Today (June 12) four semistates will be staged at LaPorte, Kokomo, Mooresville and Jasper to determine the teams competing int he 2021 IHSAA State Finals June 21-22 at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Here is a capsulized look at Final Four teams in Class 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A:
IHSAA SEMISTATES Saturday, June 12 LaPorte (Schreiber Field) Class 1A Washington Township (25-7) vs. Cowan (15-13), noon East Time/11 a.m. Central Time Class 3A Hanover Central (28-3-1) vs. Norwell (20-9), 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT
Kokomo (Municipal Stadium)
Class 2A Eastside (22-5) vs. Delphi (26-6), 1 p.m. ET/noon CT Class 4A Munster (22-11) vs. Fishers (22-12), 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT
Team By Team Washington Township Senators — Head Coach Randy Roberts. 1A Washington Township Sectional — Kouts 7-1, Westville 4-1, Morgan Township 4-1. 1A South Bend Regional — South Central (Union Mills) 6-3, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 10-1. Sectional titles (10) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Regional titles (5) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Semistate titles (1) — 2019. State titles (0). State runner-up (1) — 2019 (Randy Roberts).
Cowan Blackhawks — Head Coach Aaron Wells. 1A Liberty Christian Sectional — Wes-Del 5-1, Daleville 4-3. 1A Carroll (Flora) Regional — Union City 3-0, Riverton Parke 9-3. Sectional titles (7) — last one before 2021 — 2010. Regional titles (4) — last one before 2021 — 2008. Semistate titles (1) — 2008. State titles (0). State runner-up (1) — 2008 (Camden Parkhurst).
Hanover Central Wildcats — Head Coach Ryan Bridges. 3A Kankakee Valley Sectional — Kankakee Valley 9-1, Culver Academies 10-0, John Glenn 8-4. 3A Griffith Regional — South Bend St. Joseph 6-1, Northwestern 18-1. Sectional titles (2) — last one before 2021 — 2011. Regional tittles (2) — last one before 2021 — 2011. Semistate titles (1) — 2011. State titles (0). State runner-up (1) — 2011 (Doug Nelson).
Norwell Knights — Head Coach Dave Goodmiller. 3A Bellmont Sectional — Marion 10-0, Mississinewa 13-2, Oak Hills 15-10. 3A Bellmont Regional — Wawasee 7-2, Leo 5-3. Sectional titles (17) — last one before 2021 — 2017. Regional titles (7) — last one before 2021 — 2013. Semistate titles (3) — 2006, 2007, 2013. State titles (3) — 2003 (Kelby Weybright), 2007 (Kelby Weybright), 2013 (Andy McClain).
Eastside Blazers — Head Coach Aaron Willard. 2A Eastside Sectional — Adams Central 3-1, Bluffton 16-1. 2A Whiting Regional — Wheeler 7-1, Central Noble 18-3. Sectional titles (6) — last one before 2021 — 2018. Regional titles (1) — 2021. Semistate titles (0). State titles (0).
Delphi Oracles — Head Coach Ryan Long. 2A Delphi Sectional — Fountain Central 14-2, Seeger 7-3. 2A Lafayette Central Catholic Regional — Rochester 12-5, Wapahani 7-2. Sectional titles (6) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Regional titles (2) — last one before 2021 — 2010. Semistate titles (1) — 2010. State titles (0). State runner-up (1) — Delphi (Pat Lowrey).
Munster Mustangs — Head Coach Bob Shinkan (Indiana Baseball HOF inductee). 4A Merrillville Sectional — Highland 11-2, Merrillville 9-0, Lake Central 2-1. 4A LaPorte Regional — Valparaiso 6-3, South Bend Adams 9-2. Sectional titles (13) — last one before 2021 — 2016. Regional titles (6) — last one before 2021 — 2010. Semistate titles (0). State titles (1) — 2002 (Bob Shinkan).
Fishers Tigers — Head Coach Matt Cherry. 4A Westfield Sectional — Hamilton Southeastern 7-1, Carmel 1-0, Noblesville 4-0. 4A Kokomo Regional — Homestead 8-4, Harrison (West Lafayette) 7-5. Sectional titles (3) — last one before 2021 — 2018. Regional titles (2) — last one before 2021 — 2018. Semistate titles (1) — 2018. State titles (1) — 2018 (Matt Cherry).
Shakamak Lakers – Head Coach Jeremy Yeryar. 1A White River Valley Sectional — White River Valley 14-0, Clay City 10-0, Bloomfield 4-1. 1A Morristown Regional — Southwestern (Shelbyville) 10-1, Oldenburg Academy 13-0. Sectional titles (26) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Regional titles (12) — last one before 2021 — 2015. Semistate titles (7) — 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015. State titles (2) — 2008 (Matt Fougerousse), 2014 (Chip Sweet). State runner-up (5) — 2004 (Chip Sweet), 2006 (Matt Fougerousse), 2007 (Matt Fougerousse), 2012 (Chip Sweet), 2015 (Todd Gambill).
Borden Braves — Head Coach Eric Stotts. 1A South Central (Elizabeth) Sectional — Lanesville 18-1, Orleans 3-0. 1A Lanesville Regional — West Washington 17-2, Loogootee 5-2. Sectional titles (5) — last one before 2021 — 2018. Regional titles (1) — 2021. Semistate titles (0). State titles (0).
University Trailblazers — Head Coach Chris Estep (1 state title). 2A Cascade Sectional — Covenant Christian 7-3, Cascade 8-2. 2A Cascade Regional — Centerville 12-5, Parke Heritage 8-2. Sectional titles (5) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Regional titles (3) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Semistate titles (2) — 2018, 2019. State titles (1) — 2019 (Chris Estep). State runner-up (1) — 2018 (Chris Estep.
Providence Pioneers — Head Coach Scott Hutchins. 2A Eastern (Pekin) Sectional — Henryville 10-4, Eastern (Pekin) 11-0, Austin 10-0. 2A Evansville Mater Dei Regional — South Ripley 5-3, North Posey 8-6. Sectional titles (19) — last one before 2021 — 2017. Regional titles (7) — last one before 2021 — 2017. Semistate titles (1) — 2016. State titles (1) — 2016 (Scott Hornung).
