DUNLAP — The Mid-Illini Conference is wrapping up baseball season with Dunlap in the driver’s seat.
The Eagles (25-6, 11-2) host Metamora (23-7, 9-4) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 with their share of the league title already secured. A victory over the Redbirds would give Dunlap its first outright crown since 2019 and second Mid-Illini championship in three seasons.
“Every Monday and Wednesday is a battle,” Dunlap junior Eli Michanicou told the Journal Star of the weekly conference schedule. “… Winning the conference is obviously our main goal right now.”
Michanicou, Brett Alkire and Ryder Rennette are helping lead a determined Dunlap squad, looking to replicate the success over the last two seasons. Everyone is motivated after back-to-back seasons with regional titles and 28 wins.
And Michanicou, who is batting .358 on 34 hits with eight doubles, two home runs and 22 RBIs, has made the most of 2026, making his commitment to Bradley on April 28.
“It really seems like they’re building something good there,” he said. “… I just want to be a part of that.”
Proximity to home, player development and the BU facilities were all selling points for Michanicou. He has been recruited as a pitcher and has put up a 0.83 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 10 walks in 33.2 innings this season.
Dunlap coach Eric Stone says Michanicou has been sitting between 86-87 mph and has topped out at 90 mph.
“Bulldog,” Stone said of how he would describe his everyday third baseman.
That moniker comes from Michanicou making a big impression as a freshman. Stone thrusted him into a 2024 regional title game with the bases loaded, one out and a three-run lead.
The result? No damage done, and Dunlap hoisting a regional plaque for the first time since 2019.
“That’s the faith we had in just what we saw from his confidence and his fight,” Stone said. “He’s just a warrior mentality kind of guy.”
And Michanicou isn’t the only arm Dunlap boasts.
Junior Carter Lippens has emerged as the staff ace, filling the void left by Davis Weeks, the 2025 Journal Star Player of the Year. In 54 innings, Lippens is 9-0 with a 0.52 ERA and 74 strikeouts and 19 walks over 10 appearances.
“This year I’m really just kind of growing into my role,” he said. “Just kind of trusting my defense more and just trust this team. I don’t feel like I have to go out there and do everything myself.
“I just wanted to be one of the main guys in this rotation.”
Lippens says he’s pitching smarter this season, putting together longer outings and not pitching solely for strikeouts.
“He pitches with a plan,” Stone said. “He changes speeds so effectively the offense is so off-balanced. They really have no idea what’s coming when. … It’s like surgical really how he’s throwing.”
Now, Dunlap is prepped to continue their season well into the June postseason thanks to an experienced group.
“I think there’s something to be said for winning,” Stone said. “You’re used to winning. You just think you should win. They know how to win. They’re really gritty kids. They work extremely hard and they’re really, really tough.”
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pitching tandem has Dunlap ready to make a run in IHSA baseball tournament
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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