3A Semi-state preview: Guerin Catholic making first Elite 8 appearance

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

Guerin Catholic baseball is in uncharted territory for the second week in a row. The Golden Eagles grabbed their first regional title in school history last Saturday at Jasper’s Ruxer Field, knocking out No. 9 Cathedral in eight innings, 5-4.

Head coach Dave Schrage’s squad won its first-ever sectional over Crawfordsville on June 2 and followed it up with more history with the regional title over Cathedral. The Golden Eagles have won eight straight games heading into the semi-state and hope to continue this run.

Jasper will again host the 3A south semi-state on Saturday. Guerin (18-12) plays the No. 3 New Palestine Dragons (24-3) at 11 a.m. in the first game, followed by the Greensburg Pirates (18-7) battles the host No. 7 Jasper Wildcats (26-6). The championship is slated for 7 p.m.

Ben Canada leads GC at the plate, hitting .425 with six home runs, 30 RBIs, 34 hits and 33 runs scored. Karson Smith (.370) has 34 hits and a team-leading 37 runs. Ian Taylor (.379) has four home runs and 25 runs driven in, along with 33 hits and 35 runs.

Tate Troxell (0.98 ERA) has 89 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched with opponents hitting just .160 against him.

New Palestine won its 20th sectional over Roncalli, ninth regional title over Cascade last week and are in search of their second semi-state title. The Dragons won the 3A state title in 2004 over Andrean.

Greensburg has won 10 sectionals, three regionals and are appearing in the Elite 8 for the first time.

Jasper is a storied program with 42 sectional, 27 regional and 15 semi-state championships. Their last trip to state was in 2021, winning the 4A title over Fishers in 2021. Overall, the Wildcats have six baseball state crowns (1996-98, 2000, 2006, 2021).