Brebeuf Jesuit Braves — Head Coach Jeff Scott. 3A Brebeuf Sectional — Danville 5-0, Tri-West Hendricks 15-1. 3A Danville Regional — Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 10-0, Northview 17-2. Sectional titles (15) — last one before 2021 — 2017. Regional titles (4) — last one before 2021 — 2012. Semistate titles (1) — 2012. State titles (0). State runner-up (1) — 2012 (Andy McClain).
Southridge Raiders — Head Coach Gene Mattingly. 3A Southridge Sectional — Pike Central 10-0, Washington 1-0. 3A Southridge Regional — Silver Creek 2-1, Evansville Memorial 7-2. Sectional titles (6) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Regional titles (3) — last one before 2021 — 2019. Semistate titles (2) — 2018, 2019. State titles (0). State runner-up (2) — 2018 (Gene Mattingly), 2019 (Gene Mattingly).
Mt. Vernon Marauders — Head Coach Brad King. 4A Pendleton Heights Sectional — Muncie Central 19-0, Pendleton Heights 8-0. 4A Mt. Vernon Regional — Franklin Central 6-2, Indianapolis Cathedral 6-3. Sectional titles (8) — last one before 2021 — 2011. Regional titles (2) — last one before 2021 — 1971. Semistate titles (0). State titles (0).
Jasper Wildcats — Head Coach Terry Gobert (Indiana Baseball HOF inductee; 5 state titles). 4A Evansville Reitz Sectional — Castle 6-1, Evansville North 5-4, Evansville Central 10-0. 4A Jasper Regional — Floyd Central 2-1, Center Grove 7-4. Sectional titles (39) — last one before 2021 — 2017. Regional titles (26) — last one before 2021 — 2017. Semistate titles (14) — 1967, 1968, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017. State titles (5) — 1996 (Terry Gobert), 1997 (Terry Gobert), 1998 (Terry Gobert), 2000 (Terry Gobert), 2006 (Terry Gobert). State runner-up (4) — 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017.
Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Ind., carries the nickname Marauders. Head baseball coach Brad King has another monicker: Trailblazers. The 2021 squad has made history along its path to the one-game IHSAA Class 4A Jasper Semistate on Saturday, June 12 against Jasper (29-2). The winner of the 4 p.m. game moves on to the State Finals either Monday or Tuesday, June 21 or 22 at Victory Field in Indianapolis. At 26-6, Mt. Vernon has surpassed the previous school record for single-season victories by five. The 2021 Marauders won their first outright Hoosier Heritage Conference championship (Mt. Vernon shared the HCC title with New Palestine in 2009). Other HCC members are Delta, Greenfield-Central, New Castle, Pendleton Heights, Shelbyville and Yorktown. In winning sectional and regional crowns, the Marauders broke through at those stages for the first time since 2011 and 1971. “It’s a big deal playing in semistate,” says King, who was hired in the fall of 2019 after 23 seasons — the last 16 as head coach — at New Castle and is coaching his first Mt. Vernon season on the field after the COVID-19 pandemic took he 2020 campaign away. “There will be a lot of electricity at Jasper. But the kids won’t be overwhelmed. We just beat (Indianapolis) Cathedral (in the regional championship game). “We’re trying to go through the best to be the best.” Mt. Vernon opened the season by going 2-1 in the Noblesville Invitational, playing Noblesville, Columbus North and Franklin Community and went on to go 12-2 in the conference and play a solid non-conference schedule. “These kids have kept gaining confidence as the season has gone on,” says King, whose squad is 15-1 in its last 16 games. At the Pendleton Heights Sectional, the Marauders blanked Muncie Central 19-0 and Pendleton Heights 8-0 then downed Franklin Central 6-2 and Cathedral 6-3 to take the Plainfield Regional. This brought Mt. Vernon’s all-time totals to eight sectional titles and two regionals. The Marauders have never won a semistate or appeared in the State Finals. Led by seniors Hunter Dobbins (.560, 10 home runs, 39 runs batted in) and Joel Walton (.485, 5 HR, 38 RBI) and sophomore Eli Bridenthal (.366, 15 stolen bases), Mt. Vernon hits .321 as a team and averages 8.6 runs per game. Junior Landon Clark (.297, 44 runs, 17 stolen bases) sets the table table as the Marauders’ lead-off hitter. Senior A.J. Swingle (.276, 23 RBI) hits No. 2, puts the ball in play and moves runners. Senior Jake Stank (.308, 4 HR, 28 RBI) is the clean-up hitter. “We’re just really solid offensively, field the ball at 95 percent and have four or five really good (pitching arms),” says King. “We’re really blessed.” Senior left-hander Swingle (9-0, 1.60 earned run average, 80 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings) and senior right-hander Eli Clodfelter (8-1, 3.29 ERA, 81 K’s, 51 IP) are Mt. Vernon’s leaders on mound. Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association North/South All-Star Series selection Dobbins is bound for Ball State University. Other seniors with college commitments are Walton (Trine University), Stank (Anderson University), Clodfelter (Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn.), Carson Augustinovicz (Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio) and Nate Weaver (Concordia University in Seward, Neb.). Recent Mt. Vernon graduates with college baseball programs include Nolan Bowser (Saint Louis University), Griffin Garwood (Manchester University), Matt Lood (Indiana University South Bend), Shaun Shipley (committed to Florida Gulf Coast University after playing at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.) and Jake Stadler (Purdue University). King’s coaching staff features Tony Gregory, Wayne Graham, Jerry Grill, Scott Blanchard and Shane Douglas. Varsity assistants Gregory and Graham were with King throughout his head coach run at New Castle. Grill leads the junior varsity team with the help of Blanchard. Douglas is the C-team coach. Mt. Vernon were 25-1 at the JV level and 8-7 in C-team contests this spring. The last day of school was June 8 so the team has been keeping something a normal schedule during the postseason. King says Marauder practices have been brief. Mt. Vernon’s feeder system includes Mt. Vernon Optimist (T-ball through age 13), the Marauder Baseball Club (a travel program for Mt. Vernon players through 14U and Mt. Vernon Middle School (seventh and eighth grade teams). King, who is still Dean of the Freshmen Academy at New Castle, stepped down as baseball coach because of health issues in his family. “After those issues went away it opened up the possibility for me to get back into coaching,” says King. Since New Castle had hired a new head coach, King looked for nearby opportunities. Mt. Vernon intrigued him. Athletic director Brandon Ecker served in the same capacity during part of King’s coaching tenure at New Castle. King was approved for hire with the Marauders in August 2019 and had players attending their first workouts in September. Because of the shutdown he never got to lead a talented team in 2020. “We thought we were going to be very good,” says King. The prevailing feeling outside the Mt. Vernon camp was that the team would be “a little down” in 2021. “I didn’t feel that way at all,” says King. “That’s the way we approached our offseason workouts. “The guys were focused and had the same goals as the previous years (win conference, sectional, regional and maybe more). So far they’ve done what they wanted to accomplish.”
