The glum faces wearing Jasper pinstripes thought. And thought. Nowhere in the course of Friday’s Class 3A state championship could the Wildcats conjure any regrets of the self-inflicted nature.

The nerves can be overwhelming. The moment too immense. The tension uncontrollable. Yet what distinguishes a state finals contender is its ability to cope, to compose, to overcome the pressure of the moment.

Nick Gobert was the unofficial man of the night. Or actually, perhaps it was official. After all, it seemed like every Jasper fan made sure to acknowledge Nick before leaving Victory Field, Nick’s home away from home.

While browsing Twitter in early spring, an idea popped into Cole Rohleder’s head. Rohleder, now finished with his freshman year at Indiana University, noticed the Hoosier baseball team’s account, which supplied fans with information, updates and tidbits about the team. A thought suddenly materialized.

Sometimes, Terry Gobert wishes he were back in 1996. Things were simpler then. No, it’s got nothing to do with technology or “kids these days.” Back in ’96, the year Jasper baseball won its first state title, Gobert knew exactly whom he’d give the ball to at the state finals — then-ace and now pitching coach Phil Kendall.

A look at the 20 players who will suit up for Jasper in Friday's Class 3A state championship baseball game.

Insamuch as a guy 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds can maintain a lower profile these days, Mark Giesler is doing it.

Many of Jasper’s supporters are cutting corners wherever they can to attend the state finals collision between No. 1 Jasper and No. 3 Norwell, whether it’s chewing up a vacation day or jetting out of work an hour or two early to get hauling to Indianapolis. Whether they’re able to make it or not, the question has been the hot topic among Wildcat fans this week: Why Friday?

Top-ranked Jasper (32-3) will clash with No. 3 Norwell (32-3) in the Class 3A championship at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Victory Field in Indianapolis, a rematch of the 2006 title game in which Jasper concocted a seventh-inning rally for a 13-12 victory and the program’s fifth state title, which ranks third on the state’s all-time list behind LaPorte (eight) and Lafayette Central Catholic (six).

A statistical breakdown of Friday night's Class 3A baseball state title game between No. 1 Jasper (32-3) and No. 3 Norwell (32-3).

An interview with Jasper senior baseball player Nathan Leibering.

The top-ranked Wildcats clobbered No. 7 Crawfordsville 11-1 in six innings at Ruxer Field, and they're bound for The Circle City for Friday's state championship.