Washington Township players hoist their Class A state title trophy on Monday after defeating Shakamak 6-0 at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's Bret Boettcher, center, earned the IHSAA's mental attitude award in the Class A state title game Monday at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's Layne Matson, right, reacts after scoring the Senators' first run against Shakamak on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's Colin Majda throws to first base on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's James Kirk flexes after an RBI double on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's Logan Curran, left, reacts after a single against Shakamak on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's Bret Boettcher, right, hugs assistant coach Will Batthauer following the Senators' 6-0 win over Shakamak on Monday at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township players rush the field after defeating Shakamak 6-0 in the Class A state title game Monday at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
From left, Washington Township's James Kirk, Steven Hernandez, coach Randy Roberts and Colin Majda talk together along the third base line on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township's Ben Fifield, left, catches the ball as Shakamak's Peyton Yeryar swings and misses on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Washington Township coach Randy Roberts, right, shares words with Colin Majda on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS — The week-long layoff before arriving at Victory Field created a sibling war that could only be described as “World War III” — a war on who was going to start at pitcher on their birthday between twins James and Steven Hernandez.
Washington Township coach Randy Roberts said it was the toughest decision he had to make, and that their father texted him saying the war had broke out.
“When you’re playing the biggest game of your life and you want it that badly, I went with Steven,” Roberts said. “I told James you’ve got the best of both worlds, either Steven will take it all the way or you’ll come in and bring it home.”
Steven Hernandez took a no-hitter into the sixth and completed a shutout as Washington Township won its first state championship in school history, 6-0 over Shakamak in Monday’s Class A state championship game.
“We watched their (previous) game last week and then I texted the other guys and they said they hit the fastball real well,” Steven said. “I knew if I got my curveball over for a strike, I could go with a high fastball and then go offspeed again, and it ended up working out.”
The game plan worked. Hernandez silenced a lineup that scored 62 runs in its previous six postseason games. He stranded any baserunner that reached, either by way of the three errors or one walk.
The other baserunner? A two-out single in the sixth by Oscar Pegg, the Lakers' three-hitter, that was grounded through the right side of the infield. James felt that opened the door for Roberts' pitch, to close out the game after he warmed up in the bullpen.
“I was ready to come in but he deserved to close it out with a complete game,” James said of his brother.
The aggressiveness the Senators (27-7) played with all season led to their first run. Layne Matson was hit by a pitch with one out in the fifth. He then stole second, the team’s 100th stolen base of the season, and took third on a throwing error by the catcher.
Then in a 2-2 count, James Hernandez lifted a fly ball to left to score Matson with the game’s first and decisive run.
“I started out with an 0-2 count,” James said. “I knew I had to choke up and widen my stance a little bit for that outside fastball, and he brought the outside fastball so I took it to left field. That’s what I wanted to do, get it out there so he could tag up.”
Said Matson: “I will never forget this moment, ever. It’s the best moment of my life.”
“It was either going to be the worst birthday ever or the best birthday. I think it’s the best birthday ever. I’ll never forget it,” Steven said.
Said James: “Best birthday gift I could ask for. Best day of my life.”
Washington Township had the first threat in the third inning, but Colin Majda popped up a bunt with one out as Matson broke for home. Shakamak pitcher Peyton Yeryar made a sliding catch and easy throw to third to complete the inning-ending double play.
“I would’ve much rather had a base hit but the third inning when we left them off the hook, we should’ve scored two or three right there and really put some space between us,” Roberts said. “That’s also a testament to who we are. I thought the best thing going into this game was that Shakamak scored, like, 80 runs in the postseason. It’s a whole lot easier to pitch and hit and field ground balls when you’re up three or four runs.
“We had a number of close games, the semistate we’re 0-0 after six innings, I thought that was our big advantage, that we had weathered storms and continued to be mentally tough. It’s a whole lot easier to hit when you’re always ahead.”
The Senators stayed on the gas pedal. After a walk by Steven Hernandez to lead off the sixth, Majda laid down a bunt on which freshly inserted reliever Buddy Stone hesitated, allowing Hernandez to reach second and Majda first on a fielder’s choice. That set the table for sophomore first baseman James Kirk.
“My mindset: I’m not striking out,” Kirk said. “That’s the only thing I’m trying to do is not strike out. You can’t strike out, you have to put the ball in play and he put it right down the middle.
“It was a fat baseball coming right down the middle of the plate. It was the size of a beach ball, at least.”
Michael Spicer pinch-ran for Kirk and scored on a wild pitch for a 4-0 lead. Turning the page to the seventh, Logan Curran’s two-run single gave the Senators a 6-0 cushion.
Roberts, who is 468-246 upon completing his 25th year as Senators coach, had two thoughts on the monumental championship for the school.
“First off, I would dedicate it to Bob Martin,” he said of the school board trustee and Washington Township graduate. “He bleeds Senator red. There is nobody in the world that loves Washington Township more than Bob Martin.”
And then, “I regret that we didn’t get here and do this a lot sooner,” he said. “Twenty-five years of boys that poured their heart and soul into this program like these guys did, and the fans, I think, to me, It’s greater for the boys and the community."
To cap off a near-flawless championship, senior right fielder Bretin Boettcher won the IHSAA’s Mental Attitude Award.
“These kids, besides me and my brother, none of them played varsity. … Really, this is our first year as a team together,” Steven Hernandez said. “It’s nice growing up with these kids since middle school and being able to win, especially with Roberts.”
Gallery: Class A baseball state final — Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Class A baseball state final - Washington Township vs. Shakamak
Gallery: Meet the 2021 state-bound Washington Township Senators baseball team
7. Layne Matson
9. Ben Fifield
10. Michael Spicer
12. Tommy Landry
13. Kiernan Gray
14. Steven Hernandez
16. Shepherd Scott
17. Bret Boettcher
18. Logan Armstrong
19. Colin Majda
20. Jaxson Garzella
23. Nathan Winchip
24. Logan Curran
30. Ryan Lessard
33. Kyan Graves
34. Jack Hawkins
37. Caiden Boettcher
44. James Kirk
45. James Hernandez
88. Sam Fifield
Coach Randy Roberts
Assistant Coach Christian Lembke
Assistant Coach Will Batthauer
Assistant Coach Nick Sutton
WATCH NOW: Scouting the state-bound Washington Township baseball team
Washington Township's Bret Boettcher, center, earned the IHSAA's mental attitude award in the Class A state title game Monday at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Washington Township's Layne Matson, right, reacts after scoring the Senators' first run against Shakamak on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Washington Township's Logan Curran, left, reacts after a single against Shakamak on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Washington Township's Bret Boettcher, right, hugs assistant coach Will Batthauer following the Senators' 6-0 win over Shakamak on Monday at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
From left, Washington Township's James Kirk, Steven Hernandez, coach Randy Roberts and Colin Majda talk together along the third base line on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Washington Township's Ben Fifield, left, catches the ball as Shakamak's Peyton Yeryar swings and misses on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
Washington Township coach Randy Roberts, right, shares words with Colin Majda on Monday during the Class A baseball state title game at Victory Field in Indianapolis.