C.I.G.S. Shootout
(5/8/10)
The Decision
The message boards at www.illinoishighschoolsports.com are a great place to find information on teams statewide, and I use it as a tool to find various tournaments and shootouts for all sports. The website came in handy last week, as I learned of a solid field of softball teams in Decatur. The Central Illinois Girls Softball League hosted two weeks of some of the best teams statewide, at a complex off of Route 51 featuring five diamonds.
Admittedly, had I known the forecast a week ahead of time, I may not have made the 3-hour trek to Decatur to brave the elements. I have always admitted to being a fair weather fan during the spring sports season, and fortunately the weather has been more than fair in 2010. With days of announcing I would head over to catch these teams, and some preparation done days in advance, I certainly wasn't going to back out due to my disliking of a little cold weather.
It was an early morning wakeup call, to head into work, covering the short Saturday morning shift. The alarm rang at 4:30 a.m. and a little weary even after my 16 oz. coffee, I was ready to rule the day.
The Trip Down
My plan of attack was to leave the radio station at, or shortly after 8:00 a.m. from Monmouth. That should put me at the Borg-Warner Complex in Decatur for the final innings of the 10:00 games. Garmin and I have had some disagreements over the past two years, and the GPS device has almost been thrown out the window on numerous trips. It appeared as though I outsmarted the device this morning, when missing my exit onto I-155 at Morton. I heard the lady scold, "recalculating" before I knew what I had done. Looking over at the unit, I actually shaved 6 minutes off of my trip by "missing my exit". My new route would take me to Bloomington-Normal, and down Route 51.
Driving through the twin cities, I passed Normal West High School. Glancing over, I noticed the Wildcats softball team was out on the diamond, in what appeared to be warming up for a 10:00 game. I knew I was going to miss a majority of the first games in Decatur, so I made a rash decision by getting off at Normal, and getting a little bit of video of the undefeated Wildcats softball team.
I pulled into the parking lot at the school, near the tennis courts, and made the long walk down to the softball diamonds. There was only one team on the field, and it didn't look like the varsity. I asked a couple walking down behind me if this was the softball diamonds, and they said it was the JV team out there, and thought the varsity must be on the road. So much for my Normal West video, I decided to get back on the road.
It had been a while since I had any fluids, so I stopped off in Maroa at the Casey's to grab a water, and take a restroom break. Inside, I used the Xlerator, a hand drying device that nearly blew the skin right off of the bone. It sure did the trick, unlike most machines, but I still prefer good old fashioned paper towels.
This was my first time driving through Maroa, and later Forsyth. Maroa-Forsyth High School is located right on the highway. I found it funny that Maroa is home to the high school, while Forsyth (pop. 3,000+) is home to many fast food joints, Menards, Lowe's, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc. Forsyth sits right on the border of Decatur, and seems almost like a twin cities.
Garmin Dilemma Part II
My first issue with Garmin, ended up in my favor, by cutting 6 minutes off my drive time, by "outsmarting" it by missing my turn. However, I put back on plenty of time with my diversion to Normal West, and the stop in Maroa. I didn't have an exact address to the Borg-Warner Complex, however I did notice it was right off of the highway I was coming in on. I had Garmin direct me to the intersection, but it didn't.
As I crossed Lake Decatur, it had me turning off of Route 51. I found this a little odd, but decided it was the one with a map, not me. Winding through for a mile or two, it had me turn into a cul-de-sac. I didn't know it was at first, so I hesitantly turned in. It took me nowhere. In fact, I was clearly several miles from the complex, and Lake Decatur was about to swallow my Garmin.
I angrily proceeded back to the highway, and knew that I had to get to Route 51 south, and i should run into the diamonds. I certainly did, without any further help from Garmin.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game(s)
Only three games were played at 10:00, instead of the scheduled four games. There were some teams backing out this week. Marion bowed out, and Paxton-Buckley-Loda filled that spot, while Casey-Westfield decided not to participate this weekend. Sterling/Danville Schlarman and Shelbyville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm had already finished when I parked, and gathered my things.
I headed over to the main diamond, where Coal City had just defeated Maroa-Forsyth, 2-0. I walked over the premises at the complex, then made my way back to the car and ate some lunch that I had packed. For once in my day-long trips covering games, I decided to pack a cooler, instead of feasting on fast food all day. My snacks included a couple peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, a baggy of cereal, and a banana. I'm very simple when it comes to the kitchen, and I certainly define the bachelor diet.
The noon game on the main diamond was the matchup I was really waiting to see. Coal City vs. Shelbyville. The Coalers came into the weekend, (25-0), and had just beat Maroa-Forsyth. Shelbyville is one of the top teams in the central Illinois area. The Coalers scored three runs in the first inning, and that's all they would need in a 6-0 victory. I took in most of this game, but also headed over to the other diamond and watched the Danville Schlarman/Maroa-Forsyth game. Schlarman would win the sloppy game, 18-8.
After the Coal City/Shelbyville game I tracked down Coalers coach Brad Schmitt and pitcher Kirsten Verdun for video interviews. They will be posted online at www.ihssn.net this week. Verdun is headed to DePaul on a softball scholarship and is interested in a career in communications/media. She did mention to me that she wants to be more behind the scenes, as she was a little camera shy at the mention of the video interview, but did a fantastic job.
Despite an off-game, Maroa-Forsyth sports a (22-4) record, and has played some very tough competition this year. I found Trojans coach Phil Applebee, and conducted a video interview with him to discuss this year's team and the postseason outlook. I also talked with two of his seniors, Rachel England and Carmen Hatton, and junior Kim Lemar.
There was another break in action before the 2:00 game, a single game featuring Sterling against Paxton-Buckley-Loda. Before the game started, I headed back to the vehicle and logged onto the 'net for a few minutes, and jotted down some notes, and organized some stats and rosters that coaches had sent me earlier in the week. This was also an excuse to get out of the cold.
The Weather Report
Throughout the day, temperatures probably ranged from the upper-40's to the low-to-mid-50's. It was also cloudy, and very windy. Wind gusts blew straight in from the west, steadily at 20 miles/hour, more or less at various times during the day. The sun attempted to shine through the clouds on a few occasions, but never longer than a minute. After about an hour in the weather, I found my gloves in the backseat. During my first bout with standing in the cold, I had thought that, when cleaning out my car several weeks ago, I had summerized by throwing my stocking hat and gloves in the closet for next year. Fortunately, I had not. I staved off the stocking hat, but opted for gloves. Normally, my ears are very sensitive to the cold weather, but oddly enough, did not bother me at all today.
Game Time
Since Casey-Westfield had bowed out, that left just one game at 2:00. Georgetown-Ridge Farm was left without an opponent, so they had a long layoff, playing a 10:00 game, and not again until 4:00.
Sophomore Ashli King hit an RBI double into left field of the main diamond to give Sterling a 2-1 lead over Paxton-Buckley-Loda. The ball went beyond the inner fence, and rolling to the permanent fence, making it a ground-rule double. The Golden Warriors tacked on a few more runs, and won the game, 6-1.
Another break in action, gave me time to warm up again, and this time I phoned my parents to alert them I would be driving up tonight, instead of Sunday. After figuring the mileage to drive home, then up to Annawan on Sunday, I would just save almost 200 miles of road time by heading up after the games.
There were three games in the final session. Danville Schlarman played Coal City on the main diamond, with Shelbyville and Sterling playing just beyond the main diamond, and Georgetown-Ridge Farm meeting Paxton-Buckley-Loda on what I called the "Dr. Pepper" diamond, because it had a Dr. Pepper banner on the fence behind home plate.
I staked out the Coal City/Schlarman game, but was strategically placed near the Schlarman dugout so I could turn my head and peek into the Shelbyville/Sterling game. This actually benefitted me on a few occasions, able to get video in crucial game situations.
I bounced back and forth in the first inning to each of the three diamonds, which was an even better effort of warming up, then sitting in the car. I only took one video from the P-B-L/G-RF game, and that was five runs scored by PBL in the first inning. After that, I balanced my time between the other two games, but did walk over to that game a couple times to get score updates. Paxton-Buckley-Loda pulled out the, 15-9 win, and was actually the last game of the three to go final.
Sterling scored one run in the first inning of their game, and it was caught on video. The Rams would tie the game in the 6th inning. Over on the main diamond, the Coalers scored a couple runs throughout the game, and would beat Schlarman, 3-0. IHSSN caught some great video of the Coal City left fielder diving and catching a fly ball.
The Sterling/Shelbyville game went into extra innings, and the international tie-breaker was used, with each team getting a runner on 2nd base to start the frame. In the top of the 9th inning, Sterling had a baserunner get to 3rd base on a dropped third strike. The runner would get caught in a rundown in the basepath, and had a hard run-in with Shelbyville pitcher Grace Moll, who appeared to be pretty upset with the contact. Moll would get the last laugh in the bottom of the 9th inning with an RBI double that scored Cinnae Martin to win the game, 2-1. I had a brief conversation with Grace's father, Tim after the game, to make sure I had the names accurate from the Rams. I also talked with a representative from the Central Illinois Girls Softball League, and he told me that next year, they will host a 20-team tournament. Hopefully, I can clear the weekend for that.
