The Guerin Catholic baseball program etched its name into Indiana’s sports lore last weekend as the Eagles captured their first-ever state championship, a triumph that felt like a long‑awaited payoff after a near‑miss the previous year.
The making of a historic season
At the helm of the historic run was veteran coach Dave Schrage, who surprised many by emerging from retirement to guide the squad. Schrage, a former mentor at Notre Dame and Butler, described his return as a blessing that allowed him to finish a journey he had begun years earlier.
Central to the victory were standout performances from Tate Troxell, an Alabama commit who limited opponents to a single run throughout the tournament, and senior Nolan Ratcliff, whose four‑run‑batting‑in‑a‑game effort tied a record and underscored the team’s offensive firepower.
The Eagles’ rallying cry, “One more game,” echoed the sentiment of a squad that had fallen short in the prior championship game. That mantra, combined with an unspoken chemistry that coach Schrage called stronger than the title itself, drove the team through a grueling postseason.
Fans, alumni and local officials gathered in Jasper to celebrate the achievement, a moment that will linger in the memories of players who now look back on a season defined by perseverance, camaraderie and the sweet taste of a first state crown.
The community’s response was immediate, with local businesses displaying banners and schools organizing assemblies to honor the team. For the seniors, the championship marks the culmination of a high school career that will be remembered not just for the trophy but for the bonds forged on the diamond.