A Seat Above The Stands, Salem, IL (2026)

06/15/2026

Well the decision has been made, but it wasn’t an easy one! 13u Renegades-Snow will be staying down next year. An extremely talented roster will be adding all positions. Please reach out with questions.

06/14/2026

Salem Wildcats 11u finish their season with 2nd place in the Centralia Summer Slam.

Salem won both pool play games Saturday against the Carlyle Cannons and 618 Express. Salem had an exciting walk off win in the semifinal game against the Midwest Swing to make it to the championship, where they lost to the Carlyle Cannons.

They finished their season 15-6-1!

06/14/2026

The Salem Wildcats JV Baseball summer team split a pair of games at Breese on Saturday.

Game 1:

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats Loses Despite Out Hitting Breese Legion 2026 16U

Even though Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats collected 11 hits to Breese Legion 2026 16U's nine, they still fell 11-9 on Saturday. Matthew Carter led Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats with three hits.

Breese Legion 2026 16U got on the board in the top of the first inning after Chase Nettemeier doubled to center field, Quentin Faulkner doubled, and Hutson Hudgens grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run.

Breese Legion 2026 16U added one run in the second. Faulkner singled down the left field line, making the score 4-2.

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats took the lead in the bottom of the second. Robbie Petrea doubled, scoring three runs, to give Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats the edge, 5-4.

Nettemeier singled to center field, which helped Breese Legion 2026 16U tie the game at five in the top of the third.

Breese Legion 2026 16U took the lead in the top of the fifth. A wild pitch scored one run, to give Breese Legion 2026 16U the advantage, 6-5.

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Logan Williams doubled, scoring two runs, to give Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats the lead, 7-6.

Breese Legion 2026 16U flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on two hits to take the lead, 11-7. The biggest blow in the inning was an error that drove in two.

Dakota Gregg began the game for Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats. The starter gave up seven hits and five runs over three innings, striking out six and walking three.

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats tallied 11 hits in the game. Petrea provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats with three runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 1-for-2 on the day. Drew Consolino and Williams each collected multiple hits for Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats. Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats worked the count all day, collecting seven walks. Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats stole four bases in the game. Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats turned one double play in the game.

Breese Legion 2026 16U collected nine hits in the game. Nettemeier, Faulkner, and Rigden Senior each collected two hits for Breese Legion 2026 16U. Nettemeier, Faulkner, Bryson Beel, and Hudgens each drove in two runs for Breese Legion 2026 16U.
Breese Legion 2026 16U had patience at the plate, piling up eight walks for the game. Zack Loepker and Hudgens led the team with two free passes each. Brady Venhaus, Senior, and Loepker each stole multiple bases for Breese Legion 2026 16U. Breese Legion 2026 16U ran wild on the base paths, piling up eight stolen bases for the game.

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats welcome Breese Legion 2026 16U on Saturday for their next game.

Game 2:

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats took Saturday's game in dramatic fashion, with an 11-10 walk-off victory over Breese Legion 2026 16U. The game was tied at 10 in the bottom of the eighth when Ben Lux singled, scoring one run.

Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats collected eight hits and Breese Legion 2026 16U had six in the high-scoring affair.

Breese Legion 2026 16U got on the board in the top of the first inning after Quentin Faulkner doubled, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, and Hutson Hudgens drew a walk, scoring one run.
Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fourth, scoring five runs on three hits to take the lead, 8-5. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Kellen Nix that drove in three.

Breese Legion 2026 16U jumped into the lead in the top of the fifth when Zack Loepker drew a walk, scoring one run, an error scored two runs, and Chase Nettemeier grounded out, scoring one run.
Tanner Purintun walked, which helped Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats tie the game at 10 in the bottom of the seventh.

Lux earned the win for Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats. The reliever allowed one hit and zero runs over two innings, striking out three and walking none. Vince Krajefska stepped on the bump first for Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats. The starting pitcher gave up two hits and four runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out three and walking three. Purintun appeared in relief for Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats.

Nix, the number nine hitter for Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats, led the way with three runs batted in. The outfielder went 1-for-3 on the day. Brayden Smith set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats with two hits in six at bats. Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating 15 walks for the game. Devan Jennings and Eli Purdy led the team with three bases on balls each. Salem Junior Varsity Wildcats ran wild on the base paths, accumulating four stolen bases for the game.

