When the Sycamore baseball team clinched third place at the Class 3A state tournament in Joliet in June, it culminated a journey that was almost a decade in the making for a core group of Spartans. And in the middle of that group was Jimmy Amptmann.

Speedy leadoff hitters, big boppers, left-handed shortstops and everything in-between – it's the 2023 Daily Chronicle All-Area Baseball Team.

From a big bopper in Hinckley to a historic run in Sycamore, there was a lot of memorable players, moments and teams from the 2023 baseball season. Here are five numbers that put the season into perspective.

Will Klumpp noticed Effingham reliever Jack Harper throwing pitches in the dirt earlier in the ninth inning of a tied Class 3A third-place game, so when Harper uncorked a wild pitch, the Sycamore junior was ready. Klumpp crossed the plate easily, giving the Spartans a 2-1 win.

Shaw Local News Network sports editor Eddie Carifio has live updates from Saturday morning’s IHSA Class 3A third-place baseball game between Sycamore and Effingham.

John Hughes didn’t have a lot of strikeouts on Friday in a Class 3A semifinal against Sycamore. But every time the Spartans threatened to score, the Nazareth junior lefty got a key strikeout to escape the jam.

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The Sycamore baseball team finished the season with a 2-1 win over Effingham to win the third place trophy in the Class 3A state championship.

For a Sycamore team with a couple comebacks under its belt already this postseason, it seemed another one was brewing against defending state champion Nazareth in a Class 3A semifinal. But it wasn't to be in a 3-0 loss to the Roadrunners.

Shaw Local News Network sports editor Eddie Carifio has live updates from Friday’s IHSA Class 3A state baseball semifinal between Sycamore and Nazareth Academy.