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4A State Championship Title Recaps

June 14, 2025
By: Illinois Scouting Staff

4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The 4A State Finals took place Saturday evening between McHenry and Libertyville, with Libertyville claiming their first ever State Championship for baseball by defeating McHenry 4-1. 

LHP Josh Holst (2025; Air Force) was a do-it-all player for the Wildcats, tossing a complete game allowing just one run on two hits and one walk, while striking out eight. He also drove in three runs at the plate, finishing the game 1-for-2 with a walk and three RBI.

Holst got the game's scoring started in the bottom of the first when he hit an RBI groundout, scoring SS Cole Lockwood (2025; Valparaiso) who tripled to begin the inning.

The Wildcats would add another run in the bottom of the third when LF Carson Holmes (2026) ripped a line drive RBI single into centerfield to score CF Mason Strader (2025) who singled to begin the inning.

The Warriors of McHenry would draw within one run in the top of the fourth when SS Kyle Maness (2025) would hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring 2B Landon Clements (2027), who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Holst would drive in two more runs with a hard single back up the middle scoring Cole Lockwood and Nick Farmakis (courtesy runner for Quinn Schambow), bringing the score to 4-1.

Holst would continue to cruise through the final two innings and clinch the title for the Wildcats. 

With the win, the Wildcats finish 2025 with a record of 36-4. With the loss, the Warriors finish with a record of 36-5-1.

THIRD PLACE GAME

Normal Community defeated Brother Rice 7-2 on Saturday afternoon to earn third place within the state's 4A Classification. The Ironmen' pitching staff surrended just three hits in the game en route to the victory. RHPs Jonah Roper (2025; Rock Valley JC) and Landyn Corbin (2026) combined to allow two runs and one walk, while punching out eight in the contest. 

The Ironmen got on the board first in the top of the first when Gavin Swartz (2026; Indiana) hit an RBI single, scoring Kyle Beaty (2025). Brother Rice would answer right back in the bottom of the first when Brady Cunningham (2027) would hit an RBI groundout to score Gavin Triezenberg (2025; Arizona). 

In the top of the third, Normal Community would score four runs in the inning. Kyle Beaty, Brady Burkhart (2025), and Jacob Engel (2026) all had RBI in the inning to bring the score to 5-1 entering the bottom half of the third.

Brother Rice would add a run in the bottom of the fourth off an RBI double from Nolan Ramoley (2026; Kentucky).

The Ironmen would expand their lead in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs in the frame. Kyle Beaty stayed hot with an RBI single, and Holden Baldwin (2026) hit an RBI double to bring the score to 7-2 entering the bottom half of the seventh inning. The scoring would end there as the Ironmen were able to seal the deal in the bottom of the seventh.

Normal Community finishes the 2025 season with a record of 37-5, and the loss moves Brother Rice's 2025 record to 37-5.

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