OTT_Prep Baseball & Softball Preview_032320 by Shaw Media

THE TIMES 2020 BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PREVIEW

A look at the season ahead ... hoping there is a season Younger Crusaders take on tough act to follow How will Marquette follow up state championship? By Charlie Ellerbrock cellerbrock@shawmedia.com Todd Hopkins has a problem, but it’s one that he doesn’t mind one bit having and that every other baseball coach in the state of Illinois would love to take off his hands. How do you follow up a near-perfect season that ends in a state championship? Hopkins and his Marquette Crusaders have left themselves a pretty tough act to follow. Teams don’t go 31-1, run through their conference undefeated and bring home the ultimate prize in their class — in their case last season, 1A — very often. However, Hopkins prefers to have his team live in the now and feels if the pitching matures as expected, more postseason plaques are not out of the question. “Right now for us, last season is past, something that we can look back on and savor later on,” said Hopkins. “For now we have a job to do, and that’s get ready for this season. … I don’t know how last year’s success will affect this team. Since we took fourth back in 1999, we’ve had a target on our back, so that’s nothing new, but I’d say there’s a target and a bullseye on our backs now.

“This is a totally different team, but I’ve been telling the guys that other teams don’t know that, don’t know what we lost. Just like what happened to Hall last year after they won it all two years ago. They were seeing everybody’s No. 1 starter, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of No. 1s this year, too. It’s a situation where if we don’t come to play, we could get embarrassed pretty easy. “We have to be ready.” Ready but without many talented cogs to last year’s title-winning wheel from that weekend at Peoria’s Dozer Park. Gone are The Times Baseball Player of the Year, center fielder Logan Komater, right fielder and Times Football and Basketball Player of the Year Jack Snook, shortstop Nate Melvin and pitchers John Thompson and Bryce Jones, all of them first-team picks for The Times and Tri-County Conference, plus Times Second Team first baseman Haydon Price and Honorable Mention DH Max Donahue. On the positive side, there’s also plenty back. That includes Luke Couch, an Illinois Baseball Coaches Association 1A/2A All-State First Team choice after batting .413 with 44 runs scored, 28 batted in, 12 doubles and 16 steals, and pitching a 2-0 mark with three saves and a 1.37 ERA. He’ll move from second to shortstop this season, but his return to the mound will be delayed a bit while he com-

pletes his recovery from a broken wrist that cost him nearly all of the basketball season. Shane Reynolds, also a Times HM honoree (.378, 16 runs, 16 RBIs, 3-0, 2.14 ERA) is back at third base when not pitching, while junior Grant Waldron (.333 in 12 ABs) is himself coming off a shoulder injury and will take over at first. Second base falls to senior Jalen Flavel (.455 in 11 ABs) and junior Nate Nelson. Battling for time in the infield will be sophs Beau and Brady Ewers and freshman Logan Nelson. In the outfield, junior Nick Melvin, a Times Second Teamer after hitting .379 with 29 runs, 25 RBIs and 19 steal, returns probably in center. Junior Jake Thomas will play left or right, but the other spot is up for grabs between juniors Will Fiesel and Pat McGrath, sophomores Jackson Olsen, the Ewers twins and Logan Nelson. Senior Jay Scott is back catching the pitching staff that Thompson and Jones led so capably. They’ll be missed, but there is solid work to be had, in part by Scott himself. When he takes the mound, sophomore Hayden McKenna (.400 in 10 ABs) and Beau Ewers will step in behind the plate. It will also be up to Reynolds, a hard-throwing righthander, and eventually Couch to help pick up most of the slack. Also looking good on the mound so far is Thomas, but the club will need Olsen and freshmen Logan Nelson, Aiden

The Times | File The Marquette Crusaders, shown here accepting and celebrating their 2019 IHSA Class 1A State championship, will have a number of key pieces to replace but have plenty back and fresh talent incoming for the 2020 campaign. Thompson and Taylor Waldron to add to the early-season committee approach on the hill.

“I think defensively we’ll be solid,” said Hopkins. “We have guys that can pick it, but the pitching, just like the hitting,

we’re going to have to see, but I feel if we can get the hitting going by the end of the season, we’ll be all right.”

’20 Lady Pirates prepared to maintain success Ottawa returns 5 starters, D-I P from first regional winner By Kyle Nevins knevins@shawmedia.com Ottawa graduated a wealth of talent off its historic 2019 ballclub. Gone to Pomp and Circumstance are the likes of All-American Sloan Gayan — who’s taken her pitching prowess to the University of Kentucky — and fellow mainstay Molly Harris. However, the cupboard is far from bare for fourth-year Lady Pirates coach Adam Lewis (72-23-1 record), who welcomes back a handful of starters — headlined by all-state slugger Jenna Nink (Northern Illinois signee) — in addition to another Division I pitcher recruit (Omaha commit Abby Bukantis), from last year’s 24-8-1 team that claimed the program’s first regional plaque. “Over the past couple years, we have lost a number of four-year varsity players; yet, when looking up and down our roster we still have a majority of players with significant varsity experience ready to step in where others left off,” said Lewis, whose Lady Pirates

are rated sixth in the preseason ICA Class 3A state poll. The versatile Nink (MIF/1B) is a fourth-year veteran, while juniors Abi Claus (3B/MIF), Cassie Turk (OF/3B), Lauren Carlson (IF/OF) and Bukantis are all in their third year. Sophomore Zoe Harris (C/1B) caught Gayan as a ninth-grader. “More importantly than the number of years is the quality of years. All of those players contributed (to our success),” Lewis said. “The No. 1 discussion since last fall to our returning players was them understanding that their role changes from year to year, and I feel like they understood that and attacked the offseason accordingly. “I think versatility will be our main strength.” Bukantis, Ottawa’s No. 2 hurler the past two seasons, will assume the role of ace this spring. She brings experience (101 1/3 IP) and success (11-2 record) at the varsity level to the circle — as well as confidence after leading her travel team, the Orland Park A’s, to a runner-up finish at the PGF 16U Platinum Nationals last July. “Abby will be a huge key to our success,” Lewis said. “She’s improved her velocity and spin over the last year, which is a great compliment to her