The Long Drive Home
After a 12-hour workday, and being awake 14 hours, I wasn't looking forward to a 2.5 hour drive. I had contemplated on stopping at McDonalds for a double cheeseburger, and a coffee, but opted against that.
Driving down Route 51 (cautiously taking Garmin's directions), I nearly had an accident with a pickup truck, not three miles from the softball complex. Cruising down the four lanes at 65 miles/hour, a truck pulled into the southbound lanes (where I was traveling in the far right lane). Instead of pulling into the proper (left) lane, he pulled all the way over, and I had to slam on my brakes (left marks) and drive onto the shoulder to avoid contact. The only time I use the horn in my vehicle, is to honk at friends, and don't use it in these situations. Maybe it was the long day that had me so irritated, but I blared the horn, as I picked up everything that was spewed onto the floorboards. In fact, I missed my exit, because the Garmin was thrown onto the floor near the gas pedal.
I traveled several miles of two lane highway, which I enjoy. In fact, this was a stretch of road that I had never driven on. The first landmark I witnessed was in Latham, Illinois. I passed by the Korn Krib, a rustic looking wood restaurant sandwiched between....yup, you guessed it...two corn cribs. Just down the road, I drove through Mt. Pulaski, known for their high school volleyball success. What I didn't know about the town, was that it was home to John Schlitt. John who? John was the lead singer of Head East, the band that has the popular 1978 song, "Since You Been Gone". John was actually kicked out of the band in 1980, after struggling with a drug habit, but reformed, and joined the Christian-rock band, Petra.
Driving up I-155, I saw a sign for the exit to San Jose. It's pronounced, San Joe's, not like the city in California. I have two memories of the small town. The first was when I got lost heading to Bloomington/Normal on route 136, and had to use a pay phone at the Casey's in town. A couple years later, I was invited to speak at the San Jose Alumni Banquet, due to my work for the Illinois High School Glory Days website (www.illinoishsglorydays.com).
Outside of hearing non-stop Taylor Swift on the pop stations, one song stood out. I heard "Alejandro" by Lady Gaga a few times, and I feel this will be the big song for the summer of 2010.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Queens For the Day: How the Princesses Calmed the Red Storm
Princeville @ United (Softball)
(5/6/10)
WRAM Game of the Week/Field Dedication
Seed Debate Part II. Two days after talking seeds with Abingdon baseball coach Joe Nichols at the ROWVA/Stark County game, I followed his lead and bought a bag of nacho cheese sunflower seeds before the WRAM Game of the Week at United High School. It was a tough decision, with BP Triple E in Monmouth selling the nacho cheese and jalapeno seeds, along with the common flavors. In the end, I went nacho cheese. Heading out to the diamond, I tossed a handful in my mouth, and started to savor the flavor...or lack thereof. Honestly, I wasn't too impressed with the first few seeds, but thought it was a getting used to process. I tossed a couple handfuls on the short drive, and the flavor never came to me. A day later, I am ready to toss out the nacho cheese, and dive in to a bag of jalapeno seeds, a flavor endorsed by RobISU on several occasions. Check Rob out, at www.twitter.com/robisu.
Speaking of Twitter, I write this on Friday, and I am not too involved with Twitter, but try. Apparently there is a "Friday Follow", that has died down amongst my followers in recent months. Anyway, it is basically a shout out, so some of the tweeters that I converse back and forth with, or follow regularly are the following. www.twitter.com/goomlah, www.twitter.com/Nothinbutsports, www.twitter.com/ChrisDuerr, and www.twitter.com/myfoxillinois. There are many others at times, but they escape my mind at this time.
United softball fell to a Class 1A team the night before, a 1-0 loss to North Fulton in Fairview. This is the first loss to a 1A team this season, with the most recent 1A loss in last year's 19-inning state championship game.
Today was Dedication Day at UHS. The new softball field is being dedicated, and the three Red Storm seniors also honored (Alex Fell, Sommer Foster, and Kaitlyn Winkler). United Athletic Director Tony Kozelichki stopped by the radio station earlier in the afternoon to make sure I had everything I needed, and ran down the festivities for the afternoon.
I made sure to get there early, not knowing what to expect, really. It was about 3:15 when I pulled in. Princeville was already at the field, and the Red Storm were going through calistenics. Brand new banners were placed out on the left field wall, designating United's conference, regional, and sectional championships, along with the state championship appearances.
Red Storm head coach Gary Eyler greeted me as I unpacked my Explorer. He was generous enough once again to provide the press box for the broadcast....the bed of his pickup truck, parked behind the fence at home plate.
The gear was sat down, and I held off set up, to go talk with Princeville head coach Ron Williams. We chit-chatted while he filled out his lineup card. One thing I love most about covering sports, and interviewing coaches and players, are the stories that don't get printed.
Sometimes a routine question can be answered very generic, while others open up interesting stories. When I asked Coach Williams when he started coaching the Princesses, I expected to just get a year back in response. Well, I did, but it also unveiled a very interesting story into the high school softball coaching career of Williams.
He answered, "2002". It followed with quite a story. The previous coach was taking a one-year leave of absence after the birth of her child. A few people came to Williams, who coaches softball in the summer, asking if he would coach for a season. Williams said he farms, and spring is a bad time to be coaching, since he needs to be in the field. He agreed to coach the team....on one condition. Those guys needed to find people to do his farming, when he is busy with the team. They agreed. After the season, the original coach turned in her resignation, and the guys approached Williams again. He agreed, as long as his farming got done. After that, he became a regular. After telling me the story, he looked up at me, as he finished writing out his lineup for the afternoon, and with an almost voice of concern stated, "I should really be in the field today, I haven't planted all my corn yet."
Williams and I also discussed the weather this spring has brought. At this stage of the season, I have become interested in the scheduling by each coach. I have known some to overschedule, to the tune of 40+ games, due to the early rainouts, or in some cases, snow days. He said Princeville has only been postponed once, their conference doubleheader against West Central, which will be made up next Monday.
After getting the lineup from Princeville, I walked over to the United dugout, where coach Jeff "Fluff" Tyrell and sophomore coach Hannah Baker were, and also delivering their copy of the Princeville lineup card. Fluff told me that Katie Bertelsen was, "feeling really good today." Bertelsen was pretty sick last Monday at Moline, and missed the following game against Annawan/Wethersfield. She had been feeling really down for the better park of a week. I asked about the loss the night before, and he responded that the team is really tired. Last week, they played five games, and this was the third game in three days this week.
It was 4:00, so I wanted to make sure I could call to the station. Sometimes I have trouble with our Cellcaster unit, and I always take precautions, by calling early to establish the connection, and of course, bringing the backup equipment. It took a few times, and I actually ran back to my vehicle to get the other bag of equipment, but established a connection just before I was about to give up.
After getting through, I just had to patiently wait for the start of the dedication ceremony. I should have taken the wireless microphone, but I am still pretty green on using it. None of my color commentators are the type to head out in the stands to interview people, so it wouldn't come in handy too often.
Just before go-time, Scott Spitzer walked over and chatted for a moment. He takes pictures at all of the athletic events. He took a great shot of Sam Brooks and I, and delivered an 8x10 copy for me to the radio station.
Just before I went on the air, Coach Williams came up to me with a lineup change. Apparently, one of his players broke a team rule, and it sounded like it was cell phone use, so there was a scratch to the lineup. The dedication ceremony took place, with several volunteers and financial donors being recognized, as well as the team. Coach Eyler threw out the first pitch. The dedication and first pitch video can be seen online at www.ihssn.net.
True to form, Bertelsen looked like she was feeling good, facing Breanna Gardner to lead off the game. After taking two strikes, that just painted the outside corner, Bertelsen went inside....but a little too much, and beaned the leadoff hitter in the right thigh. Bertelsen then sat down Josie Weber and Bethany Dorrington on strikeouts, after Gardner was tagged for the first out attempting to steal second. In following frames, Bertelsen struck out, Taylor Speckhart, Alivia Stoller, Sam Remmert, Melissa Storm, Caitlyn Godfrey, and Moira Dwyer....8 straight strikeouts.
The string of strikeouts was snapped in the 4th inning, with Gardner leading off. Bertelsen, ahead in the count, let one loose, and this time beaned Gardner in the left thigh. Again, she was tagged out attempting to steal second. In all, Bertelsen struck out 16 batters, and allowed just four baserunners. The only run came in the 6th inning, with Melissa Storm crushing a home run over the rightfield fence. Josie Weber had a base hit in the 7th inning, of the 1-0 Princeville victory.
