Prep Baseball Report

Top 10 Stories of 2024: No. 5 Providence Catholic's Record-Breaking State Championship


By: Tyler Defibaugh
Area Scout, Content

Providence Catholic won an IHSA record 6th state title, when they won the 4A State Championship over Conant in June. The win also marked Head Coach Mark Smith's fourth championship since taking over the Providence Catholic program. 

The Celtics got stellar pitching throughout the postseason, only allowing nine runs over the course of seven games. RHPs Kasten Goebbert (2025; Gulf Coast State College), Cooper Eggert (2025; SIU-Edwardsville), and Nate O'Donnell (2025; Minnesota) led the pitching staff from start to finish in 2024. Goebbert posted a 2.65 ERA, leading the team in innings (37.0) with 36 strikeouts, while winning a team-leading six games. Eggert was a do-it-all player for the Celtics; tossing 36 innings en route to a 2.53 ERA, while leading the team in strikeouts with 45, he also batted leadoff for the Celtics, batting .443 with nine doubles, five triples, and five home runs. Another two-way standout for the Celtics was O'Donnell who posted a 3.39 ERA in 33 innings, while leading the team offensively with 11 home runs and batting .434. 

To read more about the 4A State Champs, click HERE.

Below you’ll find our game story from the Celtics’ victory in June:

Providence Catholic vs. Conant

Providence Catholic captured the 4A State Title on Saturday night, defeating Conant 4-1. RHP Kasten Goebbert (2025) was stellar in his start for the Celtics, with RHP Nate O’Donnell (2025) closing the victory out. Enzo Infelise (2025; Oklahoma commit) and Nate O’Donnell paced the Celtics offense with two hits. The win moved Providence Catholic’s final record to 33-8 in 2024, while the Conant Cougars finished with a final record of 30-8.

The Celtics would score the game’s first run in the top of the second inning off a Conant throwing error to make the score 1-0. The Celtics offense would erupt for three runs in the top of the fourth inning, proving to be more than enough for the win. Jackson Smith (2024; Bradley) would drive in a run off another Conant defensive miscue, leading to a Nate O’Donnell two RBI single to bring the score to 4-0.

Conant would not go quietly in the final frame however. Matthew Maize (2024) would lead off the inning with a long solo shot to deep right field to break up the shutout at the time; ending starter Kasten Goebbert’s day. RHP Nate O’Donnell would enter and get three quick outs to secure the Celtics’ 4A State Championship.

Conant starter, RHP Bryce Loeger (2024; Dartmouth) gave the Cougars a gutsy outing from start to finish. In what will end up being his final start of his high school career, he tossed seven stellar innings allowing four unearned runs on six hits and three walks, while punching out seven.

On the other side, RHP Kasten Goebbert (2025) notched the win for the Celtics, tossing six strong innings of one run ball on three hits, one walk, while recording four strikeouts. Goebbert pounded the zone and pitched to contact throughout his start and let the Providence Catholic defense back him up.

The win moved Providence Catholic’s final record to 33-8 in 2024, while the Conant Cougars will finish the season with a final record of 30-8.


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