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Forest Park's historic season ends in IHSAA baseball Class 2A regional championship

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Jarred Howard couldn’t stand seeing his team like this.

Heads were tucked inside jerseys. Practically every player shed tears. These types of things tend to happen when your season ends.

But the Forest Park baseball coach didn't want them to focus on the 5-4 loss to Linton-Stockton in the Class 2A regional championship, the first regional title for the Miners. He wanted them to look at the bigger picture.

This was truly a historic season in Ferdinand.

"I'm so proud of these guys. They've done a lot for our program," Howard said. "First sectional in 20 years. Conference champions. They had a great season. They're good kids."

Forest Park Head Coach Jarred Howard gathers the infield at the mound as the Forest Park Rangers take on the North Posey Vikings Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021.
Forest Park Head Coach Jarred Howard gathers the infield at the mound as the Forest Park Rangers take on the North Posey Vikings Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021.

It was a wild day at Bosse Field for the Rangers. The championship game had plenty of twists and turns. Forest Park jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after hits from Drew Howard, Clayton Weisheit and Joel Bueltel. But the Miners tied it at 3-3 in the next inning.

Forest Park regained the lead on a double over the center fielder's head from Reid Howard in the fourth. But once again, Linton-Stockton answered. Jaydan Miller drove in the tying run on a hard-hit single in the fifth.

The dagger came with two outs in the sixth. Japheth House hit a ball down the right-field line and drove in what turned out to be the game-winning run.

"We didn't get a few hits when we needed to and we ran out of innings," Howard said. "There were a few innings where we dealt with two outs because of one thing or another."

Even with some miscues on Forest Park's end — the Rangers hit into a couple of double plays on flyouts —  it had a chance to send the game to extra innings. It brought the potential game-winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh.

Forest Park’s Drew Howard (12) eyes a ground ball as the Forest Park Rangers take on the North Posey Vikings Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021.
Forest Park’s Drew Howard (12) eyes a ground ball as the Forest Park Rangers take on the North Posey Vikings Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021.

That fight was a staple of Forest Park's season. It's what got them to this point. It helped them overcome a four-run deficit in the sectional opener against Mater Dei. It allowed them to overcome a wild and wacky 9-6 regional semifinal win over Providence in eight innings earlier on Saturday.

It was something that made Howard proud all year long.

"That's the reason we were even in the regional championship game," Howard said. "That's just the kind of team they are, fighting all the way to the end. We just couldn't get it done tonight."

There's plenty for Forest Park to remember about this spring. Its first sectional championship in over 20 years. An 11-1 record in the Pocket Athletic Conference and an outright conference title. A top-10 ranking in the Indiana Baseball Coaches Association 2A poll for practically the entire season.

The Rangers graduate three seniors who each had important roles. Brody Klem was an everyday starter in center field. Landon Nalley was the Rangers' primary backstop. And, of course, Drew Howard will exit the program as one of the most impressive players to ever suit up for Forest Park.

"They always stuck with it. The biggest thing is you have to always put your head down and get after it. Then good things will happen to you," Howard said of the three seniors. "I'm proud of them."

Forest Park’s Clayton Weisheit (18) pitches as the Forest Park Rangers take on the North Posey Vikings Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021.
Forest Park’s Clayton Weisheit (18) pitches as the Forest Park Rangers take on the North Posey Vikings Tuesday evening, May 11, 2021.

While it was tough for Forest Park to look ahead to the future immediately after a tough loss, the Rangers should be plenty excited with the talent set to return next season. Clayton Weisheit was among the top pitchers in the area. Reid Howard impressed at the plate, especially in the postseason. Joel Bueltel was an everyday threat with his hitting.

Forest Park will have a chance to make noise once again next year. Although it fell short of its first regional title since 1976, the Rangers proved that they are a program to keep a watchful eye on.

"It's never easy to take a loss like this but we'll think about it for a day or two and then get right back to work this summer," Howard said. "These guys will get after it offseason and be ready for next year. They work hard."

Contact Courier & Press sports reporter Hendrix Magley via email at hendrix.magley@courierpress.com or via Twitter @TweetsOfHendrix.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Forest Park's historic baseball season ends in 2A regional title game