Washington, Normal Community prep for super-sectional, PND & Le Roy reflect on state title games

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2 days ago

PEORIA, Illinois (WMBD) – Super-sectionals for big school softball and baseball teams. Defending 3A softball state champion Pontiac faces Providence Catholic.
Meanwhile, we'll have two baseball teams competing as well. In 3A, Washington won their sectional title off dominant pitching from Gavin Lawrence on the mound. He and Carter Prina have been a dynamic one-two punch for the Panthers.
Prina will get the nod on Monday and the Bradley commit is excited to step on the rubber.
Oh, it's great. I mean, having all the confidence in the world in my guys. I mean, trying to make it to state, it's going to be amazing. Feeling the emotions. It's high right now, we're ready for the next one and hopefully going to state.
Carter Prina
We were able to capitalize off mistakes. And then with our pitching, how it's been working all season, I mean, it's hard for a team to come back from a deficit when they're already down in the first couple of innings.
Gavin Lawrence
Panthers face Benet Academy in Geneseo.
In 4A, Normal Community is in the midst of a historic season, heading to the super-sectional round for the first time in 21 years.
They won a wild game against O'Fallon in their own backyard at Illinois Wesleyan. Just one win from state, the team is having fun every step of the way.
It's awesome. I mean, I've never made it this far in my life. Even having a regional. So getting this far is just crazy and we really want to make something happen here. So we're excited.
Max Heineman
We definitely had high expectations at the beginning of the year and we went to work every day at practice and got 1% better leading to this point and just looking forward to continuing it being at least another another day with all my brothers here
Kyle Beaty
Peoria Notre Dame girls soccer dropped a heartbreak in the 2A state championship. The Irish fell 1-0 to St. Ignatius on a last-minute goal.
The program had been to the state tournament 12 times before, but Saturday was the first time they played for a title. Through the heartbreak, the Irish tried to keep their historic year in perspective.
The effort we put into this season, we had more wins than we've had ever. We set records, we made history; second in state is a big accomplishment, but we're super upset and we want to come back next year and get first
Rylie Bare
You know, it stings, it's going to sting. But again, you know, they kind of made their mark the last two years and, you know, keep your heads high. And the effort all year has been there and it's just, this sucks.
Ben Ralph
The team ended the season with 26 wins and the 2A runner-ups.
Meanwhile, Le Roy Panthers softball reached the state title game not just for the first time in program history; it was the first championship appearance of any Panthers girls athletics program.
The Trailblazing made this year's team incredibly close.
We just told each other to stick together and to be tough. That's really what we think about all the time. Play for each other, not for ourselves. And that's all we can think about. I'm just going to remember this team. We are family to each other
Natalie Loy
Panthers are the 1A runner-ups and wrapped up their second Final Four berth in three years.
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