After a record-setting 37-5 season that culminated in the program’s first state trophy in school history, the No. 2 state-ranked Ironmen enter 2025 hungry for more.

Last spring, in his 20th year as head coach, Mr. Ryan Short appeared in his first state tournament with a star-studded lineup that featured four Division I recruits. Community went the furthest it had ever gone in the postseason, capturing a third-place finish at the IHSA Class 4A State Finals after falling 2-1 to the eventual state champions, the Libertyville Wildcats.

Inside the program, the success hasn’t changed the approach.

“I’d like to think the identity and culture are already in place,” Short said. “Our kids have done a nice job of just taking things one day at a time and not worrying about rankings or outcomes. That’s helped us win more games.”

With a veteran core and rising expectations across the state, the Ironmen understand that nothing has been earned yet.

“We haven’t won any games yet,” Short said. “Preseason rankings are exactly that—preseason.”

Super Seniors

The Ironmen return all four Division I recruits and seven of their nine starters, giving the team one of the most proven cores in Illinois.

Max Heineman headlines the group after producing the most dominant offensive season in school history. A Class 4A All-State selection last season, the University of Illinois-Chicago signee hit .471 with 18 extra-base hits while setting the school’s single-season hit record with 59.

Gavin Swartz returns as one of the team’s most important two-way contributors. The Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention and Indiana University signee posted a 2.09 ERA and 96 strikeouts across 70.1 innings a year ago while serving as one of the offense’s anchors in the middle of the order.

Speed, according to Short, will be a defining weapon of the offense. Cincinnati signee Gavin Michaels stole 26 bases last spring while hitting .471 in Community’s final 20 contests.

Drew Stevens also returns as a major offensive presence and is arguably the lineup’s most dangerous power threat. The Valparaiso signee posted a 1.128 OPS with four home runs and is expected to stick in the middle of the order this spring.

But the strength of this senior class isn’t just production—it’s togetherness.

“When somebody slips up, they’re there to pick each other up and offer constructive criticism—and most importantly, accept that constructive criticism from each other,” Short said.

Pitching Staff

If experience is the foundation of the roster, pitching depth may be its greatest strength.

Swartz undoubtedly anchors the staff after logging more than 70 innings last spring, but he’s far from alone. Augustana commit Landyn Corbin returns as another frontline arm after going 8-1 with a 0.71 ERA in 39.2 innings, giving the Ironmen one of the more reliable one-two combinations in the state.

Josh Jones, an Indiana State signee, joins the rotation this season with a low-90s fastball, and provides extra starting pitching depth behind Corbin and Swartz. The senior was the opening day starter for the Ironmen, striking out 3 in 3 innings pitched against O’Fallon.

Lucas Beaty, a junior who went 3-0 in six appearances and closed out the super-sectional, proved capable of handling pressure situations in last year’s postseason, while Jacob Engel posted a 1.54 ERA in 22.2 innings before injuries limited his season.

Senior Beckett Weber, another arm who sits around 90 mph, pitched well in limited opportunities last spring—allowing three hits and no runs across 8.2 innings—and figures to take on a significantly larger role this season.

Junior newcomers Oliver Vercruysse, Carter Reiners and Owen Weaver also provide depth out of the bullpen.

Schedule

The Ironmen didn’t have to wait long to test themselves.

Community opened the season with a 5-4 win over sectional rival No. 18 O’Fallon before traveling to Gulf Shores, Ala., where the Ironmen picked up victories over North Little Rock, Ark.; Springdale, Ala.; and No. 22 Prattville, Ala.

For Short, the trip south serves a purpose beyond wins and losses.

“Chemistry and relationships,” Short said, “are more important than winning always, but especially at the beginning of the season.”

The nonconference challenge continues throughout the spring. Matchups against Yorkville and Oswego East bring talent-heavy lineups, while Champaign Central returns with one of the conference’s top arms in Wright State signee Tre Cole. Later in the year, the Ironmen face East Peoria—led by Illinois State signee and two-way star RJ Duncheon—and Class 3A Elite Eight finalist Mahomet-Seymour in back-to-back games.

Conference play will remain competitive despite the Ironmen posting a 35-1 record in the league over the last two seasons.

“There’s good enough pitching in our conference that anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” Short said. “You get one great outing, and that’s all it takes.”

Confident, but humble

With returning production across the lineup, multiple frontline arms and one of the deepest rosters in the state, expectations surrounding the Ironmen are impossible to ignore.

Inside the program, the same mindset persists.

“We respect everybody and fear nobody,” Short said.

That confidence without complacency has defined Community’s rise over the last few seasons. Last year, the Ironmen advanced to the Class 4A final four for the first time in program history. This time, they want to go further.

They plan to finish the job.