Saturday night, two teams are left standing in the Illinois High School Association's Class 4 high school baseball championship game.
Libertyville takes on McHenry in a matchup of two teams seeking to win its first-ever state title. The game will be held at Joliet.
The Wildcats of Libertyville (35-4) are in the "State Series" for the third time in program history and have finished as the runner-up in their previous appearances, 1976 and 2013. Libertyville advanced to the title game after outlasting Normal (Community), 2-1, in eight innings.
As for McHenry, the Warriors (36-4-1) are in their second-ever "State Series," having finished fourth in 2022. McHenry made it to the title game following a 4-1 semifinal win Friday against Chicago (Brother Rice).
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Joliet.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from first pitch to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
LIBERTYVILLE 4, McHENRY 1 FINAL
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POSTGAME
- Josh Holst, an Air Force commit, throws a two-hitter to cap an impressive playoff run for Libertyville. In seven playoff games, the Wildcats allowed a total of 14 runs, including two runs in the two semifinal and championship games.
Libertyville beats McHenry 4-1 to win the Class 4A state championship.
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) June 15, 2025
It is the first title for the Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/GhFYFYx6DZ
SEVENTH INNING
- STRIKEOUT LIBERTYVILLE. Josh Holst gets a batter to chase for strike three, and for the first time in program history, the Libertyville Wildcats have won a state championship.
- McHenry reaches on a one-out error but the next batter flies out. Warriors down to their final out. (Libertyville, 4-1 | T7)
- Josh Holst gets his seventh strikeout to start the seventh. Two outs away for Libertyville. (Libertyville, 4-1 | T7)
SIXTH INNING
- Nothing doing for Libertyville in the bottom of the sixth. Last chance for McHenry coming up in the top of the seventh. (Libertyville, 4-1 | T7)
- McHenry goes down in order in the top of the sixth. Libertyville is three outs away from claiming its first state championship. (Libertyville, 4-1 | B6)
FIFTH INNING
- RBI HIT LIBERTYVILLE. Josh Holst helping his own cause as the Wildcat pitcher drives in two runs with a two-out single. Holst now has three RBIs on the night. (Libertyville, 4-1 | B5)
@baseballLVille adds on with 2 more runs. @JoshHolst15 helps himself. The 6’2 225 LHP (Air Force Commit) is dealing on the mound and has had two good swings at the plate as well for 3 RBI on the day.
— Midwest Baseball Media (@MWbaseballmedia) June 15, 2025
Libertyville 4 - 1 McHenry pic.twitter.com/Jcjuw6Ck7Y
- Libertyville has a runner on second with one out in the bottom of the inning, seeking to add insurance. (Libertyville, 2-1 | B5)
- McHenry gets another hit but Libertyville P Josh Holst gets out of the top of the fifth with a strikeout, his fifth on the night. Wildcats six outs away from the title. (Libertyville, 2-1 | B5)
FOURTH INNING
- Nothing doing for Libertyville in the bottom of the inning. Wildcats take a one-run lead into the fifth. (Libertyville, 2-1 | T5)
- McHenry breaks through on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly by Kyle Maness for the second out of the inning.
- McHenry gets its first hit of the night and the Warriors have runners at the corners with one out in the top of the inning.
THIRD INNING
- RBI HIT LIBERTYVILLE. With two on and two out, an RBI single by Carson Holmes brings in the Wildcats' second run as they take a two-run lead to the fourth. (Libertyville, 2-0 | T4)
26’ @CarsonHolmes26 adds on for Libertyville here in Joliet. Libertyville 2-0 after 3.
— Midwest Baseball Media (@MWbaseballmedia) June 15, 2025
IHSA 4A championship game pic.twitter.com/6KvoPrCeYp
- McHenry works a two-out walk in the top of the third but nothing else. Still 1-0 Libertyville going to the bottom of the inning.
SECOND INNING
- Libertyville goes down in order. To the third, Wildcats still ahead by a run.
- McHenry goes down in order once again in the top of the second. Libertyville back to bat.
FIRST INNING
- Libertyville strands a runner on base to end the first. Wildcats take a one-run lead into the second.
- LIBERTYVILLE RUN. Wildcats strike first as, with Cole Lockwood on third and one out, Josh Holst drives Lockwood home with a grounder to second base. (Libertyville, 1-0 | B1)
- Libertyville leadoff batter Cole Lockwood begins the inning by slamming a fair ball down the right field line and Lockwood makes it all the way to third for a triple.
- McHenry goes three up and three down in the top of the first. Libertyville coming up to bat in the bottom of the first.
PREGAME
- McHenry will be the visiting team in this matchup. We're about to get things started.
- Coming to you from Joliet, as Libertyville gets set to take on McHenry for the Illinois Class 4A state baseball championship.