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StoryPistol Shrimp unveil 2026 slate and promo nights; home opener May 27
Illinois Valley set a 56-game 2026 slate—28 at Schweickert Stadium and 28 on the road—with first pitch times moving to 6:35 p.m. this season. [1][2]The season opens Tuesday, May 26, with the home opener on Wednesday, May 27. [1][3]The promotional calendar brings back Bark in the Park, Pride Night, Sensory Friendly Night, and Polish Night, plus tributes for military personnel, little leaguers, and first responders. [2]103.9 WLPO remains the broadcast home, with partner activations referenced with 96.5 The Wolf and 99.3 WAJK during select events. [1][2]
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StoryPistol Shrimp snap 9-game skid with 5–3 road win at Decatur
Illinois Valley snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 5–3 win on the road over the Decatur Bean Ballers in mid-June. [1]Dominic Battista and Ryan Duncheon homered, Camden Loomis started, Tyler Sabodor earned the win, and Benjamin Blondino recorded the save. [1]The result came as the Shrimp tried to climb back late in the first half, sitting last in the division with roughly a dozen games left and several dates still to come at Schweickert Stadium, including a First Responder Night. [1][2]
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StoryPistol Shrimp unveil 2026 slate: May 27 home opener vs. Quincy, earlier first pitch
The Shrimp set their 2026 path with a 56-game schedule, opening at home on Wednesday, May 27 against Quincy at Schweickert Stadium, part of an even split of 28 home and 28 road dates [1][2][3]. First pitch for home nights shifts earlier to 6:35 p.m., a bump up from 7:05 p.m. in past seasons [1].103.9 WLPO will again carry Illinois Valley broadcasts throughout the summer, with the club noting that a full promotional schedule is still to come as the calendar gets closer [1][3]. Fans can already grab the pocket schedule to lock in dates, with the league listing confirming team details and venue [3][4].
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StoryPistol Shrimp unveil 2026 schedule; Schweickert Stadium set for summer slate
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp posted their 2026 schedule, locking in another summer of home dates at Schweickert Stadium in Veterans Memorial Park in Peru [1][2].The Shrimp compete in the Prospect League, the collegiate wood‑bat summer circuit that brings talent from across the country through the Illinois Valley each June and July [3][4]. For league context, the 2026 standings hub already lists Illinois Valley on the Western side for the second half of the campaign [5].Around the park, Peru has highlighted the club as a community staple and noted recent improvements at Veterans Memorial Park, reinforcing the ballpark’s role as a summer gathering place [2]. The team has also been profiled as a point of pride for the region, underscoring the Shrimp’s place on the local sports map [6].Fans can find the full slate, roster updates, and club news on the team’s official site, with additional league info on the Prospect League page [7][3].
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Story‘Going to be in it’: Younger Pistol Shrimp open 2026 at Clinton, home vs. Quincy
Illinois Valley’s 2026 Prospect League journey starts on the road at Clinton on Tuesday, May 26, before the home opener Wednesday, May 27 against Quincy at Schweickert Stadium in Peru [1][2]. The slate features 56 games — 28 at home and 28 away — with home first pitch moved up to 6:35 p.m. this season [2].WLPO (FM 103.9/AM 1220) remains the radio home, carrying game broadcasts from Opening Night through the August postseason, with streaming available for listeners in the Valley and beyond [2][3].Manager/owner John Jakiemiec likes the group’s chances despite a younger build. Only six players return with prior Pistol Shrimp experience, joined by 10 recent high‑school signees and a wave of newcomers expected to impact the summer [4]. Key returners include pitchers Daniel Strohm and Joe Richardson and catcher Nick Weaver, with leadership from Camden Loomis, Izzaq Zrust and Tyler Deleskiewicz [4]. Notables arriving include first baseman Anthony Chavez and outfielder Dominic Battista, plus Division I contributors slated to join or filter in — AJ Putty (Illinois) and Penn State products Jimmy Gray and Chase Roberts [4]. Local arms such as Zrust, Alan Spencer and Max Bryant are lined up to eat innings, with two pitchers potentially returning midseason from Tommy John surgery [4].The Shrimp will need that depth in a demanding Northwest Division against Burlington, Clinton, Normal and Quincy, but the message out of Peru is clear: this team expects to be in the mix [4].
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StoryThe pride of Peru: Pistol Shrimp and Schweickert Stadium anchor a summer scene
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp have settled into Peru as a summer‑collegiate fixture, carrying the wood‑bat grind of the Prospect League and a development‑first mission that brings college talent to the Illinois Valley each year [1].Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park backs that mission with a covered grandstand, concessions, a press box and a relaxed, family‑first setup. The ballpark features a 575‑seat grandstand with overall capacity in the low thousands, along with fan‑friendly touches like a beer garden and local food options [2].Since launching in 2019, the club has leaned into community ties — from host families opening their doors to players to a game‑day atmosphere that keeps families coming back [1]. The Pistol Shrimp’s distinctive name and merch have become part of the local charm as the park fills on warm nights [1].Schweickert Stadium’s intimate sightlines and easygoing vibe continue to draw notice in ballpark features, adding to the team’s growing profile in the region [3][4].
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StoryPistol Shrimp are 2024 Prospect League champions; Peru nights hum at Schweickert Stadium
The Pistol Shrimp closed the collegiate wood-bat summer with the 2024 Prospect League title, a crowning moment for baseball in the Illinois Valley. [1]Home is Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park in Peru, where the Shrimp stage their summer slate. [2][3] Ahead of the 2023 season, the ballpark added an expanded grandstand and new press box seating to enhance the experience. [3]Founded in 2019 as the DuPage Pistol Shrimp, the franchise relocated to Peru for the 2021 season and now competes in the Prospect League’s Western Conference – Northwest Division. [4][2] Stadium capacity is listed at 575-plus. [4]Game nights lean into the local vibe—theme nights, giveaways, and food vendors keep it family-friendly around the diamond. [5] As a collegiate summer club, the Shrimp give college players a pro-style, wood-bat environment. [2]
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StoryWho the Pistol Shrimp are: Peru’s Prospect League club, home at Schweickert Stadium
Founded in 2019, the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp compete in the Prospect League’s Western Conference, Northwest Division as a collegiate wood‑bat club [2][4]. Home games are staged at Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park, 2600 Plank Road in Peru, putting fans close to the field [1][6].The ballpark’s seating is around 575, keeping the atmosphere tight and lively [4]. The organization operates as Pistol Shrimp Baseball, LLC in the Illinois Valley area [3]. For schedules, rosters, and stats, supporters can turn to the team’s site and the league’s hub throughout the summer [5][2].
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StoryPistol Shrimp reveal 2026 schedule, early slate brings 3–0 vs Clinton and a 10–8 battle at Springfield
The Pistol Shrimp unveiled their 2026 Prospect League slate on December 18, 2025, setting a summer run of divisional matchups across Illinois and the region [1][2]. The schedule shows a 3–0 win over the Clinton LumberKings on May 26 and a setback against Quincy on May 27 [2].On May 30 in Springfield, Illinois Valley pushed across eight runs but fell 10–8 to the Lucky Horseshoes; the box score logged five hits for the Shrimp in a back-and-forth finish [3]. Fans can track dates and results as the summer unfolds on the team’s schedule hub [2].