The State Journal-Register has released its 2026 all‑area baseball teams, honoring twelve standout players from the large schools and another twelve from the small schools across the region. The selections reflect a season of offensive firepower, dominant pitching and emerging talent that defined the high school landscape in Illinois.
Large School Player of the Year: Drew Ward
Drew Ward of Sacred Heart‑Griffin was named Large School Player of the Year after a season that combined a .461 batting average, a .551 on‑base percentage and a 1.277 on‑base‑plus‑slugging percentage. He drove in 32 runs, scored 52, and went a perfect 30‑for‑30 on stolen bases. On the mound he posted a 2.51 ERA over 30 ⅔ innings, underscoring his two‑way impact.
Joining Ward on the large‑school first team were several other standouts. Carson Butler from Sacred Heart‑Griffin contributed a .366 average and four homers as his team captured 25 wins. Maxx Grieme of Taylorville batted .517 with seven homers and a 1.733 OPS, while Dylan Huff of Chatham Glenwood led his squad to a Class 3A regional title with a 2.39 ERA. Michael Lucas of Glenwood hit .370 with 20 RBIs and 22 runs scored, and Jack Rohlk, the only freshman on the large‑school squad, posted a .396 average and 33 RBIs. Brody Scheffler from Springfield High went 4‑3 with a 2.33 ERA, and Ty Springer of Sacred Heart‑Griffin posted a .436 average, a .529 on‑base percentage and a 1.306 OPS.
In the small‑school division, Brady Turner of Jacksonville Routt earned Player of the Year honors. Turner led his team with a .398 average and 36 RBIs, while his pitching staff produced an 8‑3 record, a 2.19 ERA and 124 strikeouts. His all‑around performance highlighted a group that also featured Mathew Bywater of Litchfield, who batted .417 with 34 RBIs, and Nash Donnan from Petersburg PORTA, who hit .410 with four homers and 45 RBIs.
The small‑school roster also included Gavin Greer of Pawnee, who earned IHSBCA Class 1A all‑state honorable‑mention status with a 2.75 ERA and a .392 average, as well as Collin Grosenheider from Williamsville, who posted a 0.84 ERA and a .437 average. Reid Hepperly of New Berlin contributed a .356 average and 19 RBIs, while Jett Karrick of Petersburg PORTA went 7‑2 with a 3.08 ERA and a .410 average at the plate. Carter Legendre from Staunton hit .394 with 32 RBIs, and Landon Maisenbacher of Pleasant Plains batted .422 while stealing 28 bases. Luke Martin helped Mount Pulaski to a 22‑win campaign and a Class 1A regional title, and Luke Schuckenbrock of Gillespie finished the season at 8‑2 with a 1.60 ERA and a .378 average.
The recognition extends beyond individual accolades, reflecting the collaborative efforts of the Illinois High School Association and the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association in shaping the state’s baseball narrative. Institutions such as Quincy University and Northern Illinois University continue to support the development of talent that reaches the collegiate level, ensuring that the next generation of players has a clear pathway forward.