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1A/2A State Semifinals: Recap

June 1, 2024
By: Gavin Smith
Content Manager, Area Scout

This Friday and Saturday, May 31st and June 1st, the IHSA 1A and 2A state playoffs took place at Dozer Park in Peoria, IL. Four teams from each respective classification battled it out for high school baseball’s most coveted honors - a state title. 

Our staff took in Friday’s semi-final matchups, and we’ve recapped all of yesterday’s action below. 

MARQUETTE VS. ROUTT CATHOLIC

In the first State Semi-Final matchup of the day, Marquette and Routt Catholic matched up to kickoff the 1A State Finals. 

The Crusaders’ offense ignited early, scoring one run in the first inning on an RBI single from SS Griffin Dobbertstein (2027). They followed with a big inning in the bottom half of the second, scoring eight runs in the inning on two hits and multiple free bases, giving themselves the early 9-0 lead.

RHP Alec Novotney (2026) kept the Rockets off the board through his first four innings of work. The athletic sophomore pitched at 84-86 mph early with his fastball, and showed a breaking ball at 75-78 mph with sharp horizontal break.

The Rockets offense got things going in the top half of the fifth inning, starting the inning with back-to-back singles from SS Nolan Turner (2024; Lincoln Land CC) and CF Bryson Mossman (2026). LHP/1B Brady Turner (2026) followed with a two-RBI double, and OF Eli Olson (2025) stepped to the plate and sent a hard-hit ball to the right fielder for a sacrifice fly with Marquette still leading 9-3.

RHP Anthony Couch (2026) threw two innings in relief, striking out one, allowing no runs and one hit to help lead the Crusaders to the 9-3 win.

ALTAMONT VS. GIBSON CITY MELVIN-SIBLEY

In the second game of the day, Altamont took on Gibson City Melvin-Sibley in a state semi-final matchup.

Altamont struck first in the bottom half of the second inning on an RBI single to left field from SS Kade Milleville (2026), giving them a 1-0 lead. 

The Falcons scored two runs of their own in the top half of the fourth inning on RBI from RHP Altin Nettleton (2024) and CF Isaiah Johnson (2024), to give themselves a one run lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.

Altamont followed up with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a bloop single to the right side of the field, scoring one run on the play and tying the game at 2-2.

GCMS threatened in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases, but they weren’t able to capitalize as RHP Dillan Elam (2024; Kaskaskia JC) struck out the final hitter of the inning. 

In the bottom of the seventh inning the Indians tallied back-to-back singles from CF Kaden Davis (2024) and Elam. Davis would then steal third base and score on an overthrow, giving the Indians the 3-2 win. They advance to tomorrow’s State Championship game, where they will take on Marquette for a chance at the 1A State Title.

MAROA-FORSYTH VS. NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC

It was all Maroa-Forsyth in the first 2A state semi-final matchup, as the Trojans cruised past the Comets to secure their spot in Saturday’s championship bout. 

After two shutout innings from both teams, Maroa-Forsyth’s offense ignited for an eight run inning. It started with back-to-back RBI singles from C Mitch Williams (2025) and CF Tate Bradenburg (2025). 3B Ace Giles (2026) stepped to the plate and delivered a two-RBI double off the left field wall, and LF Cayden Rose (2025) later drove in two runs on a single, giving them the 7-0 lead. They eventually capped the inning off with a bases loaded walk.

They followed with three runs in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by another two-RBI double from Giles, and he eventually scored on a throwing error, to give them the 11-0 lead.

Newman Central Catholic tallied their first hit of the game in the bottom half of the fourth on a single from SS/RHP Garet Matznick (2026). CF Brendan Tunink (2024; Notre Dame) reached base on a fielder’s choice and eventually scored on an infield error, still trailing 11-1.

It was a strong pitching performance from RHP Kaiden Maurer (2024; Lake Land JC) throwing a complete game (5 IP) with six strikeouts, no walks, and one hit allowed, attacking the zone throughout with a mid-80s fastball that reached 87 mph multiple times over the first two innings. 

The Trojans will play for the 2A State Championship tomorrow at 7:00 pm.

ST. ANTHONY VS. WILMINGTON

In a nightcap of the first day of the 1A/2A playoffs, we saw St. Anthony’s offense explode for 16 hits and 12 runs, defeating Wilmington 12-1.

The Bulldogs got their offense rolling early with LF Aiden Lauritzen (2026) reaching on a single, followed by RHP Brock Fearday (2025) reaching on an error. C Connor Roepke (2024; Southwestern Illinois JC) stepped to the plate and ripped a two-RBI double to the left-center gap, giving them the early 2-0 lead.

Wilmington got on the board in the bottom half of the second inning, starting with a walk from 3B Zach Ohlund (2026) followed by a single from CF Reid Juster (2024). 1B Joe Allgood (2024) highlighted the inning with an RBI single, nearly driving in two on the play, but the second runner was thrown out on a close play at home.

In the top half of the third inning, Fearday delivered an RBI triple, and Roepke followed with an RBI single to give the Bulldogs the 4-1 lead. 1B Will Fearday (2025) followed up with an RBI single, and another run scored on the play on a throwing error, giving them the 6-1 lead.

They added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by another RBI triple from Fearday and an RBI single from 1B Brady Hatton (2025), extending their lead to seven runs.

They continued to pile onto their lead in the top of the sixth inning, scoring four runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Hatton. 

RHP Brock Fearday (2025) tossed a complete game (6 IP) with seven strikeouts and four hits allowed - also tallied two triples and two RBI on the day. He pitched at 85-87, touching 88 mph with his fastball multiple times, and spun a slider that flashed tight lateral tilt at 75-77 mph. 

The Bulldogs will play Maroa-Forsyth in the 2A State Championship game.

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