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3A/4A State Semifinals: Recap

June 12, 2026
By: Tyler Defibaugh
Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout

This Friday and Saturday, June 12th and June 13th, 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.

ST RITA VS. EAST PEORIA

St. Rita walked-off East Peoria by a final score of 2-1 to advance to the 3A State Championship. RHP Sullivan Kazee (2026; Southeastern CC) got the ball to start for the Mustangs and delivered on the big stage. Kazee tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks, while fanning five in the contest. He was able to locate a 84-86 mph fastball throughout the game to induce weak contact, while turning to a 73-75 mph breaking ball when needed.

For the Mustangs’ offense, the scoring got started in the bottom of the third when CF Jayden Hawkins (2027) reached to begin the inning on a hit-by-pitch, before stealing second base and moving over to third on a wild pitch. That set the stage for RF Aden Gutierrez (2028) to swat a sacrifice fly to center to plate the game’s first run.

East Peoria would answer back in the top of the sixth when RHP RJ Duncheon (2026; Illinois State) helped his own cause with an opposite-field solo homer to knot the game at 1.

Duncheon was equally as impressive on the mound in what will end up being his final pitching outing of his illustrious high school career. The future Redbird punched out eight over six and a third, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. His fastball was overpowering for most of the game at 89-92 mph, before settling in at 87-89 late in the game. His go-to swing and miss offering was a sharp slider at 77-80 mph (2600+ rpm), flashing wipeout characteristics. Duncheon would also show a curveball at 74-76 mph (2300+ rpm) and a changeup at 78 mph.

In the bottom of the seventh, 3B Jayden Ibarra (2027) led the inning off with a leadoff double to the right-center gap. Then an unsuccessful sac bunt attempt would cut down Ibarra at third with pinch-hitter JJ Quinlan (2028) taking second on the play. SS Frank Garofalo (2027) would then single into left field, plating Quinlan to send the Mustangs to the 3A State Final.

The Mustangs await the winner of Crystal Lake South/Triad tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., while the Raiders of East Peoria will face the loser of the same game at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

CRYSTAL LAKE SOUTH VS. TRIAD

Triad defeated Crystal Lake South 2-0 to advance to the 3A State Final where they will take on St. Rita. The game’s scoring took place in the 4th inning, where the Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and never looked back from there.

RF Carter Gaskill (2026; Illinois-Springfield) got the scoring started with an RBI double, scoring 1B Keegan Seipp (2027; Xavier) - who singled to begin the inning. C Kade Rocca (2027) then brought Gaskill home on a single into left field to give the Knight a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 4th.

RHP Nolan Keller (2026; Kaskaskia JC) went the distance for the Knights, allowing no runs over seven innings while scattering eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Keller worked his fastball up to 88 mph and navigated trouble on the basepaths well throughout the game.

The Knights will take on St. Rita for the 3A State Championship tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., while Crystal Lake South will play in the 3rd Place Game against East Peoria tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.

NAPERVILLE CENTRAL VS. MAINE SOUTH

Maine South defeated Naperville Central 9-1 to advance to the 4A State Final on Saturday. The Hawks tallied just five hits but received timely hitting and took advantage of defensive miscues from start to finish.

The Hawks wasted no time getting on the board, plating three in the bottom of the first. After C Luka Stojakovic (2026; Creighton) singled and CF Sean Sladky (2027) walked, LF Gavin Krischke (2027) drove everyone in with a single while coming around to score on the same play to give Maine South a 3-0 advantage going into the second.

Maine South would tack on four more in the bottom of the second. A pair of walks and an error loaded the bases for 1B Evan Adamczewski (2027; Northern Illinois). Adamczewski would then bring a run home on a fielder’s choice, making the score 4-0. The aforementioned Stojakovic would then triple to bring home two more, before Sladky singled home another run making it 7-0 Hawks entering the third frame.

Naperville Central would then get on the board in the top of the 5th after 2B Ryley Orlanes (2027) brought a run home on a fielder’s choice.

Maine South would put one run on the board in both the 5th and 6th inning to secure the 9-1 victory. The Hawks got strong pitching performances from RHPs Connor Griffin (2026; Rollins College), Russell Hengels (2027), and Alexander Aridas (2027). Griffin got the ball to start and turned in five innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts. Hengels and Aridas both turned in scoreless outings, combining to allow no hits and just two walks, while punching out two.

Maine South will take on the winner of the Libertyville/Mount Carmel tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. for the 4A State Championship, while Naperville Central awaits the loser of the same game tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. in the 4A 3rd Place Game.

LIBERTYVILLE VS. MOUNT CARMEL

Libertyville defeated Mount Carmel 3-1 to advance to the 4A State Championship game with a chance to repeat tomorrow. The Wildcats received a stellar performance from RHP Brady Buenik (2027; Tennessee) who nearly went the distance, going six and two-thirds, allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks, while punching out seven. He sat 92-96 mph (T97) with his fastball early on, and sat 88-92 mph in the seventh inning. He also worked in a sinker at 89-94 mph, paired with a breaking ball at 77-80 mph, and rounded out his arsenal with an 84 mph splitter.

Libertyville pushed two runs across in the bottom of the first, 2B Madden Cotts (2027; Bradley) led the frame off with a triple, with SS Trevor Wallace (2026; Wilmington) reaching via hit-by-pitch, before DH Chase Lockwood (2026; Illinois State) doubled home the two.

The Wildcats would tack on one more run in the bottom of the third off an RBI double from C Ryan Wilberding (2027; Marshall).

The game got interesting in the top of the seventh with the Caravan putting the go-ahead run on first with the bases loaded. They would bring one home on a bases loaded walk from SS Joey Ireland (2026; Illinois), however the threat would end there when RHP Aksel McKnight (2027) would stop the threat getting a flyout to centerfield to cap off the game.

For the Caravan, RHP Connor Elenteny (2026; Notre Dame) turned in an impressive start of his own, tossing six innings of three run ball, punching out five while scattering six hits and two walks. His fastball sat 87-90 mph, while showing a curveball at 68-71 mph, a slider at 75-76 mph, and a changeup at 76-77 mph.

The Wildcats will look to defend their 4A State Title at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow against Maine South, while the Caravan will play for 4A Third Place against Naperville Central tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.

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