Andrean junior third baseman Chase Nelson reflected on the challenges faced by his team. Following a tornado on June 11 that caused damage to the school and team’s field, Nelson recognized that the ramifications extended beyond the result of the Class 3A state championship. “It’s been really sad,” he stated. “But we grew closer as a team because we wanted to achieve success for the school and community. We reached the championship, yet we fell short.”
Ranked at the top, Andrean sought to retain their status as state champions and secure a historic 10th title. They fell to No. 2 Guerin with a score of 9-3 at Victory Field. The Eagles celebrated success in their debut championship appearance. “All credit to them,” said Andrean coach Dave Pishkur. “They were the superior team today. Without question, they had more depth. Their pitcher is outstanding, and they have a strong lineup.”
Chase Nelson contributed significantly for the 59ers, hitting 2-for-4 with a run-scoring single in the third inning. His previous performance included a 1-for-2 day with a walk and a run scored in the 2025 championship. On defense, he made key plays, catching a foul ball to close the fifth inning and snagging a line drive to end the sixth. In addition, he allowed no earned runs in two innings as a pitcher. Andrean utilized five pitchers against Guerin, who hold a 28-3-1 record. “Our pitching staff got us here as we aren’t a strong hitting team,” Pishkur noted. “Today, we walked nine batters and hit three, the most all year. These games feature young athletes, and preparation doesn’t always guarantee results.”
Guerin’s starting pitcher, Tate Troxell, is an Alabama recruit. He allowed one run on four hits, conceding three walks, and struck out 12 batters. Pishkur praised him: “He’s talented. That’s probably the highest velocity we’ve faced this year. His slider is impressive.”
Tyler Nelson, Chase’s older brother and a 2020 Andrean graduate, also had a distinguished career, starting at shortstop for the 2018 and 2019 championship teams. Even though Chase Nelson and the 59ers didn’t clinch another title like Tyler, he valued the opportunity. “It’s great,” he said. “Everyone deserves the chance to play in front of a large audience and handle the pressure. You need to ignore the outside noise.”
The 59ers, led by senior outfielder Luke Goben’s two-run double in the seventh inning, aimed to remain focused. “No excuse,” Pishkur commented regarding the circumstances. “It was a tough week after losing our field and having to practice at different locations. Practicing at our home field wouldn’t have likely changed today’s outcome.”
Andrean will advance to Class 4A next season. “We need improvement,” Pishkur continued. “Next season, we have promising sophomores who might have been ready at season’s end. We didn’t alter the lineup. While I won’t predict a better performance, we possess potential talent. The players will work in the weight room and follow the long-toss program. They’ll receive strong coaching. But remember, 4A baseball presents greater challenges than 3A.”
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