Penn baseball coach Greg Dikos admits he was taken aback by how far his team has traveled this spring.
The Kingsmen, once labeled overachievers after a regional championship loss a year earlier, have turned that narrative on its head with a string of decisive victories.
After dropping the regional final last season despite entering as the top seed, Penn rallied this year to capture its first regional title since 2023, defeating Valparaiso in the championship game.
The momentum has carried into May, where the squad has not lost a game since a two‑game series against New Prairie, culminating in a combined no‑hitter that eliminated Michigan City and victories over South Bend Adams and Mishawaka to secure a semi‑state berth.
A Senior‑Led Charge
Senior pitcher Cayden Stockbridge, a Purdue University commit, will take the mound in the upcoming semi‑state semifinal against Fort Wayne Snider, embracing the pressure and focusing on staying centered with his catcher.
Snider, which last hoisted a semi‑state trophy in 2009, now faces a Penn team that captured its most recent state championship just three seasons ago, while Zionsville and Lake Central round out the bracket, with Lake Central riding an 11‑game winning streak.
Senior Bennett Hartford, whose high school career he hopes to conclude at Victory Field in Indianapolis, stresses a philosophy of gratitude and readiness, insisting the team will not take any opponent for granted.
The Kingsmen’s journey reflects a blend of resilience, disciplined pitching and a collective belief that each game could be their last, driving them toward the ultimate prize.