tremendous change of speeds.” Powering the offense will be the sweet-swinging lefty Nink (.374 BA, 7 HR, 6 2B, 3B, 21 RBIs, 31 R, .427 OBP, .645 SLG, 1.072 OPS; ICA All-State Second Team in ‘19), who Lewis stated looks incredible and is a different player athletically than she has ever been. The “much stronger and seasoned” Turk (.323 BA, 2 HR, 2 3B, 3 2B, 24 RBIs; All-NIB 12 West HM), Claus (.290 BA, 2 HR, 3 2B, 11 RBIs), Zoe Harris (HR, 2 2B, 11 RBIs) and Carlson (2 3B, 4 2B) have shown they’re capable with the bats. “We should be able to hit for extra bases, as well as smallball to advance runners,” Lewis said. “Our offensive versatility and functional athleticism also translates to defense. ... I think we will field another strong defensive team.” Rounding out the dozen-player roster are newcomers, senior and Mount Mercy-signed Hanna Roalson (C/ UT), along with juniors CeCe Battistelli (1B), Emma Haage (C/3B), Piper Nanouski (OF), Paisley Nixon (1B) and Emma Pillon (LHP/UT). Winning a conference championship, a regional and making a deep postseason run remain the goals. “We have been to a regional

Lady Pirates slugger Jenna Nink takes a swing during the 2019 softball season. championship three years in a row and a sectional championship last year,” Lewis said. “The

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Monday, March 23, 2020

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Lady Indians looking for rebound after down year Delphey, Sartori, Knepper, Gonzalez return to lead Sandwich By JOSH WELGE jwelge@shawmedia.com Mattie McGuire didn’t have the season she’s been accustomed to at Sandwich last spring. The Indians have hovered around .500 in recent years, but a rash of weather postponements contributed to a 9-18 finish that didn’t meet expectations. “We settled very easily last year,” McGuire said. “We would get mad when we would have a loss, but we struggled to see that a lot of those losses were because we allowed them to happen. A lot of that had to do with how many weather cancellations we had, which means more and more practices. After so long that can be damaging. “When games came around we’d be OK for a couple innings, but then we’d lose that

fire.” McGuire, though, is optimistic that things will turn around. It starts with a large group of six seniors that McGuire believes will set the tone in practice. Ava Knepper is back for her second season as starting shortstop, third as a starting infielder, after hitting .290 as a junior with 13 runs batted in and 18 runs scored. “She is very committed,” McGuire said. “She’s always been a mature kid, but she was communicating to me about things before the season started. She’s very aware in a mature way.” All-conference players Casey Delphey and Paige Sartori return at catcher and first base, respectively. Delphey, who will bat cleanup, hit .345 last spring with 24 RBIs. Sartori hit .269 with 15 runs scored, and was busy at first base adeptly scooping low throws. Third baseman Josie Gonzalez hit .278 with 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored and is one of Sandwich’s most consistent hitters. Jordyn Thulin (.256, 19 runs scored) is Sandwich’s lefty slapper who will play center

field, with the sixth senior, Bri Bell (.321, 12 runs scored), at designated player. Sandwich graduated its ace pitcher Grace Schmidt, so two girls — junior Grace Donahue and sophomore Maggie Knepper — are expected to split duties in the circle. The two girls combined for 48.1 innings last spring and bring varying skill sets. “Maggie has developed a lot more speed and control on her movement pitches,” McGuire said. “Of the two, Grace will be our pitcher to force groundballs and popups. Maggie could be more of the strikeout pitcher because of the junk and speed.” “These seniors have stuck with it since freshman year,” McGuire said. “I really like how I’ve seen them since they were freshmen, seeing how they’ve matured in the game as well as understanding strategy. Having girls who understand that makes it so much easier as a coach. “It’s a fun group of girls. They are seniors, they are goofy. Practices are a good time to be with each other, for sure.”

Shaw Media | File Sandwich’s Ava Knepper (8) scoops up a groundball during last season’s game against Yorkville.

Indians look ‘arm’ed and dangerous for 2020 campaign Pitching should lead way for Sandwich this spring By JOSH WELGE jwelge@shawmedia.com Entering the spring sports season, Jackson Murphy plans to become a firefighter after high school. Murphy, a Sandwich senior, has designs on getting into the field shortly after he graduates from high school, getting a degree in fire science. He’s proven quite the fireman for his baseball team. Murphy made 13 appearances on the mound as a junior, 12 of them coming in relief, as a fireman, if you will, as relievers are nicknamed. He pitched to a solid 3.39 earnedrun average for a Sandwich team last year that went 11-16 and stunned St. Francis to reach a regional final. Now he’s part of a pitching staff with plenty of arms to throw at opponents. “We have probably the deepest pitching staff I’ve ever been on,” Murphy said. “We’re pretty solid if we can locate and change speeds well.” The group has Sandwich coach Jason Van Pelt excited.

