EVANSVILLE — How was that for the first week of the IHSAA baseball state tournament?
Zero complaints around Southwestern Indiana from a pure spectator perspective. Sectional 31 lived up to the hype with only one game not decided by two or fewer runs. The entire semifinal round was bonkers, including a game at Bosse Field that has few comparisons over the past decade in Sectional 16. We wanted competitive games and got them.
What’s next? Hopefully more of the same.
Only six teams from the Evansville area remain in the hunt for a spot at Victory Field. The ensuing step requires a single victory in the regional round this Saturday, June 6.
Here’s a look at each area matchup, ranked in terms of anticipation or potential, with a prediction as well.
5. North Daviess (14-14) vs West Washington (18-7)
The Cougars winning their first Class 1A title since 2015 counted as a minor surprise. Still deserve credit for taking care of business, winning their two sectional games by a combined 27-1. Zane Sample struck out 11 in the semifinal before returning to throw 75 pitches in the championship. Koen Stoll reached based eight times in two games.
West Washington is a tougher opponent on paper. The Senators have an obvious strength on the mound between Hayden Morrow (1.37 earned run average) and Nash Ables (1.11 ERA). The latter had 19 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings during the sectional.
Prediction: West Washington 4, North Daviess 2.
4. Mater Dei (27-3) vs Salem (16-10)
The No. 1 (2A) Wildcats received a scare in the Sectional 48 semifinals. How they reacted still validates their potential in returning to Indianapolis later this month. Mater Dei defeated three sectional opponents by a cumulative 30-7 (four came in one inning against Forest Park). The lineup had a great week at the plate, notably Max Miller and Nick Collins, to pair with a deep pitching group.
Salem had a similar path in Sectional 46. The only close call was a 1-0 victory over Paoli in the semifinals; Kaiden Romero-Hembree pitched a four-hit complete game with nine strikeouts. Landon Irwin also struck out nine in the championship against Eastern (Pekin).
Still anticipating Mater Dei’s talent, experience and pitching to prevail.
Prediction: Mater Dei 8, Salem 2.
3. North (26-4) vs Jeffersonville (16-10)
This could be a slept upon compared to the rest of Class 4A.
No. 3 North has objectively been one of the top teams in Indiana this spring. Their pitching depth has few comparables — AJ Baggett, Ty Pohl and Carson Frome allowed only two runs in 15 innings during the sectional. The highest season ERA between the three is 1.47, while the lineup has that clutch gene required to win postseason battles.
Where this might be overlooked statewide is Jeffersonville. The record doesn’t stand out, but they played a competitive schedule (wins over Floyd Central, Castle and Jasper). The Red Devils handled business in the semifinal and defeated a solid Bedford North Lawrence team on Monday. Aidan Toler allowed only five hits in six innings.
Still picking the Huskies at this stage, but anticipating a competitive matchup.
Prediction: North 6, Jeffersonville 2.
2. Northeast Dubois (20-5) vs Shakamak (19-5)
This should be a doozy at Alvin C. Ruxer Field.
The No. 4 (1A) Jeeps have lost once since April 21 behind a good combination of hitting and pitching. Carter Fuhs struck out 12 and allowed only three hits against Evansville Christian in the semifinal. Eli Schroering and Brycen Mroz combined to punch out 11 in the championship. Northeast Dubois only scored seven runs in those games but remains more than capable: the group is batting .352 with 16 home runs.
No. 9 Shakamak is a step up. The Lakers have won 14 straight, while four of their five losses came against ranked opponents or eventual sectional champions. Ian Samm tossed a three-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts in the sectional opener against Bloomfield. All three postseason victories thus far had double-digit strikeout totals from the pitching staff.
Prediction: Northeast Dubois 3, Shakamak 2 (8 innings).
1. Memorial (17-8) vs Gibson Southern (25-6)
This takes the top spot for the local aspect. It should also be a solid baseball game.
Memorial was impressive in how it won Class 3A, Sectional 32. The Tigers navigated a pair of comebacks to beat Central (six runs in the sixth to take the lead) and Boonville (three runs in the fifth) before controlling most of the championship. The pitching has grown leaps since April with Ryan Obenchain delivering a pair of solid postseason outings thus far.
No. 4 Gibson Southern showed some moxie in how it survived Sectional 31. First was the nine-run inning to avoid upset alert against Princeton. Then came one-run victories against Vincennes Lincoln (nine innings) and Southridge. The lineup did just enough to complement a pitching staff which allowed only five hits against three games.
Think it comes down to pitching. Gibson Southern gets the edge there.
Prediction: Gibson Southern 3, Memorial 1.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: A look at each Evansville area IHSAA baseball regional championship
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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By Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
