‘The guys kept me going every day:’ Schrage reflects on Golden Eagles win

By RICHARD TORRES
For The Reporter

INDIANAPOLIS – Dave Schrage had no idea if Guerin Catholic would hire him when he applied two years ago.

As a collegiate baseball coach of nearly 40 years, the veteran skipper with stints at Butler, South Dakota State and Notre Dame, among others, wasn’t worried about his job experience.

His health was most concerning.

“I interviewed for the job and had a heart attack a week after, so I was in the hospital,” Schrage explained. “I told [principal] Ryan Davis, I don’t know how this affects my candidacy, but I’m about to go in for heart surgery, and I didn’t hear from him.”

Diagnosed with a blockage that required heart surgery, Schrage initially believed the Golden Eagles’ position and perhaps his time in the sport he’s coached since the 1980s were over.

Then, a week after surgery, he got a call from both Guerin Catholic for a follow-up and toward something bigger than any career opportunity.

“I coached for 38 years in college, retired, and I thought I was done,” Schrage said. “I live five minutes from Guerin, and when I interviewed, the principal said, ‘Hey, I don’t care if we win a game, but if our kids don’t know how to get to heaven when they leave, you’re not doing your job, and I said, ‘Well, I’m the man for the job then.’”

On Friday, June 19 inside Victory Field, Schrage achieved his goals, as his Golden Eagles hoisted their first-ever baseball state championship trophy in program history.

Guerin Catholic coach Dave Schrage accepts congratulations after the Golden Eagles’ victory. (Joshua Herd)

A calming presence in the dugout and between the lines, Schrage inspired his players through faith and a litany of hardball knowledge, which led to a historic 9-3 victory against defending Class 3A state champion Andrean in Indianapolis.

“I just felt like I was meant to be at Guerin for a reason,” Schrage said. “I had two stents put in … I didn’t think I was getting the job at all, so when I did, I was like, OK, there’s a reason I’m getting this. I remember our first practice, thinking to myself, ‘Wow. We’re good. We got some talent.’”

The team’s talent shined with a 28-3-1 finish as state champions, only one season after Guerin won its first-ever sectional title in 2025.

“I don’t know how many years he’s been coaching. I’m sure it’s been 40-plus years now, but the way he coached us, so calm and relaxed. He knew that we had a group of veterans on our team,” GC senior third baseman Nolan Ratliff said. “What we needed was a calm, collected coach that let us have confidence, that believed in us.”

All Schrage needed was a call.

“The guys kept me going every day,” Schrage said. “Makes you have something to get up for every day, to be around these kids and try to mold them. They’re great kids.”

Top Ten Performance

Tate Troxell had no words.

Once Guerin Catholic’s senior ace stepped onto the mound inside Victory Field, the Alabama recruit admittedly felt the magnitude: the MiLB Triple-A venue, the lively crowds, being in the IHSAA 3A state finals.

But there were no nerves. Just focus.

“This was my first time pitching here. It was crazy,” Troxell said. “I can’t even express how I felt, but after we got out of the first, and we were able to put those runs up early, it made me a whole lot more confident.”

Troxell was dominant. The right-hander dealt 6.0 innings of four-hit baseball with 12 strikeouts and one earned run.

“Tate’s a dog,” Ratliff said. “You always know when Tate’s on the mound, the other team’s not scoring runs. When he’s on, he’s on. I can’t wait to watch him at Alabama because he’s an absolute stud.”

Troxell went 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks, but he earned ESPN Top 10 recognition on TV the next day for his web gem.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Troxell controlled a 1-2 count against Andrean’s Miller Stalbaum before the outfielder connected for a bouncing comebacker.

Troxell gloved the grounder with an instinctive behind-the-back stab, barely completing his pitching delivery. His fancy glovework assisted the putout at first base.

Ben Canada had two hits and scored two runs for Guerin Catholic. (Joshua Herd)

Tate Troxell threw 12 strikeouts in six innings. (Joshua Herd)

Photos by Joshua Herd