United was able to muster up just three hits against Princeville starter Molly Gilroy. In all, the Red Storm had four baserunners, and they all reached scoring position. In fact, three of the four made it to 3rd base, before getting stranded. Bertelsen had the first hit, a double in the 2nd inning. Her courtesy runner, Michelle Ravel, advanced to third on a passed ball. The next baserunner was Ashlynn Winkler, who hit a single in the 3rd inning, and moved to 2nd base on Megan Patterson's bunt down the 3rd base line. Gina Long, then walked with the one out. Each runner moved over on a passed ball, and were in scoring position with one out, before a strikeout and lineout ended the inning. The only other United scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the 6th inning. Sommer Foster had a single, stole 2nd, and moved to 3rd on the throw to second that got a way and rolled into rightfield. With three outs in the 7th inning and trailing by a run, the Red Storm went down, 1-2-3.
The loss marked their second in as many days. This is the first losing streak the Red Storm softball team has seen since 2007. United is now (21-5) on the season, and each and every one of their losses has been by just one run. Katie Bertelsen has moved up to 1,122 strikeouts in her career, which puts her 13th all-time. She is averaging 12.34 strikeouts/game in 23 starts this year. United has four games remaining, a doubleheader at Stark County, and non-conference games against Kewanee, and finishing the season with state-ranked Illini Bluffs next Saturday in Glasford.
(5/6/10)
WRAM Game of the Week/Field Dedication
Seed Debate Part II. Two days after talking seeds with Abingdon baseball coach Joe Nichols at the ROWVA/Stark County game, I followed his lead and bought a bag of nacho cheese sunflower seeds before the WRAM Game of the Week at United High School. It was a tough decision, with BP Triple E in Monmouth selling the nacho cheese and jalapeno seeds, along with the common flavors. In the end, I went nacho cheese. Heading out to the diamond, I tossed a handful in my mouth, and started to savor the flavor...or lack thereof. Honestly, I wasn't too impressed with the first few seeds, but thought it was a getting used to process. I tossed a couple handfuls on the short drive, and the flavor never came to me. A day later, I am ready to toss out the nacho cheese, and dive in to a bag of jalapeno seeds, a flavor endorsed by RobISU on several occasions. Check Rob out, at www.twitter.com/robisu.
Speaking of Twitter, I write this on Friday, and I am not too involved with Twitter, but try. Apparently there is a "Friday Follow", that has died down amongst my followers in recent months. Anyway, it is basically a shout out, so some of the tweeters that I converse back and forth with, or follow regularly are the following. www.twitter.com/goomlah, www.twitter.com/Nothinbutsports, www.twitter.com/ChrisDuerr, and www.twitter.com/myfoxillinois. There are many others at times, but they escape my mind at this time.
United softball fell to a Class 1A team the night before, a 1-0 loss to North Fulton in Fairview. This is the first loss to a 1A team this season, with the most recent 1A loss in last year's 19-inning state championship game.
Today was Dedication Day at UHS. The new softball field is being dedicated, and the three Red Storm seniors also honored (Alex Fell, Sommer Foster, and Kaitlyn Winkler). United Athletic Director Tony Kozelichki stopped by the radio station earlier in the afternoon to make sure I had everything I needed, and ran down the festivities for the afternoon.
I made sure to get there early, not knowing what to expect, really. It was about 3:15 when I pulled in. Princeville was already at the field, and the Red Storm were going through calistenics. Brand new banners were placed out on the left field wall, designating United's conference, regional, and sectional championships, along with the state championship appearances.
Red Storm head coach Gary Eyler greeted me as I unpacked my Explorer. He was generous enough once again to provide the press box for the broadcast....the bed of his pickup truck, parked behind the fence at home plate.
The gear was sat down, and I held off set up, to go talk with Princeville head coach Ron Williams. We chit-chatted while he filled out his lineup card. One thing I love most about covering sports, and interviewing coaches and players, are the stories that don't get printed.
Sometimes a routine question can be answered very generic, while others open up interesting stories. When I asked Coach Williams when he started coaching the Princesses, I expected to just get a year back in response. Well, I did, but it also unveiled a very interesting story into the high school softball coaching career of Williams.
He answered, "2002". It followed with quite a story. The previous coach was taking a one-year leave of absence after the birth of her child. A few people came to Williams, who coaches softball in the summer, asking if he would coach for a season. Williams said he farms, and spring is a bad time to be coaching, since he needs to be in the field. He agreed to coach the team....on one condition. Those guys needed to find people to do his farming, when he is busy with the team. They agreed. After the season, the original coach turned in her resignation, and the guys approached Williams again. He agreed, as long as his farming got done. After that, he became a regular. After telling me the story, he looked up at me, as he finished writing out his lineup for the afternoon, and with an almost voice of concern stated, "I should really be in the field today, I haven't planted all my corn yet."
Williams and I also discussed the weather this spring has brought. At this stage of the season, I have become interested in the scheduling by each coach. I have known some to overschedule, to the tune of 40+ games, due to the early rainouts, or in some cases, snow days. He said Princeville has only been postponed once, their conference doubleheader against West Central, which will be made up next Monday.
After getting the lineup from Princeville, I walked over to the United dugout, where coach Jeff "Fluff" Tyrell and sophomore coach Hannah Baker were, and also delivering their copy of the Princeville lineup card. Fluff told me that Katie Bertelsen was, "feeling really good today." Bertelsen was pretty sick last Monday at Moline, and missed the following game against Annawan/Wethersfield. She had been feeling really down for the better park of a week. I asked about the loss the night before, and he responded that the team is really tired. Last week, they played five games, and this was the third game in three days this week.
It was 4:00, so I wanted to make sure I could call to the station. Sometimes I have trouble with our Cellcaster unit, and I always take precautions, by calling early to establish the connection, and of course, bringing the backup equipment. It took a few times, and I actually ran back to my vehicle to get the other bag of equipment, but established a connection just before I was about to give up.
After getting through, I just had to patiently wait for the start of the dedication ceremony. I should have taken the wireless microphone, but I am still pretty green on using it. None of my color commentators are the type to head out in the stands to interview people, so it wouldn't come in handy too often.
Just before go-time, Scott Spitzer walked over and chatted for a moment. He takes pictures at all of the athletic events. He took a great shot of Sam Brooks and I, and delivered an 8x10 copy for me to the radio station.
Just before I went on the air, Coach Williams came up to me with a lineup change. Apparently, one of his players broke a team rule, and it sounded like it was cell phone use, so there was a scratch to the lineup. The dedication ceremony took place, with several volunteers and financial donors being recognized, as well as the team. Coach Eyler threw out the first pitch. The dedication and first pitch video can be seen online at www.ihssn.net.
True to form, Bertelsen looked like she was feeling good, facing Breanna Gardner to lead off the game. After taking two strikes, that just painted the outside corner, Bertelsen went inside....but a little too much, and beaned the leadoff hitter in the right thigh. Bertelsen then sat down Josie Weber and Bethany Dorrington on strikeouts, after Gardner was tagged for the first out attempting to steal second. In following frames, Bertelsen struck out, Taylor Speckhart, Alivia Stoller, Sam Remmert, Melissa Storm, Caitlyn Godfrey, and Moira Dwyer....8 straight strikeouts.
The string of strikeouts was snapped in the 4th inning, with Gardner leading off. Bertelsen, ahead in the count, let one loose, and this time beaned Gardner in the left thigh. Again, she was tagged out attempting to steal second. In all, Bertelsen struck out 16 batters, and allowed just four baserunners. The only run came in the 6th inning, with Melissa Storm crushing a home run over the rightfield fence. Josie Weber had a base hit in the 7th inning, of the 1-0 Princeville victory.
United was able to muster up just three hits against Princeville starter Molly Gilroy. In all, the Red Storm had four baserunners, and they all reached scoring position. In fact, three of the four made it to 3rd base, before getting stranded. Bertelsen had the first hit, a double in the 2nd inning. Her courtesy runner, Michelle Ravel, advanced to third on a passed ball. The next baserunner was Ashlynn Winkler, who hit a single in the 3rd inning, and moved to 2nd base on Megan Patterson's bunt down the 3rd base line. Gina Long, then walked with the one out. Each runner moved over on a passed ball, and were in scoring position with one out, before a strikeout and lineout ended the inning. The only other United scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the 6th inning. Sommer Foster had a single, stole 2nd, and moved to 3rd on the throw to second that got a way and rolled into rightfield. With three outs in the 7th inning and trailing by a run, the Red Storm went down, 1-2-3.
