7 reasons why Normal Community baseball’s state run has been special

Normal Community has long been a baseball stronghold in Central Illinois and the Ironmen will etch their names into the history books this weekend as they play in the IHSA State Finals. 

Their road has been full of many highs, a few lows and plenty of suspense during its first trip to state since 2004. After harrowing 2-run wins over O’Fallon and Aurora Waubonsie Valley, the Ironmen will take on Libertyville in the Class 4A State Semifinals at Joliet’s Slammers Stadium on Friday at 4 p.m. They will play again on Saturday, either in the third-place game at 4 p.m. or the state title game at 7 p.m.

After 20 years of heartbreak and 40 games this season, several factors that relate to the Ironmen’s players, coaches, other sports and history have made their run special.