IVC baseball history is filled with success. Lineup of college recruits eyes return to glory

DUNLAP — When Illinois Valley Central baseball was in its heyday, its current coach was a high schooler and many of the players were still in diapers.

But the longstanding tradition isn’t lost on IVC coach Josh Hoffer or anyone else on the current roster. The Grey Ghosts produced arguably the best modern-day run of any Peoria-area baseball program, winning 191 games from 2005 to 2010 to go with a trio of state trophies highlighted by the 2006 Class A state championship.

“IVC, obviously, has been a very storied program that’s had a lot of success,” said Hoffer, who is a 2009 Washington High graduate, “so we’re just trying to continue that and hopefully we’ll be able to keep moving that way this year and moving forward.”

Hoffer, who is second cousins with MLB pitcher and IVC grad Zach McAllister, is in his seventh season as the Grey Ghosts skipper, taking over for legendary coach Jerry Rashid, who posted 316 victories during his 13-year run in Chillicothe. Hoffer says he has a similar philosophy to his predecessor, stressing the fundamentals while improving daily.

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The aspirations may be lofty but remain the same as IVC had nearly two decades ago — winning state titles.

“When I wear the IVC emblem, I just feel like I’m supporting a family,” senior Griffin Irvin said, “and this family’s worked hard to stay together and to grow stronger.”

IVC has at least four college-bound players

Talented players definitely help with sustained success.

And IVC once again has a lineup full of future college players. Three seniors — Irvin (Spoon River), Mason Marchand (Spoon River) and CK Witte (Monmouth College) — and one junior — Cole Yates (Heartland) — have committed to playing at the next level.

“It’s their mindset of wanting to work,” Hoffer said, “and wanting to bring that on a daily basis. That’s what we’re trying to hopefully instill in them with the discipline and just getting them ready for that.

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“They’ve done a good job of kind of adapting to that and starting to understand what it’s going to take to play at the next level and kind of embracing it and working towards that.”

In fact, seven former IVC players are suiting up for college teams this spring.

“I always wanted to play college ball since I was a little kid,” Marchand said, “so it was just kind of my goal, and I made it happen.”

Witte’s cousin, Brock Adcock, was a junior in 2010 when the Ghosts finished third in Class 2A.

“It’s a small town,” Witte said. “Everybody works hard for everything. I think we’re just kind of lucky with an athletic aspect.

“I grew up watching him and all of his friends playing baseball when they were at the top.”

IVC is focused after playoff stumble

This season’s focus is putting last year’s postseason stumble behind them. IVC, which last won a regional in 2022, was a second seed in the regional only to be upset by ninth-seeded Farmington in the semifinals.

That defeat stung but provided extra motivation in the months leading up to the 2024 campaign.

“After we lost, I just put it in the back of my mind,” Irvin said, “and saved it for the offseason and used it to get better. Hopefully, this year we definitely can go a lot (farther in the postseason) than regionals.”

IVC is using its tough schedule to help them achieve success this season. The Ghosts are playing all eight Mid-Illini Conference schools along with games scheduled against Richwoods, Eureka, Rock Falls and last season’s Class 1A state runner-up Henry.

Late March and early April provided a great opportunity for the Ghosts, who during a stretch won seven of eight with its lone loss coming to Washington on a walk-off home run.

“As a Ghost, we like a challenge,” Irvin said, “and it helps us get better at our game.”

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And what about ending a 14-year drought with a trip back to the state finals?

“It would mean everything,” Irvin said. “Not just to me, but especially to (coach) Hoffer and all (my) teammates to be a part of a state championship team. That would feel good.”

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.