12, Franklin Central 2. Sectional titles through 2022: New Palestine (17) — Previous 2015. Dragons head coach: Shawn Lyons.
Terre Haute South Vigo Sectional (12) Championship — Brownsburg 13, Avon 3. Sectional titles through 2022: Brownsburg (15) — Previous 2013. Bulldogs head coach: Dan Roman.
Jasper Regional New Albany (RV) vs. Jasper (8) Columbus East vs. Mooresville (2) Championship Regional titles (most recent): Jasper 26 (2021), Columbus East 10 (2019), New Albany 6 (1995), Mooresville 4 (2004).
Center Grove Sectional (13) Championship — Mooresville 9, Martinsville 4. Sectional titles through 2022: Mooresville (11) — Previous 2004. Pioneers head coach: Eric McGaha.
Bloomington South Sectional (14) Championship — Bloomington South vs. Columbus East Sectional titles through 2022: Columbus East (20) — Previous 2019. Olympians head coach Jon Gratz.
Jennings County Sectional (15) Championship — New Albany 4, Bedford North Lawrence 0. Sectional titles through 2022: New Albany (23) — Previous 2016. Bulldogs head coach: Chris McIntyre.
Evansville Reitz Sectional (16) Championship — Jasper 5, Castle 4. Sectional titles through 2022: Jasper (40) — Previous 2021. Wildcats head coach: Terry Gobert.
Class 3A Griffith Regional Western (2) vs. Glenn (7) Andrean (1) vs. South Bend Saint Joseph Championship Regional titles (most recent): Andrean 14 (2019), Western 7 (2016), Saint Joseph 5 (2017), Glenn 3 (2006).
Griffith Sectional (17) Championship — Andrean 18, Calumet New Tech 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Andrean (30) — Previous 2019. 59ers head coach: Dave Pishkur.
Kankakee Valley Sectional (18) Championship — Glenn 9, Hanover Central 1. Sectional titles through 2022: Glenn (10) — Previous 2017. Falcons head coach: John Nadolny.
South Bend Clay Sectional (19) Championship — South Saint Joseph 18, New Prairie 5. Sectional titles through 2022: Saint Joseph (17; five straight) — Previous 2017. Indians head coach: John Smolinski.
Northwestern Sectional (20) Championship — Western 6, Northwestern 1. Sectional titles through 2022: Western (21) — Previous 2019. Panthers coach: Ryan Berryman.
Oak Hill Regional Wawasee vs. New Castle (RV) Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger vs. Norwell Championship Regional titles (most recent): Norwell 7 (2021), Dwenger 2 (2014), New Castle 2 (1996), Wawasee 0.
Jimtown Sectional (21) Championship — Wawasee 9, NorthWood 5. Sectional titles through 2022: Wawasee (8) — Previous 2021. Warriors head coach: Joe Salazar.
Angola Sectional (22) Championship — Bishop Dwenger 19, Leo 8. Sectional titles through 2022: Dwenger (12) — Previous 2016. Saints head coach: Jason Garrett.
Bellmont Sectional (23) Championship — Norwell 12, Heritage 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Norwell (18) — Previous 2021. Knights head coach: Dave Goodmiller.
Yorktown Sectional (24) Championship — New Castle 3, Guerin Catholic 2. Sectional titles through 2022: New Castle (14) — Previous 2014. Trojans head coach: Josh Cooper.
Danville Regional West Vigo (3) vs. Brebeuf Jesuit (4) Lebanon vs. Beech Grove Championship Regional titles (most recent): West Vigo 7 (2015), Brebeuf 4 (2021), Beech Grove 3 (1990), Lebanon 0.
Crawfordsville Sectional (25) Championship — Lebanon 10, Northview 1. Sectional titles through 2022: Lebanon (12) — Previous 2014. Tigers head coach Rick Cosgray.
Danville Sectional (26) Championship — Brebeuf Jesuit 12, Tri-West Hendricks 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Brebeuf (16) — Previous 2014. Braves head coach: Jeff Scott.
Bishop Chatard Sectional (27) Championship — Beech Grove 4, Bishop Chatard 3. Sectional titles through 2022: Beech Grove (7) — Previous 2014. Hornets head coach: Jacob Wickliff.
Edgewood Sectional (28) Championship — West Vigo 4, Edgewood 3. Sectional titles through 2022: West Vigo (15) — Previous 2018. Vikings head coach: Culley DeGroote.
