A pair of state titles will be up for grabs for eight Illinois high school baseball teams still standing.
The Illinois High School Association’s “State Series” for Class 3A and Class 4A baseball takes place Friday and Saturday at Duly Health & Care Field in Joliet.
Semifinal games for both classes take place on Friday, with the third-place and championship games set for Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know about live streaming the IHSA Class 3A and 4A state baseball tournaments.
How to watch the IHSA Class 3A/4A “State Series” baseball tournaments
•. Live Stream: Watch on the NFHS Network.
The IHSA Class 3A/4A “State Series” baseball tournaments will air live on the NFHS Network. You can subscribe to the NFHS Network on a monthly basis or an annual subscription.
IHSA Class 3A/4A “State Series” baseball start times
•. Class 3A Semifinal Date: Friday, June 13
•. Class 3A Semifinal Times: 10 a.m., 1 p.m. CT/8 a.m., 11 a.m. PT
•. Class 3A Third-Place/Championship Date: Saturday, June 14
•. Class 3A Third-Place/Championship Times: 10 a.m., 1 p.m. CT/8 a.m., 11 a.m. PT
•. Class 4A Semifinal Date: Friday, June 13
•. Class 4A Semifinal Times: 4 p.m., 7 p.m. CT/2 p.m., 5 p.m. PT
•. Class 4A Third-Place/Championship Date: Saturday, June 14
•. Class 4A Third-Place/Championship Times: 4 p.m., 7 p.m. CT/2 p.m., 5 p.m. PT
The first pitch for the IHSA 3A semifinal games will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, both CT, and the 4A semifinal games will be at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, both CT. The 3A third-place game will be at 10 a.m. CT Saturday, while the 3A title game is at 1 p.m. CT. The 4A third-place game is at 4 p.m. CT Saturday, while the 4A title game is at 7 p.m. CT. All 1A/2A “State Series” games will be at Duly Health & Care Field in Joliet.
IHSA “State Series” overview
The first Class 3A semifinal starts things off at 10 a.m. CT Thursday as the Vikings of Burbank (St. Laurence) will take on the Knights of Troy (Triad).
St. Laurence (35-5) is under the direction of coach Pete Lotus, who is 558-153 since taking over the Vikings’ program in 2006. Lotus and the Vikings are still searching for their first championship, finishing as the 3A runner-up in 2019. They are making their first “State Series” appearance since 2021.
Triad also is guided by a longtime coach, Jesse Bugger, who is 397-240-1 at the helm of the Knights since 2008. He also led Triad to fourth-place appearances at state in 2012 and 2018.
Then in the other 3A semifinal at 1 p.m. CT, the Redwings of Lisle (Benet Academy) takes on the Trojans of Cary (Cary-Grove).
Benet Academy (26-12) is making its first trip to state since 1989. As for Cary-Grove (25-12), the Trojans are also in the “State Series” for the second time in program history, having previously reached in 2009.
The two semifinal losers play at 10 a.m. CT Saturday for third place, while the two semifinal winners play at 1 p.m. CT for the championship.
In Class 4A, the first semifinal is set for 4 p.m. CT Friday, and will pit the Wildcats of Libertyville against the Ironmen of Normal (Community).
Libertyville (34-4) is at state for the first time since 2013, when the Wildcats finished as the 4A runner-up. The Wildcats also finished as state runner-up in 1976. As for Normal Community High School, the Ironmen (36-4) are in their 20th season under coach Ryan Short (434-211-1) and is in their first “State Series” since 2004.
Then in the other 4A semifinal, set for 7 p.m. CT Friday, the Warriors of McHenry faces the Crusaders of Chicago (Brother Rice).
McHenry (35-4-1) is in its first “State Series” since 2022. Head coach Brian Rockweiler has a 426-225-2 record since taking over the Warriors in 2007. Brother Rice (37-3) is at the “State Series” for the first time since finishing as the 4A runner-up in 2023, and the Cruaders are looking to win state for the first time since 1976.
Friday’s 4A semifinal losers play at 4 p.m. CT Saturday for third place, while the 4A semifinal winners square off for the championship at 7 p.m.
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