Cavaliers Power Past Rock Valley, Advance in Region 4 Final Four

MADISON, Wis. — May 14, 2026 — Kankakee Community College opened the Region 4 Final Four with a strong all-around performance, defeating Rock Valley College 11-4 on Thursday. 

The Cavaliers used a patient offensive approach, timely extra-base production, and a strong pitching effort to pull away late. KCC finished with nine hits, drew 14 walks, and scored eight runs over the final three innings to secure the postseason win. 

After three scoreless innings, KCC broke through in the fourth with two runs to take the early lead. Rock Valley answered with one run in the bottom half, but the Cavaliers continued to apply pressure. KCC added another run in the fifth before the game shifted in the seventh inning. 

Leading 3-2, the Cavaliers put together the decisive inning of the day, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh to create separation. KCC added three more runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach. 

Connor Gaitens delivered the biggest swing of the game, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Jack Vogt added a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Josh Davis also had a big offensive performance, collecting three hits and driving in a run. 

Lucas Rink continued to be a major factor in the KCC lineup, reaching base six times with one hit and five walks. Gabe McHugh scored twice and drove in a run, while Layson Fabisiak added two RBIs for the Cavaliers. 

On the mound, Joe Catalano gave KCC another strong postseason start. Catalano earned the win, throwing 5.2 innings while allowing four hits, two runs, no earned runs, no walks, and striking out seven. The Cavaliers' pitching staff combined to strike out 11 Rock Valley hitters and did not allow an earned run. 

Dom Panozzo, Maddox Quesnelle, and Easton Blankenship combined to finish the game out of the bullpen. Quesnelle worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts, and Blankenship closed the game in the ninth. 

Rock Valley was led offensively by Landon Ubrig, who had two hits, including a double and a triple. Matthew Thompsen added a triple and an RBI for the Golden Eagles. 

With the win, KCC advanced in the Region 4 Final Four and continued its postseason run, taking on host and #1 seed Madison College on Friday at 12:00pm.