Southridge Regional Evansville Memorial vs. Vincennes Lincoln Silver Creek (5) vs. Connersville Championship Regional titles (most recent): Evansville Memorial 17 (2016), Connersville 6 (2006), Vincennes Lincoln 4 (2002), Silver Creek 2 (2019).
Rushville Sectional (29) Championship — Connersville 7, Franklin County 6. Sectional titles through 2022: Connersville (19) — Previous 2010. Spartans head coach Michael Thompson.
Madison Sectional (30) Championship — Silver Creek vs. Corydon Central Sectional titles through 2022: Silver Creek (11; five straight) — Previous 2021. Dragons head coach: Joe Decker.
Princeton Sectional (31) Championship — Vincennes Lincoln 7, Southridge 4. Sectional titles through 2022: Vincennes Lincoln (18) — Previous 2019. Alices head coach: Tim Hutchison.
Evansville Bosse Sectional (32) Championship — Evansville Memorial 9, Boonville 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Evansville Memorial (31; four straight) — Previous 2021. Tigers head coach: Rip Collins.
Class 2A Whiting Regional Eastside (RV) vs. Fairfield (RV) Winamac vs. Illiana Christian Championship Regional titles (most recent): Eastside 1 (2021), Fairfield 1 (2010), Illiana Christian 0, Winamac 0.
Whiting Sectional (33) Championship — Illiana Christian 16, Wheeler 4. Sectional titles through 2022: — Illiana Christian (1) — Previous None. Vikings head coach Jeff VanderWoude.
Boone Grove Sectional (34) Championship — Winamac 8, Boone Grove 7. Sectional titles through 2022: Winamac (4) — Previous 1999. Warriors head coach: Marcus Kay.
Delphi Sectional (38) Championship — Delphi 9, Seeger 7. Sectional titles through 2022: Delphi (7) — Previous 2021. Oracles head coach: Ryan Long.
Eastern (Greentown) Sectional (39) Championship — Eastern (Greentown) 13, Eastbrook 4 Sectional titles through 2022: Eastern (Greentown) (3) — Previous 1999. Comets head coach: Erik Hisner.
Frankton Sectional (40) Championship — Wapahani 15, Frankton 10. Sectional titles through 2022: Wapahani (18) — Previous 2021. Raiders head coach: Brian Dudley.
Park Tudor Regional Cascade (2) vs. Centerville (7) Parke Heritage vs. Heritage Christian (RV) Championship Regional titles (most recent): Heritage Christian 3 (2010), Cascade 0, Centerville 0, Parke Heritage 0.
Indianapolis Scecina Sectional (42) Championship — Heritage Christian 12, Indianapolis Scecina 1. Sectional titles through 2022: Heritage Christian (9) — Previous 2017. Eagles head coach: Dan Ambrose.
Park Tudor Sectional (43) Championship — Cascade 6, Covenant Christian 5 Sectional titles through 2022: Cascade (7) — Previous 2005. Cadets head coach: Ty Foster.
Parke Heritage Sectional (44) Championship — Parke Heritage 9, Southmont 8. Sectional titles through 2022: Parke Heritage (2) — Previous 2021. Wolves head coach: Charlie Martin.
Evansville Mater Dei Regional Linton-Stockton vs. North Decatur Forest Park (8) vs. Providence Championship Regional titles (most recent): Providence 7 (2021), Forest Park 1 (1976), Linton-Stockton 0, North Decatur 0.
South Ripley Sectional (45) Championship — North Decatur 5, Southwestern (Hanover) 1. Sectional titles through 2022: North Decatur (2) — Previous 2011. Chargers head coach: Christian McKinney.
Providence Sectional (46) Championship — Providence 9, Austin 8. Providence (20) — Previous 2021. Pioneers head coach: Scott Hutchins.
Mitchell Sectional (47) Championship — Linton-Stockton 8, Mitchell 7 Sectional titles through 2022: Linton-Stockton (11) — Previous 2021. Miners head coach: Jacob Harden.
Evansville Mater Dei Sectional (48) Championship — Forest Park 10, Tell City 0. Forest Park (5) — Previous 2002. Rangers head coach: Jarred Howard.
Class 1A South Bend Washington Regional South Central (Union Mills) (4) vs. Caston (9) Fremont (10) vs. Morgan Township Championship Regional titles (most recent): South Central 4 (2011), Fremont 2 (1999), Caston 0, Morgan Township 0.
Westville Sectional (49) Championship — Morgan Township 16, Marquette Catholic 4. Sectional titles through 2022: Morgan Township (5) — Previous 2018. Cherokees head coach: John Smith.
