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The St. Rita High School baseball team won a 3A state title over the weekend in extra innings. The thrilling win over Triad did not lack dramatics.
The Mustangs believed they’d won the game in the top of the seventh. A somewhat controversial ruling gave the Knights another chance.
Luckily for St. Rita, they’d be shielded from the embarrassment of an epic championship collapse thanks to a low IQ play in the bottom of the eighth.
St. Rita wins Illinois high school baseball title (twice?)
St. Rita High School is an all-boys Catholic school in Chicago serving grades 9-12. The baseball program competes at the 3A level. They advanced to the state championship as a 1-seed in the first Group of the IHSA sectional finals.
The Mustangs ripped off three straight wins to make the title game where they faced Triad, located about 50 miles southwest.
The Knights, too, were a 1-seed, advancing out of Group 8. Both programs are considered Top 10 in the Illinois state rankings. The two heavyweights square off with hardware on the line.
Triad kicked off the scoring with two runs in the top of the first before St. Rita stormed back with five runs in its opening frame. While the Knights briefly cut that deficit to 5-4, the disadvantage ballooned to 11-4 by the end of the fifth.
St. Rita was in total control. Triad made things interesting with a late run. The Knights plated seven runs in their last two at-bats to even the score. Their final run came as the result of a dropped third out.
So…St. Rita won the Class 3A state title. We thought.
But turns out the umps say the catcher didn’t make the catch. pic.twitter.com/AVmKGeuOwP
— Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) June 13, 2026
A Triad hitter popped a ball up near the first base dugout. The St. Rita catcher appeared to make the catch before turning towards the infield to celebrate with teammates.
The entire team began to dogpile on the field believing the state championship had been secured. Players did not realize, however, that the ball had fallen out of the catcher’s mitt.
Umpires ruled that he didn’t complete the catch. It gave the Knights an extra opportunity. Later in the at-bat, the same hitter would tie the game with a home run to right field.
The blast forced extra innings. Unfortunately, Triad could not complete the comeback. A low IQ defensive play in extra innings sealed their fate.
Triad caught a foul ball.
The craziest Illinois State Final you’ll ever see! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DURpyzdwij
— Hubbard Media (@HubbardMedia2) June 14, 2026
After tying the game, Triad was held scoreless in the eighth inning. St. Rita got a man to third base in its ensuing at-bat with less than two outs.
A Mustang hitter then smacked a foul ball to deep right field. The Knights’ right fielder caught the ball in foul territory. It allowed the baserunner to tag up and score the winning run.
The play at the plate was not close. The ball never should’ve been caught. The best outcome would’ve been to drop the ball, take the strike, and trust the pitching staff.
A drop would not have guaranteed victory. St. Rita still had a runner in scoring position with at least an out to give. It would’ve, however, provided the pitcher a chance to get out of the inning. By catching the ball, the outfielder effectively ended the game.
St. Rita dropped a foul ball it shouldn’t have. It nearly cost them a championship. Triad caught a foul ball it shouldn’t have. It sealed their fate.
That ironic turn of events shielded St. Rita from the embarrassment of an epic title game collapse.