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Brimfield walks off Illini West in sectional title game

Published 4:50 pm Saturday, June 6, 2026

File photo of Illini West's Grady Blue swinging at a pitch during a game against Camp Point Central on April 9. Blue went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs in Saturday's sectional championship game against Brimfield. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas)

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Illini West and Brimfield-Elmwood traded punches throughout the Class 2A Illinois Valley Central Sectional championship game on Saturday afternoon.
The Indians landed the final blow when Noah Malone hit a walk-off single that drove in Dane Fagerburg in the bottom of the seventh inning, which gave Brimfield a 7-6 win over Illini West.
Brimfield took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Malone singled home Layne Johnson.
The Chargers responded in the top of the second when Aiden Hocker hit a two-RBI double to put Illini West up 2-1.
The Indians rallied in the bottom of the fourth for a four-run inning, that saw an RBI triple from Fagerburg, RBI single from Johnson, RBI double from Brody Kenney and Sean Crowe driving in Kenney.
Illini West brushed that off and responded with two runs in the top of the fifth when Grady Blue hit a two-RBI single to narrow Brimfield’s lead to one run.
Kenney drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the fifth to increase Brimfield’s lead to 6-4.
However, Illini West rallied in the top of the sixth and tied the game up after Eli Bisby drew a bases loaded walk and Wes Robertson singled home a run.
Illini West starting pitcher Ethan Carlisle had a no decision after pitching 4.2 innings with five strikeouts, while allowing 11 hits, six walks and six earned runs.
Chargers reliever Jaxon Steinkamp was tagged with the loss after pitching two innings, while allowing two hits, two walks and one earned run.
Brimfield starting pitcher Kaeden Schatsiek also had a no decision after pitching five-plus innings with seven strikeouts, while allowing five hits, eight walks and six earned runs.
Indians pitcher Sean Crowe earned the win in relief after pitching two scoreless innings with five strikeouts, while allowing one hit and no walks.
Blue went 2-for-3 with a walk, run and two RBIs, while Carlisle went 2-for-4.
Malone went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, while Johnson went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Fagerburg went 2-for-4 with a walk, triple, RBI, stolen base and three runs.
Illini West finishes the 2026 season with a 28-8 record.

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