It’s been an historic baseball season in 2021 for the Brad King-coached Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Marauders. The team has set a school record for wins and won its first outright Hoosier Heritage Conference title and first sectional and regional crowns since 2011 and 1971.
When the baseball team at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis took the field in 2019, the Braves had many freshmen in the lineup. Two years later, junior-rich Brebeuf has qualified for the program’s fourth semistate appearance and the first since 2012 when the Maroon and Gold went on to be IHSAA Class 3A state runners-up. The current Braves (20-11) take on Southridge (24-7) in the one-game Jasper Semistate at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12. The Brebeuf-Southridge winner moves on to the State Finals to play Hanover Central (28-3-1) or Norwell (20-9) either Monday or Tuesday, June 21 or 22 at Victory Field in Indianapolis. “We’re a talented ball club in a lot of ways,” says Jeff Scott, who has been the Braves head coach in two on-field seasons sandwiched around the 2020 campaign lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s not just Andrew Dutkanych.” Dutkanych, a junior right-hander with a fastball that sometimes touches 95 and 96 mph, verbally committed to Vanderbilt University as a freshman. In 2021, he has made 10 mound appearances and is 6-3 with an 0.88 earned run average. He has 108 strikeouts in 56 innings, including 18 in the Marion County championship game against Lawrence North on May 17 at Victory Field. Add junior left-hander Sam Reed (6-4, 1.74 ERA, 12 appearances, 72 K’s, 52 1/3 innings) and Brebeuf has a strong 1-2 punch at the top of its pitching staff. Junior righty A.J. Rinebold (4-1, 3.42 ERA, nine appearances, 28 K’s, 30 2/3 innings) established himself as the Braves’ No. 3 arm in his first varsity season. Two of Brebeuf’s four seniors are NCAA Division I commits — Butler University-bound third baseman Jack Moroknek (.359, 11 home runs, 38 runs batted in) and shortstop Nate Bingman (.358, 2 HR, 21 RBI), a Virginia Military Institute recruit. The Braves have stolen 90 bases in 31 games. “We’ve got a lot of team speed which is very nice,” says Scott. “A lot of those stolen base comes from our outfield.” Junior center fielder Anthony Annee is hitting .347 with 11 RBI, 20 steals and plenty of good glove work. “The kid’s an unbelievable athlete,” says Scott. Annee is flanked by sophomores Jayden Ohmer (.340, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 18 SB) in right and Michael Finelli (.296, 8 SB) in left. There’s also junior catcher Luke Bauer (.341, 0 HR, 16 RBI, 16 SB). Running a gauntlet of tough teams, Brebeuf was 4-5 in its first nine games of 2021 and 2-3 in the five games leading into the Brebeuf Sectional. “We have played a very difficult schedule,” says Scott. “We’ve done that for a reason — to prepare us for the postseason. “Preparation putting us where we’re at.” Scott points out that six teams — Center Grove, Columbus North, Franklin Central, Indianapolis Cathedral, Jasper and Mt. Vernon (Fortville)— playing in 4A regionals June 5 were on the Braves’ slate this spring. Brebeuf is part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping with Danville, Greencastle, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter and Tri-West Hendricks. In running their all-time sectional title total to 15, the Braves beat Danville 5-0 and Tri-West 15-1. Regional crown No. 4 and a berth in the 3A Final Four came by besting Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 10-0 and Northview 17-2. A member of the Circle City Conference (with Covenant Christian, Guerin Catholic, Heritage Christian, Chatard and Roncalli), Brebeuf has enrollment around 815. CCC schools meet in home-and-home series on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Braves play home game on-campus at Father O’Brien Field. “We have one of the nicer fields around,” says Scott. “I love our (natural) surface.” Since former Martinsville head coach Scott has taken over at Brebeuf, the program has sent five players into the college baseball ranks — 2019 graduate Sean Swenson (Akron) and Shane Bauer (Dartmouth), Karl Meyer (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Andrew Pickett (Hope College) and Gabe Wright (South Florida State College after a year at IMG Academy in Florida) from the Class of 2020. Shane is the brother of Luke Bauer. Scott’s 2021 assistants are Greencastle High School graduate Wes Neese, Indianapolis North Central alum Joe Perkins, Brebeuf grad Joey Perkins and Staten Island native Eric Hartung. Joey Perkins — son of Joe — played for Scott at Brebeuf and a DePauw University.
Brebeuf won the 2021 Marion County championship May 17 at Victory Field in Indianapolis. The Braves hope to return to that facility for the IHSAA State Finals by winning a Class 3A Jasper Semistate game against Southridge.
The draw was made Sunday, May 2 for an event that begins with sectional games on Wednesday, May 26. Regionals are Saturday, June 5, semistates Saturday, June 12 and the State Finals Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 season so this is the first state tournament series since 2019.
IHSAA BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
(2021)
Sectionals
Wednesday-Monday, May 26-31
Class 4A
Merrillville
Game 1: Munster vs. Highland. Game 2: Merrillville vs. East Chicago Central.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Hammond Morton vs. Lake Central.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Lake Central 20 (2019), Merrillville 13 (2001), Highland 12 (2000), Munster 12 (2016), Hammond Morton 10 (2015), East Chicago Central (0).
