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2026 baseball Playoff Preview

General Chris Kuchta

De Ja Vu All Over Again: PSC Qualifies for Postseason for Second Straight Year

Pioneers Will Square Off Against Same Sectional Opponents as 2025

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. --- New York Yankees legendary catcher Yogi Berra, in addition to winning more World Series rings than any other player in MLB history (10), was also known for his vast array of one-liners.
 
One of his most famous being, "It's like de ja vu all over again."
 
The Prairie State baseball team can definitely attest to this as they embark down a familiar path.
 
The Pioneers, who have qualified for the NJCAA Region 4 Tournament for a second straight season, enter Friday's three-team sectional against the same two opponents in the same location as a year ago.
 
PSC (24-24) will face Harper at 9 a.m. in the first game of the double-elimination round at Kankakee.  The Pioneers will then square off against the Cavaliers in their second outing.
 
Prairie State dropped a tough, one-run decision in the sectional opener a year ago to Harper before being eliminated by Kankakee one game later.
 
After not qualifying for the postseason for over a decade and a half, PSC head coach Dre Gilmore knows that punching a playoff ticket in consecutive seasons is no small feat.
 
"There's nothing quite like playoff baseball," Gilmore said. "Being able to say that we're one of the top ten teams in the region shows the progress that we're making as a program.  More than anything though, it reflects our commitment to turning things around and staying focused on our ultimate goal: continuing to win both on and off the field."
 
Perhaps more so than any other coaches in sports, baseball coaches understand the marathon feeling of a collegiate season.  This is definitely not lost on Gilmore.
 
"Making the tournament is a meaningful accomplishment for our program, especially when considering everything we've been through this season," Gilmore said. "A baseball season is a long grind, filled with daily games, constant travel, injuries and the mental and physical toll that comes with it.

"Reaching this point feels like a sense of relief and validation for the work we've put in."

The Pioneers enter post season play with a well-rounded club capable of taking down either of its sectional opponents.
 
PSC has posted a team batting average of .311 and earned run average of 6.92.
 
Gilmore's squad is paced on the offensive side by a trio of sophomore standout position players.
 
Right fielder Jesser Contreras (The Vine Christian Academy, FLORIDA) leads the club with a .390 batting average.  He has also belted six home run and amassed 39 RBI.
 
Catcher Juan Pinuelas (Goliath Academy, MEXICO) has posted a .375 average along with five long balls and 33 RBI.
 
Third baseman Nuno Borges (Colegio Country Kids H.S., BRAZIL) has homered a team-best eight times on the campaign and driven home 36 runs.
 
On the pitching side, PSC freshman hurler Alex Kvasnicka (Marian Catholic H.S.) has been spectacular throughout his first campaign of college baseball, keeping PSC in every game he has toed the rubber in.
 
In 55 1/3 innings this year, Kvasnicka has posted a record of 6-3 with a 2.60 earned run average.  He has punched out a staff-high 61 hitters while walking just 15 in over 200 batters faced.
 
PSC has also received major contributions for a pair of veteran's in left-hander Mickey Kelly (Oak Forest H.S.), (4-4, 4.86 ERA, 33 K's) and Jose Chacin (Bermudez Doral H.S., FLORIDA), (48 K'S).
 
Both Harper, a team which the Pioneers defeated 6-5 at home April 28, and Kankakee, whom dealt the Pioneers a pair of losses on the season, feature strong lineups and pitching staffs.  Here's a look at how they stack up.
 
Harper College
Head Coach: Dominic Milano 
2026 Record: 29-20
Team Batting Average: .346 (17th nationally)
Leading Hitters:  Connor Kave (.436 batting average), Collin Roche (.432)  
Pitching Leaders: Riley Blackwell (5-1, 3.79 ERA, 72 K's, 24 BB's)
 
Kankakee Community College
Head Coach: Bryce Shafer
2026 Record: 32-18
Team Batting Average: .324
Team Earned Run Average: 4.88 (11th nationally)
Leading Hitters: Jack Vogt (.377 batting average, 8 home runs, 66 RBI),  Lucas Rink (. 381 BA, 4 HR, 45 RBI)
 
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Players Mentioned

Nuno Borges

#18 Nuno Borges

INF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Jose Chacin

#9 Jose Chacin

RHP
5' 10"
Sophomore
Jesser Contreras

#2 Jesser Contreras

C/INF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Juan Pinuelas

#23 Juan Pinuelas

C/OF
6' 3"
Sophomore
Alex Kvasnicka

#12 Alex Kvasnicka

INF
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nuno Borges

#18 Nuno Borges

5' 9"
Sophomore
INF
Jose Chacin

#9 Jose Chacin

5' 10"
Sophomore
RHP
Jesser Contreras

#2 Jesser Contreras

5' 9"
Sophomore
C/INF
Juan Pinuelas

#23 Juan Pinuelas

6' 3"
Sophomore
C/OF
Alex Kvasnicka

#12 Alex Kvasnicka

6' 2"
Freshman
INF

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