The loss marked their second in as many days. This is the first losing streak the Red Storm softball team has seen since 2007. United is now (21-5) on the season, and each and every one of their losses has been by just one run. Katie Bertelsen has moved up to 1,122 strikeouts in her career, which puts her 13th all-time. She is averaging 12.34 strikeouts/game in 23 starts this year. United has four games remaining, a doubleheader at Stark County, and non-conference games against Kewanee, and finishing the season with state-ranked Illini Bluffs next Saturday in Glasford.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Seeds and Baseball: Stark County @ ROWVA
Stark County @ ROWVA (Baseball)
(5/4/10)
A great conversation was held in Oneida on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon during the ROWVA/Stark County Lincoln Trail Conference baseball game. I walked to the bleachers behind home plate, as the game just began, and saw my buddy Joe Nichols (Abingdon baseball coach) sitting there.
Throughout the contest, we chatted about numerous things, but the one thing that sticks out was our discussion on sunflower seeds. Seeds and baseball go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly, bread and butter, and....well you get the point. There is always a bag of seeds in my car, beginning at the time of year I can roll my windows down, as to not use a spitter, or as it happens on many occasions, my floorboards.
Personally, I have a taste for all flavors of seeds. This season, I have gone through two bags of barbecue, and a bag of ranch. My favorite varies, depending on which bag I have had more, in turn acquring a bland taste for the most common.
I asked Joe what flavor, and he went with the original. He says it's his choice for sunflower seeds, and the "craziest" he gets is barbecue. I shared my opinions, and then we talked about other flavors. In stores, the most popular, or stocked, are the original, barbecue, and ranch. Once in a while you see a nacho cheese and jalapeno.
Jalapeno is a flavor I've never tried, commenting that I am normally not a spicy eater, though have built up a taste lately. Joe mentioned that nacho cheese is pretty good, another flavor that will be placed on my list. It just so happens that my latest bag (the 2nd barbecue) is almost empty, so I will certainly need to stock one of these latter flavors for my travels this weekend.
Nichols was in attendance for this game, as his Commandoes has ROWVA coming up on the schedule, and is also set to face Stark County during the final week of the regular season. You may remember Nichols as the mastermind behind the video gold punked prank on his shortstop, Brandon Harroun, earlier this year. That prank was guided by Brad Siedel, who smeared shaving cream in Harroun's face during our video interview, ala Major League Baseball pranks on rookies.
The Tigers had just clinched the Lincoln Trail Conference title in their previous game, and entered this league matchup, (21-3, 14-0). ROWVA has won the last four LTC championships. They scored twice in the 1st inning off Stark County starter Ky Paxson. After the Rebels committed two errors, and Paxson issued a walk, the Rebels held an infield conference at the mound, down 2-0 with 0 outs.
Coming out of that timeout worked, as Paxson sat the following three batters down, all via strikeouts. He finished with 6 strikeouts, but 10 walks in 3 innings. In fact, ROWVA had 12 baserunners into the 4th inning, with just one hit.
ROWVA added another run in the 2nd inning, to take a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd inning, Stark County loaded the bases with two outs, but Tigers starter Tyler Martin had a strikeout to end the inning, and Stark County stranded the bases loaded.
Three more runs were added in the 3rd by ROWVA. Three walks were issued in the frame, along with two errors, a single, and fielder's choice. The hosts led 6-0 through 3 innings. ROWVA poured on five more runs in the 4th inning, this time getting some hits, in favor of walks and errors. In the inning, ROWVA had four hits, and three walks, to jump out on top, 11-0.
The Rebels wanted to avoide the ten-run rule in the top of the 5th inning, plating two runs to make it a nine-run game. Trevor McCarthy led off the bottom of the 5th inning with a double. He would advance to third base on a fielder's choice, then score the game-ender on a wild pitch, to give ROWVA the 12-2 win in 5 innings. Matt Shepherd led the Tigers offense with two hits, and 3 RBI, and Martin was the winning pitcher.
After the game, I tracked down head coach John Clark for a video interview. One of the most difficult interviews, as I battled a barking dog, buffalo gnats, and a very loud train. In fact, I couldn't hear what Coach Clark was saying, I was just reading his lips to make sure he wasn't done talking. Afterwards, we found senior shortstop Trevor McCarthy. He will be headed to Olney Central College on a baseball scholarship.
Driving out of Oneida, I passed Amy's Pantry. Normally, I don't even look twice at marquee signs with the clever sayings, anymore, since every business and church seems to be taking the comical route. This one tickled my funny bone at the Oneida convenience store. The sign out front read, "My boss told me to change the sign........so I did." Good one!
Heading through Galesburg, and a stop at Casey's in Abingdon for gas, I drove down Route 41. I heard a few ROWVA fans in the bleachers talking about Club 41, in St. Augustine. The Tigers played in Bushnell the night before, and a few fans made the stop at the dining establishment known for their wonderful onion rings. Even driving through town at 40-45 miles/hour, the smell of onion rings grabbed my attention, and made that stomach crave some fried food.
(5/4/10)
A great conversation was held in Oneida on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon during the ROWVA/Stark County Lincoln Trail Conference baseball game. I walked to the bleachers behind home plate, as the game just began, and saw my buddy Joe Nichols (Abingdon baseball coach) sitting there.
Throughout the contest, we chatted about numerous things, but the one thing that sticks out was our discussion on sunflower seeds. Seeds and baseball go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly, bread and butter, and....well you get the point. There is always a bag of seeds in my car, beginning at the time of year I can roll my windows down, as to not use a spitter, or as it happens on many occasions, my floorboards.
Personally, I have a taste for all flavors of seeds. This season, I have gone through two bags of barbecue, and a bag of ranch. My favorite varies, depending on which bag I have had more, in turn acquring a bland taste for the most common.
I asked Joe what flavor, and he went with the original. He says it's his choice for sunflower seeds, and the "craziest" he gets is barbecue. I shared my opinions, and then we talked about other flavors. In stores, the most popular, or stocked, are the original, barbecue, and ranch. Once in a while you see a nacho cheese and jalapeno.
Jalapeno is a flavor I've never tried, commenting that I am normally not a spicy eater, though have built up a taste lately. Joe mentioned that nacho cheese is pretty good, another flavor that will be placed on my list. It just so happens that my latest bag (the 2nd barbecue) is almost empty, so I will certainly need to stock one of these latter flavors for my travels this weekend.
Nichols was in attendance for this game, as his Commandoes has ROWVA coming up on the schedule, and is also set to face Stark County during the final week of the regular season. You may remember Nichols as the mastermind behind the video gold punked prank on his shortstop, Brandon Harroun, earlier this year. That prank was guided by Brad Siedel, who smeared shaving cream in Harroun's face during our video interview, ala Major League Baseball pranks on rookies.
The Tigers had just clinched the Lincoln Trail Conference title in their previous game, and entered this league matchup, (21-3, 14-0). ROWVA has won the last four LTC championships. They scored twice in the 1st inning off Stark County starter Ky Paxson. After the Rebels committed two errors, and Paxson issued a walk, the Rebels held an infield conference at the mound, down 2-0 with 0 outs.
Coming out of that timeout worked, as Paxson sat the following three batters down, all via strikeouts. He finished with 6 strikeouts, but 10 walks in 3 innings. In fact, ROWVA had 12 baserunners into the 4th inning, with just one hit.
ROWVA added another run in the 2nd inning, to take a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd inning, Stark County loaded the bases with two outs, but Tigers starter Tyler Martin had a strikeout to end the inning, and Stark County stranded the bases loaded.
Three more runs were added in the 3rd by ROWVA. Three walks were issued in the frame, along with two errors, a single, and fielder's choice. The hosts led 6-0 through 3 innings. ROWVA poured on five more runs in the 4th inning, this time getting some hits, in favor of walks and errors. In the inning, ROWVA had four hits, and three walks, to jump out on top, 11-0.
The Rebels wanted to avoide the ten-run rule in the top of the 5th inning, plating two runs to make it a nine-run game. Trevor McCarthy led off the bottom of the 5th inning with a double. He would advance to third base on a fielder's choice, then score the game-ender on a wild pitch, to give ROWVA the 12-2 win in 5 innings. Matt Shepherd led the Tigers offense with two hits, and 3 RBI, and Martin was the winning pitcher.
After the game, I tracked down head coach John Clark for a video interview. One of the most difficult interviews, as I battled a barking dog, buffalo gnats, and a very loud train. In fact, I couldn't hear what Coach Clark was saying, I was just reading his lips to make sure he wasn't done talking. Afterwards, we found senior shortstop Trevor McCarthy. He will be headed to Olney Central College on a baseball scholarship.
Driving out of Oneida, I passed Amy's Pantry. Normally, I don't even look twice at marquee signs with the clever sayings, anymore, since every business and church seems to be taking the comical route. This one tickled my funny bone at the Oneida convenience store. The sign out front read, "My boss told me to change the sign........so I did." Good one!