Faulkner went 2-for-5 at the plate to lead Breese Legion 2026 16U in hits. Rigden Senior led Breese Legion 2026 16U with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, piling up six walks for the game. Faulkner and Senior each stole multiple bases for Breese Legion 2026 16U. Breese Legion 2026 16U stole six bases in the game. Breese Legion 2026 16U turned one double play in the game.

06/14/2026

Heartbreak in Joliet: Triad Falls to St. Rita 12-11 in Instant-Class State Championship Classic

JOLIET — For seven innings Saturday afternoon, Triad and St. Rita delivered the kind of game that defines state championship baseball.

Unfortunately for the Knights, one final swing ended their dream season in heartbreaking fashion.

St. Rita scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning, edging Triad 12-11 in a thrilling IHSA Class 3A State Championship Game at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet.

The decisive play was one that will be remembered by everyone in attendance. With the winning run at third base, a fly ball was lifted down the right-field line in foul territory. The catch was made for the out, but the runner at third tagged up and raced home with the walk-off run, setting off a St. Rita celebration and ending Triad's historic season one run short of a state championship.

Despite the loss, the Knights left everything on the field in a championship game that featured 23 combined runs and relentless offensive fireworks from both teams.

Triad's offense was outstanding throughout the contest. Carter Gaskill turned in a remarkable performance, going 4-for-5 with a game-high five RBIs while scoring two runs. Time and again, Gaskill delivered clutch hits to keep the Knights within striking distance and help fuel one of the most productive offensive performances ever seen in a state title game.

Braxton Yates added a run scored, while Triad's lineup continued to battle from the first inning through the final out.

St. Rita matched the Knights punch for punch. Vinny Stubitsch led the Mustangs' attack, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Aden Gutierrez added three hits as St. Rita consistently found answers whenever Triad threatened to seize momentum.

The championship game featured multiple momentum swings, showcasing why both teams had earned their place on the state's biggest stage.

When the dust settled, St. Rita's Grant Zaber was credited with the victory, while Triad's Parker Goodfield was tagged with the tough-luck loss.

Although the ending was devastating for the Knights, the defeat does little to diminish what was a landmark season for the program. Triad reached the state finals for the first time in school history and came within a single run of bringing home a Class 3A state championship.

The Knights' run to Joliet captivated their community and established a new standard for the program. While Saturday's result will sting, Triad's historic postseason journey and unforgettable performance in one of the most exciting state championship games in IHSA history will be remembered for years to come.

For six innings and one unforgettable final battle, the Knights stood toe-to-toe with one of the state's best programs. In the end, it took a walk-off sacrifice fly and the narrowest of margins to deny Triad its first state title.

The scoreboard may have favored St. Rita, but Triad's place in Illinois baseball history was secured long before the final run crossed the plate.

06/14/2026

Freeburg Falls to Ottawa Marquette in Class 2A Third-Place Game

CHAMPAIGN — Freeburg's memorable 2026 season came to a close Saturday at Illinois Field as the Midgets fell to Ottawa Marquette 4-1 in the IHSA Class 2A Third-Place Game.

Making the program's sixth trip to the state finals, Freeburg battled throughout the afternoon but was unable to overcome an early deficit against the Crusaders.

Ottawa Marquette struck quickly in the bottom of the first inning. Griffin Dobberstein provided the biggest blow, launching a two-run home run to left field that scored Alec Novotney and gave the Crusaders an early 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Caden Durdan added an RBI single to score Grant Dose, extending the advantage to 3-0.

Freeburg's offense was held in check for much of the day by Ottawa Marquette pitcher Anthony Couch, but the Midgets broke through in the fourth inning. Dane Johnson reached base and eventually came around to score when Jonathan Barlow delivered an RBI double to center field, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

That would be as close as Freeburg would get, however, as Ottawa Marquette added an insurance run and maintained control the rest of the way to secure the victory.

Barlow paced the Freeburg offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate while driving in the Midgets' lone run. Johnson accounted for Freeburg's only run scored.

Ottawa Marquette was led offensively by Dobberstein, who finished 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored. Novotney added two hits and scored a run for the Crusaders.

Cohen Merrill was charged with the loss for Freeburg, while Couch earned the complete-game victory for Ottawa Marquette.

