Chester East-Lincoln Panthers
headed to State
[September 28, 2026]
The Chester East-Lincoln Panthers baseball team is headed to
the 2026 IESA Class 1A State Tournament in East Peoria after
defeating the Decatur Catholic Bulldogs 6-3 on Saturday, September
26, 2026 for the Sectional E Championship.
The Panthers fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but battled back to
tie the game in the fourth inning.
Cruze Komnick, who had singled to start the fourth inning, scored
the tying run on an error.
The Panthers took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning.
Carter Johnson drove in the go-ahead run on a ground out and Komnick
added an RBI single to give the Panthers an insurance run.
Bryson Alley reached base on a hit by pitch in the top of the
seventh inning and the trickle effect was three more very valuable
insurance runs for CEL. After a double by Johnson, Komnick was
walked intentionally to load the bases for the Panthers. A walk to
Owen Comstock plated the first run of the seventh inning and after a
pitching change, Bennett Wilson reached on a error that resulted in
Johnson and Komnick racing home with two more runs.
Lincoln had a solid 6-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh
inning.
The Bulldogs threatened that lead by getting three consecutive
singles to start the bottom of the seventh inning. Luckily, just two
runs scored and the Panthers were able to get a runner out at second
on the play.
A ground out to Logan Koester and a fly ball caught in left by Asher
Morris ended the Bulldogs chances and sent the Panthers into the
state tournament.
Chester East-Lincoln was led at the plate by a trio of guys with two
hits apiece: Carter Johnson, Cruze Komnick and Logan Koester.
Owen Coleman and Asher Morris each had one hit for the Panthers.
[to top of second column] |
The Chester East-Lincoln Panthers are headed to the IESA Class 1A
State Baseball Tournament. Photo courtesy of Ashley Aper
Coleman picked up the win on the mound. He worked
six innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He walked two and struck
out nine
Johnson worked the final inning, giving up three hits and one run in
relief.
The Panthers (15-1) will play Peoria Limestone Walters (12-4) on
Friday, October 2, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at Eastside Centre in East
Peoria.
The winner will play at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
[Teena Lowery]
|