Chesterton
Game 1: Valparaiso vs. Portage. Game 2: Hobart vs. Andrean. Game 3: Lowell vs. Crown Point. Game 4: Chesterton vs. Game 1 winner. Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Game 1: Plymouth vs. Mishawaka. Game 2: LaPorte vs. South Bend Riley. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Michigan City vs. South Bend Adams.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): LaPorte 36 (2017), Plymouth 23 (2006), Mishawaka 8 (2019), South Bend Adams 6 (2009), South Bend Riley 2 (1991), Michigan City 1 (2002).
Northridge
Game 1: Goshen vs. Penn. Game 2: Elkhart vs. Concord. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Northridge vs. Warsaw Community.
Game 2: Richmond vs. Anderson. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Mt. Vernon (Fortville) vs. Muncie Central.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Richmond 29 (2011), Pendleton Heights 17 (2018), Greenfield-Central 14 (2019), Muncie Central 14 (2000), Anderson 7 (2012), Mt. Vernon 7 (2011).
Ben Davis
Game 1: Indianapolis Cathedral vs. Indianapolis Crispus Attucks.
Game 2: Pike vs. Indianapolis Arsenal Tech. Game 3: Lawrence Central vs. Ben Davis. Game 4: North Central (Indianapolis) vs. Lawrence North.
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Championship: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Indianapolis Cathedral 23 (2019), Ben Davis 12 (2014), North Central 11 (2006), Pike 10 (2010), Lawrence Central 8 (2004), Lawrence North 8 (2016), Arsenal Tech 1 (1970), Crispus Attucks 0.
Franklin Central
Game 1: Southport vs. Roncalli. Game 2: Perry Meridian vs. Franklin Central.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: New Palestine vs. Warren Central.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): New Palestine 16 (2015), Roncalli 14 (2018), Southport 13 (2008), Warren Central 9 (1991), Franklin Central 8 (2018), Perry Meridian 8 (2007).
Plainfield
Game 1: Terre Haute North Vigo vs. Decatur Central.
Game 2: Plainfield vs. Terre Haute South Vigo. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Brownsburg vs. Avon.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): North Vigo 19 (2015), Decatur Central 16 (2019), Brownsburg 14 (2013), South Vigo 14 (2018), Plainfield 8 (1997), Avon 5 (2019).
Mooresville
Game 1: Center Grove vs. Martinsville. Game 2: Franklin Community vs. Mooresville. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Whiteland Community vs. Greenwood Community.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Center Grove 19 (2016), Martinsville 15 (2019), Mooresville 10 (2004), Whiteland 10 (2014), Greenwood 8 (1984), Franklin 5 (2013).
Bloomington North
Game 1: East Central vs. Columbus North. Game 2: Shelbyville vs. Columbus East. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Bloomington South vs. Bloomington North.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Columbus East 19 (2019), Bloomington South 18 (2016), Bloomington North 17 (2013), Shelbyville 10 (2005), Columbus North 13 (2017), East Central 6 (2006).
Floyd Central
Game 1: New Albany vs. Jennings County. Game 2: Seymour vs. Floyd Central. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Jeffersonville vs. Bedford North Lawrence.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Jeffersonville 26 (2019), New Albany 22 (2016), Bedford North Lawrence 14 (2017), Seymour 14 (1995), Floyd Central 13 (2015), Jennings County 11 (2006).
Evansville Reitz
Game 1: Jasper vs. Castle. Game 2: Evansville North vs. Evansville Harrison.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Evansville Reitz vs. Evansville Central.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Jasper 38 (2017), Castle 15 (2019), Central 9 (2017), Harrison 7 (2016), North 5 (2013), Reitz 5 (2015).
Class 3A
Griffith
Game 1: Hammond Gavit vs. Hammond Clark.
Game 2: Calumet vs. Griffith. Game 3: Hammond vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Griffith 17 (2019), Clark 9 (2011), Hammond 7 (1999), Gavit 5 (1997), Calumet 3 (1990).
Kankakee Valley
Game 1: Knox vs. Culver Academies. Game 2: Hanover Central vs. Kankakee Valley.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: River Forest vs. Glenn.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Glenn 9 (2017), Culver Academies 4 (1997), Kankakee Valley 4 (1999), Hanover Central 1 (2011), Knox 1 (1996), River Forest 0.
South Bend Clay
Game 1: South Bend Clay vs. South Bend St. Joseph.
Game 2: Mishawaka Marian vs. New Prairie.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): St. Joseph 15 (2019), Clay 12 (2013), Mishawaka Marian 9 (2016), New Prairie 3 (2005).
Northwestern
Game 1: Peru vs. Western. Game 2: Twin Lakes vs. Benton Central. Game 3: West Lafayette vs. Maconaquah.
Game 4: Northwestern vs. Game 1 winner. Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Championship: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Benton Central 25 (2009), Western 20 (2019), Twin Lakes 12 (1993), Northwestern 9 (2014), West Lafayette 9 (2011), Peru 5 (2018), Maconaquah 3 (1994).
Wawasee
Game 1: Jimtown vs. Tippecanoe Valley. Game 2: Lakeland vs. Wawasee. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: West Noble vs. NorthWood.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): NorthWood 12 (2018), Lakeland 11 (2008), Jimtown 9 (2007), West Noble 8 (2006), Wawasee 6 (1997), Tippecanoe Valley 5 (2012).
Garrett
Game 1: Angola vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. Game 2: Garrett vs. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran.
Game 3: Leo vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger. Game 4: New Haven vs. Game 1 winner. Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner. Championship: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): New Haven 13 (2019), Dwenger 11 (2016), Concordia 8 (2018), Leo 8 (2012), Luers 7 (2012), Angola 5 (2019), Garrett 3 (1973).
Bellmont
Game 1: Marion vs. Norwell. Game 2: Mississinewa vs. Heritage. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Bellmont vs. Oak Hill.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Marion 20 (1998), Bellmont 19 (2016), Norwell 16 (2017), Heritage 9 (2015), Mississinewa 3 (2006), Oak Hill 3 (2006).