Heading through Galesburg, and a stop at Casey's in Abingdon for gas, I drove down Route 41. I heard a few ROWVA fans in the bleachers talking about Club 41, in St. Augustine. The Tigers played in Bushnell the night before, and a few fans made the stop at the dining establishment known for their wonderful onion rings. Even driving through town at 40-45 miles/hour, the smell of onion rings grabbed my attention, and made that stomach crave some fried food.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thinking Zebra: Quincy @ Macomb Softball Benefit Game
Quincy @ Macomb (Softball)
(5/3/10)
"Think Zebra" Benefit Softball Game
The "Think Zebra" benefit softball game was a fundraiser months in the working. I first heard about it in early April, when I contacted Macomb softball coach Steve Horrell about broadcasting a game or two.
Steve told me about a "Zebra" game they would be playing, a benefit for Primary Immunodeficiency. The Lady Bombers would be wearing special zebra uniforms. The benefit was to help raise funds for the disease that one of their own battles. Emma Bozarth is a freshman on the softball team, and has to go through four shots each and every week. Her drug company funded the special zebra uniforms, consisting of a jersey and hat.
The "Think Zebra" motto was developed, in response to what medial students learn, "when a hoof beats, think horses not zebras." The Immune Defiency Foundation says that PIDD patients are the zebras of the medical world, hence Think Zebra.
Upon hearing of this game, I kept in constant contact with Emma's family, to help them raise awareness through the media, and using my media contacts in the area, along with Quincy, since the Blue Devils from the Gem City would be visiting. Silent auction items were also raised, with some great stuff coming in, including autographed memorabilia from Michael Jordan, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach, and Jennie Finch. In total, the benefit raised $1,158.50. Talks are already underway for next year's benefit, which could include a special guest!
With the varsity game beginning at 4:00, it was going to be really tight getting my Monday work duties in, and getting to the field on time to set up. The broadcast setup for softball at MHS is a table in the dugout. After a couple meetings at work, and getting everything done at the last possible minute, I grabbed a table and long extension cord and made the trip down Route 67.
It was about 3:15 when I pulled into the Macomb High School parking lot, with both teams on the field warming up. With a lot of setup, and not much time, I quickly unpacked. With 100 feet of extension cord, I thought I would have enough, along with my own 20 feet of my own. Stringing the 100 feet from the scoreboard in leftfield down the fence, and adding my 20 feet was still about 10 feet short. Instead of cramping the quarters in the dugout, I set the table just outside the dugout. Plus, it was a great place to catch some sun.
One problem was the wind, as it can be often times during the spring. It can give me some real headaches trying to keep stats, without everything blowing around. Today, may have been my worst experience of getting beat by the breeze.
Jeff Jones, Emma's stepfather, came over after we were set up and gave me a list of the auction items, donors, etc. He was also gracious enough to give me one of the zebra jerseys and hats. He said that he had relatives, and the drug company employees listening into the game from Dallas, Texas, Louisville, Kentucky, and around Illinois.
Emma would not get into the varsity game, so she made an appearance on the broadcast, talking with me during the 2nd inning. Many times, interviewing a student can be very difficult, with short answers. You have to really be prepared for follow-up questions, sort of rapid fire. As a freshman, I was very surprised at how well Emma did. She answered every question like a pro.
Quincy took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, when Laken Frese singled, and later scored. Christina Goehl, the Blue Devils starting pitcher was hit by a pitch, and would score the second run of the inning. Macomb would answer in the bottom of the frame, with Lauren Sims reaching on a base hit. She would advance from first to third on a bunt attempt by Sydni Horrell.
Former Macomb High baseball coach Max Kreps hung out near our broadcast setup, and even bought me a Coca-Cola. Others congregating in our vicinity were Macomb statistician Dan Rouse, McDonough Voice Sports Editor Shelby Burget, and McDonough Voice sports writer Mitch Worley. Speaking of the latter two, here's a much better game recap. http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/sports/x359586235/Lady-Bombers-blasted
Melissa Bracy had a single in the 2nd inning for Quincy, the only base runner by either team in the frame. The Blue Devils plated four runs in the third inning. Goehl led off with a single, followed by a Mariah Hoke base hit, then a Stephanie Wensing RBI double, and an RBI single by Brittany Landwehr. Carlee Clampitt would hit an RBI single in the inning as well, and Quincy took a 6-1 lead through three innings.
It was a ten-run game in the fourth inning. Goehl, again led off with a basehit. Hoke then stepped up and smoked a line drive right into Macomb pitcher Kelsey Carle. It was hit back so hard it was hard to tell where she was hit. Carle took off her glove in a lot of pain. She gloved it in the nick of time, and her glove hand was stinging. She would stay in and face the next two batters before getting pulled, after going 3+ innings.
Freshman Dailea Powell entered to finish the game for the Lady Bombers, after Carle gave up a 2-run single to Landwehr. Clampitt would drive in a run with an RBI single, making the score 11-1. Macomb added two runs in the 4th inning. Lexa Mahr led off the frame with a single, followed by a Karen Hinman hit. Rachel Murphy, Powell, and Kristyn Moore all had hits in the inning. Moore had a 2-run single, that made it 11-3.
The Blue Devils added the two runs back in the 5th inning, with Hoke reaching on a single. She was brought in on a 2-run home run by Wensing. The Lady Bombers only got one base runner in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Chandler Horrell had a single. Quincy would prevail, 13-3.
WGEM-TV out of Quincy did a very nice job, providing some great game highlights during the Monday 10 p.m. news, and Tyler Tomlinson did a feature on Tuesday's 6 p.m. sportscast on Emma Bozarth.
After going off the air with my broadcast partner, Kelly Sears, I packed up and talked to Rouse for several minutes. Dan will be retiring from Western Illinois University in four weeks. He is still counting down weeks, but has an idea on the amount of days left. In retirement, he is going to ramp up his stat keeping for Macomb athletics, along with polishing up the record books he keeps track of. Coach Horrell also came over and chatted for a few minutes.
(5/3/10)
"Think Zebra" Benefit Softball Game
The "Think Zebra" benefit softball game was a fundraiser months in the working. I first heard about it in early April, when I contacted Macomb softball coach Steve Horrell about broadcasting a game or two.
Steve told me about a "Zebra" game they would be playing, a benefit for Primary Immunodeficiency. The Lady Bombers would be wearing special zebra uniforms. The benefit was to help raise funds for the disease that one of their own battles. Emma Bozarth is a freshman on the softball team, and has to go through four shots each and every week. Her drug company funded the special zebra uniforms, consisting of a jersey and hat.
The "Think Zebra" motto was developed, in response to what medial students learn, "when a hoof beats, think horses not zebras." The Immune Defiency Foundation says that PIDD patients are the zebras of the medical world, hence Think Zebra.
Upon hearing of this game, I kept in constant contact with Emma's family, to help them raise awareness through the media, and using my media contacts in the area, along with Quincy, since the Blue Devils from the Gem City would be visiting. Silent auction items were also raised, with some great stuff coming in, including autographed memorabilia from Michael Jordan, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach, and Jennie Finch. In total, the benefit raised $1,158.50. Talks are already underway for next year's benefit, which could include a special guest!
With the varsity game beginning at 4:00, it was going to be really tight getting my Monday work duties in, and getting to the field on time to set up. The broadcast setup for softball at MHS is a table in the dugout. After a couple meetings at work, and getting everything done at the last possible minute, I grabbed a table and long extension cord and made the trip down Route 67.
It was about 3:15 when I pulled into the Macomb High School parking lot, with both teams on the field warming up. With a lot of setup, and not much time, I quickly unpacked. With 100 feet of extension cord, I thought I would have enough, along with my own 20 feet of my own. Stringing the 100 feet from the scoreboard in leftfield down the fence, and adding my 20 feet was still about 10 feet short. Instead of cramping the quarters in the dugout, I set the table just outside the dugout. Plus, it was a great place to catch some sun.
One problem was the wind, as it can be often times during the spring. It can give me some real headaches trying to keep stats, without everything blowing around. Today, may have been my worst experience of getting beat by the breeze.
Jeff Jones, Emma's stepfather, came over after we were set up and gave me a list of the auction items, donors, etc. He was also gracious enough to give me one of the zebra jerseys and hats. He said that he had relatives, and the drug company employees listening into the game from Dallas, Texas, Louisville, Kentucky, and around Illinois.
Emma would not get into the varsity game, so she made an appearance on the broadcast, talking with me during the 2nd inning. Many times, interviewing a student can be very difficult, with short answers. You have to really be prepared for follow-up questions, sort of rapid fire. As a freshman, I was very surprised at how well Emma did. She answered every question like a pro.
Quincy took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, when Laken Frese singled, and later scored. Christina Goehl, the Blue Devils starting pitcher was hit by a pitch, and would score the second run of the inning. Macomb would answer in the bottom of the frame, with Lauren Sims reaching on a base hit. She would advance from first to third on a bunt attempt by Sydni Horrell.
