Evansville Mater Dei fell one game short of an IHSAA Class 2A baseball state championship last spring. They find themselves back at Victory Field Saturday, this time trying to finish the job.
The No. 1-ranked Wildcats (29-3) face the upstart Bluffton Tigers (19-10) for the IHSAA Class 2A state title Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT.
This is Mater Dei’s seventh state championship game appearance, going 1-5 in its previous six outings. It’s lone state title came in 1999. Meanwhile, this is Bluffton’s first state finals appearance in program history.
Mater Dei has won 17 games in a row heading into Saturday. On the flip side, Bluffton suffered a three-game losing streak to end the regular season before catching fire at the start of the postseason, surrendering just seven combined runs in its six playoff games so far.
Will Mater Dei or Bluffton capture a state title? Follow below for LIVE updates of the IHSAA Class 2A baseball state championship game.
Mater Dei vs Bluffton IHSAA Class 2A baseball state championship live updates
All times Eastern
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 vs Bluffton IHSAA 2A baseball state championship live score, updates
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