South Central (Union Mills) Sectional (50) Championship — South Central (Union Mills) 10, Oregon-Davis 0. Sectional titles through 2022: South Central (18; six straight) — Previous 2021. Satellites head coach: Zach Coulter.
Fremont Sectional (51) Championship — Fremont 23, Bethany Christian 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Fremont (8) — Previous 2018. Eagles head coach: Justin Bock.
Caston Sectional (52) Championship — Caston 3, North Miami 1. Sectional titles through 2022: Caston (2) — Previous 2012. Comets head coach: Blake Mollenkopf.
Lafayette Central Catholic Regional Cowan (RV) vs. Rossville (RV) Union City (5) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (3) Championship Regional titles (most recent): Lafayette Central Catholic 14 (2018), Cowan 4 (2021), Rossville 3 (2019), Union City 0.
Lafayette Central Catholic Sectional (53) Championship — Lafayette Central Catholic 10, Covington 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Lafayette Central Catholic (18) — Previous 2018. Knights head coach: Tim Bordenet.
Tri-County Sectional (54) Championship — Rossville 12, Clinton Central 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Rossville (7) — Previous 2019. Hornets head coach: Brad Scott.
Anderson Preparatory Sectional (55) Championship — Cowan 5, Wes-Del 3. Sectional titles through 2022: Cowan (8) — Previous 2021. Blackhawks head coach: Aaron Wells.
Seton Catholic Sectional (56) Championship — Union City 9, Blue River Valley 4. Sectional titles through 2022: Union City (4) — Previous 2021. Indians head coach: Jason Dowler.
Morristown Regional Rising Sun (RV) vs. Shakamak (RV) Traders Point Christian vs. Indianapolis Lutheran (RV) Championship Regional titles (most recent): Shakamak 13 (2021), Indianapolis Lutheran 1 (2017), Rising Sun 1 (2013), Traders Point Christian 0.
Shakamak Sectional (57) Championship — Shakamak 14, White River Valley 3. Sectional titles through 2022: Shakamak (27; four straight) — Previous 2021. Lakers head coach: Jeremy Yeryar.
Indiana Deaf Sectional (58) Championship — Traders Point Christian 9, Bethesda Christian 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Traders Point Christian (2) — Previous 2021. Knights head coach: Jaylen Cushenberry.
Morristown Sectional (59) Championship — Indianapolis Lutheran 12, Edinburgh 2. Sectional titles through 2022: Indianapolis Lutheran (14) — Previous 2019. Saints head coach: Adam Gouker.
Jac-Cen-Del Sectional (60) Championship — Rising Sun 2, Jac-Cen-Del 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Rising Sun (8) — Previous 2019. Shiners head coach: Kevin Wirsch.
Loogootee Regional New Washington vs. Tecumseh (RV) Barr-Reeve (2) vs. Borden (1) Championship Regional titles (most recent): Tecumseh 10 (2019), Barr-Reeve 2 (1998), Borden 1 (2021), New Washington 0.
Lanesville Sectional (61) Championship — Borden 12, Lanesville 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Borden (6) — Previous 2021. Braves head coach: Eric Stotts.
Shawe Memorial Sectional (62) Championship — New Washington 8, West Washington 7. Sectional titles through 2022: New Washington (2) — Previous 1998. Mustangs head coach: Jeremy Bower.
Loogootee Sectional (63) Championship — Barr-Reeve 9, North Daviess 3. Sectional titles through 2022: Barr-Reeve (13) — Previous 2019. Vikings head coach: Trevor McConnell.
Cannelton Sectional (64) Championship — Tecumseh 11, Springs Valley 0. Sectional titles through 2022: Tecumseh (17; four straight) — Previous 2021. Braves head coach: Ted Thompson.