Yorktown
Game 1: Hamilton Heights vs. Delta. Game 2: Jay County vs. Guerin Catholic. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: New Castle vs. Yorktown.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Yorktown 17 (2019), Delta 13 (2016), New Castle 13 (2014), Jay County 9 (2019), Hamilton Heights 2 (2012), Guerin 0.
North Montgomery
Game 1: Crawfordsville vs. Lebanon. Game 2: North Montgomery vs. South Vermillion.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Northview vs. Frankfort. Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Crawfordsville 17 (2013), Frankfort 13 (2019), North Montgomery 12 (2018), Lebanon 11 (2014), South Vermillion 10 (2019), Northview 9 (2017).
Brebeuf Jesuit
Game 1: Greencastle vs. Danville Community. Game 2: Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter vs. Tri-West Hendricks.
Game 3: Brebeuf Jesuit vs. Game 1 winner. Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Game 1: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard vs. Beech Grove.
Game 2: Indianapolis Shortridge vs. Herron. Game 3: Indianapolis George Washington vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 11 (2007), Beech Grove 6 (2014), Indianapolis Washington 2 (1978), Herron 0, Shortridge 0.
Owen Valley
Game 1: West Vigo vs. Owen Valley. Game 2: Edgewood vs. Indian Creek. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Sullivan vs. Brown County.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Sullivan 16 (2015), West Vigo 14 (2018), Edgewood 12 (2019), Indian Creek 6 (2019), Brown County 1 (1993), Owen Valley 1 (1975).
Lawrenceburg
Game 1: South Dearborn vs. Batesville. Game 2: Greensburg vs. Connersville. Game 3: Rushville Consolidated vs. Lawrenceburg.
Game 4: Franklin County vs. Game 1 winner. Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner. Championship: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Lawrenceburg 20 (2017), Connersville 18 (2010), Batesville 12 (2018), South Dearborn 12 (2019), Greensburg 9 (2016), Franklin County 7 (2013), Rushville 5 (1999).
Silver Creek
Game 1: Silver Creek vs. Charlestown. Game 2: Scottsburg vs. Corydon Central. Game 3: Brownstown Central vs. Salem. Game 4: Madison Consolidated vs. North Harrison.
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner. Championship: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Madison 22 (2009), North Harrison 9 (2015), Silver Creek 9 (2019), Scottsburg 6 (1996). Salem 3 (1996), Brownstown Central 2 (2016). Charlestown 2 (2009), Corydon Central 2 (2010).
Southridge
Game 1: Washington vs. Princeton Community.
Game 2: Gibson Southern vs. Vincennes Lincoln.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Pike Central vs. Southridge.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Vincennes Lincoln 17 (2019), Gibson Southern 9 (2014), Washington 9 (2018), Princeton 6 (1991), Southridge 5 (2019), Pike Central 1 (1989).
Evansville Bosse
Game 1: Evansville Bosse vs. Evansville Memorial.
Game 2: Heritage Hills vs. Boonville. Game 3: Mt. Vernon vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Memorial 29 (2019), Mount Vernon 17 (2015), Boonville 12 (2017), Heritage Hills 7 (2011), Bosse 3 (2010).
Class 2A
Whiting
Game 1: Wheeler vs. Bowman Academy. Game 2: Lake Station Edison vs. Whiting. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Illiana Christian vs. Hammond Bishop Noll.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Noll 27 (2018), Wheeler 5 (2008), Lake Station Edison 4 (2005), Whiting 4 (2019), Bowman Academy 0, Illiana Christian 0.
Hebron
Game 1: North Newton vs. Hebron. Game 2: North Judson-San Pierre vs. Rensselaer Central.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Boone Grove vs. Winamac Community.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Boone Grove 13 (2018), North Newton 12 (2019), North Judson 8 (2006), Rensselaer Central 7 (2003), Hebron 4 (2017), Winamac 3 (1999).
Westview
Game 1: LaVille vs. Bremen. Game 2: Central Noble vs. Prairie Heights.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Fairfield vs. Westview.
Game 1: Muncie Burris vs. Lapel. Game 2: Monroe Central vs. Frankton. Game 3: Alexandria Monroe vs. Winchester Community.
Game 4: Wapahani vs. Elwood Community. Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner. Championship: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Wapahani 16 (2019), Alexandria 9 (2019), Elwood 8 (2014), Frankton 7 (2018), Lapel 7 (2015), Monroe Central 1 (2014), Muncie Burris 1 (1982), Winchester 1 (1986).
Centerville
Game 1: Union County vs. Centerville. Game 2: Shenandoah vs. Northeastern. Game 3: Hagerstown vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Shenandoah 12 (2006), Hagerstown 11 (2019), Union County 8 (2018), Centerville 7 (2011), Northeastern 4 (2004).
Heritage Christian
Game 1: Triton Central vs. Indianapolis Scecina.
Game 2: Eastern Hancock vs. Heritage Christian.
Game 3: Knightstown vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Scecina 9 (2019), Heritage Christian 8 (2017), Knightstown 6 (2016), Triton Central 3 (2012), Eastern Hancock 1 (1976).
Cascade
Game 1: Monrovia vs. Park Tudor. Game 2: Speedway vs. Cascade. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: University vs. Covenant Christian (Indianapolis).
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Speedway 9 (2019), Park Tudor 7 (2013), Cascade 6 (2005), University 4 (2019), Covenant Christian 2 (2018), Monrovia 0.
Southmont
Game 1: South Putnam vs. Parke Heritage.
Game 2: Cloverdale vs. North Putnam. Game 3: Southmont vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Southmont 6 (2017), Cloverdale 4 (1984), North Putnam 4 (2007), South Putnam 4 (2010), Parke Heritage 0.
South Ripley
Game 1: Switzerland County vs. Milan. Game 2: North Decatur vs. South Ripley. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: South Decatur vs. Southwestern (Hanover).
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): South Ripley 7 (2008), Switzerland County 4 (2018), Milan 3 (2015), South Decatur 2 (1976), North Decatur 1 (2011), Southwestern 1 (1999).
Eastern (Pekin)
Game 1: Henryville vs. Providence. Game 2: Clarksville vs. Eastern (Pekin). Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Austin vs. Crawford County.
