A Small School With Big Ambitions
Marquette Academy, a private institution in Illinois, has emerged as a surprising force in Class 2A baseball, finishing the season with a 38‑4 record and a third‑place finish at the state finals. The team’s success is amplified by its history of alternating between Class 1A and 2A competition, a pattern that has yielded multiple conference and sectional championships.
Central to the recent run was a dominant performance in the St. Bede Supersectional, where Marquette defeated its opponent to earn a spot in the state championship game. The victory was part of a broader postseason run that included a narrow loss to eventual 2A champions St. Joe‑Ogden in the state semifinals.
Coach Todd Hopkins praised the squad’s confidence, noting that the players entered each game believing they could compete with larger programs. Alec Novotney, a key contributor, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the team’s determination to prove themselves at a higher level.
The Illinois High School Association’s Success Adjustment Policy has played a pivotal role in shaping Marquette’s future classification. The policy now moves non‑boundaried schools up a class if they win two state‑final trophies within a three‑year span. Because Marquette has secured two such trophies, it will remain in Class 2A through at least 2028.
Roster continuity adds another layer of optimism. Six of the ten starters are eligible to return next spring, including standout players Easton DeBernardi and Griffin Dobberstein. Their anticipated contributions suggest the team could build on its recent achievements and aim for another deep playoff run.
Beyond the on‑field results, the accomplishment reflects a broader narrative of private schools challenging traditional enrollment‑based classifications. By leveraging strategic scheduling and focused development, Marquette has positioned itself as a model for smaller programs aspiring to compete at the highest levels of high school baseball.