The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team found itself in a tough spot after the first inning of Saturday’s Central Region Tournament opener in Peru.
Illinois Valley trailed Illinois, represented by four-time defending champion Burbank, by four runs.
But Illinois Vally responded and rallied for a 7-6, 8-inning victory.
“It feels great to win against a very good team,” IV coach Lance Siebert said. “The boys stayed positive. They kept believing in themselves and their team. We are proud of the boys.”
Illinois scored four runs in the first inning with the help of three walks, a hit batter, a wild pitch, a passed ball and just one hit.
After that, Illinois scored just one run in the fourth and one in the top of the eighth.
“Everyone settled down, and the boys settled in,” Siebert said about limiting Illinois after the first inning. “No one panicked and we kept battling.”
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Aden Pantoja (4) of Illinois District 20 gets under fly ball on Saturday, July 19, 2026 at Washington Park in Peru. (MaKade Rios for Shaw Local)
Illinois Valley was held scoreless through four innings before breaking through with three runs in the fifth.
Nolan Siebert scored on an error, Jack Hermes hit an RBI double and Adan Pantoja hit a run-scoring single.
Illinois Valley scored on an RBI double by Nolan Siebert in the sixth and forced extra innings with a sacrifice fly by Johnathan Kamnikar in the bottom of the seventh.
“We finally found some holes,” Lance Siebert said about what IV did to get the offense going. “Their defense was solid. They kept making great plays. We just kept fighting and getting quality at-bats from our boys.”
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Espen McFadden (67) of Illinois District 20 hits a single on Saturday, July 19, 2026 at Washington Park in Peru. (MaKade Rios for Shaw Local)
After Illinois retook the lead with a run in the top of the eighth, Illinois Valley earned a walk-off win.
Nolan Siebert singled to center field and Griffin Kellett scored on the throw. Two walks pushed Siebert to third.
Pantoja singled to left field to plate Siebert for the winning run.
“It’s one game, and there are a lot of good teams here,” Lance Siebert said. “The boys were very excited after the win. We need to take it one game at a time.”
Kamnikar earned the win in relief for Illinois Valley, giving up one unearned run on one hit with one strikeout and one walk in 2 1/3 innings.
Nolan Siebert went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs, Pantoja was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and Diku Useini went 1 for 3 and scored two runs.
Illinois Valley advances to play the Michigan at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Junior League Baseball
River Forest/Elmhurst 15, Illinois Valley 1: Illinois Valley lost its state tournament opener Saturday in Oglesby.
Illinois Valley plays at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Minor League Softball
At Milan: La Salle won its first two state tournament games Saturday, beating Melrose Park 11-6 and topping Rock Falls 12-2 in four innings.
La Salle plays Sunday against East Side and Clarendon Hills.
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