Senior RHP/INF RJ Duncheon (Illinois State commit) was a standout on all sides of the field this week for East Peoria. A catalyst for the Raiders this week, as he helped lead them to a 4-1 record, now sitting at 22-13 on the year. Starting on the mound, Duncheon made two starts, tossing a five-inning no-hitter and then scoreless three and a third innings of work, totaling 16 strikeouts. Then with the bat, he went 7-for-11, with three home runs, seven RBIs, one double, six walks, and five runs scored. Duncheon has been a dual threat all year long, recently receiving 1st-Team All-Conference Honors. For these reasons, Duncheon will be the first player in this award's history to be named both Player and Pitcher of the Week. 

Duncheon started the week off with authority, tossing a five-inning no-hitter en route to an 11-0 run-rule victory over Perkin. His final line of the night was five innings, zero hits, zero runs, one walk, and ten strikeouts. The lone walk came in the bottom of the fourth, where Duncheon was perfect till then. He wouldn’t just do it on the mound this game, as he would go 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs and two walks. 

The next day, the Raiders would face Perkin once more, where again they would take the victory by a score of 6-1. Another strong performance with the bat by Duncheon, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. 

For the Raiders' third game of the week, they would face off against the Southeast Spartans, taking the game by a score of 10-0. Duncheon would produce another eye-catching game at the plate, going 1-for-2, with a homerun, an RBI, and two walks. The home run would come in the top of the 1st to get the scoring started, sending a solo shot over the left field wall. 

The Raiders' lone slip-up of the week came in a hard-fought 5-6 loss to Mt. Zion, where Duncheon would end the day going 1-for-3 with a double. A late surge in the top of the fifth was sparked by Duncheon's double, where he would later score to tie the game 5-5, wouldn't be enough as Mt. Zion would quickly regain the lead in the bottom half. 

Then, in the final game of the week for the Raiders, Duncheon would take the mound once more, this time against the Urbana Tigers. In a five-inning 15-0 run-rule victory, the senior tossed 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and zero walks, striking out six. At the plate, he went 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs, and two walks. An exclamation point to end a dominant week. 

The No. 21 ranked player in the Illinois 2026 class, Duncheon has been a feared presence throughout his whole high school career. The 6-foot, 202-pound prospect has begun to solidify himself as one of the top two-way prospects throughout the state. The Fastball can run up to 94 mph, sitting in the low-90s, with the secondaries to match. But the senior proves he can provide just as much damage at the plate as well. As East Peoria gears up for a postseason run, a deep roster led by Duncheon on both sides is primed to be a team you do not want to run into this postseason. 

We're thankful for the POTW submissions we received from the coaches across the state. The players who garnered POTW consideration will earn a place within tomorrow's Diamond Notes story, so be on the lookout for that.  

Related Content