Mater Dei's baseball squad captured the IHSAA state championship on Saturday, edging Bluffton 6-3 in a contest that swung in the final innings.
The turning point arrived in the seventh inning when Jackson Schaefer's ground ball brought home Spencer Schiff, tying the game and shifting momentum.
A rally built on precision
In the eighth, Max Miller and Dylan Murphy ignited a three‑run burst that put Mater Dei ahead for good, sealing the victory.
Coach Adam Wildeman praised the team's composure, noting that the players stayed focused on the small details that define big games.
Murphy, reflecting on the season, said the Wildcats had built their identity around those clutch, low‑profile actions.
The triumph marks the team's second title in program history, the first having come in 1999, underscoring a resurgence that has excited the local community.