Annawan/Wethersfield baseball heads to the 2024 IHSA Class 1A Elite Eight

BLOOMINGTON — Annawan/Wethersfield used a key third inning to claim its second Class 1A baseball sectional championship in four seasons.

Brody Childs gave the Titans a lasting lead in a 4-2 win over St. Bede in Saturday's sectional title game at Illinois Wesleyan. The Titans (20-6-1) now head back to Illinois Wesleyan at 11 a.m. Monday, facing Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (21-7-1) for the program's first-ever state finals trip.

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In the bottom of the third, Childs grounded out to the second baseman, scoring Devin Horrie. Horrie courtesy ran for Colin Hornback, who led off the inning with a single to left.

The Titans added an insurance run in the sixth thanks to Koeyn DeClercq's RBI fielder's choice to set the final score.

Hornback scattered six hits, walked four and struck out nine. He was one of three Titans hitters to go 2-for-3 along with Kellan Keane and Zeb Rashid.

Carson Riva drove in both of St. Bede's runs with a line drive to center field, tying the game at 2-2 in the third.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA baseball: Annawan/Wethersfield wins sectional, will play spot at state