Published on June 12, 2026 3:59 pm
Last Updated on June 12, 2026 4:04 pm
BY MILLIE LANGE
CHAMPAIGN — North Clay battled through eight innings, but Putnam County pulled out a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals in the second game of the day in the Class 1A State Baseball Tournament Friday.
In the opening game of the day, Tremont trounced Jacksonville Routt by a 16-3 count.
But that wasn’t the case in the second contest. Putnam County moved into a 2-0 lead in the opening inning. Traxton Mattingly and Johnathon Stuenkel drew back-to-back walks. Kade Zimmerlein reached on a fielder’s choice that took out Stunkel. Maddox Poole then followed with a single that scored Mattingly. And a fielder’s choice on a ball hit by Peyton Barto tallied the second run.
North Clay didn’t waste any time. With two outs, North Clay tallied a run in the second. Trenton Ingram singled and scored on an error on a ball hit by Trevan Sidwell.
The Cardinals then came back in the fourth to knot the score at 2-2. Ian Jones drew a walk and stole second. Carder Walden then hit a double, scoring Jones for the 2-2 tie.
Things were quiet through the fifth although both teams put runners on base.
Then in the sixth, the Panthers moved ahead with a run. With one out, Peyton Barto was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored to move the Panthers into a 3-2 lead.
North Clay came back in the bottom of of the sixth. With two outs, Ingram doubled and Sidwell was hit by a pitch. But both runners were left on base.
Then in the seventh, Jack Compton singled with one out. With to outs, Ian Jones singled Compton home and the Cardinals had tied the game at 3-3.
The game went into the eighth, Johnathon Stunkel led off with a double. With one out, Maddox Poole hit a sacrifice fly that scored Stunkel and the Panthers moved ahead 4-3.
The Cardinals came back in the bottom of the eighth putting Sidwell on as he drew a walk with one out. Sidwell stole second and went to third on an error. Will Ballard was hit by a pitch putting two runners on base. He stole second. With runners on second and third, as the Cardinals rallied, but the final out came on a fly ball and the game ended.
Ingram finished with a single and double for the Cardinals. Walden had a double and Jones had a single and an RBI.
Putnam County advances to the championship game Saturday with a 26-11 record. and will face Tremont at 1 p.m.
North Clay will take on Jacksonville Routt at 10 a.m. for third place. Listen to the game on 979XFM. Fans are advised that the admission price will be $15 cash or digital.
Sunday, June 14, a celebration will be held on the square in Louisville for the North Clay baseball team and their accomplishments from 5 to 7 p.m.
Food/drinks will be available, food trucks, face painting, activities for the kids and a special recognition ceremony for the coaches and players.
Class 1A State Tournament
Putnam County 200 001 01 — 4-6-4
North Clay 010 100 10 — 3-5-0
WP — Poole. LP — Zimdars.
Putnam County — Mattingly, single; Stunkel, single, double; Poole, single, 1 RBI; Barto, single; Zimmerlein, single
North Clay — Compton, single; Jones, single, 1 RBI; Walden, double, 1 RBI; Ingram, single, double
CHAMPAIGN — North Clay battled through eight innings, but Putnam County pulled out a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals in the second game of the day in the Class 1A State Baseball Tournament Friday.
In the opening game of the day, Tremont trounced Jacksonville Routt by a 16-3 count.
But that wasn’t the case in the second contest. Putnam County moved into a 2-0 lead in the opening inning. Traxton Mattingly and Johnathon Stuenkel drew back-to-back walks. Kade Zimmerlein reached on a fielder’s choice that took out Stunkel. Maddox Poole then followed with a single that scored Mattingly. And a fielder’s choice on a ball hit by Peyton Barto tallied the second run.
North Clay didn’t waste any time. With two outs, North Clay tallied a run in the second. Trenton Ingram singled and scored on an error on a ball hit by Trevan Sidwell.
The Cardinals then came back in the fourth to knot the score at 2-2. Ian Jones drew a walk and stole second. Carder Walden then hit a double, scoring Jones for the 2-2 tie.
Things were quiet through the fifth although both teams put runners on base.
Then in the sixth, the Panthers moved ahead with a run. With one out, Peyton Barto was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored to move the Panthers into a 3-2 lead.
North Clay came back in the bottom of of the sixth. With two outs, Ingram doubled and Sidwell was hit by a pitch. But both runners were left on base.
Then in the seventh, Jack Compton singled with one out. With to outs, Ian Jones singled Compton home and the Cardinals had tied the game at 3-3.
The game went into the eighth, Johnathon Stunkel led off with a double. With one out, Maddox Poole hit a sacrifice fly that scored Stunkel and the Panthers moved ahead 4-3.
The Cardinals came back in the bottom of the eighth putting Sidwell on as he drew a walk with one out. Sidwell stole second and went to third on an error. Will Ballard was hit by a pitch putting two runners on base. He stole second. With runners on second and third, as the Cardinals rallied, but the final out came on a fly ball and the game ended.
Ingram finished with a single and double for the Cardinals. Walden had a double and Jones had a single and an RBI.
Putnam County advances to the championship game Saturday and will face Tremont at 1 p.m.
North Clay will take on Jacksonville Routt at 10 a.m. for third place. Listen to the game on 979XFM. Fans are advised that the admission price will be $15 cash or digital.
Sunday, June 14, a celebration will be held on the square in Louisville for the North Clay baseball team and their accomplishments from 5 to 7 p.m.
Food/drinks will be available, food trucks, face painting, activities for the kids and a special recognition ceremony for the coaches and players.
Class 1A State Tournament
Putnam County 200 001 01 — 4-6-4
North Clay 010 100 10 — 3-5-0
WP — Poole. LP — Zimdars.
Putnam County — Mattingly, single; Stunkel, single, double; Poole, single, 1 RBI; Barto, single; Zimmerlein, single
North Clay — Compton, single; Jones, single, 1 RBI; Walden, double, 1 RBI; Ingram, single, double