Greencastle Baseball captures first Regional crown since '89

For the Greencastle baseball team, the Tiger Cubs are partying like it's 1989. 

That was the last time Greencastle captured a regional crown, something that is not lost on head baseball coach Ben Wells. 

"Winning a regional feels amazing, especially considering it is only the second in school history and first since 1989. Add in the fact that we got to do it with some special guys and coaches, and it just makes it that much better," Wells told The Putnam County Post. 

Greencastle earned the bid in the semi-state after dispatching Covenant Christian, 7-3 Saturday. The Warriors were the Class 2A runners-up last year and defeated the Tiger Cubs, 2-1, earlier this season. 

Greencastle is set to play in the semi-state against the winner of Linton-Stockton and North Posey, who play Monday. 

"Covenant Christian plays one of the toughest schedules in 2A and is a very good baseball team. I knew that if we could put everything together we had a really good shot at winning today. We are playing some really good baseball right now," Wells said. 

The Tiger Cubs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and saw the Warriors add one in the bottom of the second to knot the game at 1-1. Greencastle would add three runs in the third and the final three in the seventh to put the game out of reach. 

As has been the case all season, especially Saturday, Greencastle got solid play from the entire roster, according to Wells. 

"We have had a lot of guys play really well for us this year. We are a great team and have guys who step up at different times," Wells said. 

With that said, sophomore Nathan Sutherlin, who plays shortstop and pitcher, and Sam Gooch, a sophomore pitcher, outfielder and second baseman, have set the tone all year for the Tiger Cubs, according to Wells.In addition, Wells said sophomore third baseman Trevin Long has been playing some of the best third base he has seen a high school player play. 

In addition, freshman pitcher/second baseman Bryton Gregg has been "lights out" on the mound for the Tiger Cubs. Gregg has thrown two no hitters. 

"He has been consistent all season for us. He pitched the sectional championship and regional championship games," Wells said. 

Senior outfielder/pitcher Owen Huff has also been a key piece for Greencastle. Wells said Huff has been a "great leader" and "contributor out of the 9 hole and in the outfield."  

"But I could say a lot of great things about all of our guys, this truly is a team and they have all been huge in our success," Wells said. 

While some may be surprised with what Greencastle has been able to accomplish this year, Wells admits he is not. 

"Even though we are a young team we are extremely talented and even better, coachable. They have worked very hard and have been dedicated all the way back to the fall. None of them were happy with how last year ended and they came into this season with a little more edge to prove what they were capable of. Baseball seasons are extremely difficult, and every season has a little bit of a down point, but the coaches and players never had a doubt about what these guys could ultimately accomplish," Wells said. 

With the Tiger Cubs on the cusp of history, Wells said the message to his team will remain the same since the tournament began. 

"I am going to tell the guys to "Prepare to go 2-0" on Saturday and come to practice every day and be ready to work to do that.  Our guys have full confidence in themselves as players and as a team, I have never had a team who has this much fun playing together so I don't really think there is much pressure. The main thing I want for them going into Saturday is to make sure that they don't take it for granted and enjoy every second. It has been 35 years since Greencastle has been in this position so I want them to embrace the moment and enjoy it," Wells said.