Gutsy JD Maloney works through rust on the mound as Brother Rice ends up fourth in Class 4A. ‘It was an honor.'
In his last game, Maloney got his opportunity to pitch at state when he came on in relief Saturday.
'There was nothing to lose,' Maloney said. 'It's been an historic season. It was my last time pitching. What's there to lose? I just went out there and showed my all.'
Maloney turned in a solid outing, allowing two earned runs over 3 1/3 innings, but the Crusaders' record-breaking season ended with back-to-back losses as they dropped a 7-2 decision to Normal Community in the Class 4A third-place game at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet.
Kentucky recruit Nolan Ramoley recorded an RBI double for Brother Rice (37-5), which set a program record for wins. Arizona commit Gavin Triezenberg and Eastern Michigan recruit Aidan Nohava each added a hit and scored a run, while Brady Cunningham chipped in an RBI.
Kyle Beaty and Jacob Engel tallied two RBIs apiece to lead Normal Community (37-5).
Brother Rice won the sixth state trophy in program history and the third in four years, adding to a runner-up finish in 2023 and a third-place showing in 2022.
But coach Sean McBride and Co. are still after the Crusaders' first baseball title since 1976.
'We're chasing that one,' McBride said. 'I would trade a million trips here to get one of those, to be honest with you. Our program has been very consistent.
'It's very hard, especially in our area, to win three supersectionals (in four years). To get here is awesome, but we want tears of joy instead of tears of sadness at the end.'
There were still some smiles Saturday, though. Especially from Maloney, who before Saturday had thrown just 6 2/3 innings over nine outings this spring.
He relished the chance to get on the mound at state.
'It was an honor,' Maloney said. 'I pitched a little bit this year. I think my role was just to be a leader and help these younger guys. I think all the seniors did a great job with that.
'It was my last baseball game ever. It was a good one. We made it down here and we got to the last possible day we could.'
Maloney threw three scoreless innings, keeping the Crusaders in the game, before the Ironmen broke through for a pair of runs against him in the seventh.
'He's a phenomenal kid and a great leader in the school and on the team,' McBride said of Maloney. 'This game's a hard one to play in, but it's good to get guys like JD their opportunity to get out there.
'It was awesome to see him do well.'
Maloney said most of his favorite memories from the season will be behind-the-scenes moments with his teammates.
'Just the little things,' he said. 'The bus rides, the joking around in the locker room and the dugout. None of the big wins really resonate. The smallest things mean the most.'
There were plenty of huge victories, though. The Crusaders won 26 straight games between March 23 and May 12. They earned the Catholic League Blue title with a 13-1 record.
'I think we were just a close group of kids who loved each other and went to war every day together,' Triezenberg said.
Triezenberg and the rest of a large senior class for the Crusaders experienced a plethora of success.
'These were the best four years of my life, hands down,' Triezenberg said. 'I loved every day coming to the park for practices, games, whatever it was. I just loved it.'
There's just one thing this senior class did not accomplish. Ramoley and the rest of the underclassmen are determined to win that state title in 2026.
'We're getting it done next year,' Ramoley said. 'That's it.'
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