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3A State Finals: Recap

June 13, 2026
By: Tyler Defibaugh
Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

St. Rita defeated Triad 12-11 in walk-off fashion in eight innings to claim their first ever IHSA State Title. The Mustangs led by seven runs at one point in the game before the Knights stormed all the way back to tie the game in the top of the seventh, down to their final strike. An RBI sac fly from 2B Vinny Stubitsch (2027) sealed the victory for the Mustangs in the bottom of the eighth.

The game’s scoring began in the top of the first, where the Knights scored two runs. Carter Gaskill (2026; Illinois-Springfield) would drive in the game’s first run on a single to center, with Auggie Bugger (2027) following up with an RBI single of his own.

The Mustangs would explode for five runs in the bottom half of the first. Jayden Ibarra (2027) and Jake Sellis (2027) would each single home a run, before the aforementioned Stubitsch would swat a three-run homer to bring the score to 5-2 in favor of the Mustangs entering the second inning.

Triad would tack on a run in each of the next two frames, before St. Rita would answer with two of their own in the bottom half of the fourth. Aden Gutierrez (2028) would drive in a run on a single, and then Colin Quinn (2026; Heartland CC) would bring in one more on an RBI groundout, making the score 7-4 in favor of St. Rita.

In the bottom half of the fifth, the Mustangs would erupt for four more runs. Joe Camer (2026) brought two home on a successful squeeze bunt. Gutierrez would drive in another run on a single, and then the inning’s scoring was capped off by an RBI single from Quinn.

The Knight would not go quietly however, putting up three runs in the top of the sixth and four in the top of the seventh. In the seventh, Nolan Keller (2026; Kaskaskia JC) doubled home a run bringing the deficit within three. With the Knights down to their final out, Carter Gaskill would hit a pop fly near the first base dugout that was ultimately called not a catch, setting up a fairytale scenario for Gaskill as he would homer a few pitches later to tie the game at 11 apiece.

In the eighth, RHP Nick Cegielski (2026) would toss a scoreless frame setting the stage for the Mustangs to claim their first ever IHSA State Title in the bottom half of the inning. Colin Quinn would draw a leadoff walk before being successfully bunted over to second by Ryan Jones (2027). Ibarra was then intentionally walked, Luke Arteaga (2026) then singled to load the bases for Vinny Stubitsch. Stubitsch would then hit a fly ball into foul territory to right field, just deep enough to score the winning run and clinch the Championship for the Mustangs.

Congrats to both programs on great 2026 seasons. The Mustangs finish the year 30-12, while the Knights finish the season 36-6.

THIRD PLACE GAME

East Peoria walked-off Crystal Lake South to claim third place for the state’s 3A Classification. The Raiders got on the board first, scoring two in the bottom of the first inning; RJ Duncheon (2026; Illinois State) singled home a run, with the other run coming across on an error to bring the score to 2-0 entering the second inning.

Crystal Lake South drew within a run in the top of the third, after Nick Stowasser (2027) drove a run in on a groundout. The Raiders would tack on two more in the next half-inning off an RJ Duncheon two-run homer, bringing the score to 4-1 entering the fourth.

The Raiders would bring two more across before the Gators of Crystal Lake South would come roaring back, down five runs entering the final frame.

John Morgan (2028) would bring a run across off an error to begin the inning, making the score 6-2 in favor of East Peoria. Michael Rathjen (2026) and Ryan Morgan (2028) each tallied RBI singles, making it a one-run game. Down to their final out, Nolan Dabrowski (2026) tripled home the tying run and was thrown out at home trying to make it a go-ahead inside-the-park homer.

In the bottom of the seventh, Dalton Oakman (2026; Monmouth College Football) would single home the game-winning run to clinch third place for the Raiders.

East Peoria finished the year with a record of 28-14, while Crystal Lake South finishes the year 29-11. Congratulations to both teams on great seasons.

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