Offensive Explosion Highlights Crete-Monee’s 25-9 Win Over Illinois Lutheran

The Crete-Monee varsity baseball team engaged in a wild, high-scoring affair on Thursday, ultimately overwhelming non-conference opponent Illinois Lutheran 25-9 in a four-inning, run-rule shortened contest. Defined by aggressive baserunning, massive multi-run innings, and a plethora of defensive miscues from both dugouts, Crete-Monee capitalized on every opportunity to secure the blowout victory at home.

Crete-Monee immediately overwhelmed the Illinois Lutheran pitching staff, putting up seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Illinois Lutheran responded with an eight-run rally in the top of the second, briefly taking the lead by taking advantage of a struggling Crete-Monee defense. Unfazed, Crete-Monee answered back in the bottom of the frame with a staggering 15-run outburst, sending a carousel of hitters to the plate to blow the game wide open. They added three final runs in the third inning to comfortably enact the run rule.

The Crete-Monee lineup generated 14 hits on the afternoon, led by sophomore Carter Graham who finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Senior Keyshon James belted a double and a triple, recording two hits, two RBIs, and two runs. The relentless offensive attack was compounded by a dominant performance on the basepaths; Crete-Monee converted 25 stolen bases as a team, continuously punishing Illinois Lutheran’s defense. Senior AJ Monegan Jr. and junior Bryce Milburn tallied four steals apiece to set the pace.

The constant pressure forced Illinois Lutheran into 14 defensive errors, turning what could have been outs into a cascade of unearned runs. Despite committing eight errors of their own, Crete-Monee’s pitching duo of Chris Schubbe and Elijah Clemons did enough to navigate the chaos. Clemons earned the win in relief, pitching 2.1 innings, striking out two, and allowing zero earned runs on 51 pitches to seal the chaotic win.

Game Summary

Score by Innings

Scoring Drives

• First Inning: Crete-Monee erupts for 7 runs to take an immediate lead.

• Second Inning: Illinois Lutheran surges for 8 runs to briefly claim the lead; Crete-Monee responds with a massive 15-run rally to retake control.

• Third Inning: Crete-Monee extends their advantage with 3 runs.

• Fourth Inning: Illinois Lutheran scratches across 1 final run before the game concludes via the run rule.

Individual Statistics

• HITTING: Crete-Monee: Carter Graham (So) (3-for-4, 1 RBI, 3 R); Keyshon James (Sr) (2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R); Wyatt Love (So) (1-for-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 R); Gavin Jemilo (So) (2-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 R); Tyler Burnett (So) (1-for-3, 2 RBI, 3 R); Bryce Milburn (Jr) (1-for-4, 1 RBI, 3 R); Keegan Quaderer (Jr) (1-for-1, 1 RBI, 1 R); Elijah Clemons (Sr) (1-for-3, 1 R). Illinois Lutheran: Tyler Mooney (2-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 R); Aaron Rhodes (1-for-2, 1 R); Angelo Propst (1-for-2, 1 R); Seth Seeger (1-for-4, 1 R).

• PITCHING: Crete-Monee: Elijah Clemons (Sr) (W, 2.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 51 pitches); Chris Schubbe (Sr) (1.2 IP, 1 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 5 K, 63 pitches). Illinois Lutheran: Brayden Van Es (L, 1.0 IP, 5 H, 15 R, 8 ER, 5 BB, 0 K, 60 pitches); Elijah Kendrick (1.0 IP, 3 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 37 pitches); Seth Seeger (1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 23 pitches).

• BASERUNNING: Crete-Monee: AJ Monegan Jr. (Sr) (4 SB); Bryce Milburn (Jr) (4 SB); Robert Flores (Jr) (3 SB); Tyler Burnett (So) (3 SB); Carlos Aguilar (Jr) (2 SB); Gavin Jemilo (So) (2 SB); Keegan Quaderer (Jr) (2 SB); Carter Graham (So) (1 SB); Damian Cerda (So) (1 SB); Keyshon James (Sr) (1 SB); Elijah Clemons (Sr) (1 SB); Dylan Dee (Sr) (1 SB). Illinois Lutheran: Jace Danzy (1 SB); Seth Seeger (1 SB).

• FIELDING: Crete-Monee: Team Total (23 Chances, 12 Putouts, 3 Assists, 8 Errors); Wyatt Love (So) (6 Putouts). Illinois Lutheran: Team Total (25 Chances, 9 Putouts, 2 Assists, 14 Errors).