Although the season ended one win shy of bringing home a state trophy, the Midgets once again demonstrated why they remain one of Illinois' premier small-school baseball programs. Freeburg's return to Champaign marked the sixth state finals appearance in school history and capped another outstanding season that included a trip to the final weekend of the IHSA Class 2A season.

While Saturday's result was disappointing, the Midgets leave Champaign having cemented their place among the top four teams in Class 2A and adding another memorable chapter to the rich tradition of Freeburg baseball.

06/14/2026

St. Joseph-Ogden Cruises to IHSA Class 2A State Championship with Dominant Victory Over Harvest Christian Academy

CHAMPAIGN — St. Joseph-Ogden left no doubt about who was the best team in Class 2A on Saturday, overwhelming Harvest Christian Academy 15-1 in five innings to capture the IHSA Class 2A State Baseball Championship at Illinois Field on the campus of the University of Illinois.

The Spartans delivered an offensive explosion from the outset and never let up, piling up 15 runs while ending the contest via the 10-run rule. The championship victory capped a remarkable season for St. Joseph-Ogden and secured the program's place atop Class 2A baseball.

St. Joseph-Ogden's offense was relentless throughout the afternoon, consistently putting runners on base and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Bryson Houchens led the offensive attack, collecting three hits and scoring three runs. Logan Rosenthal added two hits, drove in a run, and crossed the plate three times as the Spartans' lineup produced from top to bottom.

Thomas Neubert reached base and scored a run, helping spark the offensive barrage, while St. Joseph-Ogden's depth and aggressive approach kept pressure on Harvest Christian Academy throughout the game.

On the mound, T. Ames turned in a strong championship performance, earning the victory while limiting Harvest Christian Academy to just one run. Backed by solid defense and plenty of run support, Ames helped keep the Lions from mounting any threat as the Spartans steadily pulled away.

Harvest Christian Academy's lone run was driven in by Will Haley, while Carter Goetz added an RBI in the losing effort. Despite reaching the state championship game, the Lions were unable to slow down a St. Joseph-Ogden team that was firing on all cylinders.

The Spartans' combination of dominant pitching, timely hitting, and explosive offense proved too much to overcome as they completed their championship run in convincing fashion. By the time the final out was recorded in the fifth inning, St. Joseph-Ogden had secured a 15-1 victory and the 2026 IHSA Class 2A State Baseball Championship trophy.

The title game showcased everything that made the Spartans one of the state's premier teams this season—strong pitching, disciplined at-bats, and an offense capable of breaking open a game at any moment. Their dominant performance on the state's biggest stage ensured that the Class 2A championship trophy would be heading back to St. Joseph.

06/14/2026

North Clay Blanks Jacksonville Routt to Claim Third Place in Class 1A State Tournament

CHAMPAIGN — Less than 24 hours after suffering a heartbreaking semifinal loss, the North Clay Cardinals showed their resilience in impressive fashion Saturday, rolling to a 10-0 victory over Jacksonville Routt in five innings to capture third place in the IHSA Class 1A State Baseball Tournament at Illinois Field on the campus of the University of Illinois.

North Clay wasted no time taking control of the contest, scoring three runs in the opening inning. Cayden Craig scored the game's first run on a balk before Trenton Ingram delivered a two-run single up the middle to bring home Cody Zimdars and Carder Walden for a 3-0 advantage.

The Cardinals broke the game open with a five-run second inning. Zimdars started the rally with a two-run single to left-center field that scored Ian Jones and Craig. Ben Czyzewski followed with a two-run single to center, plating Zimdars and Walden. Later in the inning, Jack Compton helped his own cause with a two-run single, driving in Czyzewski and Trevan Sidwell as North Clay extended its lead to 8-0.

North Clay added another run in the fourth inning when Chad Hosselton singled to center field to score Trenton Ingram, pushing the advantage to 9-0. The Cardinals would add one more run to complete the 10-run margin and secure the run-rule victory.

Compton was outstanding on the mound, earning the win while keeping Jacksonville Routt off the scoreboard throughout the five-inning contest. The Cardinals' pitching staff and defense combined for a dominant effort, allowing North Clay to finish its season with a victory on the state's biggest stage.

