Dream season ends for Arcola in heartbreaking fashion, 1-0

By Editor | May 27, 2025 |

By Mike Monahan

ARGENTA – The 2025 baseball season for Arcola saw the Purple Riders have only two close games in the 21 game regular season, a 1-0 win over Atlamont and a 3-2 eight inning triumph over Sullivan in a Lincoln Prairie Conference game. In most of the games Arcola had no problem leaving runners on base, or if they did, it did not matter as Arcola was way ahead. That is until Saturday in the Class 1A regional championship at Argenta. The Purple Riders, who were a school record 22-0 heading into the game against a team they beat 12-2 on April 17, Argenta-Oreana, a team that was 14-11, nipped Arcola 1-0 in a game where the Purple Riders left nine runners on the bases, had a guy picked off at second and left five runners on in scoring position.

Arcola reached the championship as Brody Phillips, Tanner Thomas and Brody Drake combined for a no-hitter. The three combined for 17 strikeouts and just one walk. The lone base runner for Decatur Unity Christina, who lost 10-0, was a walk to Avery Smith on four straight pitches to spoil the six inning perfect game bid.

Argenta-Oreana 1, Arcola 0

The game did not start well for Arcola, but it was the first inning when Carter Logue walked on a full-count pitch as did Landon Jackson. After M.J. Hall reached on an error Lucas Camfield walked to force in Logue with the only run of the game on a full-count pitch. Brevyn Whisman limited the damage to just the one run as he struck out the side.

“Getting out of the first inning giving up only one run was big,” said Arcola coach Mike Phillips, who is assisted by Justin Glass and Jeff Thomas. “Brevyn settled in after getting out of the inning. I felt we would hold them there and we just need to do what we have done all season and that is hit. Our offense has been too explosive all season (averaged 12.3 runs and nine hits per game).

Arcola had its chances. The second started with a single by Jackson Griffth and a walk to Caiden Helmuth, but a line out to second, a strikeout and after both runners moved up on a wild pitch, a ground out. The Bombers turned a double play to end the third and things looked promising for the Purple Riders in the fifth when Jayden Henson-Stice doubled and D.J. Stevens walked to start the inning. However, Argenta picked the player off at second and got a strikeout. After an intentional walk to Thomas, Logue struck out the next batter, one of seven he had for the game. Argenta turned another double play in the sixth, but back-to-back walks to Helmuth and Braden Phillips put runners on first and second when the Bombers again got out of the jam with a fly ball to right. In the seventh Arcola threatened one more time as with one out Brody Drake singled and with two outs Brody Phillips was hit by a pitch, putting the tying run at second. However, a ground out back to the pitcher ended the sensational season at 22-1.

“We had runners on, but just could not get that timely hit,” said Phillips. “We would hit that hard and it would be right at someone or they would make a play.”

Logue a southpaw, was on his last batter when the game ended as he had reached 106 pitches (limit is 105, but can finish the batter) and 54 were for strikes. He allowed just three hits with six walks.

“Logue did a good job of keeping us off balance,”said Phillips. “One, he threw from the left side, which I believe we only saw once or twice this year and two he wasn’t overpowering. He was just throwing off-speed that we just couldn’t make an adjustment to.”

Phillips had the pleasure of coaching his sons Braden Phillips, a recent graduate, and Brody Phillps (just finished sophomore year).

“I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to coach both my sons,” said Phillips. “Having coached each of them over the years individually was great, but it doesn’t compare to the last two years, having both of them together on the same field. Having this opportunity and creating these memories watching them grow as athletes and young men is beyond words. With Braden playing in his last season, it’s been tough, especially the last month or so. I have been trying to keep my emotions in check and it has been difficult knowing this ride was about to end. I am very proud of them and have been trying to savor every moment.”

Through the regular season the team hit .348 and had 42 triples and 18 home runs along with 73 stolen bases and a fielding percentage of .933. Pitching wise the team had an earned run average of 1.52 and allowed 52 walks and 211 strikeouts.

“I am very proud of this group,”said Phillips. “They have worked so hard all season and accomplished so much. Even though it didn’t end the way we envisioned it they have nothing to hang their heads about. They won the programs first outright conference championship, and an undefeated regular season. It’s hard to put into words what this group has done for this baseball program.”

Saturday Class 1A regional championship at Argenta

Argenta-Oreana 100 000 0–1-1-1

Arcola 000 000 0–0-3-1

Losing pitcher: Brevyn Whisman 3 2/3 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 0 earned, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks; Brody Phillips 1 1/3 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 strikeout, 0 walks; Tanner Thomas 2 innings, 0 hits, 0 ruins, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk

Winning pitcher: Carter Logue 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 7 strikeouts, 6 walks

ARCOLA: Jackson Griffith 1-for-3; Jayden Henson-Strice 1-for-3, double; Brody Drake 1-for-2

ARGENTA-OREANA: Carter Logue run; Luke Camfield RBI; Lian Tipsword 1-for-3

Thursday Class 1A regional semifinals at Millikin University

Unity Christian 000 000–0-0-3

Arcola 400 051–10-10-0

Winning pitcher: Brody Phillips 3 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 9 strikeouts, 0 walks; Thomas 2 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 6 strikeouts; Drake 1 inning, 0 hits, 0 runs, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk

ARCOLA: Thomas 2-for-3 3 runs, home run, RBI; Phillips sacrifice, RBI; Whisman 2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI; Griffith 1-for-3, double, RBI; Caiden Helmuth 2-for-3, double, triple, 2 RBIs; Braden Phillips run; Henson-Stice 2-for-3, run, double, triple, 2 RBIs; D.J. Stevens 1-for-2 stolen base

Posted in Sports - TCC