Summer snapshot: Ironmen cap historic 37-5 season with third-place state finish, first sectional title in 21 years

A look back at the stories, events that unfolded while the Inkspot staff was off for summer break

Inkspot Staff and Lyra Townsend

Sep 29, 2025

The Ironmen celebrate with the IHSA Class 4A third-place plaque after defeating Brother Rice 7-2, capping a program-best 37-5 season. Photo Courtesy of: Ironmen Athletics dept.

Ironmen baseball closed its 2025 campaign with a third-place finish at the IHSA Class 4A State Tournament and a program-best 37-5 record.

Community’s historic run included a second straight Big 12 Conference title, a third consecutive regional championship and the program’s first sectional crown in more than two decades—advancing the Ironmen deeper into the postseason than ever before.

After going a perfect 18-0 in conference play in 2024, Community followed up with a 17-1 mark in Big 12 competition this season. The Ironmen repeated as regional champions, advanced through the Super Sectional and fell just short of the state title game, dropping a 2-1 extra-innings semifinal to eventual champion Libertyville.

Community bounced back in the third-place game, defeating Brother Rice—ranked No. 50 nationally by USA Today—7-2 to secure the program’s deepest postseason finish.

The Ironmen’s senior class, led by Kyle Beaty (.255 AVG, 38 runs, 23 RBI), Jonah Roper, Brady Burkhart (24 hits, 16 RBI), Luke Klunke (2.19 ERA, 22.1 IP), and Gavin Borne, anchored a roster that head coach Mr. Ryan Short called “a cohesive and united team.”

Despite graduating 10 seniors, Community will return a core of experienced contributors in 2026.

Sophomore Lucas Beaty, the team’s lone underclassman starter, returned from injury late in the season and showed his ability to handle big moments, taking the mound for the final out in the Super Sectional win with the game-winning run on base.

Beaty finished the year with a 3-0 record in 16.1 innings pitched.

Outfielder Andrew Naour, an uncommitted two-sport athlete, delivered a strong junior season, batting .329 with 26 hits and 18 RBI across 38 games. Naour also added six stolen bases and contributed 2.2 scoreless innings on the mound.

The Ironmen bring back several Division I commits: pitcher Gavin Swartz (Indiana University); catchers Max Heineman (University of Illinois-Chicago) and Drew Stevens (Valparaiso University); and infielder Gavin Michaels (University of Cincinnati).

Swartz led the Iron on the mound: striking out 96 in 70.1 innings pitched, while Heineman paced the offense with a .471 average, 40 RBI and four home runs. Michaels hit .376 with 32 hits, 20 RBI and 26 stolen bases and Stevens posted a .387 average and 30 RBI.

All but Stevens, sidelined by injury, saw playing time in the third-place game—giving the 2026 squad valuable postseason experience.

Donate to Inkspot

$500

$3000

Contributed

Our Goal

If you value the Inkspot’s commitment to student journalism—giving Normal Community’s reporters real-world experience—please consider donating to support our staff’s trip to the National High School Journalism Convention.
Your generosity helps us cover travel costs, enter national contests and attend sessions led by top media professionals—an unforgettable opportunity to learn, grow, and represent Community on a national stage.
THANK YOU for investing in the next generation of storytellers.