The week that Wes Rincker became school-board official as the new head baseball coach at Shoals (Ind.) High School, he attended his first Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association State Clinic (Jan. 14-16, 2022). “I learned a lot at that clinic even after coaching all these years,” says Rincker, who guided players for 14 years in various travel ball organizations in Missouri before moving to Martin County in 2018 to work as a supply technician at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division. “I talked with (Jasper head coach) Terry Gobert and (Shakamak head coach) Jeremy Yeryar, picking up every little tidbit I can. “I know baseball. We’ll work on fundamentals, drill work, mechanics and conditioning and see how many guys have the tools we have to succeed. As an outsider I have a very open mind as who should play at what position. I just want to get them ready for the field. I’m excited to get it going. “(Athletic director) Bryson Abel and (assistant AD) Danielle Cornett taking a chance on me and I appreciate that.” Shoals (enrollment around 200 is a member of the Blue Chip Athletic Conference (with Barr-Reeve, Loogootee, North Knox, Northeast Dubois, South Knox, Vincennes Rivet, Washington Catholic and Wood Memorial). In 2021, the Jug Rox were part of an IHSAA Class 1A sectional grouping with Barr-Reeve, Loogootee, North Daviess and Vincennes Rivet. Shoals has not yet earned a sectional title. The Jug Rox have not won a sectional game in more than a decade. Rincker is a 1988 Shakamak graduate. He did not play baseball in high school. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after 26 year total in the military, including time in U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard. He was at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo., and did did four combat tours — Somalia in1993, Iraq 2006 in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2011. Rincker coached baseball for American Legion Post 131 in Warrenburg, Mo., and the Lee’s Summit (Mo.) Saints — a Christian-base travel team then featuring former major leaguer Les Norman — and in Sedalia, Mo. He also officiated high school basketball and football. Wes’ parents — Lana Bush and Charles Rincker — are from Shoals. “It’s a quiet area,” says Rincker, who enjoys hunting and fishing with his father. “I just love it here away from the city hustle and bustle.” Wes and Amy Rincker are empty-nesters. Daughter Chelsea and husband Jerril Eisenbeck are in Fort Campbell, Ky., where he is an Army sergeant. They have two boys. Oldest son Luke Rincker recently graduated from Iowa State University and moved to San Marcos, Texas. He is in the Air Force Reserve. Youngest son Caleb Rincker lives in Sellersburg, Ind., and is in the Air National Guard. He is also on his father’s Shoals coaching staff along with Kent Hall and Adam Showalter. The first official practice date on the IHSAA calendar is March 14.
A former Indiana University baseball player is sharing his experience and knowledge as head coach at Barr-Reeve Middle/High School in the tiny Daviess County town of Montgomery. Trevor McConnell, who graduated from Bloomington (Ind.) High School South in 2005 and earned his IU degree in December 2008, enjoyed his first on-field season with Barr-Reeve in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic took away 2020. He was an assistant to Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Joe Rademacher during the 2019 season. Before Barr-Reeve, McConnell spent five seasons as an assistant to Bloomington South head coach Phil Kluesner (2014-18) and five as head coach and athletic director at Eastern Greene (2009-13). A center fielder in high school, McConnell played for IHSBCA Hall of Famer Grier Werner at Bloomington South and was recruited to play at IU by Bob Morgan. “(Werner) was an old-school guy,” says McConnell. “He had that football mentality. He wanted physical and mental toughness from his teams and pushed us to take on that mentality because baseball is a game of failure.” By the time McConnell joined the Hoosiers, Tracy Smith was head coach. He saw action in 65 games from 2006-08 and counted future big leaguer Josh Phegley as a teammate. Michael Earley went on to be a college coach (he’s now at Texas A&M). “I learned a ton from Coach Smith in my time around the IU program,” says McConnell, who picked up pointers in practice planning, strategy and all facets of running a baseball team. “(Werner and Smith) are responsible for molding my coaching mindset more than anybody.” McConnell sustained a career-ending arm injury and served as a volunteer assistant to Smith in the fall of 2008. By then, McConnell saw his path as a teacher and coach and took the job the Eastern Greene positions at 23. McConnell played summer ball for Kluesner with the Bloomington Wizards and accepted an invitation to coach with him. “He welcomed me with open arms,” says McConnell of Kluesner. “He’s one of my best friends.” At Barr-Reeve, McConnell teaches junior high school education and has a coaching staff that features pitching coach Rademacher, varsity assistant/infield coach Nathan Lester and head junior varsity coach Joe Cummings. All three have been head coaches at the high school level — Rademacher in two stints at Barr-Reeve, Lester at Barr-Reeve and Cummings at Pike