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After years of great seasons falling short, Normal Community baseball is headed back to state for the first time since 2004🏆 "We want to hang that banner up at Normal Community" More from Ironmen Baseball's super-sectional win over Waubonsie Valley ⬇️ clutchsportsil.com/post/blank-spa…

'These guys, they’re not going to quit' Washington Panther Baseball battled late, but its rally came up short in the Class 3A super-sectionals to Lisle Benet. And throughout the game and the season, the Panthers proved they never could be counted out ⬇️ clutchsportsil.com/post/they-ll-f…

Congratulations to last week's CSM Spring Athletes of the Week, Delavan's Coriell Green and Brimfield/Elmwood's Reese!👏🏆 Read more about the postseason standouts and get to know them in Q and A's here: clutchsportsil.com/post/delavan-s…

Normal Community baseball is less than 24 hours away from making its first state berth in 20 years. Ironmen Baseball's run has been special for many reasons, those of which relate to their players, coaches, other sports and history ⬇️ clutchsportsil.com/post/7-reasons…

Tuning in and covering from afar for Normal Community’s 4A state semifinal against Libertyville. Here’s how the Ironmen’s defense lines up, with Gavin Swartz on the mound. Swartz is fresh, having last thrown a complete game shutout in the sectional semifinals on June 5.

END 1: Normal Community 0, Libertyville 0 Ironmen, who are batting second and the “home” team today, get a two-out 2B from Max Heineman down the left field line but Swartz strikes out to end the inning. Gavin Michael’s made a nice unassisted double play in the top of the 1st.

END 2: Normal Community 0, Libertyville 0 A single from Normal’s Brady Burkhart is the only hit by either team in the 2nd.

END 3: Normal Community 0, Libertyville 0 Outstanding work from Normal Community’s Gavin Swartz, who gets out of the bases loaded with one out via two strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.

END 4: Normal Community 0, Libertyville 0 Some great defense from both teams in the 4th as Andrew Naour reels in Libertyville’s third out on a dead run in LF and Gavin Swartz is retired on a fantastic play from Libertyville’s third baseman.

END 5: Normal Community 0, Libertyville 0 Ironmen with their best chance so far, loading the bases with two outs after walks plus an infield single. Heineman grounds out 6-4 to end the inning. Jacob Engel was called out on a very close sac bunt that could’ve changed things.

END 6: Normal Community 0, Libertyville 0 Ironmen with another chance, putting a runner on third with 2 outs, but Drew Stevens grounds a ball that bounces off the mound and is thrown out at first on a close play Stevens, nursing a hip injury, came in to pinch hit and is in pain

We’re headed to extras in a scoreless game. Jacob Engel gave the Ironmen a big jolt with a double to the LF wall but two fly outs end the 7th

Libertyville takes a 2-0 lead in the 8th. An errant throw while trying to get Libertyville’s lead runner on 3rd gives the Wildcats their first run, which they follow up with an RBI single. Jonah Roper now in to pitch for Swartz.

FINAL; Libertyville 2, Normal Community 1 Ironmen drop a heartbreaker and leave the tying run at third after Brady Burkhart drove in a run on an infield single and advanced to third on an error. Such a nip-and-tuck game with fantastic defense and great pitching from both sides.

An inch here. An inch there. That's all that separated Ironmen Baseball from a state championship berth in an extra-innings defeat to Libertyville But the Ironmen are staying upbeat as they hope to take home 3rd place later today Story FREE on CSM OT ⬇️ clutchsportsil.com/post/bad-break…

Its the home finale for PeoriaCityWPSL as they host FC Pride!⚽️💪 Tune in to watch the Carp live and for free tonight at 5:30 PM on clutchsportsil.com!📺

🚨SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT🚨 The Peoria Sunday Morning League is BACK on CSM this summer and we kick off tonight with the Movesmart Mariners taking on the Pour Bros Jacks!⚾️ Watch live and for free tonight at 6 PM on clutchsportsil.com!📺 #ClutchUp