Van Pelt has a huge, 15-man senior class, of which 12 can pitch. When this senior class was freshmen, VanPelt turned them all into pitchers, and it’s translated into good results and what the coach believes could be the best Sandwich team in a while. He just hopes they can show it with the season delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We have a ton of pitching ready to go, we have a great schedule set up for us with some tough competition,” Van Pelt said. “Hopefully we get to play, even if it’s just the month of May. “I’d hate for our seniors to not even get a chance to play a game.” Murphy and Jaron Schiera, both returning all-conference players, lead that senior group. Murphy, when not pitching, will play shortstop, and hit .347 with 17 runs batted in and 25 runs scored last year. “I just do whatever coach asks me to do. In the field, I can play anywhere,” Murphy said. Schiera at catcher hit a team-high .398 last year with nine doubles, 20 RBIs and 16 runs scored for Sandwich. Others who figure to contribute on the mound include

Jack Theurer, Kyle Theurer, Rex Avery, Nico Migliorini and Yorkville transfer Sam Golinski. “We have a stable of pitchers in the barn,” VanPelt said. “I wouldn’t say we have a dominating guy like Andrew Gipe could be at times last year, but we do have multiple guys that would give us a chance to win games and a shot to win.” Both Theurers and Avery, who hit .279 with 17 RBIs last year, are among a group that could also see time in the outfield. “There’s going to be a lot of competition for spots,” Van Pelt said. “It’s set up to be a fun year if we get the chance.” Murphy certainly hopes so. The three-sport athlete who also has starred in football and in wrestling would like nothing more than a big finish. Most of all, he just wants to get back on the field. “Everybody is kind of upset that we’re not able to play right now, but it’s nothing we can control. We have to keep doing what we can control and hopefully we can play some baseball,” Murphy said. “We just want a little more this season. We want to keep achieving a little more than we did last season. Hopefully we can pull off a regional title this year.”

Shaw Media | File Sandwich’s Jackson Murphy (34) fires home last spring. The Indians look strong heading into the 2020 season if it is played, especially on the mound.

THE TIMES 2019 ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Sydnee Plesko

Kylie Winsor

Ellie Magana

Kailey Wohead

August Gillman

Junior, Seneca

Emily Schofield

SECOND TEAM

Aubrey McCallum

Anna Yanek

Zoe Hougas

Cassidy Draves Grace Flatness Junior, Seneca

Sophomore, WFC

Sophomore, Newark

Naomi Sweeney

Senior, Seneca

Katie Baker

Freshman, Serena

Junior, Streator

Freshman, Newark

Junior, Marquette

Senior, Streator

Freshman, Seneca

Jadyn Pickert

HONORABLE MENTION

Elise Kane

Skyler Brue

Junior, Earlville-Leland

Senior, Fieldcrest

Gillian Culbreth

Junior, Sandwich

Jadyn Hansen

Makenna Tkach

Abriana Jashari

Sophie Schomer

Sophomore, Streator

Senior, Marquette

Senior, Seneca

Junior, Newark

Sophomore, Newark

Molly Harris

Katy Tripp

Audrey Jenkins

Emily Friese Senior, WFC

Sloan Gayan Senior, Ottawa

Junior, Newark

Alaina Tjaden

Senior, Ottawa

Sophomore, Somonauk

Jenna Nink

Ellen Wheatland

Junior, Ottawa

Junior, Marquette

Senior, Earlville-Leland

Senior, WFC

Paige Sartori

Maddie Barichello

Junior, WFC

Lauren Kawall

Junior, Streator

Senior, Somonauk

Skyler Chavoen

Mallory Martini

Alivia Tjaden

Senior, Ottawa

Kennedy Meloy,

Sophomore, WFC

Senior, Fieldcrest

Cassie Claus

Senior, Earlville-Leland

Anne Krull

Cassie Turk

Casey Delphey

Grace Schmitz

Senior, Seneca

Junior, Seneca

Sophomore, Ottawa

Junior, Sandwich

Senior, Marquette

Senior, Streator

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Monday, March 23, 2020

Lady Irish will look to set already high bar higher Holman begins first year as Seneca softball skipper By Brian Hoxsey bhoxsey@shawmedia.com From year to year, teams are always trying to set the bar higher. For first-year Seneca softball coach Brian Holman and this season’s Lady Irish, former skipper Dan Stecken and his teams the past three seasons have pushed that bar to amazing heights. However, even with the previous trio of seasons producing 91 victories and a pair of Class 2A regional titles, Holman feels his club has plenty of talent to uphold the standard that has been set. “It’s been a good start to practices, but a little slow going, just like most years,” said Holman, who led Newark for a pair of seasons and Hall the past five. “We have a ton of talent returning, and Dan Stecken did a great job the past years of developing a program

where, yes, girls graduate, but there is always someone waiting to fill the void that was left. “We have a senior core that has been around all four years, and we are going to rely on all of them quite a bit.” Those five seniors who will be looked upon to lead will be catcher Cassidy Draves (.405 BA, 43 RBIs, 38 R, 8 HR). shortstop Claudia Morris, infielder/ pitcher Grace Flatness (.450 BA, 35 RBIs, 29 R; 72.1 IP, 13-1, 1.94 ERA, 80 K), pitcher/first baseman Anne Krull (.268 BA, 20 RBIs, 1 HR; 130 IP, 16-5, 1.56 ERA, 148 K) and infielder Sarah Dillow. “We’ve already talked about our outlook to this season ... last year we were the top seed and lost in the regional championship game, so we’ve talked about some of the ways we hope to avoid that,” Holman said. “We want to keep the success going that the former teams started and have maintained. We, this team, want to keep that rolling.” Juniors on the squad will include: Mallory Othon (OF), Alyssa Neal (OF), Ella Robson (OF), Addie Bland (OF), Destany Downing (1B) and Maggie

Carpenter (P/IF). Carpenter — who had a tremendous freshman season in the circle — will be back after recovering from a torn elbow ligament, while Othon is returning from an ACL injury. “It’s going to be an outfield by committee with some sophomores and juniors that we hope adjust quickly to the varsity level,” said Holman. “We have a ton of depth in the outfield, some girls with speed, others with power, so it might come down to a lineup depending on our opponent. Who is hot at that time and the game situation.” The Lady Irish will also have five sophomores on the club, including Maddie Klicker (OF), Madi Mino (IF/OF), Allie Arwood (IF), Zoe Hougas (IF/C) and Taya Roe (P/IF). Hougas hit .398 with 28 RBI and 19 runs scored as a freshman. “There is more to the game of softball than one would think as far as an overall philosophy goes,” Holman said. “I remember thinking when I got into coaching that it’s as simple as pitch the ball, throw the ball and catch the ball, but it’s a little deeper than that.

