Blazers outlast Park Tudor for Sectional 42 crown

The REPORTER

Even after eight innings, the University baseball team had some big plays and big hits left.

The Trailblazers outlasted Sectional 42 host Park Tudor to win their first sectional title since 2021, beating the Panthers 1-0 in eight innings. It was a hard-fought game that finally went University’s way in that extra inning.

The Blazers’ big defensive play came in the top of the eighth. With two outs, Park Tudor’s Miles Dubie got on base with a single, then stole second base. But University pitcher Cole Stocker caught Dubie stealing, throwing to third baseman Ryan Castetter to get the inning-ending tag.

“It went in slow motion, honestly,” said Castetter. “He looked at me, he popped the ball and I was like, ‘Oh, this is it.’ And we got him right there, and then from then on, we just carried that momentum and ran with it.”

“And I want to go ahead and give a huge shoutout to (catcher) Sterling (Davis), because that was his call for the pickoff there,” said Stocker. “And if we don’t make that call, could have been a different game.”

On to the bottom of the eighth. Philip Jacobs led off by getting on base after an error, then moving to second base. The Panthers induced pop outs to get the next two outs. Davis drew a walk, during which time Jacobs stole third base.

That brought up Castetter, and the defensive hero became the offensive hero: he blasted a single into center field to bring Jacobs home. The Blazers were champions again, earning their sixth sectional in program history.

“Winning is winning,” said University coach Chris Estep. “At the end of the day, we have a very unselfish group. It doesn’t matter who they are. They don’t mind a bunt. They don’t mind a hit-and-run. They don’t mind to do those things, because they want to win.”

The Trailblazers had to outlast Park Tudor’s star pitcher Desmond Francis, a junior already committed to Notre Dame. Francis went seven innings; he threw 118 pitches – the limit is 120 – and allowed only four hits, while striking out seven.

“He was outstanding tonight,” said Estep.

Stocker threw a great game, too. He pitched all eight innings, allowing just two hits and tossing eight strikeouts in 106 pitches.

“He was unbelievable tonight,” said Estep.

Griffin Wright had two hits for University, with Castetter, Cooper Cammack and Jacobs all getting one hit.

The Trailblazers are 19-11 and play Greencastle Saturday in the regional. The site and time will be announced today.