Game 1: South Knox vs. Linton-Stockton. Game 2: Paoli vs. Mitchell. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: North Knox vs. Eastern Greene.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Mitchell 10 (2006), Linton-Stockton 9 (2017), Paoli 8 (1995), North Knox 6 (1998), Eastern Greene 5 (2013), South Knox 3 (2007).
Tell City
Game 1: Tell City vs. Forest Park. Game 2: Perry Central vs. South Spencer. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: North Posey vs. Evansville Mater Dei.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): South Spencer 23 (2017), Tell City 16 (1997), Evansville Mater Dei 12 (2014), North Posey 9 (2019), Forest Park 4 (2002), Perry Central 0.
Class 1A
Washington Township
Game 1: Westville vs. Covenant Christian (DeMotte).
Game 2: Kouts vs. Washington Township. Game 3: Marquette Catholic vs. Morgan Township.
Game 4: Hammond Academy of Science & Technology vs. 21st Century Gary.
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Championship: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Washington Township 9 (2019), Kouts 5 (2011), Morgan Township 4 (2018), Marquette Catholic 3 (2007), Covenant Christian 0, HAST 0, 21st Century 0, Westville 0.
LaCrosse
Game 1: South Central (Union Mills) vs. Culver Community.
Game 2: LaCrosse vs. Argos. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Oregon-Davis vs. Triton.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): South Central (Union Mills) 16 (2019), Culver Community 8 (2013), Triton 4 (2015), LaCrosse 3 (2002), Argos 1 (1998), Oregon-Davis 1 (1976).
Fremont
Game 1: Fort Wayne Canterbury vs. Bethany Christian. Game 2: Elkhart Christian Academy vs. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Fremont vs. Lakewood Park Christian. Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 14 (2017), Fremont 7 (2019), Canterbury 2 (2014), Bethany Christian 1 (1987), Elkhart Christian 1 (2013), Lakewood Park Christian 0.
Caston
Game 1: Southwood vs. Northfield.
Game 2: West Central vs. Pioneer. Game 3: North White vs. North Miami.
Game 4: Caston vs. Game 1 winner.
Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Championship: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Northfield 10 (2018), North White 10 (2016), Southwood 4 (2014), Caston 1 (2012), North Miami 1 (2019), Pioneer 1 (2016), West Central 1 (1975).
Riverton Parke
Game 1: Covington vs. Attica. Game 2: Faith Christian vs. North Vermillion.
Game 3: Riverton Parke vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Covington 12 (2018), Riverton Parke 9 (2019), Attica 8 (2017), North Vermillion 5 (1997), Faith Christian 0.
Frontier
Game 1: Rossville vs. Frontier. Game 2: Sheridan vs. South Newton. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Tri-County vs. Clinton Central.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): South Newton 8 (2017), Frontier 7 (2014), Rossville 6 (2019), Tri-County 6 (2011), Clinton Central 1 (2005), Sheridan 1 (2004).
Liberty Christian
Game 1: Liberty Christian vs. Wes-Del. Game 2: Daleville vs. Tri-Central. Game 3: Southern Wells vs. Anderson Preparatory.
Game 4: Cowan vs. Game 1 winner. Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner. Championship: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Daleville 11 (2019), Cowan 6 (2010), Wes-Del 5 (2011), Tri-Central 3 (2004), Anderson Prep 0, Liberty Christian 0, Southern Wells 0.
Seton Catholic
Game 1: Union City vs. Tri. Game 2: Seton Catholic vs. Randolph Southern. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Blue River Valley vs. Cambridge City Lincoln.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Tri 4 (2007), Blue River Valley 3 (2019), Seton Catholic 3 (2014), Cambridge City Lincoln 2 (1994), Union City 2 (2018), Randolph Southern 1 (2010).
White River Valley
Game 1: Clay City vs. Eminence. Game 2: Shakamak vs. White River Valley. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: North Central (Farmersburg) vs. Bloomfield.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Shakamak 25 (2019), North Central (Farmersburg) 8 (2011), Bloomfield 2 (1971), Clay City 2 (2016), Eminence 1 (2005), White River Valley 1 (2014).
Bethesda Christian
Game 1: Bethesda Christian vs. Providence Cristo Rey.
Game 2: Tindley vs. Traders Point Christian. Game 3: Indiana Deaf vs. Game 1 winner. Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Bethesda Christian 2 (2011), Indiana Deaf 0, Providence Cristo Rey 0, Tindley 0, Traders Point 0,
Morristown
Game 1: Southwestern (Shelbyville) vs. Indianapolis Lutheran.
Game 2: Greenwood Christian Academy vs. Edinburgh. Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. Game 4: Waldron vs. Morristown.
Championship: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Indianapolis Lutheran 13 (2019), Edinburgh 4 (2017), Greenwood Christian 3 (2016), Morristown 2 (2008), Southwestern 1 (1999), Waldron 1 (2001).
Jac-Cen-Del
Game 1: Oldenburg Academy vs. Trinity Lutheran.
Game 2: Jac-Cen-Del vs. Rising Sun. Game 3: Hauser vs. Game 1 winner. Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Jac-Cen-Del 8 (2016), Rising Sun 7 (2019), Trinity Lutheran 6 (2019), Hauser 5 (2018), Oldenburg Academy 4 (2010).
South Central (Elizabeth)
Game 1: Lanesville vs. Christian Academy of Indiana.
Game 2: Orleans vs. South Central (Elizabeth). Game 3: Borden vs. Game 1 winner. Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Orleans 9 (2018), South Central (Elizabeth) 7 (2019), Lanesville 5 (2019), Borden 4 (2018), Christian Academy 2 (2009).
West Washington
Game 1: Crothersville vs. New Washington. Game 2: Shawe Memorial vs. West Washington.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Shawe Memorial 3 (2001), New Washington 1 (1998), Crothersville 0, West Washington 0,
North Daviess
Game 1: Shoals vs. Loogootee. Game 2: Vincennes Rivet vs. North Daviess.
Game 3: Barr-Reeve vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Loogootee 21 (1994), Barr-Reeve 12 (2019), North Daviess 7 (2015), Vincennes Rivet 9 (2014), Shoals 0.
