McCutcheon Baseball Prepares for Sectional Title Clash with Harrison

LAFAYETTE — After a year of anticipation, the McCutcheon baseball team is set for a rematch against Harrison in the sectional championship. Last season, the Mavericks fell just short of defending their title, but on Saturday, their focus was solely on their semifinal opponent, Kokomo.

Despite Kokomo's struggling 7-19 record and Harrison already securing its place in the final earlier that day, McCutcheon was determined not to overlook their opponent. Senior Rhett Clarkson emphasized the importance of staying focused, stating, "When you look past them, that's when they're going to get opportunities. Those opportunities can lead to losses or big innings."

The Mavericks took Clarkson's advice to heart, producing a strong performance that resulted in an 11-2 victory over Kokomo. They surged ahead with a six-run first inning, highlighted by Brodyn Sharp's two-run single and Mekyel Almond's two-run double. A four-run fifth inning sealed the deal.

"It was important to get that lead," noted McCutcheon coach Tristan McIntyre. "It takes the pressure off of (starting pitcher) Cason Trader there." With their semifinal win secured, the Mavericks can now shift their focus to the upcoming rematch against Harrison.

This matchup marks the sixth consecutive season that the rivals from Tippecanoe School Corp will face off in the sectional tournament, with five of those encounters being championship games. McCutcheon previously defeated Harrison in the 2024 sectional semifinals, but Harrison has claimed victory in each of their four subsequent championship meetings.

Senior Jonathan Riley expressed his eagerness for the showdown, stating, "I've been wanting to see them in the sectional championship. In the season, we went 1-1 against them and last year we lost to them in the sectional championship, so I'm excited to see what we can do against them."