The Times | File Seneca’s Zoe Hougas slides in safely for a Lady Irish run during the 2019 softball season. “However, like I told the girls, our No. 1 goal this season is to control what we can

control ... whether it be at-bats, pitch selection or defense. I feel if we can do that, we’ll gain

confidence, which brings with it wins, and that’s what we want to do ... win.”

New Seneca skipper, same competitive plan Brungard looking for good things from Fighting Irish in ‘20 By Brian Hoxsey bhoxsey@shawmedia.com Seneca coach Tim Brungard begins his first season as skipper after former bench boss Kirk Houchin retired after 24 seasons leading the Fighting Irish on the field and 34 years of teaching. Seneca finished last season 14-15 overall record — falling in the 2A regional championship game to Herscher — and a 9-4 mark within the Tri-County Conference behind eventual Class 1A champion Marquette Academy. “Coach Houchin laid the foundation of playing good competitive baseball here at Seneca, so I’m not going to try and reinvent the wheel,” said Brungard, who served as varsity assistant the past five seasons. “We are going to play baseball off the types of players and type of skills our

players have. “I know we are going to put a competitive team on the field each time out, and we’ll never be who we are not.” The Irish lost unanimous Times First Team pitcher/shortstop and TCC Player of the Year Sam Grushkin to graduation, but return nine lettermen heading into the 2020 season which they’re hoping gets played. “We have a lot of experience back this season, and we’re going to hopefully rely on some of that to be competitive in the Tri-County Conference as well as compete for a regional title,” Brungard said. Brungard is expecting big things from three-year starting, now senior catcher Myles Mitchell. Mitchell was a Tri-County All-Conference First Team honoree after hitting .419 with four doubles, four triples, a pair of homers, 23 runs scored, 26 RBIs and three stolen bases. “He is going to be our overall No. 1 leader.” Brungard said of Mitchell. “This will be his fourth year on varsity as a catcher, so we have a guy that

has been involved in every play for the past three seasons to lean on. He has all the skills, but he also has all the intangibles to get our team fired up. He is going to be the backbone of our team.” Seneca — which will feature a 16-player roster — has four other seniors in Avery Othon (IF/OF/P), Ethan Robson (OF/P), Joey Hatz (OF) and TJ Van Ness (IF/OF/P) Brungard says Othon is a “first guy in, last guy out of practice type of kid” and VanNess is “a three-sport athlete, a grinder and a kid that works on getting better each day.” Rounding out the Irish squad will be: juniors AJ Stiegler (OF/P), Brayden Roe (OF/P). Cole Hintze (IF/P), Cole Underhill (IF/P), Ethan Brockman (IF/P), Gage Cryder (IF/ OF/P), Hayden Klicker (IF), John Hamilton (IF/P), Levi Maierhofer (OF); and sophomore Matt Cruise (IF/P/C). Underhill will miss the entire season after an injury during football, while Cryder hopes to return during the season at some point after recovering from a hand injury.

Shaw Media | File Seneca baseball coach Kirk Houchin (at right) retired after last season, with former assistant Tim Brungard taking over the Fighting Irish baseball program.

“Gage and Cole would have been our top two starters, but we expect to get solid pitching from Othon, Van Ness, Cruise.” Brungard said.

“Then guys competing for that No. 4 spot will be Roe, Brockman, Robson and Hamilton. We as a coaching staff are excited to see what our arms

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Monday, March 23, 2020

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Knights hope momentum carries to the diamond Fieldcrest aiming to improve on 13-10 from 2019 By Charlie Ellerbrock cellerbrock@shawmedia.com There’s a feeling that goes around a school when its athletic teams are having success, and that’s in the air at Fieldcrest High School thanks to the Knights boys basketball team’s trip to the Class 2A Elite Eight. Now FHS’s baseball club hopes to carry that feeling onto the diamond, and once those seven hoops members get caught up on their glove and bat work and the team gets back together, there’s a good chance the feeling will keep going right through to season’s end. “We’re all very happy for the basketball team, but as a baseball coach, I’m chomping at the bit,” FHS coach Mark Brown said with a laugh before the halt to school caused by the coronavirus. “We just want to get everyone back together and get ready for the warmer weather to get here so we can get outside and start playing.” The Knights were a solid but not spectacular 13-10 overall and 7-4 in the Heart of Illinois Conference last spring, falling to rival Eureka in their own regional. Among five seniors lost to graduation who were part of the 18 squad members who

began that season is shortstop and pitcher Derek May, whose .324, 17 runs, 14 RBIs, 4-3, 3.06 ERA earned him spots on The Times All-Area First Team and HOIC Second Team. But the good news is there’s some experience — and talented experience, at that — returning. Leading the way is junior Koy Allen, who as a sophomore earned a spot on The Times All-Area Second Team by going 5-3 on the mound with a tiny 1.32 ERA and 67 strikeouts in just 47 2/3 innings. He also batted .259 with 12 runs and 11 RBIs. Also key to last year’s and this year’s successes is junior first baseman Bryce Nordstrom, who earned HOIC Second Team honors as well. Filling out the infield, once everyone is back and can take the field, will probably be junior Landon Cook at second, junior Jordan Hochecker at third and at shortstop, a combination of junior Andrew May and sophomore Timmy Luckey. Junior Isaac Morse will be a contender at short. In the outfield will be junior Noah Nordstrom in center and sophomore Clayton Shirley in right. Candidates for left field and backup infield spots include Allen, sophomore letterwinner Kade Buchanon and freshmen Zach Torrez, Lucas Bernardi, Landon Modro and Carter Stimpert. “Our junior class played a lot of key roles on last year’s team as both starters and spot starters, depending where

