Warren County will be well represented by both the ICS Trojans and the United Red Storm at this weekend’s IESA Junior High State Baseball Tournament at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
In the 1A Tournament, ICS brings a 15-5 record into Friday’s 11:30 a.m. quarterfinal game against 17-1 Mount Pulaski. The Trojans have won seven straight regional titles and have reached the state quarterfinals three times since 2016, including a runner-up finish in 2017 and a third-place finish in ’16.
Head coach Ethan Ferguson believes pitching will play a pivotal role in the team’s performance this weekend.
“Last weekend (at the sectional final), we started Andrew Way, and in the last four games he’s pitched lights out. We have Clay Casteel, who is always consistent. Elijah Noel and Nick Huston have both been very good. Hopefully we’ll be able to use all of them this weekend.”
Meanwhile, the 13-2 United Red Storm are making their maiden voyage to the Class 2A state finals.
Head coach Jason Lancaster believes his club has the right mix to make some noise in the finals, beginning with Friday’s 10 a.m. quarterfinal matchup against 12-8 Maroa-Forsyth.
“I’m expecting a battle. I know our kids will show up and give everything they have, play to the best of our abilities and come out on top,” United head coach Jason Lancaster said. “We’re going to start Ian Leffler. He pitched amazing in the sectional game (6-0 victory over Brown County), and he’ll give us his best effort. Hopefully we can scratch out a few runs and come out on top.”
For more information about game times and quarterfinal matchups in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A, visit the Illinois Elementary School Association website at www.iesa.org, and click on the State Baseball Finals link.
