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1A State Finals Preview

June 11, 2026
By: Coby Miller
Area Scout, Content

This year’s 1A IHSA State Finals are set for this weekend at Illinois Field in Champaign, IL, and it looks like it will be a talented field.

To kickstart the state playoff, Tremont vs. Routt Catholic will face off at 10 am, and directly following, Putnam County and North Clay will play at 1 pm. The third place game will take place Saturday at 10 am with the State championship set to begin at 1 pm.

With extensive coverage of all these games and the 1A State playoff games, you won’t want to miss the action. You can find the coverage on our X @PrepBaseballIL.

Below, you can learn more about the four teams that will be competing for the 2026 1A State championship.

Tremont (36-2)

Tremont has been one of the most dominant teams in Illinois from opening day through the postseason, and the Turks now find themselves back in the State Finals for the first time since 2011. After finishing fourth in Class 1A in 2011, Tremont returns to Champaign with a veteran group that has spent the entire spring proving it belongs among the state's elite. The Turks enter the weekend with a 36-2 record and have won 31 of their last 32 games. Their postseason run has been equally impressive, as they have outscored opponents 41-8 through Regional, Sectional, and Super-Sectional play. With a battle-tested senior core, a high-powered offense, and one of the deepest pitching staffs remaining in the field, Tremont appears poised to make a serious push for a state championship.

Offensively, the Turks have been relentless all season. Tremont enters Champaign hitting .357 as a team while piling up 379 hits, 376 runs, and 300 RBIs. The lineup is led by one of the most productive hitters in the state in Andrew Dawson (2026; Valparaiso). The senior has been a force in the middle of the order, leading the team with a .511 batting average, 68 hits, and six home runs while also driving in 49 runs. Fellow senior Griffin Meeker (2026; Heartland) gives Tremont another impact bat, entering the State Finals with a .470 batting average, 62 hits, 45 RBIs, 16 doubles, seven triples, and five home runs. Justin Muselman (2026) has served as the catalyst atop the lineup all spring. Muselman leads the team with 65 runs scored while collecting 55 hits and hitting .470 on the year. Josh Papenhause (2026) has provided consistent run production throughout the season and heads to Champaign with a team-leading 50 RBIs. The supporting cast has been equally important, with Chase Rhodes (2026; John A. Logan), Jake Williams (2028), Hunter Smith (2026; Monmouth), Jack Oyer (2028), and Jordyn Balsimo (2026) all providing valuable contributions throughout the lineup. With power throughout the order and multiple players capable of changing a game with one swing, Tremont's offense presents a difficult challenge for any pitching staff.

As dangerous as the lineup has been, Tremont's pitching staff has been the foundation of its success. The Turks enter the State Finals with a remarkable 1.58 team ERA while striking out 360 batters across 235 innings. Senior Chase Rhodes has emerged as one of the premier arms in the state. Rhodes enters the weekend with an 8-1 record, a microscopic 0.55 ERA, and a team-leading 107 strikeouts in 51 innings. Hunter Smith has been equally dominant, compiling a perfect 10-0 record with a 1.43 ERA over 49 innings of work. Dawson has also excelled as a two-way player for the Turks. In addition to his offensive production, the senior is 9-0 on the mound with a 1.62 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched. Meeker provides another quality option, posting a 3-0 record and a 2.10 ERA while striking out 35 batters. Pierce Patterson (2027) has been effective out of the bullpen as well, carrying a 1.05 ERA into the State Finals. The depth of this staff gives head coach Eddie Betson multiple options in any situation and allows Tremont to match up with opponents in a variety of ways.

Few teams in the state can match the combination of experience, offensive firepower, and pitching depth that Tremont brings to Champaign. The Turks have consistently handled quality competition throughout the season and have elevated their play even further during the postseason. With a senior-led core, multiple impact bats, and three frontline arms capable of taking over a game, Tremont appears to check all of the boxes heading into the semifinals. After waiting more than a decade to return to the State Finals, the Turks have positioned themselves as a legitimate contender to bring home the Class 1A State Championship.