Northeast Dubois
Game 1: Northeast Dubois vs. Tecumseh. Game 2: Wood Memorial vs. Cannelton. Game 3: Springs Valley vs. Game 1 winner.
Championship: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner.
Titles Won (Most Recent): Springs Valley 17 (2004), Tecumseh 15 (2019), Northeast Dubois 10 (2017), Cannelton 5 (1993), Wood Memorial 3 (2011).
Regionals
Saturday, June 5
Class 4A
LaPorte
Game 1: Chesterton winner vs. Merrillville winner.
Game 2: Northridge winner vs. Plymouth winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Kokomo
Game 1: Carroll (Fort Wayne) winner vs. Lafayette Jefferson winner.
Game 2: Huntington North winner vs. Westfield winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Plainfield
Game 1: Pendleton Heights winner vs. Franklin Central winner.
Game 2: Ben Davis winner vs. Plainfield winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Jasper
Game 1: Mooresville winner vs. Bloomington North winner.
Game 2: New Albany winner vs. Evansville Reitz winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Class 3A
Griffith
Game 1: Griffith winner vs. Northwestern winner. Game 2: Kankakee Valley winner vs. South Bend Clay winner. Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Bellmont
Game 1: Garrett winner vs. Yorktown winner.
Game 2: Bellmont winner vs. Wawasee winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Danville
Game 1: North Montgomery winner vs. Owen Valley winner.
Game 2: Beech Grove winner vs. Brebeuf Jesuit winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Southridge
Game 1: Silver Creek winner vs. Southridge winner. Game 2: Evansville Bosse winner vs. Lawrenceburg winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Class 2A
Whiting
Game 1: Eastside winner vs. Whiting winner.
Game 2: Hebron winner vs. Westview winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Lafayette Central Catholic
Game 1: Lapel winner vs. Eastern (Greentown) winner.
Game 2: Delphi Community winner vs. Wabash winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Cascade
Game 1: Cascade winner vs. Centerville winner. Game 2: Heritage Christian winner vs. Southmont winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Evansville Mater Dei (Bosse Field)
Game 1: South Ripley winner vs. Eastern (Pekin) winner.
Game 2: Mitchell winner vs. Tell City winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Class 1A
South Bend Washington (Four Winds Field)
Game 1: LaCrosse winner vs. Washington Township winner.
Game 2: Caston winner vs. Fremont winner. Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Carroll (Flora)
Game 1: Seton Catholic winner vs. Liberty Christian winner.
Game 2: Riverton Parke winner vs. Frontier winner.
Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Morristown
Game 1: White River Valley winner vs. Morristown winner.
Game 2: Jac-Cen-Del winner vs. Bethesda Christian winner. Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Lanesville
Game 1: North Daviess winner vs. Northeast Dubois winner. Game 2: South Central (Elizabeth) winner vs. West Washington winner. Championship: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner.
Semistates
(Teams TBD)
Saturday, June 12
North
LaPorte Kokomo (Municipal Stadium)
South
Mooresville Jasper (Ruxer Field)
State Finals
Monday, June 21 Class TBA — North Semi-State winner vs. South Semi-State winner, 5 p.m. ET /4 p.m. CT.
Class TBA — North Semi-State winner vs. South Semi-State winner, 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT.
Tuesday, June 22 Class TBA — North Semi-State winner vs. South Semi-State winner, 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT.
Class TBA — North Semi-State winner vs. South Semi-State winner, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
Indiana broadcaster Walt Ferber calls about 250 live sporting events a year.
He enjoys them all, but he especially appreciates baseball on the radio.
“It lets you use creativity,” says Ferber. “With football and basketball, you dot the i’s and cross the t’s. You get to paint a picture (with baseball).
“It’s my favorite sport because of that. You get a chance to tell a story.”
Ferber, program and sports director, on-air personality and account executive at WITZ AM/FM in Dubois County (the studio is located between Jasper and Huntingburg), is scheduled to do a little more painting as a statewide play-by-play voice at the State Finals for the third straight year on the IHSAA Champions Radio Network.
There are 29 affiliated stations across Indiana that will carry all or some of the four games (two each on Monday and Tuesday, June 17-18, beginning at 5:30 p.m.).
Ferber will be paired with analyst Bob Lovell for the first game (teams to be determined) on June 17 from Victory Field in Indianapolis. Ferber worked alongside Brian Jennings in 2018 and Rob Blackman in 2017.
“Victory Field at the State Finals is one of my favorite place to be,” says Ferber, who has made the trip to Indy often as the Jasper High School Wildcats have made nine appearances in the championship game with five state titles.
“I’ve been spoiled,” says Ferber. “Coach (Terry) Gobert does things the right way. He works very, very hard to get the best out of each of his players. He’s kind of an old school coach.
“(Players) take ownership of what they do. It’s something you learn from the time you’re born into the feeder system.”
That tradition has been reinforced on the air with his Ferber’s partner, Ray Howard. The former Jasper head coach who recently turned 80 will throw batting practice and then make his way to the press box.
“Ray brings a depth of information to the broadcast,” says Ferber. “The last nine year we’ve done this, I’ve learned a tremendous amount of baseball from him.”
There will be double duty at the 2019 State Finals for Ferber if Southridge beats South Vermillion to win the Jasper Semistate. He will be on the call for WITZ Saturday, June 8.
At 62, Ferber says he knows he will probably cut back his schedule as some point.
“I don’t see myself retiring altogether,” says Ferber. “I’m pretty lucky to do what I do.
“I’ve wanted to do it ever since I was 5 years old. I did whatever I could to make it happen.”
Ferber did his first work in radio at 14 and had his first play-by-play gig at 15.
He worked at WNAS and WREY in New Albany, becoming perhaps the youngest sports director in the state at the latter station in 1973. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1974 and earned a double major in Telecommunications and Marketing at Indiana University, graduating in 1978.
Ferber was at WTTS in Bloomington from 1974-79 and at WWWY in Columbus in 1979 before landing at WITZ in 1980.
Today, there are three entities and four frequencies — WITZ 104.7 FM, WQKZ 98.5 FM and Juan 99.1 FM and 990 AM (Spanish language station).
