INDIANAPOLIS ― It was a scene eerily similar to how Jasper lost to Andrean the night before.
The Southwestern Indiana team ― in this case, Evansville Mater Dei ― took the early lead. It looked like they might cruise to a state championship behind its strong pitching.
The northwest Indiana team ― this time, Boone Grove — had different ideas.
After Andrean rallied past Jasper for the IHSAA 3A baseball state title Friday, June 20, Boone Grove did it to Mater Dei in the 2A game Saturday afternoon, June 21. The Wildcats held a 1-0 lead through four innings before the Wolves rallied for six unanswered, including five in the top of the 7th, to win, 6-1, over the Wildcats at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
It’s the second Class 2A title in program history for Boone Grove (2018). It’s a fifth runner-up showing for Mater Dei, which was seeking its first championship since 1999.
Mater Dei (24-8) took the initial lead in the bottom of the third. After Palmer Schiff reached on a fielder’s choice, Brayden Caldemeyer smacked a double to deep leftfield ― the first hit of the game for the Wildcats ― to put Mater Dei ahead.
Max Miller was in cruise control for the most part for the Wildcats on the mound until the 5th inning. That’s when Boone Grove (24-7) started mounting its comeback. With one out in the 5th, back-to-back singles from Tristian Wilson and Davian Carrera allowed teammate Seth Pitcock to score.
Boone Grove opened things up in the 7th. Two Mater Dei fielding errors to start the frame proved costly, putting runners on first and third with the ball not leaving the infield. Pitcock then drove in Daniel Veschak on a fielder’s choice when the Wildcats tried to throw Veschak out at the plate.
Wilson then blew the doors open on the game with a two-RBI double that one-hopped off the leftfield wall, scoring Max Truby and Pitcock.
Brothers Davian and Javy Carriera followed with singles, the latter scoring Wilson. The Wolves added their sixth run on a sacrifice fly from Andrew Batesole.
“When (Mater Dei) brought the guy that throws fastballs ― our mouth waters when a guy comes up and throws fastballs,” said Boone Grove coach Sean Riley on what sparked his team’s rally. “He pounds the zone, and I knew our guys were dialed up and ready to go.”
Pitcock pitched a complete game for Boone Grove, scattering just three hits while striking out six. The Wolves capitalized on baserunning errors from the Wildcats in both the 4th and 5th innings as well to help their cause.
“Friday, we made the decision (to start Pitcock),” Riley said. “He was done after the 6th, 100%; we were going to go with Javy, but he talked me into it.”
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6:34 p.m. ET: FINAL: Boone Grove 6, Mater Dei 1
First state title since 2018 for the Wolves.
Top 7th order of events
Boone Grove batting in a 1-1 game.
-Daniel Veschak reaches on a two-base error after an errant throw
-Max Truby reaches on an error after a throw takes the Mater Dei first baseman off the bag
-Seth Pitcock reaches on a fielder’s choice, with Veschak scoring as the throw to the plate is late. BOONE GROVE 2, MATER DEI 1, zero outs, top 7.
-Tristian Wilson 2-RBI double to deep leftfield. BOONE GROVE 4, MATER DEI 1, zero outs, top 7.
-Davian Carrera single. Runners on first and third, zero outs.
-Javy Carrera RBI single. BOONE GROVE 5, MATER DEI 1, zero outs, top 7. Pitching change for Mater Dei.
-Strikeout, one out. Passed ball allows runners to advance. Sacrifice fly by Andrew Batesole. BOONE GROVE 6, MATER DEI 1, two outs, top 7. Groundout then ends a 23-minute top half of the frame.
6:05 p.m. ET: End 6: Boone Grove 1, Mater Dei 1
Wildcats stranded a leadoff single in the bottom of 6th.
5:51 p.m. ET: End 5: Boone Grove 1, Mater Dei 1
Wildcats had two different runners get to first base, but one was picked off and the other was stranded.
5:42 p.m. ET: Mid 5: Boone Grove 1, Mater Dei 1
New Mater Dei pitcher Cole Breeden induces a groundout to end the Boone Grove threat.
5:37 p.m. ET: Boone Grove ties it
After a controversial out call (see below), the Wolves stayed composed. Tristan Wilson singled, then Davian Carrera followed with an RBI single to score Tristan Wilson. Pitching change for Mater Dei. Game is tied at 1 with two outs in the top of the 5th.
5:34 p.m. ET: Controversial call hurts Boone Grove in the 5th
A groundball hit by Seth Pitcock went under the Mater Dei first baseman’s glove. The Wolves runner already on base, Ben Truby, tried reaching third base, but Wildcats’ right fielder Drake Branson threw him out at third. Replay looked like Truby might have gotten his right leg on the base before he was tagged. There is no challenge system in IHSAA baseball.
5:28 p.m. ET: End 4: Mater Dei 1, Boone Grove 0
A baserunning error hurts the Wildcats in bottom 4. Drake Branson recorded an out via a sacrifice bunt, but Drew Schapker overran second base, which allowed Boone Grove to throw to second and turn a double play.
5:17 p.m. ET: End 3: Mater Dei 1, Boone Grove 0
After Palmer Schiff reached on a fielder’s choice, Brayden Caldemeyer smacked a double to deep leftfield ― the first hit of the game for the Wildcats ― to give Mater Dei the first lead of the game.
5:00 p.m. ET: End 2: Mater Dei 0, Boone Grove 0
Status quo for Pitcock in the 2nd inning.
4:52 p.m. ET: Mater Dei gets out of a jam in top 2nd
After Ben Truby and Andrew Batesole hit back-to-back singles to start the 2nd for Boone Grove, Max Miller worked around the damage for Mater Dei. He recorded a strikeout, sacrifice bunt and groundout to leave the inning unscathed.
4:44 p.m. ET: End 1: Mater Dei 0, Boone Grove 0
One combined baserunner between the two teams in the first. Max Miller (MD) and Seth Pitcock (BG) with strong starts on the mound.
4:33 p.m. ET: First pitch
Max Miller on the bump for Mater Dei, who is the home team.
LINEUPS
GAME PARTICULARS
Scheduled first pitch: 4:34 p.m. ET
Location: Victory Field, Indianapolis
Game time temperature: 92 degrees, hot and humid
How Evansville Mater Dei and Boone Grove reached the baseball state finals
Mater Dei: defeated Perry Central, 8-4, Tell City, 15-0 and Forest Park, 9-6, in sectional. Defeated Barr-Reeve, 2-1 (8 innings) in regional. Defeated Shenandoah, 11-1 and Providence, 8-0, in semi-state.
Boone Grove: defeated Gary 21st, 21-0, Wheeler, 12-2 and Herbon, 7-0, in sectional. Defeated Jimtown, 9-0, in regional. Defeated Westview, 5-1 and Wapahani, 9-2, in semi-state.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: FINAL: Boone Grove surges late, beats Evansville Mater Dei in IHSAA 2A baseball championship
Reporting by Austin Hough and Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