The Times | File Fieldcrest’s Bryce Nordstrom (17) approaches his teammates at the plate after a grand slam during regional play in Wenona last season.

we were at in the pitching rotation, so several of them got significant playing time,” Brown said. “I’m comfortable classifying this as a veteran team. It’s tough to replace players like Derek May and Hayden Carls and Mike Morse, guys who had played for me since their freshman year. But this junior class is in a similar situation, thrown to

the wolves as freshmen, they learned, and last year as sophomores were not new to the varsity game. “We expected a lot out of them, and those expectations go up even more now as juniors.” Catcher falls to freshman Andrew Perry, but one of the biggest question marks for the Knights will be who will be

throwing to him after Allen, the ace. Cook, who was a reliever last season, will have to fill that No. 1 role until the younger players prove themselves in battle. “I think pitching and defense right now are two strong points for this team,” B We’re not going to impress anybody with a ton of home runs, but we have guys who are solid

contact hitters, some with good gap-to-gap power. “Another great thing about them is that they’re not selfish and none of them cares about doing anything other than moving the runners and doing their jobs. They don’t care who gets the credit. They’re tight, they pull for each other, and they just want to win for each other.”

Fieldcrest has talent, but a lot of question marks Coach Kay’s ballclub young but promising By Charlie Ellerbrock cellerbrock@shawmedia.com It’s not all that unusual for a high school softball team to have a lot of undecided issues when entering a season, especially in the spring when getting outside for the starting lineup-deciding practices is at the mercy of Mother Nature. But the way things stand for the Fieldcrest Knights, there are more things up in the air than there might be at a jugglers’ convention in Atlantic City. A year ago, coach Elizabeth Kay’s club hovered around the .500 mark behind a group of five seniors, one of whom was Alaina Tjaden, a Heart of Illinois Conference First Team and The Times All-Area Second Team pitcher/outfielder who went 8-7 with a 2.01 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 111 1/3 innings in the circle and batted .301 with 11 runs and 16 RBIs. She is now playing at IVCC. Also graduated are her twin sister, Alivia Tjaden, and catcher Jacie Sullivan, both HOIC Second Team picks, and infielders Addi Goodrich (HOIC Honorable Mention) and Aubrey McNamara. Not only that, but there are no seniors back, and eight of the 14 players on the roster are freshmen, so the Knights were

going to have pretty much a whole new look anyway. “We’re going to be very young, with no seniors on the roster at the moment, but what we do have is a team with a lot of good, multi-sport athletes on it,” said Kay. “Even some of the girls back haven’t had a lot of varsity-level experience in softball, because we graduated such a strong class from last year, so there are a lot of opportunities for this team, and it’s going to be fun to see how these girls develop into a team and grow on the field.” The replacement for the Tjadens in the circle will come from among a foursome of hurlers. Juniors Regan Ruestman and Alyiah Fuchs figure to have the edge on a pair of freshmen, Morgan Gerdes and Kylee Cook, based on experience alone. The only other starters with a position even somewhat locked in will be Savannah Fortner, after the two hurlers the only other junior on the squad, will likely play left field; Ella Goodrich, a sophomore who will probably be at catcher; and sophomore Kaya Buchanon at one of the corner infield spots. The rest of the lineup, as mentioned, is up for grabs. Players listed by position as “utility” vying for spots will be sophomore Kristyn Swartz and freshmen Riley Bratt, Haley Carver, Zoey Dye, Falyn

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New faces, more success for Lady Crusaders? Marquette reloads for new softball season By Charlie Ellerbrock cellerbrock@shawmedia.com New coaches, new pitchers, but don’t be surprised to see the same ol’ success. Brad Oakes, who was the MA softball coach for four seasons until three years ago, returns, and with assistants Curt Johnson and Brian McCallum inherits from the departed Dave Tkach a team that will replace one of the most dominating pitchers in The Times area in recent years with two of the youngest. And backed by what figures to be a hard-hitting lineup and solid defense, they might not have much of a drop-off from last year’s 22-6 squad that reached the Indian Creek 1A Sectional final. While the coaching trio, plus JV coaches Brian Condon and Curtiss Johnson, will fill in on the bench, it will be no easy prospect filling the shoes of the graduated Makenna Tkach. A First Team selection for the Illinois Coaches Association All-State Team, the Tri-County All-Conference and The Times All-Area clubs, the younger Tkach turned in a 21-4 record

The Times | File Marquette’s Ellen Wheatland eyes the ball and swings during the Lady Crusaders’ 2019 season. with a 0.74 ERA and 277 strikeouts (twice 18 Ks and 10 or more Ks in 18 of her 26 starts) in 150 2/3 innings. She also batted a sound .410 with 33 runs, 27 RBIs and nine steals. The Lady Crusaders will try to do that for now with a pair

of freshman hurlers who know success of their own. Kaylee Killelea and Lindsey Kaufman were two of the main cogs in Marquette Academy’s 2018 IESA state championship and are ready to apply their skills to the prep level. When one pitches, the other will probably

play left field. “There are some good seniors, some good juniors, some good sophomores and some good freshmen,” said Oakes, who had an 88-48 mark from 2013-16. “Makenna Tkach was great, did a great job for us, and I loved watching her pitch, but we have some young freshmen that we’re really excited about. “I don’t feel we have a weak spot this year, I really don’t. We have the experience, depth and ability to play a variety of positions, so we can move them around, and they can all hit. “We don’t have a lot of speed, because we never do, really, so we’ll just have to hit our way on and around the bases. “It’s going to be an exciting season.” Marquette will not have to rely on those freshmen alone. A passel of quality position players return, including Times and Tri-County Conference first teamer Ellen Wheatland. Despite the distraction of having to move from shortstop to catcher due to a broken wrist suffered by starter Paige Cottingim early on, the senior still hit a robust .448 with 10 doubles, two triple, a home run with 33 runs scored, 29 RBIs and 10 steals.