“My favorite player when I was a kid was Pete Rose,” says Ferber. “For obvious reasons, I’m a big fan of Scott Rolen. I got a chance to broadcast all of his games at Jasper High School.”
WQKZ became a St. Louis Cardinals station when Rolen was with that team and has remained a Cards affiliate ever since. Ferber is scheduled to throw out a first pitch when the Chicago Cubs visit Busch Stadium July 31.
Ferber has been married to the former Melanie Padgett since 1980.
“On those nights I’m home, I usually watch what she wants to watch,” says Ferber, who has two sons (Nathan and Jonathon) and two grandchildren.
Awards have come Ferber’s way aplenty, including Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame in 2010, New Albany High School Hall of Fame in 2011 plus Associated Press Play by Play awards in 1995, 1996 and 1997, ISSA Marv Bates Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1996, Indiana Interscholastic Administrators Athletic Association Distinguished Service Award in 1997, Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Virgil Sweet Distinguished Service Award in 2005, Network Indiana Play by Play awards in 2007 and 2008, NI Sportscaster of the Year in 2008 and IHSAA Distinguished Service Media Award in 2011.
IHSAA STATE FINALS
Victory Field, Indianapolis
Indiana Champions Network
Monday, June 17
Radio: Game 1 (5:30 p.m.) — Walt Ferber (play-by-play); Bob Lovell (analyst). Game 2 (following) — Greg Rakestraw (play-by-play); Chris Walker (analyst).
TV: Games 1 & 2 — Mark Jaynes (play-by-play); Brian Jennings (analyst).
Tuesday, June 18
Radio: Game 3 (5:30 p.m.) — Scott McCauley (play-by-play); John Herrick (analyst). Game 4 (following) — Brian Jennings (play-by-play); Justin Keever (analyst).
TV: Games 3 & 4 — Greg Rakestraw (play-by-play); Rob Blackman (analyst).
Roger Stuckey (left) and Walt Ferber broadcast games for the Dubois County Bombers of the summer collegiate Ohio Valley Baseball League on WITZ 104.7 FM.
Walt Ferber (left) and Ray Howard are the broadcast team on Jasper (Ind.) High School baseball games on WITZ 104.7 FM. Ferber is scheduled to call the first game of the 2019 IHSAA State Finals for the IHSAA Champions Radio Network.
“Our kids grind. We’re not flashy,” says Mattingly. “I don’t have a lot of college recruiters or pro scouts attending our games.
“We just have a bunch of guys who play really, really hard and hate to lose.”
Besides that, it’s all about the team.
Mattingly also describes his players as “unselfish.”
“They don’t play for themselves,” says Mattingly. “That’s a testament to their character, their parents and the type of community they’re growing up in.”
That approach has Southridge (24-6) in the IHSAA Class 2A Jasper Semistate against Indianapolis Scecina on Saturday, June 9. A win there sends the Raiders to the 2A state championship game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
“Our goal is to never take a pitch off, whether that’s offense or defense,” says Mattingly, a part-time assistant in the program for about a dozen years before taking over the reigns from Dave Schank in 2018. “Our mantra is to win every pitch. We grind out at-bats. We grind on the mound when we don’t have our best stuff.
“We don’t let up.”
Southridge, located in the Dubois County city of Huntingburg, Ind., is 5-4 in one-run games.
The Raiders went 7-1 to win the outright Pocket Athletic Conference title. The lone loss in the nine-member circuit was a 2-1 decision against Gibson Southern. Other PAC members are Forest Park, Heritage Hills, North Posey, Pike Central, South Spencer, Southridge, Tecumseh and Tell City.
Southridge’s top pitchers are juniors Logan Seger and Kade Allen and freshmen Camden Gasser and Ethan Bell.
When not pitching, Seger is usually the designated hitter. Allen plays some first base. Gasser is the third baseman.
Leading hitters include outfielder Tucker Schank, catcher Chase Taylor, shortstop Colson Montgomery and Gasser.
Of the 11 players who started at some point during the Southridge Sectional or Austin Regional, eight are three-sport athletes and one other is a two-sporter.
“We encourage multi-sport athletes,” says Mattingly. “We get in the weight room and get bigger, stronger faster.
“We can play good baseball, but we’re not necessarily baseball players. We buy into a system. We work on becoming really good athletes in the summer time. We don’t have a lot of flash, but we like to compete.”
Mattingly’s assistant coaches are Brian Craig (head assistant), Mark Peters, Joe Keusch (pitching coach), Andy McKeough and Casey Lindeman at the varsity level with Jace Merkel and Jason Barnett working with the junior varsity. Mattingly and McKeough were teammates at the University of Mobile (Ala.). Lindeman also coordinates the middle school baseball program.
“It’s just a neat, neat place,” says Mattingly. “And it’s a fair field. It plays deep and long. It’s a nice doubles park.
“Our kids enjoy it.”
Southridge is plenty familiar with Jasper’s Ruxer Field, too. The Jasper Wildcats are annual opponents so the Raiders go there every other regular season it’s only about nine miles to the north.
His baseball coach at Mobile was Mike Jacobs, the man who built the Rams program from scratch.
Jacobs’ discipline, attention to detail and grinder approach rubbed off on Mattingly and he used it while coaching Little League and travel teams in Mississippi and in the Huntingburg area. He coached the Dubois County Crush and later the Dirtbags.
Payton Mattingly, Gene’s son, also played for the Indiana Bulls and Ironmen Baseball Club. The 21-year-old just finished at Olney (Ill.) Central College and will be a junior at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky.
Gene and Traci Mattingly (a 1989 Southridge graduate and a health teacher at the school) also have a daughter — Southridge freshman-to-be Ella Mattingly (14). Older daughter Lexi Mattingly passed away April 20, 2017.
Southridge High School head baseball coach Gene Mattingly (left) talks with Jayce Harter. The Raiders are in the 2018 IHSAA Class 2A Jasper Semistate.
Southridge High School celebrates a sectional championship in the Raiders’ first season under head coach Gene Mattingly. Southridge also won a regional crown and advanced to the IHSAA Class 2A Jasper Semistate on Saturday, June 9.
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