Summer Grind Fuels Panthers' Ambitions
Coach Darren Perdun, who oversees both the high school program and the summer American Senior Legion squad for Jerseyville Post 492, stresses that the July heat is more than just a weather pattern — it’s a crucible for growth. He points to the 9‑7 record before a season‑ending doubleheader against Taylorville as proof that the work is paying off.
The summer schedule is tailored to freshmen through juniors who will don the JCHS uniform again next spring. With nine key seniors having graduated, the roster now leans on a fresh wave of talent, including incoming seniors Isaac Hackethal, Ethan Hughes, Brogan Kanallakan, Carson Nevlin, Brody Short, Maddox Vanausdoll, Graham Vanausdoll, Caden Crimmins and Hudson Schannot.
Perdun believes the extra reps give players the experience needed to compete at a higher level. “Summer baseball helps players develop and gives them more experience,” he says, noting that the team’s 22‑win campaign last spring was its first 20‑plus season since 2016.
The next challenge arrives July 14‑17, when the Panthers travel to Galesburg for the Third Division Tournament. A victory there guarantees a berth in the Department of Illinois State Tournament in Carol Stream, a prize the program has chased for years.
Beyond the scoreboard, the summer grind is about building a foundation. By the time the spring season rolls around, the team hopes to translate the lessons learned on the diamond into a competitive edge that can sustain success year after year.