McHenry pitcher Brandon Shannon liked Louisville once he visited the campus and the Cardinals reciprocated. Shannon, who will be a senior this year, committed to the NCAA Division-I Cardinals on Monday.

The McHenry County Youth Sports Association’s Summer International Championships is only two weeks away as the popular youth baseball tournament enters its 31st year.

Prairie Ridge 2019 graduate Dom Listi thrived at NCAA Division III North Central College, then had a productive 2024 season at D-I Indiana State. Now, Listi is transferring to Clemson to finish his baseball career.

Cary-Grove's Ryan Passaglia felt regret at missing some of his children's athletic events in the spring the past few years when he was the Trojans' head baseball coach. He has resigned, but will remain as an assistant football coach.

Burlington Central's Brady Gilroy played shortstop, center field and pitched for the Rockets, and did it all quite well. Gilroy was a driving force for Central, which was Fox Valley Conference runner-up, and he is the 2024 Northwest Herald Baseball Player of the Year.

Crystal Lake Central's Cal Aldridge, 27, had an amazing first season as head coach as the Tigers finished with a 13-game winning streak and won the Class 3A State Tournament championship. Aldridge is the 2024 Northwest Herald Baseball Coach of the Year.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Herald All-Area baseball team.

Here is the 2024 All-Fox Valley Conference baseball team.

The Crystal Lake Central baseball team celebrates their 2024 Class 3A State Baseball Championship on Sunday, June 9, 2024, with their fans at Crystal Lake Central High School.

Crystal Lake Central's baseball team got together with its fans on Sunday to celebrate winning the Class 3A state championship. "We just had fun playing the game."

First-year head coach Cal Aldridge led Crystal Lake Central on a magical postseason run as the Tigers captured their first state championship in program history with a 3-2 win over Lemont in the Class 3A title game on Saturday at Joliet's Duly Health and Care Field.

Crystal Lake Central took the lead in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 3-2 win over Lemont for the Class 3A Baseball State Tournament championship. It is the Tigers' first baseball state title in school history.

Crystal Lake Central comes back to beat Lemont 3-2 for the Class 3A championship.

Crystal Lake Central senior Tommy Korn, who last pitched in a game 27 days ago, was called upon to finish off the final two innings as the Tigers beat Morris 5-2 Friday at Joliet's Duly Health and Care Field to reach their first state championship game.

Crystal Lake Central used one big inning and some spectacular defense to beat Morris 5-2 in their Class 3A Baseball State Tournament semifinal on Friday.