Central. There’s also JV assistant Ryan Graber, who played for Rademacher and Lester, former Vincennes Lincoln and University of Southern Indiana national championship player Craig Heinz, Beau Sluder, Trevor Yoder and Kraig Knepp. Chris Winkler runs Barr-Reeve’s junior high baseball program (Grades 7 and 8). “I appreciate having experienced guys with me in the dugout,” says McConnell, who works with Vikings hitters and outfielders. “I have no ego. Joe Rademacher has been a good mentor for me. He’s been super gracious. “He told me has still has a fire for the game and would like to be around if you want me.” The Vikings play on Joe Rademacher Field. An old agriculture building was recently converted into a hitting/training facility for Barr-Reeve baseball and softball. “We have four full-length (batting) cages,” says McConnell. “We are spoiled.” A T-ball league is hosted by Barr-Reeve. Coach Pitch leagues start at Chuck Harmon Little League in nearby Washington, Ind. The Viking Baseball Club sponsors teams of local students from second grade through 12U. “They play together as a group with ‘Barr Reeve’ across their chest,” says McConnell, who attends and runs some VBC practices in the winter to show players the way he does it at the high school. A three-week fall camp for Grades 2-6 ran by McConnell and his assistants and players just concluded. An IHSAA Limited Contact Period goes from Aug. 30-Oct. 16. Starting after Labor Day, McConnell has been leading close to 20 baseball players two days a week. Those practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays and many also participate in basketball activities with Josh Thompson on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thompson guided Barr-Reeve to an IHSAA Class 1A state championship in 2020-21 and a state runner-up finished in 2018-19. “I like the fact we can instruct and be more hands-on with our players,” says McConnell of the current off-season set-up. “There’s less quantity but the quality is a lot better. “We can coach them up.” Barr-Reeve (enrollment around 250) is a member of the Blue Chip Conference (with Loogootee, North Knox, Northeast Dubois, Shoals, South Knox, Vincennes Rivet, Washington Catholic and Wood Memorial). In recent years, Washington Catholic has not fielded a baseball team. In 2001, the Vikings were part of a Class 1A sectional grouping with Loogootee, North Daviess (host site), Shoals and Vincennes Rivet. Barr-Reeve has won 12 sectional titles — the last in 2019 — Rademacher’s last season as head coach. A senior on that ’19 team — Gage Wilson — went on to Vincennes (Ind.) University for baseball. The youngest child of former college football coach Bob McConnell and wife Barbara, Trevor was born in Amherst, Mass., when his father was on the staff at the University of Massachusetts. About the time Trevor went into kindergarten, his family (including older brother Ryan) had moved to Nashville with Bob McConnell joining the football staff at Vanderbilt University. From 1995-2001, the McConnells were in Baton Rouge, La., and Bob was coaching at Lousiana State University. Trevor McConnell’s freshmen baseball season was spent as a varsity role player at Parkview Baptist High School, where Eagles head coach and Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee M.L. Woodruff was on the way to one of his 11 state championships. His 27-season record was 603-163-2. “I learned a lot of fundamentals,” says McConnell of Woodruff. “He was super-organized and super-efficient.” The McConnells wound up in Bloomington when Bob was hired by Hoosiers head football coach Gerry DiNardo, who also coached at Vandy and LSU. After years of the gypsy lifestyle of a college football coach, Bob McConnell went into financial services and retired last fall. Barbara McConnell is a Muncie, Ind., native. Ryan McConnell (38) resides in Baton Rouge. Trevor (35) and wife Jessica both went to Bloomington South and began dating at IU. They have been married since 2009. The couple have two children — second grader Nolan (who turns 8 in October) and kindergartener Lauren (5).
The McConnells (from left): Jessica, Trevor, Nolan and Lauren.
The McConnells (clockwise from upper left): Trevor, Jessica, Nolan and Lauren.
2021 IHSBCA ALL-STATE TEAM Class 4A Pitchers: Grant Stratton (Jasper), Nate Dohm (Zionsville). C: Hunter Dobbins (Mount Vernon of Fortville). 1B: Kaleb Kolpien (Homestead). 2B: Joel Walton (Mount Vernon of Fortville). 3B: Connor Foley (Jasper). SS: Tucker Biven (New Albany). OF: Carter Mathison (Homestead), Max Clark (Franklin), Tommy O’Connor (Mooresville). Honorable Mention: Evan Waggoner (Bedford North Lawrence); Austin Bode (Columbus North); Jaden Deel (Hobart); Andrew Wallace (Jasper); Jackson Micheels (Carmel); Breenen Weigert (Homestead); Jack Braun (Fishers); Tyler Walkup (Lawrence North); Quentin Markle (Westfield); Joe Huffman (Avon); Nick Mitchell (Carmel); Brad White (Andrean); Blake Herrmann (Castle); Camden Jordan (Cathedral); Sam Gladd (Columbia City); Eli Hopf (Jasper); Brody Chrisman (Zionsville); J.D. Rogers (Carmel); Keaton Mahan (Westfield); Gage Standifer (Westfield); Kyler McIntosh (Columbus North); Chris Gallagher (Cathedral); Carter Doorn (Lake Central); Grant Comstock (Valparaiso); Tate Warner (Fishers); Carter Gilbert (Northridge).
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