Softball: ‘Having fun is the key’ — Antioch brings home 1st state title

PEORIA — Rylee Dunlavy knew in seventh grade.

Now, as a freshman, she's a state champion.

Dunlavy had a pair of hits and three RBI as Antioch captured its elusive state championship with a 7-2 victory over defending Class 3A state champion Glenwood on Saturday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Stadium in Peoria.

"It's huge to be a freshman and help my team win the title," Dunlavy said. "I transferred to the Antioch district in seventh grade because I wanted to play softball here."

The leftfielder has done just that. She deposited a two-run double to right center to score senior pinch runner Mia Bellucci and senior shortstop Claire Schuyler in the bottom of the second as the Sequoits (34-3) scored twice and never looked back

"My mindset was to get on base and drive in the runs," Dunlavy said. "Just to be in a position to help my team."

She was in that position again in the fifth as Antioch added five more runs for a 7-1 lead. Freshman second baseman Brooke White had an RBI double, senior third baseman Samantha Hillner hammered a two-run double to right center, Schuyler smacked an RBI double to left, and Dunlavy singled through the left side for her third RBI. The Sequoits made the most of seven hits.

Glenwood (30-3) scored a run in the fourth and the sixth. Freshman right fielder Jemma Lamb had three hits and both RBI for the Titans.

Antioch freshman Pearl Wenzel (17-0) was poised in the circle to get another win. The right-hander pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. She had a strikeout to clinch the state championship.

“I wanted the strikeout at the end," Wenzel said. "I was hoping to do that. When we did, I just thought, "Oh my gosh.’ I'm just happy we did it, and I want to keep doing it.

"I was very surprised by what I did this season, and I will continue to strive to do better."

That's what the Sequoits, who had lost in the 3A title game in 2023 and 2024, have done the last few years.

"Pearl is just mentally tough," Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. " She doesn't get rattled. She just pitches through it and holds her composure. We had scouted all of their hitters, and she pitched to the game plan."

"In the past 10 years, we've been among the top dogs. We've won 13 regional titles in a row and six sectionals. We've been to state four times in the past five years. We've been close every time. So, to get it means a lot.“

Yes, it does. Especially to the six seniors, five of whom have been on the varsity all four years.

"We had four freshmen start when I was a freshman," Hillner said. "Now we had four freshman starters this season. Having fun is the key.

"We've been here before, and it's a great ending with a state title. To win it is amazing, especially with amazing people."