With Cottingim now healthy and ready to return behind the plate, Wheatland will play third base. Also back is senior shortstop and leadoff hitter Aubrey McCallum, an Illinois Coaches Association Third Team All-Stater and Tri-County First Team pick after hitting .440 with seven extra-base hits, 39 runs, 14 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Freshman Eva McCallum, another IESA title team star, will play first base, with Izzy Garkey and Miah Ferracuti sharing second, with junior Grace Rinearson battling them for time. Senior Emma Thomas will anchor the outfield in center, with the freshmen in left and Garkey or Addie McConnaughhay taking care of right. Natalie Cruise and Lauryn Rayburn are also contenders. “This is our second time

starting over, and with the senior leadership on this team, it’s going to be a great experience for the younger players and for all of them,” said Curt Johnson. “We have the right senior leadership to get those freshmen in the right frame of mind to be comfortable, and when they get their feet underneath them, we’ll see what happens. … I think we’re gonna be good, and the ceiling is just gonna get higher as we go.” Added McCallum, “Fortunately, the younger girls have also had some success, but this coaching staff will never let them get full of themselves, not ever. “They’re very grounded. They all understand our unorthodox ways, and they understand we have their best interests at heart and only want them to succeed, so they work hard for us.”

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Novice Norsemen baseball hoping to hang tough Coach Cooper takes over at Newark By Bill Lidinsky For The Times Entering the spring sports seaso,n there may not be a team that will have experienced a bigger change than the Newark boys baseball contingent. Not only did the Norsemen see seven seniors graduate off of last year’s squad that finished with a 13-10 overall record and an 11-3 ledger within the Little Ten Conference, but NHS also had to replace its head coach. That’s because veteran skipper J.R. Veliz resigned after the 2019 campaign to take on the coaching reigns at Yorkville Christian after completing nine seasons on the Norsemen bench. Enter Josh Cooper, who was Veliz’s assistant coach last year and will now guide Newark into its next phase as its 18th head baseball coach in school history dating back to the program’s beginnings in 1935-36, according to the IHSA. Cooper — a 2012 graduate of Yorkville High School

and a 2017 alum of Rockford University — will have the unenviable task of taking over a team with only 14 players on its roster and void of any seniors, competing with just four juniors, five sophomores and five freshmen. “We’re definitely very young, but it’s still exciting for me to take over this program from J.R., who had been the head baseball coach for a long time at Newark,” Cooper said. “Without any seniors this season, it’s going to be a challenge, but we still have some players that saw big varsity minutes last year, and that’s pretty encouraging.” First and foremost is sophomore catcher Lucas Pasakarnis, who wowed as a freshman backstop earning unanimous LTC All-Conference honors after registering a .354 batting average, a .430 on-base percentage, 23 runs scored and 14 runs batted in. He also threw out 11 runners defensively and earned a Times 2019 All-Area pick as an Honorable Mention competitor. “This year it falls upon me as a sophomore to lead our team along with a few other guys that can hopefully kick our group into shape and make a run at another regional

championship, which we just missed out on last season,” Pasakarnis said. “I take a lot of pride of how I handled our pitching staff as a freshman catcher a year ago, and I think I can do the same this year even though we have a much younger group of pitchers.” On the mound, Cooper and Pasakarnis will have to help guide juniors Dalton Reibel and Logan Benesh as well as sophomores Luke Hauge and Mitchell Kruser. Freshman Joe Martin should also pay some big dividends in the youthful Newark rotation. Junior second baseman Jared Slivka is also excited at the prospect of chipping in to help lead his ballclub moving forward. “I want to get on base every game, and maybe I can help us pitching too if I’m called upon,” Slivka said. “We’re a very inexperienced baseball team, but I know I want to do my part to make us the best we can be.” Others who will hopefully play a part in Cooper’s new regime are junior utility performer Ethan Jeffers and sophomore multi-faceted player Tegan Kruser. “It’s going to be super exciting in my first year as head

Shaw Media | File Now-graduated Newark pitcher Corey Jacobson (25) covers the plate as an Indian Creek baserunner tries to score on a wild pitch during regionals last season. coach, especially knowing a lot of these guys as an assistant under J.R. last season,” Cooper said. “I want to make baseball relevant again at Newark even though it’s a basketball town

and that will never change, and rightfully so considering the history here. “But I believe we can add to that history with a baseball program that I’m very confi-

dent I can build into a winner. It should be fun in the years to come. I trust in these guys, and hopefully they’ll trust me throughout this season and beyond.”

Lady Norsemen back for more in 2020 Newark softball looks to build on 26-win season By Bill Lidinsky For The Times The 2019 softball season was memorable in a lot of ways for the Newark Lady Norsemen. First and foremost in the minds of the players, coaches and fans was the fact that the NHS gals registered the most softball wins during a campaign in school history after compiling a 26-6 overall mark as well as a 13-1, regular-season championship ledger within the Little Ten Conference without one senior. Still, Newark — despite capturing its fourth consecutive Class 1A regional championship — couldn’t match the 2004 Lady Norsemen squad as the school’s only sectional title holder after falling to St. Bede in the sectional semifinals. But with everyone back off of last year’s history-making ballclub, the level of excitement is certainly brewing as

to what can be accomplished this time around with a team loaded for bear. “We talked about goals after our first practice, because I wanted to see where everyone was at in their thinking,” said NHS third-year coach Tim Schofield. “I found out that everyone believes we can win a sectional championship and hopefully go beyond, and I’m totally on board with that. “The program has won four straight regional titles, and all of us want to take that next step. We hope we can break through finally this season with a great group of players.” Leading the way for the Lady Norsemen will be senior pitcher Sophie Schomer, who has started in the circle for Newark ever since she appeared on the prep scene as a freshman. Schomer was named to the Illinois Coaches Association Class 1A All-State First Team in 2019 after posting a sparkling 25-5 record with an ERA of 1.56 and 215 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings. She also hit .314 with 13 doubles, 14 runs scored and

