The 2026 Journal Star all‑area baseball team honors the elite talent that defined the high school season across the Peoria region, spotlighting players whose performances turned heads and set new standards.
A Season of Firsts
East Peoria’s RJ Duncheon capped the year as the Journal Star Player of the Year, guiding his team to the Class 3A state finals – the program’s first appearance in more than five decades. Duncheon’s .542 batting average, 65 hits, nine home runs and 41 RBIs underscored a dominance that was felt throughout the lineup.
Other standouts included Jackson Ahrens, also from East Peoria, who posted a .432 average with 57 hits and 10 home runs, while Landon Crawford of Farmington hit .442 with 46 hits and 22 RBIs. Tremont contributed heavily with Andrew Dawson batting .518 and delivering 51 RBIs, and Griffin Meeker adding a .478 average with 45 RBIs.
Pitching excellence shone through Carter Lippens of Dunlap, who finished 10‑2 with a 1.08 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 65 innings, and Eli Michanicou, whose .366 average and 28 RBIs helped Dunlap remain competitive.
Looking Ahead
The recognition not only celebrates individual achievement but also highlights the depth of talent nurtured by local programs and the surrounding colleges that feed into the region’s baseball pipeline. As these players move toward the next chapter, the community anticipates continued success on and off the field.