Northwest Indiana Baseball Teams Eye State Titles

Strong Contenders Emerge

As postseason play kicks off, several teams from Northwest Indiana show promise for state titles. Crown Point, Chesterton, Andrean, and Kouts are among the frontrunners.

Duneland Athletic Conference Dominance

The Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC) boasts a strong track record, winning the Class 4A state title for the past two seasons. Fans anticipate a potential third straight victory in 2026.

Crown Point leads the conference with a 24-5 record and ranks third in the state coaches poll. The team, under the leadership of Coach Steve Strayer, has overcome midseason challenges and looks to regain their momentum. Key players include senior catcher Sean Dunlap, hitting .471 with nine home runs, and senior pitcher Logan Johnston with a 1.25 ERA.

Chesterton clinched the conference title with a 22-6 record. Coach John Bogner emphasizes maintaining focus as the tournament levels the playing field. Standout players Rob Czarniecki and Troy Barrett, both committed to college baseball programs, have been instrumental in their success.

Other Key Teams

Valparaiso aims to defend its title from last season. Senior players DJ Malloy and Trent Gill continue to drive the team, contributing both in batting averages and on-field strategy.

Lake Central, a former state champion, faces a tough match against Munster in the Crown Point Sectional. Players like Brayden Walls, a Ball State recruit, showcase the team’s depth and potential.

Hall of Famer Boosts Andrean

Andrean, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, welcomes back Hall of Famer Dave Pishkur. The team, which pursued a record 10th state title, remains a formidable presence despite a few setbacks this season.

Kouts’ Remarkable Streak Continues

Kouts, with a commanding 25-1 record, aims for their first Class 1A state title after finishing as runners-up last year. Their top-performing players include Billy Miller and Landon Garrett, who excel in both batting averages and defensive stats.

Portage’s Challenging Path

Portage enters the postseason as an underdog. Under Coach Shane Prance, the team relies on the leadership of a talented senior class to strive for their first sectional title since 2013.

Statewide Standouts

Beyond Northwest Indiana, other schools boast impressive individual performances. Nate Southwell of Munster leads the state in RBIs, while Michael Stevens of Morton ranks high in batting averages.

Players to Watch

• Cayden Adley (Munster): Freshman standout with impressive stats.
• Nick DeBlock (Illiana Christian): Senior player with solid contributions.
• Connor Gaines (Crown Point): Notable for his batting prowess.
• Landon Garrett (Kouts): Dual-threat as a pitcher and infielder.
• Ethan Glassman (Chesterton): Key shortstop with strong performance.
• Joel Gomez (Bishop Noll): Speedy player with multiple stolen bases.
• Clint Lemmons (Morgan Township): A top contender in stolen bases.
• Grant McFarden (Valparaiso): Contributes both as a catcher and outfielder.
• Camden Mikulich (Lowell): Strong performance in pitching and batting.
• Brayden Walls (Lake Central): Reliable junior catcher with impressive stats.