St. Cloud Cathedral captured its tenth state baseball championship on Saturday, defeating Glencoe‑Silver Lake 4‑0 at Target Field in a game that highlighted the Crusaders’ pitching depth and disciplined hitting.
A Shutout Built on Precision
The Crusaders’ ace, Jack Hamak, surrendered only three hits over five and two‑thirds innings, while reliever Jake Murphy closed out the final four outs, marking the team’s eighth shutout of the postseason. Their combined effort underscored a postseason stretch in which the staff posted three shutouts in seven games.
Offensively, Jacob Oliver and Charlie Dolan each collected two hits, driving in key runs that stretched the lead in the second and third innings. A perfectly executed 3‑6‑3 double play involving Dolan and Oliver halted a Glencoe‑Silver Lake rally in the third, preserving the clean sheet.
A Legacy of Leadership
Coach Bob Karn, celebrated as the state’s all‑time winningest coach, was present alongside co‑coach Brooks Marquardt, whose partnership has continued the program’s storied tradition. The victory added to a decade‑long championship run that has become a hallmark of the Cathedral baseball program.
Glencoe‑Silver Lake, despite a late‑inning push that saw two runners on base in the seventh, could not break through. The Panthers managed only four batters to the plate until the sixth inning, and a fly out followed by a foul out sealed their fate.
Jacob Oliver, already recognized as Minnesota’s all‑time leading goal scorer in boys’ soccer and the 2025 Class A Mr. Soccer, announced his intention to continue both soccer and baseball at St. John’s University, where he will join a growing roster of dual‑sport athletes.