Tecumseh baseball advances to Class A state championship: 'A dream come true:'

JASPER, Ind. — Tecumseh's baseball program sets high expectations for itself every spring.

For the past decade, the Braves have traditionally been one of the stronger programs in the state's southern half regardless of class. They've won seven sectional championships and three regional titles in the past 10 years.

A trip to the IHSAA state championship, however, has eluded them in a drought that's lasted since the oldest player on the team was still in preschool. But in a year that's already been special in Lynnville, it felt as if it was destiny for some magic to continue at Jasper's Alvin C. Ruxer Field on Saturday afternoon.

Tecumseh defeated Shakamak 12-3 to advance to the Class A state championship against Lafayette Central Catholic. It's the first trip to the state finals for the Braves since 2010.

"We've had this on our minds since the beginning of the year," said junior Conner Anglin. "From day one, we said that we wanted to get to Victory Field. That's exactly what we did."

The Braves (19-12) were prepared by a gauntlet schedule. If you just took a look at their record, it won't jump out at you. But against fellow Class A opponents, the Braves are a perfect 10-0.

Since an extra-inning victory over Northeast Dubois in the sectional opener, they have cruised through the past five games. Two mercy-rule wins, one shutout, and a nine-run victory in the semistate final.

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There's no denying Tecumseh's dominance over the past month.

"We teach resilience, you know what I mean? That's the bottom line. You have to always stay focused on the little things," said Tecumseh coach Ted Thompson. "When you do that, good things will happen. You're starting to see that come to fruition."

Tecumseh was far from perfect Saturday. It admits that. The Braves committed three errors and allowed nine hits. But it never allowed a big inning.

If a mistake was made, the Braves were able to minimize the impact. Any time the Lakers threatened to break through, Tecumseh closed the door.

"Everybody just works together. It's like we're one big family," said junior Dax Bailey. "It was a closer game in the start but we didn't give up. We kept tacking on runs and I believe that made them shut down mentally."

Having no seniors on the roster hasn't slowed Tecumseh. The junior class paved the way once again. A solo bomb from Anglin in the third, followed by three more RBIs the rest of the day. A diving catch in the outfield from Chase Jones. Two base knocks from Brody Julian.

But perhaps no one was bigger than Dax Bailey. The junior pitched a complete game with four strikeouts and was also 2-for-3 with three RBIs. He was honored to receive the call to pitch in a game of this magnitude. His performance proved it was the right decision.

"Everybody just believes in me to throw well and I believe in my defense behind me to make the plays," Bailey said. "We hit the ball well, executed and did the little things while playing our game."

While the upperclassmen made plays, so did the young guys. Tecumseh starts four freshmen. All made an impact in one way or another.

Wyatt Huddleston drove in the first run and made two impressive throws from the outfield to save runs. Landon Oxley entered with only 19 plate appearances yet notched a clutch two-run double with two outs in the fifth.

"We challenge them. Sometimes those freshmen wonder what in the world is going on early in the year," Thompson said. "But this right here is what it's all about. This is why you push them."

Huddleston added: "We know that we've got to step up and practice everyday. It's paying off."

This has been a year to remember at Tecumseh High School. The girls basketball team won a state title in the spring. Softball brought home another trophy with a state championship victory on Friday. The baseball team will try to complete the trifecta next weekend in Indianapolis.

It's an opportunity the Braves have looked forward to for a long time. A chance to showcase their game on a statewide level.

A shot to be state champions.

"It would be unreal," Bailey said. "It's a childhood dream come true to get to go to Victory Field."

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: IHSAA baseball: Tecumseh advances to first state final since 2010