Former Macomb High baseball coach Max Kreps hung out near our broadcast setup, and even bought me a Coca-Cola. Others congregating in our vicinity were Macomb statistician Dan Rouse, McDonough Voice Sports Editor Shelby Burget, and McDonough Voice sports writer Mitch Worley. Speaking of the latter two, here's a much better game recap. http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/sports/x359586235/Lady-Bombers-blasted
Melissa Bracy had a single in the 2nd inning for Quincy, the only base runner by either team in the frame. The Blue Devils plated four runs in the third inning. Goehl led off with a single, followed by a Mariah Hoke base hit, then a Stephanie Wensing RBI double, and an RBI single by Brittany Landwehr. Carlee Clampitt would hit an RBI single in the inning as well, and Quincy took a 6-1 lead through three innings.
It was a ten-run game in the fourth inning. Goehl, again led off with a basehit. Hoke then stepped up and smoked a line drive right into Macomb pitcher Kelsey Carle. It was hit back so hard it was hard to tell where she was hit. Carle took off her glove in a lot of pain. She gloved it in the nick of time, and her glove hand was stinging. She would stay in and face the next two batters before getting pulled, after going 3+ innings.
Freshman Dailea Powell entered to finish the game for the Lady Bombers, after Carle gave up a 2-run single to Landwehr. Clampitt would drive in a run with an RBI single, making the score 11-1. Macomb added two runs in the 4th inning. Lexa Mahr led off the frame with a single, followed by a Karen Hinman hit. Rachel Murphy, Powell, and Kristyn Moore all had hits in the inning. Moore had a 2-run single, that made it 11-3.
The Blue Devils added the two runs back in the 5th inning, with Hoke reaching on a single. She was brought in on a 2-run home run by Wensing. The Lady Bombers only got one base runner in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Chandler Horrell had a single. Quincy would prevail, 13-3.
WGEM-TV out of Quincy did a very nice job, providing some great game highlights during the Monday 10 p.m. news, and Tyler Tomlinson did a feature on Tuesday's 6 p.m. sportscast on Emma Bozarth.
After going off the air with my broadcast partner, Kelly Sears, I packed up and talked to Rouse for several minutes. Dan will be retiring from Western Illinois University in four weeks. He is still counting down weeks, but has an idea on the amount of days left. In retirement, he is going to ramp up his stat keeping for Macomb athletics, along with polishing up the record books he keeps track of. Coach Horrell also came over and chatted for a few minutes.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday Softball Scores & Stats
Softball (5/1/10)
United swept a doubleheader against (Biggsville) West Central, 12-0 (5) and 2-1. Katie Bertelsen twirled a no-hitter in the first game. This is her second no-no this season, and only allowed one base runner, a hit by pitch. She had 12 strikeouts, and also went 2-4 at the plate and knocked in 4 runs. In the second game, Kaitlyn Winkler went 3-3 and drove in both runs. Bertelsen struck out 17, and allowed 3 hits. According to my stats, Bertelsen now has 1,074 strikeouts, which ranks her 14th all-time in the IHSA.
Washington Softball Classic
The host Panthers (8-11) advanced to the title game of their own tournament, falling to Barrington (21-3) in 9 innings, 3-2. Katie Megyesi gave Washington an early 2-0 lead with an RBI triple in the 1st inning. Washington beat Batavia, 4-3, to advance to the championship, in which Megyesi hit a walk-off 2-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning. In the 3rd place game, Olympia beat Batavia, 9-7.
Metamora Sweeps IVC
The Redbirds improved to (22-1) on the season, sweeping Chillicothe IVC, 7-0 and 7-3. Jodi Rebholz upped her pitching record to (17-1), throwing a 2-hitter in game one. Ali Helton went 2-3 with a double, and Morgan Obery was 2-4 with an RBI in the second game.
Farmington splits with Morton
The Farmers finished the weekend (18-6) after splitting a twinbill with Morton (10-11). Farmington edged the Potters, 3-2 in game one, and were shutout by Morton in the second game, 5-0.
Dunlap Goes 3-1 at Pleasant Plains Tournament
The Dunlap Eagles beat Colfax Ridgeview (3-0) and fell to Argenta-Oreana (10-9) in 8 innings.
South Elgin/Elgin St. Edward Split
South Elgin (8-12) won the first game, 3-1 and fell to St. Edward (15-12) 14-7 in the second game. South Elgin has won 8 of its last 11 games.
Homewood-Flossmoor beats Shepard
H-F won 3-2, powered by a Moochie Werner home run. Shepard was without 5 girls (sickness & family functions), and had to bring up 3 sophomores and a freshman.
Marist Surpasses 20 wins
The Redhawks swept a doubleheader over Nazareth Academy. Teagan Walsh went 2-3 with a home run and 2 RBI in a 3-0 win in game one. In Marist's 8-0 win, Walsh was in the circle, taking the win, striking out 7. Marist is now (21-3) on the year.
Lincoln-Way East Edges Glenbard West
Cheryl Sendzik went 4-4 with 3 runs to lead the Griffins to a 4-3 win and improve to (16-4).
Kylie O'Connell leads Riverside-Brookfield to Sweep over Illiana Christian
Riverside-Brookfield beat Lansing Illiana Christian, 7-0 and 12-3, behind the arm of Kylie O'Connell, who won both games in the pitcher's circle.
Rudy Diaz Blasts Two Home Runs for Hope Academy
(Chicago) Hope Academy beat (Chicago) Ellison, 15-0. Rudy Diaz was 4-4 with a pair of home runs and 4 RBI.
Iversen's lead Lincoln-Way North Past Crete-Monee
Lincoln-Way North swept Crete-Monee, 10-0 and 15-0. In game one, Laura Iversen moved to (11-5) in the circle, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 8. Kirsten Iversen struck out 8 in the nightcap, and is now (4-1) on the season.
Downs Tri-Valley Wins Three
Tri-Valley, Class 1A (#8) beat Sacred Heart-Griffin, 8-5, Beecher, 4-3, and Romeoville, 10-1 at the CIGS Shootout in Decatur. In the win over SHG, Tanna Hinthorne had 5 RBI, and she was the winning pitcher, striking out 15 against Romeoville.
Orangeville (23-2) Loses in Belmont, Wisconsin Tournament Title Game
The state-ranked Broncos beat Mineral Point, WI, 4-0, and Scales Mound, 10-0, before falling to River Valley, WI in the championship game at Belmont, 3-2. Orangeville led, 2-0, until River Valley plated three runs in the 7th inning for the victory.
Other Scores
Buffalo Grove beat Gurnee-Warren 1-0 to win Buffalo Grove Tournament.
Sycamore sweeps Plainfield East, 9-1 & 10-4.
New Lenox Providence beat Fenwick, 24-0 & 4-1.
Morgan Park beat CICS-Longwood, 9-2.
Marian Catholic swept Arlington Heights St. Viator, 12-1 & 6-1.
Lyons Township beat Machesney Park Harlem, 5-3 for St. Charlest East Tournament title.
Mundelein Carmel sweeps Westchester St. Joseph, 7-6 & 4-2.
Hampshire beats Aurora Christian, 14-3, and fall to AC 6-5.
Jerseyville beats Granite City 8-6.
Bethalto Civic Memorial beats Belleville West 5-1.
Roxana beats Granite City 7-2.
Alton over Jerseyville, 14-3.
Alton over Roxana, 8-4.
Columbia beats Payson-Seymour 9-2.
Columbia beats Liberty, 9-4.
ROWVA sweeps Mercer County, 1-0 & 10-4.
Knoxville sweeps Peoria Central, 15-2 & 13-1.
Rock Island, Alleman split Western Big 6 DH. Rock Island wins 1-0, Alleman wins 6-2.
United Township takes Western Big 6 lead, sweeping Quincy 14-1 & 10-0.
Moline improves to (16-6) by sweeping Galesburg, 9-1 & 10-0.
New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly shuts out PORTA, 15-0.
Virginia/A-C Central beats Dakota, 7-1 and Riverton, 9-5.
Hillsboro beat Springfield Southeast 13-3 & 17-7.
Williamsville over Beecher City, 6-4.
Pekin over Springfield, 8-0.
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley beats Williamsville, 4-3.
Normal West remains unbeaten (19-0) sweeps Champaign Centennial, 7-1 & 11-1.
Normal Community (19-3) sweeps Urbana, 23-0 & 10-0.
Bloomington sweeps Danville, 11-0 & 21-7.
El Paso-Gridley swept Putnam County, 10-0 & 14-1.
Watseka beat Prairie Central, 5-4, then falls 18-8 in game two.
Mahomet-Seymour beat Lane Tech, 10-2 and Joliet, 4-2, fall to Washington 10-2.
Dwight wins 20th game, by sweeping Newark, 10-2 & 13-3 to move to (20-5) on year.
Champaign Central sweeps Decatur Eisenhower, 10-8 & 8-2.
Danville Schlarman sweeps Donovan, 4-3 & 4-0.
Pearl City beats Rockford Christian 17-4.
