Who are the top Southwestern Indiana high school baseball teams at the midseason mark?
EVANSVILLE — Does the high school baseball season feel like it goes by quickly?
The 2024 campaign is just over a month old with roughly the same timeframe remaining when factoring in the postseason that concludes June 15 at Victory Field in Indianapolis. It's another way of stating there is still a lot of baseball left, even if we already know the sectional pairings.
More: Here are the IHSAA baseball sectional pairings for Southwestern Indiana
Now is a good time to take note of what we've learned this season across Southwestern Indiana. My thoughts on the top teams, Southern Indiana Athletic Conference and Pocket Athletic Conference title races and more:
Who have been the best teams?
Forest Park (15-2): The Rangers have several factors in their favor. One, a solid lineup anchored by Western Kentucky signee Reid Howard. Second, and arguably more important, is a deep pitching staff keeping them in games.
Jasper (15-4): Terry Gobert always downplays his program's chances before the season. All the Wildcats have done is position themselves for more championships. Not a team with star power but several upperclassmen buying into their roles. Sound familiar?
North (17-4): There are hitting issues to correct, but when the lineup is really good when on. The pitching is also a net positive, particularly with the emergence of Braden Perry as the Huskies' No. 2. North is on pace for another 20-plus win season.
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North Posey (17-2): The Vikings don't always make it easy – see multiple close or comeback wins – but they do get results. Coach Mark Kirkman can thank an offense averaging 8.1 runs per game and six starters batting over .300.
Princeton (16-4): The Tigers have emerged as one of the favorites in Sectional 32. Multiple options in the lineup and rotation. Its best victory was against North Posey on April 5 but multiple chances coming up to add to its list.
Who's next: Mater Dei (14-5), Memorial (11-5) and Castle (11-8).
Who are the biggest surprises?
Harrison (9-8): A recent slide diminished some of the shine. The Warriors have shown potential when at their best with victories over Central, North and Castle. Harrison could be a sleeper pick in the sectional at Bosse Field.
Heritage Hills (12-7): There is talent throughout the roster but notably in the junior class. Might be the reason why the Patriots are a year ahead of projections and having a solid season beyond the spotlight of the PAC frontrunners.
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Mater Dei (14-5): My pick for the biggest surprise. The Wildcats were a .500 club the past two years but are now two victories from winning the SIAC. Their strength has been pitching and defense with only 3.3 runs allowed per game.
Vincennes Lincoln (14-5): The Alices have a legitimate ace in Raden Benson. Beyond him is a roster with a good mix of experience and potential. Vincennes has notable wins against North, Princeton and Barr-Reeve.
A watch list for the top players
One, there is still a lot of games to be played. This can't be overstated. Two, not many have separated themselves at this point. This list also isn't set in stone. Others could join or drop. The most important games, i.e. the postseason, are still yet to be played too.
Colby Angel, North Posey: The junior is batting .556 with 11 doubles and 17 RBI and leads the Vikings with 31 strikeouts in 22 innings on the mound.
Raden Benson, Vincennes Lincoln: The senior unofficially has a 0.82 earned run average with 60 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings.
Will Coleman, Castle: The junior unofficially has a 1.02 earned run average with 56 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched while batting .429 with 18 RBI.
Jaxon Henke, Central: The senior outfielder is batting .435 with a team-high 20 hits (five for extra bases) and 20 RBI.
Charlie Hoffman, Mater Dei: The junior is batting .396 with seven doubles and 18 RBI while sporting a 5-1 record with a 1.85 earned run average in 34 innings.
Reid Howard, Forest Park: The senior is unofficially batting .491 with four home runs and 19 RBI, plus 16 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched.
Ryne Wilhite, Princeton: The junior is batting .491 with eight extra-base hits and 15 RBI, plus a 6-1 record with a 2.56 earned run average and 36 strikeouts.
Who can win SIAC and PAC conference titles?
The biggest storyline thus far is the parity in both conferences. As many as five or six have a credible case to earn a share of the title this month.
Central (5-2) and Mater Dei (5-2) are the current leaders in the SIAC. Just like everyone predicted before the season, no? Four teams are one game back in the loss column (North, Memorial, Castle, Jasper) with two or three games remaining.
Key upcoming games: Central at North (Tuesday), Memorial at Castle (Tuesday), Mater Dei at Castle (Wednesday).
The PAC has a better defined hierarchy. Forest Park (8-1), North Posey (8-1), Princeton (7-1) and Southridge (7-1) have emerged as the frontrunners with as many as four games remaining. Heritage Hills (6-3) isn't eliminated but would need help from the leaders.
Key upcoming games: North Posey at Forest Park (Tuesday), Heritage Hills at Princeton (Thursday), Princeton at Forest Park (May 14).
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA baseball top midseason teams players in Southwestern Indiana