27 RBIs. “We talked about goals on day one of practice, and it’s a sectional championship for sure and a whole lot more hopefully after that,” Schomer said. “We believe we’ll be pretty solid in all areas with everyone back, so we’re very confident about what we can achieve moving ahead this season.” Schomer will throw to junior catcher Emily Schofield, who led the team in batting (.522) along with scoring 45 runs, knocking in 36 runs and swiping 60 bases. The backstop was also tabbed ICA Class 1A All-State Second Team in 2019. “I’m super excited for the upcoming season knowing we have so much potential to make it far with the same group we had last year,” Emily Schofield said. “We’re very deep on the bench, and hopefully we can take it as far as we can after our good run last year.” Senior second baseman Naomi Sweeney joined Schofield as an ICA Second Team pick in 2019 after hitting .514 along with a team-best 11

home runs, 59 runs scored and 57 RBIs. Sweeney will couple with senior shortstop Jocelyn Mitchell (.417 average) in the middle infield, who played in just 17 games as a junior due to injury. Fleet-footed junior center fielder Skyler Chavoen is coming off a sophomore campaign where she hit .374 while scoring 43 runs with 25 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. Sophomore outfielder Kailey Wohead enjoyed a terrific freshman start, batting .386, scoring 37 runs with eight homers and 32 RBIs and will help accent Newark’s offensive attack. Key contributions can also be expected from senior first baseman Lexi Long, junior sister Morgan Long in the outfield as well as junior utility player Kaitlyn Hatteberg and sophomore infielder Kjersten Friestad. Promising freshman pitchers Kaitlyn Schofield and Peyton Wohead should help spell Schomer in the circle, while first-year players Emily DiClementi, Bre Dixon and Taylor Kruser are highly touted on Coach Schofield’s roster.

Serena hopes more experience leads to more wins Huskers return all but one starter from last year By Brian Hoxsey bhoxsey@shawmedia.com There were some unknowns heading into last season for Serena coach Chad Baker with a roster mainly made up of inexperienced players. The Huskers finished the season with an overall mark of 9-16 and a 7-7 ledger in the Little Ten Conference, and along the way all the returning players gained valuable playing time the skipper — now in his 22nd season on the bench — hopes translates into more success in 2020. “We did have a lot of question marks going into last season and had to really start with the basics, but the kids really started to come around as the season went on,” said Baker. “We had to do a lot of teaching last year, but now we can just talk about it and go over it quickly as a refresher. “We only lost one player (Riley McNelis) out of our starting lineup from a season ago,

so the guys back gained a ton of experience, which is good, and I can tell they all feel more comfortable now.” The Huskers squad — which will be made up of four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen — is expected to be led by the coach’s senior son, Connor Baker (P/SS), as well as 12th-graders Brandt Faivre (P/OF) and Jack Rogers (P/ OF) plus juniors Ivan Stafford (P/3B) and Conner Holdiman (P/IF). Connor Baker was a unanimous All-LTC selection last season after hitting .397 with 15 RBIs and posting an ERA of 3.60 with 45 strikeouts in 35 innings in league action. “Connor, Ivan, Cole, Brandt, Conner and Jack are going to be the core we are going to be counting on to not only lead with their play on the field, but also in all the other areas.” Coach Baker said. “The seniors, none of them are very vocal guys, but they just go about their business, get things done and do things the right way. They set an example for everyone else.” The rest of the Serena roster will be made up of: senior Porter Arneson (OF); juniors

The Times | File Serena shortstop Connor Baker, shown here applying a tag his sophomore season, is expected to lead the way for this spring’s Huskers. Brody Faivre (P/OF) and Hunter Linder (OF); sophomores Alex Watts (OF), Cole Shannon (C/P) and Dylan Cartwright (P/1B); and freshmen Hudson Stafford (P/IF/OF), Mason McNelis (P/ IF), Cam Figgins (P/IF/OF), Bryce Shannon (P/IF), Todd Smith (P/1B) and Leo Brennan (P/IF).

“Connor will again be our No.1 pitcher, with Holdiman, Rogers and Stafford all competing for spots in the rotation,” said Coach Baker, who added Shannon will be behind the plate for a bulk of the innings this year. “We have 17 guys on the team, and 1314 have showed up to pitching

practices, so we have a lot of guys interesting in pitching ... some have raw talent and can throw the ball pretty well. They all will most likely get some innings with how the pitchcount system works. “That’s good for us in the sense I don’t have to leave someone out on the mound

that’s struggling that day. I can replace him and give somebody else a chance. “We’ll have some things to figure out the first couple of weeks as far as who fits where. Like many others teams in this area, much of where kids are at on the field will depend on who is on the mound.”

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Serena hopes to improve, find identity game by game Lady Huskers striving to peak at right time By Brian Hoxsey bhoxsey@shawmedia.com The saying “the more things change, the more they stay the same” could — at least at the start of the 2020 season — describe this year’s Serena softball team. Before last season — one in which the Lady Huskers finished 6-20 overall and 5-9 in the Little Ten Conference under now 12th-year coach Kelly Baker — there was plenty of talent on the roster, but where that talent would end up on the field was a bit of mystery, not much different for this upcoming season. “I think this will be a season where we’ll see what we are capable of as we move along,” said Baker, who has 13 members on her roster. “We graduated three starters from last year, and one was a pitcher, so