Putnam County (25-11)

Putnam County is headed back to Champaign for the first time since 2013 and enters the Class 1A State Finals as one of the hottest teams remaining in the field. After a season that featured its share of ups and downs, the Panthers have found their stride at the perfect time, winning five consecutive postseason games to earn a return trip to the state's biggest stage. Putnam County has outscored opponents 42-10 throughout Regional, Sectional, and Super-Sectional play, relying on veteran leadership, strong pitching, and timely offense to navigate a difficult postseason path. With the program's best finish coming in a runner-up effort back in 2013, the Panthers now have an opportunity to add another memorable chapter to their postseason history.

At the plate, Putnam County is led by one of the most impactful two-way players in Class 1A, Johnathon Stunkel (2026; Illinois Central). The senior has been the driving force behind the Panthers' offense all season, entering Champaign with a team-leading .440 batting average, 55 hits, 39 RBIs, and seven home runs. Fellow senior Traxton Mattingly (2026) has been equally important to the lineup's success. Mattingly leads the team with 49 runs scored while hitting .426 and collecting 49 hits, 17 doubles, and 24 RBIs. Behind the senior duo, Kade Zimmerlein (2027) has been one of the Panthers' most consistent hitters, batting .413 with 43 hits, 30 RBIs, and 11 extra-base hits. Maddox Poole (2028) has emerged as another key contributor, hitting .333 while collecting 36 hits and 24 RBIs. Peyton Barto (2027), Wyatt Zellers (2027), and Carter Hochstatter (2027) have all provided depth throughout the lineup and helped the Panthers compile a .301 team batting average while scoring 263 runs on the season. Though the offense may not feature the same power numbers as some of the other teams in Champaign, Putnam County has consistently found ways to manufacture runs and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The Panthers' success begins on the mound, where they have relied on one of the more battle-tested pitching staffs in Class 1A. Stunkel has been the unquestioned ace of the staff, posting a 9-3 record with a 1.46 ERA while striking out 92 batters across 72 innings. The senior has carried a significant workload throughout the season and has continued to deliver in the postseason. Zimmerlein has provided another dependable option at the front of the rotation, compiling a 7-2 record, a 2.14 ERA, and 72 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched. Poole has given the Panthers valuable depth as a sophomore, posting a 3-1 record and a 2.33 ERA, while Rudy Villagomez (2027) has been effective in a relief role with a 2.00 ERA across 35 innings. Mattingly has also contributed quality innings when called upon, giving head coach Chris Newsome another versatile arm to turn to in key situations. As a staff, Putnam County owns a 2.31 ERA and has recorded 264 strikeouts across 233 innings, numbers that have helped fuel the Panthers' postseason run.

After falling in the Regional Final a season ago, Putnam County has taken a significant step forward this spring and returns to Champaign for the first time in more than a decade. The Panthers have leaned on the leadership of Stunkel and Mattingly, while receiving major contributions from a talented group of juniors that has continued to develop throughout the season. With a proven ace, a deep pitching staff, and a lineup capable of producing timely offense, Putnam County appears to have all of the ingredients necessary to make noise this weekend. A program with a rich postseason history is back on the state stage, and the Panthers will look to build on the momentum that has carried them through an impressive playoff run.

Routt Catholic (24-12)

Routt Catholic is headed back to Champaign for the first time since its third-place finish in Class 1A back in 2024. After falling one game short of the State Finals a season ago, losing a heartbreaking Super-Sectional matchup to Father McGivney, the Rockets have returned to the state's biggest stage behind another veteran-led roster and an impressive postseason run. Routt entered the playoffs with a 19-12 record before rattling off five consecutive victories to punch its ticket to Champaign. With a lineup loaded with experienced seniors, an offense that has consistently produced throughout the season, and one of the top arms remaining in the field, the Rockets appear poised to make another deep run this weekend.

Offensively, the Rockets are led by a large senior class that has played a significant role in the program's recent success. Bryson Mossman (2026) has been one of the catalysts for the offense all season, leading the team with 47 hits and 40 runs scored while batting .382. Fellow senior Brady Turner (2026; Quincy) has been the team's most complete offensive performer, entering the State Finals with a .416 batting average, 47 hits, 36 RBIs, 13 doubles, and four triples. Talon Thompson (2026) has been another key contributor at the top of the order, hitting .391 while collecting 34 hits and 26 runs scored. Senior Dalton Brown (2026) has driven in 22 runs on the season, while Jacob Brown (2026) has added 30 hits and 16 RBIs. The Rockets have also received valuable production from Anson Butcher (2027), who has collected 10 doubles and 24 hits, and sophomore Kale Reich (2028), who leads the team with three home runs while driving in 26 runs. As a team, Routt enters Champaign hitting .307 with 293 hits, 260 runs scored, and 202 RBIs, showcasing the lineup depth that has fueled the Rockets throughout the season.

