As MCHS’s baseball team arrives back to the Upper Campus after making it to the state finals, they take the time to recognize the accomplishments that the 2025 season brought. While this season may have some ups and downs, the success and memories should never be taken for granted.
“Something I learned throughout this season was to not take anything for granted,” said senior Conner McLean. “It was a really long season that was full of a lot of good times and memories that I wish I could go back to and have one more game with my friends.”
On Friday, May 16, the 36-5-1 Warriors defeated Prairie Ridge 3-2, clinching another Fox Valley Conference title since 2011.
They then moved on to face the Red Raiders from Huntley in the Sectional Semifinal that ended in a 5-1 victory for the Warriors. Senior Bryson Elbrecht gave up two hits and one run over four innings, while striking out four and walking three.
Winning the Fox Valley Conference title gave this team a huge confidence boost to work together stronger in the long run to earn more of these titles.
“This team has the potential to become even stronger in the future,” said senior Zach Readdy. “Hopefully this program ends up being the powerhouse of the FVC and starts a streak of being conference champs.”
On June 7, the team clinched the Sectional Championship against the Barrington Broncos with a score of 7-3.
During that game, sophomore Landon Clements collected three hits at four at bats, tripling in the third inning, singled in the fourth, and doubled in the first. Senior Brandon Shannon allowed two hits and three runs over four innings, striking out eight and walking three.
The win against the Broncos brought the Warriors to Geneva, Illinois to face off the South Elgin Storm for the Super Sectional title on June 9.
With a score of 8-6, the Warriors advanced to the IHSA 4A State Championship for the second time in school history. On two hits, senior Zachary Readdy drove in four runs to lead the team past the Storm. Readdy tripled in the third inning, scoring two runs, and doubled in the sixth, scoring two more runs. Junior Scott Cole allowed four hits and one run, as well as striking out one and walking one.
“I played the way I did this season to show the ones who haven’t believed in me from the start,” said Readdy.
At this point in the season, these athletes have made history and hope that the athletes in the future can look up to them and honor their accomplishments.
“I feel like a lot of upcoming teams in the future will always strive to be like the team we were like I once was when I was younger watching the varsity team play,” said McLean.
On Thursday, MCHS held a State send-off for McHenry baseball where the band guided them throughout the halls of Upper Campus full of kids and parents supporting their team.
That next day was game number one for the State Championship where the McHenry Warriors faced Brother Rice Crusaders in Joliet, Illinois.
With the game ending with a 4-1 win for the Warriors, they advanced to the State Championship to face the Libertyville Wildcats on June 14. In the bottom of the first inning, senior Kyle Maness walked, and junior Jeffry Schwab hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run. Sophomore Kaiden Wasniewski went two for three at bats leading the Warriors with two runs batted in.
While that game against the Wildcats ended in a 4-1 loss, the Warriors earned the second-place title out of 1,600 schools in the 4A division. With Readdy starting on the mound for the Warriors, he gave up four hits and three runs. Maness led the team with one run batted in while Readdy and McLean each collected one hit for the Warriors.
The Warriors fought hard to get to where they are now. This team focused on the mission at hand and took the time to enjoy moments outside of the sport.
“I will miss all the little moments outside of the games and practices,” said McLean. “Messing around with the coaches, going out to dinner and all the bus rides will always be something I’ll never forget.”