10 high school baseball teams to watch across Southwestern Indiana in 2024
EVANSVILLE — The calendar turning to March isn't reserved for basketball. Look to the diamond.
The 2024 high school baseball season begins this week. The postseason will arrive on Memorial Day weekend before we realize it. Many of the top programs in Southern Indiana reside in our corner of the state with a propensity for multiple weekends stays in the tournament. Who might be the top contenders this spring?
Here are 10 teams, listed in alphabetical order, to watch this season in the Evansville-area.
More: 65 high school baseball players to watch in Southwestern Indiana in 2024
Barr-Reeve Vikings
The Vikings advanced to the Class 1A state championship last year. A return trip isn't out of the question with nearly the entire starting lineup intact.
To advance deep in the tournament, you need multiple quality pitchers. Seth Wagler and Jacob Pauw fit the description after a combined 15-2 record last season; Wagler struck out 10 in the state championship loss to Lafayette Central Catholic. The lineup has potential high-impact hitters at multiple spots. The Vikings are one of the early favorites to advance from the south.
Castle Knights
Pencil the Knights down for a bunch of wins and competing for the SIAC and sectional titles.
It feels straightforward with this program, and the pieces are there again. Of course, the major topic is life without ace Cameron Tilly, who is now in the Southeastern Conference. There is still a Division I arm to lead the staff (Will Coleman, Missouri) and a Division I outfielder (Noah Drake, Indiana) to aid the lineup. The underclassmen thrown into the fire last year are also a year older and a year better.
Central Bears
The Bears would be the wildcard pick among contenders in the SIAC.
Following an 18-win season in year one for Robbie Frank, Central returns enough talent at key spots to remain squarely in the mix. Marshall recruit Josh Ferguson gives the Bears an ace. The outfield has a pair of all-conference caliber players in JJ Clark and Jaxon Henke. In total, Central has six returning starters and its best on a single night will be tough.
Forest Park Rangers
The Rangers' ceiling puts them among the top teams in Class 2A. Do they reach that potential?
A 22-win season a year ago ended quickly and surprisingly in the opening game of the sectional. There are spots to fill now including the No. 1 spot in the rotation, but Forest Park's strengths are also clear. Western Kentucky recruit Reid Howard has All-State potential in the infield. There is also ample depth on the mound with Joel Bueltel and Jaxon Lueken, plus an experienced senior class. A lot of eyes on Forest Park this year.
Jasper Wildcats
Keep it simple, folks. Never count out this program and coach Terry Gobert.
The reasoning this year is straightforward. The Wildcats will be tough when Andrew Noblitt is on the mound. Will Wallace and Kai Kunz provide impact bats and pitching depth. There will be upperclassmen at nearly every other position. The SIAC is stacked at the top, but every contender knows better than to underestimate Jasper. The Wildcats rarely beat themselves.
Memorial Tigers
Memorial has not won the SIAC title in baseball since 2018. Might this be the year?
The high-impact players are numerous, beginning with three Division I recruits in Matthew Fisher (Indiana), Thomas Lynch (Purdue) and Simon Schulz (Evansville). The former proved in the postseason last year how tough the Tigers will be when he is pitching. A couple of things to settle before May: who is their No. 2 on the mound? does the lineup find more consistency?
North Huskies
On paper, this might be the team to beat in the SIAC. The key will be what the Huskies get from the rotation.
The offense doesn't have the pop of recent years but is full of speed, contact and experience. The prime example is Indiana recruit Cole Decker in the leadoff spot. As with most years, North's success relies on the mound. There are known quantities with seniors Bryce Minton and Chris Cranick. The wildcard is 6-10 junior Kellen English. The Indiana commit raises the Huskies' ceiling by tapping into his potential.
North Posey Vikings
If you want to see offense, take a trip to Poseyville this spring.
The Vikings' top four hitters are back from a 19-win campaign that ended in the sectional championship game. Easton Luigs is on the shortlist for top returners in the PAC. Throw in two-way player Ethan Mansfield, plus Colby Angel and Logan Simmons. North Posey should play a role in deciding the conference and sectional title if it finds pitching depth or top-to-bottom production in the lineup.
Princeton Tigers
Need wildcard potential in the PAC? Don't overlook the Tigers.
A young team won 18 games last season and only two contributors graduated. Jarrett Kinder and Ryne Wilhite were All-PAC infielders a year ago. The latter was also Princeton's top arm with a 1.11 earned run average in 50 innings. The Tigers need the rest of the roster, notably a large junior class, to make a leap. There is intrigue here though.
Southridge Raiders
Last year showed the staying power of this program.
Two years removed from winning the state championship, the Raiders only just won the outright PAC title before beating county rival Jasper in the sectional. Six starters are back including the top three hitters. A lone concern is finding a true ace. There is a candidate in Evan McClain plus the return of all-conference infielders Hudson Allen and Blake Taylor. It wouldn't be a shock to see Gene Mattingly have Southridge competing for titles again.
Honorable mention: Tecumseh, Harrison, South Knox
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA baseball 10 teams to watch in Southwestern Indiana 2024
