IHSAA baseball: Memorial, Gibson Southern favorites to win local Class 3A sectionals

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Consistency will be key during this week's Class 3A baseball sectional at the University of Evansville's Braun Stadium.

Although Memorial has three seniors hitting over .300 and its team ERA sits at a healthy 2.58, coach Rip Collins wants the same steadiness from the Tigers' baserunning and defense if they hope to win their fourth consecutive sectional championship.

"We're not really worried about playing the opponent but just playing the game of baseball the right way," Collins said.

The Tigers (14-8) have won eight of their last 13 while limiting opponents to almost four runs per game in that span. Catcher Adam Evans, one of the seniors hitting over .300, agrees with his coach's message.

They've already felt like they've been in a tournament setting as of late. Because of all the rainouts this spring, Memorial recently played six games over eight days. Then it had a six-day break before the regular-season finale Monday against Reitz.

"We're excited to have a lot of practices going into the sectional," Evans said.

Memorial opens the postseason Wednesday against Mt. Vernon. They played earlier in the month, and the Tigers walked away with a 6-5 road victory. While the Wildcats scored four of their five runs on extra-base hits, the Tigers combined for 11 strikeouts to seal the victory.

Evans credited their pitching staff as a major key for getting that win.

"We made a lot of plays behind them," he said. "I think (when) we're just working for our pitchers and our defense is playing well is when we're playing our best."

"But this is a new game," Collins added. "They're a good team. Anybody can win on any given day."

The winner will advance to play Heritage Hills on Thursday while the championship is set for Monday. Memorial has the third-most sectional titles in Indiana with 30 overall.

In the other 3A sectional, Gibson Southern is the team to beat

The Titans (18-6) have won five of their last six contests, including against Memorial and North, as they've learned to bring their A-game no matter the opponent.

"I think we were kind of getting that way at the end of the year where we played some good ball teams," coach Chris May said. "We were in the games and hanging in there and found ways to win."

After finishing second in the Pocket Athletic Conference, Gibson Southern will not open sectional play until it faces Southridge (11-16) next Monday in the semifinals. The Raiders have struggled of late and the Titans shut them out earlier this season.

Still, Southridge is the defending Class 3A state champion and Gibson Southern hasn't won a sectional since 2014.

"I don't expect for it to be that kind of game where we're out ahead of them and beat them 10-0 Memorial Day," May said. "I know they lost some players, but they're still a good ball team. And we got to be ready to play Southridge that first night."

Kaden Hurless has set the tone for the Titans throughout the season, leading them in hits (26), runs (24) and stolen bases (17).

"He's hitting the ball well and has a lot of confidence," May said of Hurless. "He runs well on bases. When he gets the green light he can go when he wants to."

Brayden Malone, Levi Dickerson, Oliver Hamilton and Colton Okes are other players to watch. Dickerson and Hamilton are leading the Titans in home runs while Okes has been reliable as the ace, going is 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA. He has 59 strikeouts to just 16 walks.

"I told him (after the Memorial game) that he threw as well I've seen him throw in the last couple of years," May said. "He actually pitched a game. He used the zone in his pitches. He was around the plate all day. If he had to take a little bit off his fastball, he did that. He just really pitched a nice game against Memorial."

Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on Twitter @Twashington490.

Class 3A at Braun Stadium

Wednesday: Mt. Vernon vs. Memorial, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Boonville vs. Bosse, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Heritage Hills vs. Game 1 winner, 7 p.m.

Monday: Championship, 11 a.m.

Class 3A at Princeton

Wednesday: Pike Central vs. Washington, 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Vincennes Lincoln vs. Princeton, 7 p.m.

Monday: Game 1 winner vs Game 2 winner, 11 a.m.

Monday: Southridge vs. Gibson Southern, 1 p.m.

Monday: Championship, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Memorial, Gibson Southern prepare for Class 3A baseball sectional