On the mound, the Rockets are led by one of the top pitchers remaining in Class 1A. Brady Turner has been the unquestioned ace of the staff, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.72 ERA while striking out an impressive 116 batters across 65 innings pitched. The senior left-hander has carried a heavy workload throughout the season and has consistently delivered in big moments. Behind Turner, Routt has relied on several arms to provide valuable depth. Reich has emerged as an important option as just a sophomore, striking out 40 batters in 42 innings. Jacob Brown has logged 38 innings while collecting four wins, and Jonas Brown (2027) has added a 4-1 record across 33 innings of work. Samuel Long (2026) and Taegan Rives (2027) have also contributed innings throughout the season, giving head coach Ryan Turner multiple options to deploy during postseason play. While the team ERA sits at 4.25, the Rockets have consistently found ways to compete behind timely pitching performances and have recorded 244 strikeouts as a staff.

Few programs in Class 1A have enjoyed the level of postseason success that Routt has experienced in recent years. The Rockets captured a state championship in 2008, finished third in the state in 2024, and now return to Champaign looking for another opportunity to compete for a state trophy. Their veteran leadership, postseason experience, and frontline pitching give them a chance against any opponent remaining in the field. With Turner leading the way on the mound, a lineup filled with experienced seniors, and momentum from another strong playoff run, Routt appears to have the pieces necessary to compete for the Class 1A State Championship this weekend.

North Clay (35-4)

North Clay enters the 2026 IHSA Class 1A State Finals after putting together one of the most dominant seasons in the state. The Cardinals arrive at state with a 35-4, won 21 of their final 22 games, and punched their ticket to Champaign with an 8-0 shutout of Goreville in the Carbondale Super-Sectional. North Clay is making its first state appearance since capturing the 2022 Class 1A State Championship and will look to add another trophy to an already successful era under head coach John Frech.

Frech has built North Clay into one of southern Illinois’ premier small-school programs. Since taking over in Louisville in 2011, he has compiled a 291-119-1 record and guided the Cardinals to the 2022 state title. His 2026 club features a veteran-heavy roster loaded with experience, leadership, and production on both sides of the ball.

The Cardinals are led by a senior core that includes Cody Zimdars (2026; Kaskaskia), Jack Compton (2026; SWIC), Ben Czyzewski (2026), Ian Jones (2026), Trenton Ingram (2026), Cayden Craig (2026), Carder Walden (2026), and Trevan Sidwell (2026). That group has helped establish North Clay as one of the most complete teams in Class 1A and brings extensive postseason experience into the state tournament.

Offensively, North Clay has been one of the most dangerous lineups in Illinois. The Cardinals are batting .372 as a team with 382 hits, 332 RBIs, and 21 home runs. Senior Ian Jones leads the club with 56 hits while batting .441, and senior Jack Compton has scored a team-best 52 runs while hitting .462. Senior Cayden Craig has provided much of the power production, driving in 48 runs and blasting seven home runs. Senior Carder Walden added 51 hits and a .429 average, while freshman Cooper Lewis (2029) emerged as another key contributor with a .386 average and three home runs.

The Cardinals are equally impressive on the mound, posting a stellar 1.86 team ERA while striking out 278 batters in 233.1 innings. Compton has been the ace of the staff, going 9-1 with a 0.69 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 61 innings. Jones has matched that production with a 9-1 record, a 1.92 ERA, and 66 strikeouts. Zimdars has gone 4-0 with a microscopic 0.56 ERA, while Craig owns a 3-0 record and 0.82 ERA. The depth of North Clay’s pitching staff has allowed the Cardinals to control games throughout the postseason.

North Clay’s road to state included Regional victories over Farina South Central and Casey-Westfield before Sectional wins against Okaw Valley and Cumberland. The Cardinals then blanked Goreville in the Super-Sectional to secure their return trip to the state finals.

After falling one win short of a Regional title in 2025, North Clay has reestablished itself among the state’s elite programs. With a championship pedigree, a deep senior class, an explosive offense, and one of the best pitching staffs in Class 1A, the Cardinals arrive in Champaign as a legitimate contender to bring another state trophy back to Louisville.

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