(photo courtesy Goshen Athletics)

Two things that are diametrically opposed can still be true. For instance, Goshen’s baseball team went 9-13 in the regular season. Goshen’s baseball team is also headed to the 4A SemiState.

J.J. DuBois’ RedHawks pulled off a stunning upset Saturday, downing #1 Penn, 4-2, in the Class 4A Regional at NorthWood. The RedHawks win their first baseball regional since 1981, despite a record that is still below ,500 for the season.

Goshen scored three runs after two were out in the first. Colton Rapp smacked a two-out double, followed by a Jensen Mielke RBI single.

Pitching has carried Goshen through the postseason, and that was the case again on Saturday. Red Hawk hurler Ryen Diaz relied on off-speed pitches, scattering eight hits over six innings and working in and out of jams. Diaz only fanned two, both coming in the sixth when Penn had the go-ahead run on base. Kyan Miller came out of the pen to work a 1-2-3 seventh inning, setting off a raucous celebration for the fans clad in red and white.

Goshen will face Westfield in the semifinals of the 4A SemiState next Saturday. Westfield defeated Harrison 7-6 in nine innings.

The 2nd game at NorthWood also featured a down to the wire finish as the host Panthers defeated defending state champion New Prairie 3-2 to win the 3A Regional Championship.

Connor Reed threw a complete game for NorthWood, striking out nine. Mason Warren was the star at the plate for the Panthers as he drove in two runs on a double in the 2nd inning.

It’s the 1st regional championship since 2017 for the Panthers who got to celebrate on their home turf. NorthWood will face NorthWood in the semifinals of the 3A SemiState next Saturday.

Westview is also headed to the SemiState, as the Warriors crushed Adams Central, 11-1, in the 2A regional. Jack Massey tripled with four RBI, while Max Engle fired a four-hitter on the mound.

Westview will face Boone Grove next Saturday, as the Wolves eliminated Jimtown, 9-0. Boone Grove ace Javy Carrera tossed a one-hitter, while striking out 14. Jimtown’s season ends with a record of 22-8.

In 1A, Fort Wayne Canterbury breaks a 3-all tie with three runs in the seventh and eliminates Triton, 6-4. The Trojans end their campaign with a 20-10 record.

In Michigan, Watervliet’s quest to repeat as Division 3 state baseball champs ended in the quarterfinals Saturday with a 2-1 loss to Olivet. Josh Tremblay’s Panthers bow out with a record of 21-7.

Three Rivers made it to the D2 state quarterfinals, losing to Forest Hills Eastern, 10-0.  The Wildcats beat Gull Lake earlier in the day, 9-2, to capture the regional championship.