Okaw Valley beat Lovington, 15-0.
Sullivan beat Lovington, 10-0.
Windsor beat Okaw Valley, 11-1.
Mt. Zion sweeps Salem, 8-5 & 10-0.
Clinton beat Springfield Calvary, 6-4.
Vernon Hills beat Streamwood, 10-0.
Maine West beat Leyden, 1-0, 6-4.
Berwyn-Cicero Morton beat Proviso West, 7-0 & 15-0.
Lemont over Lincoln-Way West, 10-7 & 12-0.
Downers Grove North beat Addison Trail, 12-1 & 15-2.
Waukegan over Libertyville 3-1.
Wheeling over Maine East, 7-2, & 6-4.
United swept a doubleheader against (Biggsville) West Central, 12-0 (5) and 2-1. Katie Bertelsen twirled a no-hitter in the first game. This is her second no-no this season, and only allowed one base runner, a hit by pitch. She had 12 strikeouts, and also went 2-4 at the plate and knocked in 4 runs. In the second game, Kaitlyn Winkler went 3-3 and drove in both runs. Bertelsen struck out 17, and allowed 3 hits. According to my stats, Bertelsen now has 1,074 strikeouts, which ranks her 14th all-time in the IHSA.
Washington Softball Classic
The host Panthers (8-11) advanced to the title game of their own tournament, falling to Barrington (21-3) in 9 innings, 3-2. Katie Megyesi gave Washington an early 2-0 lead with an RBI triple in the 1st inning. Washington beat Batavia, 4-3, to advance to the championship, in which Megyesi hit a walk-off 2-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning. In the 3rd place game, Olympia beat Batavia, 9-7.
Metamora Sweeps IVC
The Redbirds improved to (22-1) on the season, sweeping Chillicothe IVC, 7-0 and 7-3. Jodi Rebholz upped her pitching record to (17-1), throwing a 2-hitter in game one. Ali Helton went 2-3 with a double, and Morgan Obery was 2-4 with an RBI in the second game.
Farmington splits with Morton
The Farmers finished the weekend (18-6) after splitting a twinbill with Morton (10-11). Farmington edged the Potters, 3-2 in game one, and were shutout by Morton in the second game, 5-0.
Dunlap Goes 3-1 at Pleasant Plains Tournament
The Dunlap Eagles beat Colfax Ridgeview (3-0) and fell to Argenta-Oreana (10-9) in 8 innings.
South Elgin/Elgin St. Edward Split
South Elgin (8-12) won the first game, 3-1 and fell to St. Edward (15-12) 14-7 in the second game. South Elgin has won 8 of its last 11 games.
Homewood-Flossmoor beats Shepard
H-F won 3-2, powered by a Moochie Werner home run. Shepard was without 5 girls (sickness & family functions), and had to bring up 3 sophomores and a freshman.
Marist Surpasses 20 wins
The Redhawks swept a doubleheader over Nazareth Academy. Teagan Walsh went 2-3 with a home run and 2 RBI in a 3-0 win in game one. In Marist's 8-0 win, Walsh was in the circle, taking the win, striking out 7. Marist is now (21-3) on the year.
Lincoln-Way East Edges Glenbard West
Cheryl Sendzik went 4-4 with 3 runs to lead the Griffins to a 4-3 win and improve to (16-4).
Kylie O'Connell leads Riverside-Brookfield to Sweep over Illiana Christian
Riverside-Brookfield beat Lansing Illiana Christian, 7-0 and 12-3, behind the arm of Kylie O'Connell, who won both games in the pitcher's circle.
Rudy Diaz Blasts Two Home Runs for Hope Academy
(Chicago) Hope Academy beat (Chicago) Ellison, 15-0. Rudy Diaz was 4-4 with a pair of home runs and 4 RBI.
Iversen's lead Lincoln-Way North Past Crete-Monee
Lincoln-Way North swept Crete-Monee, 10-0 and 15-0. In game one, Laura Iversen moved to (11-5) in the circle, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 8. Kirsten Iversen struck out 8 in the nightcap, and is now (4-1) on the season.
Downs Tri-Valley Wins Three
Tri-Valley, Class 1A (#8) beat Sacred Heart-Griffin, 8-5, Beecher, 4-3, and Romeoville, 10-1 at the CIGS Shootout in Decatur. In the win over SHG, Tanna Hinthorne had 5 RBI, and she was the winning pitcher, striking out 15 against Romeoville.
Orangeville (23-2) Loses in Belmont, Wisconsin Tournament Title Game
The state-ranked Broncos beat Mineral Point, WI, 4-0, and Scales Mound, 10-0, before falling to River Valley, WI in the championship game at Belmont, 3-2. Orangeville led, 2-0, until River Valley plated three runs in the 7th inning for the victory.
Other Scores
Buffalo Grove beat Gurnee-Warren 1-0 to win Buffalo Grove Tournament.
Sycamore sweeps Plainfield East, 9-1 & 10-4.
New Lenox Providence beat Fenwick, 24-0 & 4-1.
Morgan Park beat CICS-Longwood, 9-2.
Marian Catholic swept Arlington Heights St. Viator, 12-1 & 6-1.
Lyons Township beat Machesney Park Harlem, 5-3 for St. Charlest East Tournament title.
Mundelein Carmel sweeps Westchester St. Joseph, 7-6 & 4-2.
Hampshire beats Aurora Christian, 14-3, and fall to AC 6-5.
Jerseyville beats Granite City 8-6.
Bethalto Civic Memorial beats Belleville West 5-1.
Roxana beats Granite City 7-2.
Alton over Jerseyville, 14-3.
Alton over Roxana, 8-4.
Columbia beats Payson-Seymour 9-2.
Columbia beats Liberty, 9-4.
ROWVA sweeps Mercer County, 1-0 & 10-4.
Knoxville sweeps Peoria Central, 15-2 & 13-1.
Rock Island, Alleman split Western Big 6 DH. Rock Island wins 1-0, Alleman wins 6-2.
United Township takes Western Big 6 lead, sweeping Quincy 14-1 & 10-0.
Moline improves to (16-6) by sweeping Galesburg, 9-1 & 10-0.
New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly shuts out PORTA, 15-0.
Virginia/A-C Central beats Dakota, 7-1 and Riverton, 9-5.
Hillsboro beat Springfield Southeast 13-3 & 17-7.
Williamsville over Beecher City, 6-4.
Pekin over Springfield, 8-0.
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley beats Williamsville, 4-3.
Normal West remains unbeaten (19-0) sweeps Champaign Centennial, 7-1 & 11-1.
Normal Community (19-3) sweeps Urbana, 23-0 & 10-0.
Bloomington sweeps Danville, 11-0 & 21-7.
El Paso-Gridley swept Putnam County, 10-0 & 14-1.
Watseka beat Prairie Central, 5-4, then falls 18-8 in game two.
Mahomet-Seymour beat Lane Tech, 10-2 and Joliet, 4-2, fall to Washington 10-2.
Dwight wins 20th game, by sweeping Newark, 10-2 & 13-3 to move to (20-5) on year.
Champaign Central sweeps Decatur Eisenhower, 10-8 & 8-2.
Danville Schlarman sweeps Donovan, 4-3 & 4-0.
Pearl City beats Rockford Christian 17-4.
Okaw Valley beat Lovington, 15-0.
Sullivan beat Lovington, 10-0.
Windsor beat Okaw Valley, 11-1.
Mt. Zion sweeps Salem, 8-5 & 10-0.
Clinton beat Springfield Calvary, 6-4.
Vernon Hills beat Streamwood, 10-0.
Maine West beat Leyden, 1-0, 6-4.
Berwyn-Cicero Morton beat Proviso West, 7-0 & 15-0.
Lemont over Lincoln-Way West, 10-7 & 12-0.
Downers Grove North beat Addison Trail, 12-1 & 15-2.
Waukegan over Libertyville 3-1.
Wheeling over Maine East, 7-2, & 6-4.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Around the Track
Around the Track
Catching up with Track & Field
Illinois Prep Track & Field Coaches Polls
Boy's Class 1A
1) Herrin
2) Winnebago
3) Tuscola
4) Sparta
5) Oregon
6) Champaign St. Thomas More
7) Heyworth
8) St. Joseph-Ogden
Others receiving votes: Sherrard, Robinson, Chicago Leo, Rochester, Teutopolis, Benton, Beecher.
Boy's Class 2A
1) Cahokia
2) Danville
3) Hillcrest
4) Chatham Glenwood
5) Springfield
6) Galesburg
7) Maple Park Kaneland
8) Crete-Monee
Others receiving votes: Centralia, Dixon, Rock Island, Glenbard South, Sycamore.
Boy's Class 3A
1) Neuqua Valley
2) Oak Park River Forest
3) Lake Park
4) Belleville West
5) Plainfield South
6) East Moline United
7) York
8) Homewood Flossmoor
Others receiving votes: West Aurora, East St. Louis, Lyons Township, Prospect, Downers Grove South, Waubonsie Valley, Loyola Academy.
