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Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Gutsy JD Maloney works through rust on the mound as Brother Rice ends up fourth in Class 4A. ‘It was an honor.'
Senior right-hander JD Maloney has been a leader on the bench and in the bullpen all season for Brother Rice. 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.'
Chicago Tribune
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Throwing TD passes, Quinn Schambow thought about a state title. In baseball, he and Libertyville have a shot.
Senior catcher Quinn Schambow went 2-for-4 and scored the decisive run in the top of the eighth inning to back junior right-hander Chase Lockwood's gem as Libertyville pulled out a 2-1 win against Normal Community in the Class 4A state semifinals in Joliet on Friday. Schambow, an Oklahoma State baseball recruit who threw 52 touchdown passes during the 2024 football season, crossed the plate on junior designated hitter Carson Holmes' single, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead after the teams played seven scoreless innings. Lockwood allowed only an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth. He scattered five hits, walked three and struck out seven for Libertyville (35-4), which will play either McHenry or Brother Rice in the state championship game at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Wildcats will make their third appearance in a state final with a chance to win their first title. 'That was the goal coming into the year,' Schambow said. 'That's the goal in any sports.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Washington, Normal Community prep for super-sectional, PND & Le Roy reflect on state title games
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Normal Community blanks Bradley-Bourbonnais to move to sectional final
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Gavin Swartz pitched a one-hit shutout to lead Normal Community to a 2-0 win over Bradley-Bourbonnais in the class 4A sectional semifinal at Illinois Wesleyan University on Thursday. The Iromen advance to play O'Fallon in Saturday's sectional title game at 11 a.m. at Horenberger Field. O'Fallon advanced with a 2-1 win over Edwardsville in the other semifinal in the Bloomington sectional. Kyle Beaty delivered an RBI single in the first inning that scored Gavin Michaels to give Normal Community an early lead. The Iron added second run in the fifth on a Bradley-Bourbonnais throwing error that allowed Swartz to score from third on an infield grounder. Swartz had six strikeouts and no walks in the complete game win. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Extra Effort: Normal's multi-talented Andrew Naour carries a tune in outfield
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Andrew Naour is a two-sport varsity player who has helped Normal Community to conference titles in both baseball and basketball. He appreciates good leadership. 'I think it starts with the leaders of those programs, whether it's Coach (Ryan) Short or Coach (Dave) Witzig,' said Naour. 'They know how to get the best out of their leaders at all times and hone the different personalities on those teams.' The Ironmen junior is someone who knows a thing or two about leadership. He's a part of his school's Future Business Leaders of America chapter and last month finished second in a statewide competition where he and a partner presented a mock business plan in sports management. 'Our presentation was seven minutes,' said Naour. 'We're role-playing as two business leaders.' Normal Community baseball coach Ryan Shot calls Naour a 'renaissance man.' Naour plays the infield and outfield for Short and has even pitched. Said Normal Community baseball coach Ryan Short: 'Andrew is one of those guys, in a school of 2,000 students, that everybody can pick out. Whether they are involved in music or athletics or not. They can pick Andrew Naour out.' Music is another area in the school where he has a name. Naour is a member of the school choir. 'My brother did choir in high school and I thought I'd try it,' said Naour. 'I've done it since my freshman year.' And sometimes in the outfield, Naour tries out some of the music the choir is preparing to sing. 'Even some of the parents have said they can hear my voice carry. They ask what song I'm singing,' Naour said with a smile. 'I say, 'You can hear that?' I do find myself singing in the outfield. I use my outside voice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
