What started off as a close battle resulted in a Class 4A Regional Baseball Championship title for the Munster High School Baseball team. The Mustangs (21-11) took on South Bend Adams (19-3) on the grounds of the La Porte High School Baseball fields.
Munster was first at bat and took on an early lead when #13 Jacob Thometz stole home base, putting the Mustangs on the board.
In the bottom of the third inning, South Bend’s #18 Kevin Johnston did the same, tying the two teams.
At the top of the fifth inning, Munster’s # 10 Evan Wittkamp was brought home by #9 Tyler Lukowski. From there additional runs would have the Mustangs with four runs and South Bend Adams with nine runs.
The intensity only picked up when Munster’s #5 Byrce Schaum got to first base with a single hit. Lukowski slams a triple sending Schaum to home plate. Lukowski did not have worry about being left on third as #3 Derrick Wiening sent him home, bringing the score 6-2 with Munster in the lead.
In the sixth inning, #4 Brady Ginaven was on base along #8 Denham Kozy. When Schaum took his place to bat, his home run brought lead to a score of 9-2. While the South Bend Adams fought to the end, they could not close the gap, securing Munster’s seat at the 2021 State Championships.
“If you had told me at a point in this season we would be here, I would have told you that you were lying,” said Schaum after the game. “Now that we are, this is the best feeling. It is amazing.”
Schaum was beyond excited to be one of the final teams to head to state.
“The competition is going to be better than ever and I think we are ready to take it on,” said Schaum
“This is unbelievable but I had a feeling at the beginning of the season that the Mustangs would be Regional Champs, and we accomplished just that,” said Lukowski.