A historic run by Shenandoah baseball came to a bitter end in the IHSAA 2A South semi-state bracket, hosted at the University of Evansville’s Bosse Field on Saturday, June 14.
After taking one of the longest treks among surviving teams to their semi-state site — a drive over three hours — the Raiders were toppled by Evansville Mater Dei, losing 11-1 in six innings. Mater Dei would go on to defeat Providence, 8-0, in the semi-state final to punch its ticket to Victory Field and the IHSAA Class 2A state championship.
Shenandoah’s typically high-powered offense was stymied by Mater Dei’s defense and pitcher Max Miller, who gave up just three hits. The Raiders managed to stay in it by holding Mater Dei off the scoreboard through three innings, but the Wildcats broke through with a four-spot in the fourth inning.
Mater Dei took the game into run rule territory with a seven-run explosion in the top of the sixth to take an 11-0 lead. Shenandoah’s Maddux Davis scored the lone run for the Raiders on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the mercy rule.
Drew Fredenburg, Micah Cole and Davis were the only Raiders to record hits in the game, and the only hit for extra bases was a double by Davis in the sixth, which put him in position to eventually score the lone Shenandoah run.
Saturday’s loss also marked the end of a standout season and high school career for Shenandoah senior Collin Osenbaugh, one of Indiana’s best players regardless of class. He tied for the IHSAA lead in home runs with nine, his 1.105 slugging percentage was the second-best in the state, and his 44 RBIs were the third-most in the state. The Louisville signee also served as Shenandoah’s ace, finishing the year with an 8-2 record and a 2.10 ERA with 92 strikeouts.
Unfortunately for Osenbaugh, his final game in the navy and gold came against a deep, experienced Mater Dei lineup that handed him the worst statistical pitching performance of his Raider career — 11 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits and four walks with a season-low five strikeouts.
Despite the rough finish, it was an unforgettable season for Shenandoah baseball. The Raiders went undefeated in a tough Mid-Eastern Conference for the third year in a row and finished the regular season with just four losses. They won their first sectional title since 2006 and their first regional title since 1987.
Moving forward, Fredenburg figures to be the next man up in terms of becoming the go-to guy on both sides of the ball. The junior finished second on the team behind Osenbaugh in almost every offensive statistic and posted a 6-0 record with a 2.80 ERA and 52 strikeouts on the mound. Aiden Coffey and Jarrett Helman are two fellow juniors who could join Fredenburg in making a bigger impact in their senior year.
Whatever the future holds for Shenandoah baseball, one thing is for certain — the 2024-25 Raiders squad won’t soon be forgotten.
Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Shenandoah baseball falls to Evansville Mater Dei in IHSAA 2A South semi-state bracket
Reporting by Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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