Brother Rice baseball settles for fourth in state

Three state trophies in four years is a haul most teams would take in a heartbeat.

But the bar is higher for Brother Rice baseball.

The Crusaders are at the point where they’re not happy with anything less than a state title. That dream disappeared with a 4-1 semifinal loss to McHenry on Friday night.

Rice was back on the field Saturday afternoon at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet and lost 7-2 to Normal to finish fourth in Class 4A. The Crusaders (37-5), who won their only title in 1976 in Class AA, finished third in 2022 and second in 2023.

“We’re chasing that (No. 1) in 4A baseball,” coach Sean McBride said. “That’s what we want. I would trade a million trips here to get one of those.”

Still, he added, “our program has been very consistent. It’s hard to do, especially in our area, to win three (supersectionals) and get down here. And obviously it doesn’t get any easier down here. … We’re chasing that big goal. And that’s something we talk about a lot and something we strive for. and haven’t been able to do it.”

The experience of playing in a professional ballpark is worth something, of course. 

But at the end of the day, McBride said, “we want tears of joy not tears of sadness.”

One Crusader who did have a day to remember was senior right-hander JD Maloney. He came on in relief and pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

“My role was just kind of to be a leader, help these younger guys,” Maloney said. “I think all the seniors did a great job of that.”

McBride was glad to get Maloney a chance to pitch in his final high-school game.

“He’s been phenomenal,” McBride said. “A great leader in the school and on the team. “This game is a hard one to plan when you have the expectations and the hope that we did that we’re going to be playing in the late game. So it’s hard to motivate. But it’s good to get guys like JD the opportunity to get out there.”

Now that his career is over, what will Maloney remember?

“Just the little things,” he said. “The bus rides, the joking around in the locker room, the dugout. None of the big wins really resonate. It’s just the smallest things that mean the most.”