Girl's Class 1A
1) Bloomington Central Catholic
2) Sherrard
3) Eureka
4) Breese Central
5) Benton
6) Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon/West Prairie
7) Freeburg
8) St. Joseph-Ogden
Others receiving votes: Lexington, Decatur St. Teresa.
Girl's Class 2A
1) Springfield Southeast
2) Danville
3) Hillcrest
4) Rock Island
5) Bloomington
6) Galesburg
7) Kankakee
8) Springfield Lanphier
Others receiving votes: Cahokia, Springfield, Metamora, Peoria Notre Dame, Yorkville.
Girl's Class 3A
1) Hinsdale Central
2) East St. Louis
3) Chicago Whitney Young
4) Palatine
5) Glenbard West
6) Lincoln Way East
7) Chicago Morgan Park
8) Edwardsville
Others receiving votes: Hoffman Estates, Homewood-Flossmoor, O’Fallon, Evanston, Geneva.
Catching up with Track & Field
Illinois Prep Track & Field Coaches Polls
Boy's Class 1A
1) Herrin
2) Winnebago
3) Tuscola
4) Sparta
5) Oregon
6) Champaign St. Thomas More
7) Heyworth
8) St. Joseph-Ogden
Others receiving votes: Sherrard, Robinson, Chicago Leo, Rochester, Teutopolis, Benton, Beecher.
Boy's Class 2A
1) Cahokia
2) Danville
3) Hillcrest
4) Chatham Glenwood
5) Springfield
6) Galesburg
7) Maple Park Kaneland
8) Crete-Monee
Others receiving votes: Centralia, Dixon, Rock Island, Glenbard South, Sycamore.
Boy's Class 3A
1) Neuqua Valley
2) Oak Park River Forest
3) Lake Park
4) Belleville West
5) Plainfield South
6) East Moline United
7) York
8) Homewood Flossmoor
Others receiving votes: West Aurora, East St. Louis, Lyons Township, Prospect, Downers Grove South, Waubonsie Valley, Loyola Academy.
Girl's Class 1A
1) Bloomington Central Catholic
2) Sherrard
3) Eureka
4) Breese Central
5) Benton
6) Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon/West Prairie
7) Freeburg
8) St. Joseph-Ogden
Others receiving votes: Lexington, Decatur St. Teresa.
Girl's Class 2A
1) Springfield Southeast
2) Danville
3) Hillcrest
4) Rock Island
5) Bloomington
6) Galesburg
7) Kankakee
8) Springfield Lanphier
Others receiving votes: Cahokia, Springfield, Metamora, Peoria Notre Dame, Yorkville.
Girl's Class 3A
1) Hinsdale Central
2) East St. Louis
3) Chicago Whitney Young
4) Palatine
5) Glenbard West
6) Lincoln Way East
7) Chicago Morgan Park
8) Edwardsville
Others receiving votes: Hoffman Estates, Homewood-Flossmoor, O’Fallon, Evanston, Geneva.
Blown Away: The Game That Never Was
Farmington @ Galesburg (Softball)
(4/30/10)
With thunderstorms forecast throughout the day, it looked like it would be two straight days without seeing a game. The storms came in faster than expected, and drifted more to the north in the mid-afternoon. Still, another bout of storms looked like they would blow in around 5:00 p.m.
The plans were to watch Farmington softball, state ranked much of the year in Class 2A by the Illinois Coaches Association, play at Galesburg. Shortly after 3:00 p.m. I made a call over to GHS to make sure the game was still on, and it was.
As expected, it was a pretty light crowd on hands at GHS. Around the entire varsity diamond, there were, maybe 30-40 max. in attendance. I staked claim just to the side of home plate, down the third base line. The game was moving quickly, and it was in the bottom of the 2nd inning by the time I found my spot. A fill up at the gas station in Monmouth and a bottle of water slowed me down a bit.
The score was 0-0 and the winds were brutal. Winds were gusting as high as 45 miles/hour, and the winds were blowing in. With that said, the winds were blowing a very dusty field right into my face, and on several occasions I could be seen turning my head, or holding my clipboard up to my face.
After an inning of fighting dirt in my face, I walked over near the Farmington dugout, where my back was to the wind. The view wasn't as good, and I took a little bit of video, which wasn't that great due to the distance.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, I headed back over to my former spot, and battled the wind again. Took some more video, but there wasn't much action going on. Farmington had two base hits in the top of the 3rd inning, Galesburg walked in the bottom of the frame, and the Farmers walked and reached on an error in the top of the 4th inning. Those were the only base runners in the game.
I chatted with Galesburg Athletic Director Ralph Henning for a few minutes. He was walking all over the grounds taking photos for the athletics website, www.streaks.org. The Streaks soccer team was also in action across the street, playing Jacksonville.
Of course, this game will never count. With Farmington's leadoff hitter up in the top of the 5th inning in a scoreless game, umpires from the JV field yelled out from the outfield fence. The varsity umps went over, and JV fans were heading for the cover. There was a lightning delay in effect, which is automatically a 30-minute wait.
It didn't take me long to ponder my decision. I wasn't going to wait it out, since the skies looked pretty ominous, with a certainty for some rain. After packing everything away, I noticed Farmington heading for the buses, and many people heading for their cars. There was no wait, the game was cancelled.
With two softball games and a soccer game all coming to a halt, it created a logjam for cars to exit. There is only one road that leads into the athletics complex, and it can get tricky with the flow of traffic.
With an early night, I texted my buddy Jimmie Carr, a Galesburg athletics Hall of Famer during his standout basketball days for the Silver Streaks in the late 1950's under legendary head coach John Thiel. I met up with Jimmie, as well as basketball guru, Flash Flanagan, who was passing through town. We met for an hour and talked a lot of basketball. Jimmie told Flash that I was the future Brent Musberger, LOL. Flash made sure to say goodbye to, "Brent Musberger" when he headed for the exits.
(4/30/10)
With thunderstorms forecast throughout the day, it looked like it would be two straight days without seeing a game. The storms came in faster than expected, and drifted more to the north in the mid-afternoon. Still, another bout of storms looked like they would blow in around 5:00 p.m.
The plans were to watch Farmington softball, state ranked much of the year in Class 2A by the Illinois Coaches Association, play at Galesburg. Shortly after 3:00 p.m. I made a call over to GHS to make sure the game was still on, and it was.
As expected, it was a pretty light crowd on hands at GHS. Around the entire varsity diamond, there were, maybe 30-40 max. in attendance. I staked claim just to the side of home plate, down the third base line. The game was moving quickly, and it was in the bottom of the 2nd inning by the time I found my spot. A fill up at the gas station in Monmouth and a bottle of water slowed me down a bit.
The score was 0-0 and the winds were brutal. Winds were gusting as high as 45 miles/hour, and the winds were blowing in. With that said, the winds were blowing a very dusty field right into my face, and on several occasions I could be seen turning my head, or holding my clipboard up to my face.
After an inning of fighting dirt in my face, I walked over near the Farmington dugout, where my back was to the wind. The view wasn't as good, and I took a little bit of video, which wasn't that great due to the distance.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, I headed back over to my former spot, and battled the wind again. Took some more video, but there wasn't much action going on. Farmington had two base hits in the top of the 3rd inning, Galesburg walked in the bottom of the frame, and the Farmers walked and reached on an error in the top of the 4th inning. Those were the only base runners in the game.
I chatted with Galesburg Athletic Director Ralph Henning for a few minutes. He was walking all over the grounds taking photos for the athletics website, www.streaks.org. The Streaks soccer team was also in action across the street, playing Jacksonville.
Of course, this game will never count. With Farmington's leadoff hitter up in the top of the 5th inning in a scoreless game, umpires from the JV field yelled out from the outfield fence. The varsity umps went over, and JV fans were heading for the cover. There was a lightning delay in effect, which is automatically a 30-minute wait.
It didn't take me long to ponder my decision. I wasn't going to wait it out, since the skies looked pretty ominous, with a certainty for some rain. After packing everything away, I noticed Farmington heading for the buses, and many people heading for their cars. There was no wait, the game was cancelled.
With two softball games and a soccer game all coming to a halt, it created a logjam for cars to exit. There is only one road that leads into the athletics complex, and it can get tricky with the flow of traffic.
With an early night, I texted my buddy Jimmie Carr, a Galesburg athletics Hall of Famer during his standout basketball days for the Silver Streaks in the late 1950's under legendary head coach John Thiel. I met up with Jimmie, as well as basketball guru, Flash Flanagan, who was passing through town. We met for an hour and talked a lot of basketball. Jimmie told Flash that I was the future Brent Musberger, LOL. Flash made sure to say goodbye to, "Brent Musberger" when he headed for the exits.
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