Offensively, North Clay pounded out 16 hits. Ingram led the attack by going 4-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs. Zimdars drove in a team-high three runs while finishing 1-for-3, and both Czyzewski and Compton added two RBIs apiece. Craig crossed the plate twice, while the Cardinals consistently put pressure on Routt throughout the afternoon.

The victory capped another outstanding season for North Clay, which finished among the top teams in Class 1A and returned home with a state trophy after earning third-place honors in Champaign.

06/14/2026

Tremont Dominates Putnam County to Capture IHSA Class 1A State Championship

CHAMPAIGN — Top-ranked Tremont left little doubt as to why it was considered the best team in Class 1A this season, rolling to a 10-0 victory over Putnam County in five innings to claim the IHSA Class 1A Baseball State Championship Saturday at Illinois Field on the campus of the University of Illinois.

The Turks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, striking for three runs in the opening inning. Justin Muselman delivered an RBI double to center field to score Griffin Meeker for the game's first run. Moments later, Muselman crossed the plate when Andrew Dawson reached on an error, and Hunter Smith added an RBI single to make it 3-0.

Tremont continued to pour it on in the second inning, plating four more runs. Jack Oyer highlighted the frame with a two-run single that was aided by an outfield error, allowing Jordyn Balsimo and Miller Reynolds to score. Josh Papenhause followed with an RBI single up the middle, and Chase Rhodes added a sacrifice fly before Hunter Smith collected his second RBI hit of the game to extend the lead to 7-0.

The Turks added two more runs in the third inning. Muselman lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Jack Oyer, and Griffin Meeker later crossed the plate on a wild pitch to push the advantage to 9-0.

Tremont's offense, defense, and pitching were dominant throughout the contest, keeping Putnam County off the scoreboard while steadily building its lead. The victory capped off a remarkable season for the No. 1-ranked Turks and secured the IHSA Class 1A State Championship in convincing fashion.

Hunter Smith led the offensive attack with two RBIs, while Muselman drove in two runs and scored twice. Oyer also contributed a pair of RBIs as Tremont finished off its championship run in emphatic fashion on the state's biggest stage.

06/14/2026

Local athletes made history at the inaugural Special Olympics Illinois Unified Co****le State Tournament, bringing home a state championship and highlighting years of work to grow the sport across the state.

Jordan Brannon and his unified partner, Dan Cole, captured the first-ever Unified Co****le State Championship while representing Whatever It Takes Co****le, a local co****le club based in Centralia.

The championship marks a significant milestone for Special Olympics Illinois and for the local organizers who have worked to establish co****le as an official statewide event. For the past three years, Whatever It Takes Co****le and Burton Grimes have partnered with Special Olympics Region K to promote and expand the sport, helping pave the way for the inaugural state tournament.

Their efforts culminated in a memorable moment as Brannon and Cole emerged as the first state champions in the event's history.

The victory not only brings statewide recognition to the Centralia area but also serves as a testament to the dedication of athletes, volunteers, and organizers who have worked to create additional competitive opportunities for Special Olympics participants throughout Illinois.

As the first names etched into the record books of Special Olympics Illinois Unified Co****le, Brannon and Cole's championship performance will be remembered as a landmark achievement for the sport and the local community.

06/14/2026

Webber Township graduate Nathaniel Marlow put an exclamation point on his high school career Saturday, earning Most Valuable Player honors for the South Team in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 1A/2A All-Star Game at Pontiac Township High School.

Marlow scored a team-high 15 points to help lead the South to a 105-90 victory over the North. He was joined by fellow Southern Illinois standouts Maddox Ritzel of Nashville, who added 13 points, and Waltonville's Gage Peterson, who also finished with 13. All three players are set to continue their basketball careers at Kaskaskia College next season.

In the girls' Class 1A/2A All-Star Game, the South completed a sweep of the day's contests with an 87-70 win over the North. The South squad was led by Mount Carmel's Maycee Randall with 15 points, while Pleasant Plains standout Anna Weber contributed 14 points in a balanced offensive effort.

Central Community head coach Nathan Rueter guided the South team to the victory. Also representing the area was Central Community's Lily Butler, who contributed a basket and a free throw while helping direct the offense from the guard position.

Adalyyn Elsbury of Sherrard paced the North team with a game-high 17 points in the losing effort.

The annual IBCA All-Star Games showcase some of the top graduating seniors from across Illinois and provide one final opportunity for standout high school players to compete before beginning their collegiate careers.

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