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3A/4A State Semifinals: Recap

June 14, 2025
By: Illinois Scouting Staff

This Friday and Saturday, June 13th and June 14th, the IHSA 3A and 4A state playoffs took place at Slammers Stadium in Joliet, IL. Four teams from each respective classification battled it out for high school baseball’s most coveted honors - a state title. 

Our staff took in Friday’s semi-final matchups, and we’ve recapped all of yesterday’s action below. 

CLASS 3A

St. Laurence vs Triad

In the first 3A State Semifinal matchup of the day, we took in St. Laurence and Triad.

The Vikings got things going in the top of the second inning, scoring four runs in the inning. Danny Donovan (2026) delivered an RBI single in the inning, and Connor Marino (2025; Wisconsin-Stout) followed with a two- RBI single, giving the Vikings the 3-0 lead. He eventually scored in the inning on a passed ball to put St. Laurence up 4-0.

They added another four runs in the top of the fourth inning, capitalizing on a couple of errors and mistakes. Adrian Perez (2026) highlighted the inning with a RBI single, and later scored on an RBI groundout from Ben Geary (2025; South Suburban), giving the Vikings the 8-0 lead.

Triad was able to put some runs together in the bottom of the sixth inning, their first coming from an RBI single from Nolan Keller (2026) which loaded the bases for the Knights. In the following at-bat, Carter Gaskil (2026) drove in a run, and they added another run in the inning on a bases loaded walk, putting the game at 8-3.

St. Laurence added three runs in the top of seventh, highlighted by a two RBI single from Marino, giving them the 11-3 lead.

Triad followed up in the bottom of the seventh inning with three runs of their own. Keegan Seipp (2027) delivered a three-run homer over the pull-side wall.

St. Laurence won the game 11-6 to advance to Saturday’s 3A State Championship.

Benet Academy vs. Cary-Grove

In the second game of the day, Benet Academy took on Cary-Grove, with the winner headed to the 3A State Finals to take on St. Laurence.

Benet Academy started things off with a run in the top half of the first inning on an RBI fielder’s choice from CF Josh Gugora (2025; Illinois Wesleyan). 

Cary-Grove followed up with two runs of their own on a two-RBI single from C Francis Panko (2025; Mesa CC), giving the Trojans the 2-1 lead.

Benet opened things up in the top of the third, scoring four runs in the inning. The inning was highlighted by a pair of RBI singles from Gugora and Ethan Mendez (2025; Roosevelt), putting the Redwings up 5-2. 

Cary-Grove went on to score two runs in the bottom half of the fifth on RBI singles from Oskar Feund (2026) and Evan Frangiamore, cutting Benet’s lead to one run.

Benet would follow up in the top half of the sixth inning with a run on an RBI double from Niko Schaefer (2025; Augustana), adding to the lead with the game now sitting at 6-4.

Cary-Grove again followed up with two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on RBI singles from Brock Iverson (2025) and Ricky Barnes (2025; Illinois College).

Benet’s offense erupted in the bottom of the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-RBI extra-base hit from Quinn Rooney (2027), who eventually scored in the inning. The Redwings scored five runs in the inning to take the 11-6 victory.

They’ll play St. Laurence in the 3A State Title tomorrow at 1:00 pm.

CLASS 4A

Libertyville vs. Normal Community

In the first game of the 4A State Semifinals, Libertyville outlasted Normal Community in an exciting extra-inning battle.

RHP Chase Lockwood (Libertyville, 2026) and RHP Gavin Swartz (Normal Community, 2026; Indiana) each had stellar outings for their team.

Lockwood tossed a complete game scattering five hits and three walks, while surrendering one unearned run and punching out seven in the contest. He featured a three-pitch mix; headlined by an 84-86 mph fastball, while going to a 69-73 mph curveball often as an out-pitch, and then rounding out his mix with a 78-80 mph changeup.

Swartz had a gutsy performance as well, allowing just two runs over seven and a third on six hits and one walk, while striking out seven. Swartz also showed a three-pitch mix; primarily showing an 89-91 mph fastball, then going to a sharp slider at 79-81 as his out-pitch, and rounding things out with an 84-85 mph changeup.

DH Carson Holmes (2026) delivered the game-winning hit in the top of the eighth when he sent a line drive single into right field to bring home the deciding run in the contest.

The Wildcats will play for the 4A State Title on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

McHenry vs. Brother Rice

To cap off night one of the 3A/4A State Finals, we took in Brother Rice and McHenry.

Both offenses kicked things off in the first inning, with Brother Rice scoring on an RBI single from DH Aidan Nohava (2025; Eastern Michigan). McHenry followed up with two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly from RF Jeff Schwab (2026), putting the Warriors up 2-1 early.

McHenry added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-RBI single from 3B Kaden Wasniewski (2027), putting the game at 4-1 heading into the top of the seventh inning.

RHP Zach Readdy (2025; Saint Xavier) came into the game in relief in the seventh inning, struck out one and allowed one hit.

The game was mostly a pitcher’s duel between RHP Brandon Shannon (McHenry, 2025; Louisville) and LHP Danny Sheehan (Brother Rice, 2025). Shannon earned the win on the mound, tossing six innings with eight strikeouts, three walks, one run and four hits allowed. 

WIth the win, McHenry advanced to the 4A State Title and will take on Libertyville at 7:00 pm.

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