“ The biggest goal is having everybody who ’ s in our lineup find their role and produce in every way that they can ,” Watson said in the preseason . “ We have a lot of people that are up for different spots and they just have to continue to compete , prove and produce .”
“ We have been working on our approach ( at the plate ) in practices ,” Watson said afterward . “ Tonight basically showed what the work we have done has improved . … Our approach throughout the whole lineup was great and everyone did something positive .”
Some of that inexperience showed early in 2024 , in spite of the fact that the Pioneers won their first three games – 5-4 over North Harrison , 15-5 in five innings over West De Pere ( Wisc .) and 11-1 in five innings at Austin .
Providence lost 7-0 at then-No . 1 Forest Park on April 6 , three days before that aforementioned setback to Salem . The Pioneers bounced back with a 9-0 win over Columbus East before being shutout , for the second time in four games , 4-0 at Jennings County .
PROVIDENCE ’ S COLE HUETT SLIDES SAFELY INTO HOME DURING THE PIONEERS ’ 9-0 VICTORY OVER ILLIANA CHRISTIAN IN THE CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN INDIANAPOLIS ON JUNE 15 .
Things began to turn around for Providence , though , in the second half of April . The Pioneers rolled over Clarksville , Louisville Holy Cross , Eastern and Corydon Central by a combined score of 54-4 before winning 11-6 at reigning 3A state champion Silver Creek on April 24 .
Two days later , Providence downed Charlestown 18-3 in five innings to run its winning streak to six in a row .
The Pioneers then hit a brief bump in the road with three consecutive losses , albeit to 4A foes Avon , Floyd Central and New Albany .
Providence rebounded with a 5-4 triumph at 4A Seymour before backto-back five-inning victories over Southwestern and Henryville . A 7-5 win at eventual 3A semistate finalist Evansville Memorial followed before
6 PROVIDENCE PIONEERS | BASEBALL | IHSAA CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPS 2024 NEWS AND TRIBUNE