Barr-Reeve softball shuts out South Central, claims IHSAA 1A state title

WEST LAFAYETTE — The stakes were clear. Barr-Reeve softball came into Bittinger Stadium with an opportunity at history.

In the end, the Vikings took full advantage, winning 6-0 against South Central (Union Mills) in the IHSAA Class 1A state championship on Saturday, June 13. It’s their first state championship in program history.

The emotions were high as the game progressed. The feeling was in the air as Barr-Reeve’s dream grew closer.

As the final out was delivered courtesy of a Charley Paurazas strikeout, helmets and gloves were tossed. A pile was formed at the pitcher’s circle as the Vikings’ pitcher was rushed. The excitement could not be contained.

Belief was never something the Vikings lacked. This is a team aligned, and in West Lafayette, it could not be more apparent.

A championship mentality now with a championship to match.

“The culture has been worked on over the last four years,” Barr-Reeve coach Josh Huff said. “We’ve had some great kids come through our program; kids go on and play college softball. But what it comes down to is the buy-in, I can’t say enough about these girls.”

Words helped, but were not all that necessary in the moment. Huff was proud of this group for their commitment, not to a goal, but to every moment together. June 13 may be one of the last ones, but a lifelong memory is now attached.

It was the perfect ending for Barr-Reeve. Along with girls volleyball and boys basketball, the school won three state championships in the 2025-26 campaign.

Addison Jones was presented with the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award after the game, her second this year after earning the honor in volleyball. Jones, who is now off to the University of Southern Indiana to study accounting and economics, could not be prouder to be a Viking.

“It’s all the emotions,” Jones said. “These girls are my best friends in the community, seeing everybody out here, just to feel that support is the best feeling in the world. This place has done so much for me, and I hope I give back to it in the same way it’s impacted me.”

Jones took part in the journey with Huff to get this program to this status. Huff said the senior has brought the program consistency and control as their leader.

So, what is next for Barr-Reeve? A lot. It will not take long for Huff to work towards bringing Barr-Reeve its second state championship next season.

“We’re not done. I’m going back to work tomorrow,” Huff said. “We have a lot of great kids in our program coming up, and now the community has a taste for what a state title looks like.”

Barr-Reeve’s offense set the tone early with its ability to get runners on base. In the second inning, a Sydney Wilson RBI double brought in two runs to open the scoring.

Two more runs came across from the Vikings in the fourth. Another two in the sixth made it 6-0.

In between, the Barr-Reeve defense brought it. Paurazas and Haley Huff pitched great games in the shutout with 12 strikeouts combined for this duo that has shined together all season.

Wilson led the Vikings in RBIs with two and Lucy Wirtz in hits with two.

Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Barr-Reeve softball wins IHSAA Class 1A state championship