INDIANAPOLIS — Boone Grove senior right-hander Seth Pitcock left no doubt in the Class 2A state championship game on Saturday.

But there was a degree of uncertainty whether the Valparaiso recruit would start on the mound against Evansville Mater Dei.

Senior Xavier Carrera, an Indiana recruit and likely Major League Baseball draft pick, is an ace too.

“Unreal,” Boone Grove coach Sean Riley said. “Until Friday, I didn’t know who I was throwing. The scouting reports we had seen, what they hit and what they don’t hit, they struggled with more off-speed, and Seth has more off-speed. So we made the decision.”

Pitcock validated that decision, delivering as he always does. He allowed one run on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts and also drove in the go-ahead run with a fielder’s choice in the top of the seventh inning as the Wolves beat Mater Dei 6-1 at Victory Field to win the state title.

In searing heat — “Once you get past it, you’re just locked in game mode,” Pitcock said — he went the distance.

That, too, was somewhat uncertain.

“He was done after the sixth, 100%,” Riley said. “Nope, we’re going with Javy.

“He came back out and talked me into it and said, ‘I got this thing.’”

Indeed, Pitcock (9-1) was insistent, and he proceeded to retire Mater Dei in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win in his final game for Boone Grove.

“I knew I could stay in the whole time,” he said. “Obviously, the coaches were talking if I should be brought out in the seventh inning. I told them I wanted it. I wanted to stay in and get it.”

The Wolves (27-5), who were ranked No. 6 in the final state coaches poll, got their second state title after winning in 2A in 2018. Mater Dei (23-8) was ranked No. 3.

“We had that posted in our team room, ‘Are you doing what it takes to play in June?’” Riley said. “6 a.m. workouts, weight room, running, cage, bullpens. These guys set this goal in December, and we stuck to it. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.”

The Wolves did it as a team in the seventh, batting around to score five runs and break open a 1-1 tie.

“All of their pitchers were good,” Pitcock said. “We just had so much built-up momentum.

“We knew we had one game the whole week. It was all in this game. Leave nothing behind.”

Boone Grove junior third baseman Danny Veschak led off the seventh by reaching on a two-base error. Junior right fielder Max Truby also reached on an error.

With runners on the corners, Pitcock, who went 1-for-4 with two runs scored, drove in Veschak on a fielder’s choice.

“I was not going to let my team down,” Veschak said. “We just needed one run.

“I knew we would come through. I have so much faith in my guys. We had team at-bats. Everything got put together so well. We all were just cheering each other on.”

Boone Grove junior second baseman Tristan Wilson, who had two hits, added a two-run double to make it 4-1. After a single by senior first baseman Davian Carrera, an Indiana recruit who also had two hits, shortstop Xavier Carrera singled in a run. Senior center fielder Andrew Batesole capped the big inning with a sacrifice fly.

“When they brought the guy in that throws fastballs, our mouths watered,” Riley said. “He throws fastballs and pounds the zone, and I knew our guys were just dialed up.”

Veschak, whose sister Emily starred in softball for Boone Grove before graduating in 2024 and going to Drake, was dialed up in the field too. In the bottom of the sixth, with a runner on second and one out, Veschak made a diving play to keep the score tied.

“I had to play it cool,” he said. “But in my head, I was screaming, ‘Oh, my God, I can’t believe I just made that play.’ It was unreal.

“Kids dream about making that play. I’ve been waiting for a moment like that, to show it off. I got the opportunity.”

Davian Carrera got an opportunity at the plate in the fifth, when he singled in a run to tie the score.

“Nothing was going to beat us,” Veschak said. “I love these guys. That’s why it’s so special for me. This was the goal from day one.”

The Wolves continued to grow closer after Riley’s son Max Musumeci, who just graduated from Kouts, was diagnosed with cancer in February. He has been receiving treatment in Chicago. Riley’s son Rowan Musumeci, who will be a senior at Kouts, was the manager and kept the scorebook as the baseball team reached the Class 1A state championship game.

“He just got home the day before yesterday from chemo, his third round of chemo,” Riley said of Max. “He’s doing good, feels great. He’s glad to be home. He’ll have to begin again in 21 days, but things are looking good. He’s just fighting every day.

“It’s been 122 days, and I think 78 of them have been in the hospital. But these guys have been great. I just love these guys.”

Riley’s players feel the same way about him.

“With all coach Riley has been through, he’s been the heart of our team,” Pitcock said. “He’s keeping us going. He’s laughing with us, cracking jokes. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and I really love him so much.”