For the first time since 1999, Mater Dei is an IHSAA state champion in baseball.
The No. 1-ranked Wildcats won a thriller, 6-3 in 8 innings, over Bluffton Saturday, June 20 at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Mater Dei (30-3) was down to their final out in the top of the seventh inning when a Jackson Schaefer swinging bunt infield single scored Spencer Schiff, tying the game at three.
In the extra inning, the Wildcats scored three runs with two outs. Max Miller delivered the game-winning single, with Dylan Murphy adding a 2-RBI single for insurance runs.
Below were our live updates of the IHSAA Class 2A baseball state championship game. See how the game unfolded here. WE WILL HAVE A FULL STORY WITH ANALYSIS COMING LATER TONIGHT TO courierpress.com.
Mater Dei vs Bluffton IHSAA Class 2A baseball state championship live updates
All times Eastern
7:07 p.m. | FINAL: Mater Dei 6, Bluffton 3 (8 innings)
For the first time since 1999, Mater Dei is state champions in baseball! Darret Branson shuts down the Tigers offense over the last two frames. What a ballgame. Had just about everything.
7:00 p.m. | MID 8: Mater Dei 6, Bluffton 3
What a half inning. Walk, hit-by-pitch, single, single all with two outs scores three for the Wildcats.
6:59 p.m. | Mater Dei extends the lead
Two-RBI single for Dylan Murphy. 6-3 Wildcats, still two outs, top 8.
6:57 p.m. | Mater Dei takes the lead
RBI single Max Miller scores Schickel. Schiff advances to third. 4-3, top 8, two outs.
6:51 p.m. | Pitching change for Bluffton
Ooh, boy. What a start to extras. The first batter of the inning for Mater Dei was called out at first on a bang-bang play, then overturned to be safe, then overturned again to be out. The next batter singled, then stole second base. He popped off the bag on the slide, though, and the tag was maintained, meaning he was out.
Then, Nolan Schickel drew a walk. That’s it for Bluffton pitcher Griffin Morgan via the pitch count limit.
3-3 game, two outs, top 8, runner on first for the Wildcats.
6:40 p.m. | END 7: Mater Dei 3, Bluffton 3
Our first 1-2-3 inning of the game sends this to extras!
6:34 p.m. | MID 7: Mater Dei 3, Bluffton 3
A long flyout ends the MD threat. Bluffton can win it here in the 7th. Otherwise, we go to extras.
6:32 p.m. | Mater Dei ties it
A swinging bunt results in an infield single for Schaefer. We are tied at three, runners at the corners, two outs, 3-3, top seven.
6:30 p.m. | Mater Dei threatening
2nd and 3rd, one out, down 3-2 in the seventh.
6:23 p.m. | END 6: Bluffton 3, Mater Dei 2
The Tigers had runners on second and third with two outs, but MD gets a strikeout to end the threat. They’ll have their 2-3-4 hitters coming up to the plate.
6:12 p.m. | MID 6: Bluffton 3, Mater Dei 2
Will Hoffman had a one-out double, but the Wildcats were unable to bring him home.
6:04 p.m. | END 5: Bluffton 3, Mater Dei 2
The Tigers have their first lead of the game, scoring via a fielding error from Mater Dei to go ahead. Griffin Morgan reached safely and Jacob Kephart scored. Bluffton then strands the bases loaded, though, preventing them from extending the lead even more.
5:52 p.m. | Tie game
Bluffton draws even at two on an RBI single from Axton Beste, bringing in Dawson Lee. Mater Dei is making a pitching change, taking out Cole Breeden and replacing him with Darret Branson. 2-2, zero outs, bottom 5.
5:46 p.m. | MID 5: Mater Dei 2, Bluffton 1
MD strands a two-out single. There has yet to be a 1-2-3 inning for either team so far.
5:39 p.m. | END 4: Mater Dei 2, Bluffton 1
Tigers go somewhat quietly. Fun game so far.
5:31 p.m. | MID 4: Mater Dei 2, Bluffton 1
Wildcats take the lead on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Caldemeyer, scoring Camden Stratman. It was a great throw by the Bluffton centerfielder, almost getting Stratman out but the catcher dropped the ball.
5:26 p.m. | END 3: Mater Dei 1, Bluffton 1
Maybe the most “normal” half inning of the game so far.
5:16 p.m. | MID 3: Mater Dei 1, Bluffton 1
Wildcats load the bases, but Tigers pitcher gets a big strikeout to end the three. Five left on base through three innings for Mater Dei.
5:05 p.m. | END 2: Mater Dei 1, Bluffton 1
Wildcats take advantage of a baserunning miscue from the Tigers.
4:56 p.m. | MID 2: Mater Dei 1, Bluffton 1
Wildcats strand two runners. They could have scored in the inning, but a runner was thrown out trying to steal second. Camden Stratman then hit a triple a few pitches later.
4:47 p.m. | END 1: Mater Dei 1, Bluffton 1
Tigers get one right back. Axton Beste doubled (then was subbed out for courtesy runner Jacob Kephart). Kephart advanced to third base on a single, then scored via an RBI fielder’s choice from Colton Arnold. Fun start to this game.
4:38 p.m. | MID 1: Mater Dei 1, Bluffton 0
A chaotic start to this one. Spencer Schiff hit a triple, and the throw to third base went away, allowing Schiff to score to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Mater Dei came out aggressive – they only saw seven total pitches.
4 p.m. | Starting lineups
MATER DEI (Road team)
BLUFFTON (home team)
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Mater Dei outlasts Bluffton in thriller to win 2A baseball title | Instant recap
Reporting by Austin Hough and Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin Hough and Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