everything as far as positions and the batting order is up for grabs as of right now. “We have many options when it comes to who can play spots in the infield and outfield, so much of it will based on who’s hot, who practices well and who takes advantage of the opportunity when they are given it.” Serena lost first baseman Malachi Staton, an All-LTC selection, plus four-year players in pitcher Maddie Holdiman and left fielder Susan Tuftie to graduation, but return a pair of seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and add three freshmen that Baker feels will make an impact right away. Elly Kuhn and Marley Kaforski will be the senior members of the group, with the leadoff-hitting Kuhn patrolling center field and Kaforski playing one of the corner outfield spots. “Elly had a phenomenal basketball season, and my hope is that carries over to softball,” Baker said. “She is so fast in the outfield, she’s like a little gnat that can go get the

ball anywhere. She will be the anchor of the outfield for us.” Also returning for the third year for the Lady Huskers will be juniors Kallie Cantlin (LF/ SS), Emma Holdiman (2B/OF) and Taylor Staton (P/SS; 324 BA, 13 RBI, 9 R, 1 HR; 67.1 IP, 3-5, 3.95 ERA, 39 K ), along with first-year 11th-grader Lauren Ernat (OF). “Taylor is back for us in the circle, and she is going to be asked to take the reigns as far as pitching goes for us,” said Baker. “(Khole) Cantlin and Emma Holdiman will also be asked to throw some innings as well.” The sophomores on the squad will be Katie Baker (C; .438 BA, 18 RBI, 23 R, 2 HR), Khole Cantlin (3B), Lauren McNelis (OF) and Ariel Ramos (OF), while a trio of freshmen — Reese Cole (IF/OF), Alexis Linder (1B) and Emma Montanaro (OF) — will be asked to contribute right away. “The beginning of the season is going to be about finding the right fit for us,” said Coach Baker. “We talk about goals all the time, and it would

Serena’s Khloe Cantlin ranges to her right for a smash grounder last spring. be great to compete for a conference or regional championship, but really we talk about how we want to be playing our best softball when the postseason comes around.

“I always bring up the 2010 team. We struggled in conference play, but found a spark when the regionals started and rode that spark to the state finals and fourth place.

The Times | File

I think this team will improve with each game and hopefully along the way pick up some good wins over some good teams and then hit our stride in the postseason.”

Somonauk baseball looks strong again Bobcats boast huge roster, plenty of talent By Bill Lidinsky For The Times Throughout the past four seasons, the Somonauk High baseball team has experienced a wealth of success under coach Troy Felton. Three regional championships, two sectional crowns and a Class 1A second-place finish in 2016 followed by a fourth-place trophy a year later in 2017 are a testament to what Felton has been able to accomplish as the Bobcats’ bench boss. But SHS stumbled a bit last season, falling in the Hinckley-Big Rock Regional championship game to Elgin Academy as the Bobcats finished 2019 with a solid 16-6 record and as champions of the Little Ten Conference, posting a 12-1 ledger. Felton (83-18) — entering his fifth season as Somonauk’s skipper — hopes this year’s club can return to glory with a huge roster of 23 competitors bursting with talent.

“We’ve had a great run over the past four seasons, and if you look at it that regional championship loss last year was a contest that could’ve gone either way,” Felton said. “We lost a lot of talent off that ballclub after seven seniors graduated, but I’m very excited as to the potential of this group and the possibility of the great things that can certainly happen for us.” The two key returnees will be seniors Liam Roberts and Isaiah Nunez. Roberts posted a .406 batting average as a junior with 26 hits and 23 runs batted in along with a team-leading 19 stolen bases. He will predominantly play first base while also seeing some time on the mound. “I’ll probably be more effective as a batter more than a pitcher, but I want to lead this team in any way that I can this year,” Roberts said. “As a lefty hitter, I think I can benefit our team just like I did last season.” Nunez hit .286 as a junior with 20 safeties along with 14 stolen bases. He will anchor the Somonauk outfield in center. “We’re all going to have to work together to get things

done defensively in the outfield, and I’m looking forward to being the leader up the middle,” Nunez said. “I’m one of the last guys (left) that went to state as a freshman in 2017. We want to carry things on with our baseball tradition here at Somonauk and maybe make it to state again, which would be amazing to me as a senior.” Another holdover from the 2017 state squad is senior Garrett McNurlan, who will pitch and play left field. McNurlan posted a 3-1 record on the mound as a junior with a 2.63 ERA. Sophomore hurler Brendan Roberts figures to be the Bobcats’ ace on the hill. As a freshman, he recorded a 3-0 record with a 1.53 ERA. He is expected to also lead the Bobcats defense at shortstop when not on the bump. Catching duties will fall upon sophomores Payton Wyant and Jalen Dion along with freshman Justin Lee, while second base and right field platoons should be expected from junior Parker Sexton along with sophomores Andrew Wernsman and strongarmed Alex Krejci, who will also pitch in the rotation.

The Times | File Garrett McNurlen (10) returns for the 2020 Somonauk Bobcats, who have high hopes for another strong season in the Little Ten Conference and beyond. Sophomore Brock Zimmerman will see time at first base when Liam Roberts pitches, while promising freshmen Brock Slais and Coleton Eade are expected to contribute

greatly, with Slais as a tremendous up-and-coming option for Felton on the mound. “I think we are going to be a very competitive team this year,” Felton said. “They were

all disappointed we didn’t walk away with another regional championship last season. So we’re ready to go with a team that can take us very far into the postseason, in my mind.”

New coach, big challenges for Somonauk softball Kweder takes over Lady Bobcats program By Bill Lidinsky For The Times Replacing an iconic figure in any pursuit can prove at times a daunting task. First-year Somonauk softball coach Selena Kweder has that challenge firmly in front of her as she takes over the helm of the Lady Bobcats. Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame bench boss Scott Siuda retired after the 2019 season after serving 12 years at the helm at SHS while recording a sparkling 249-126 record along with a slew of Little Ten Conference, regional and sectional titles. Siuda also led the Lady Bobcats softball program to its finest hour in 2015 when Somonauk captured a Class 1A second-place trophy. Kweder — a 2013 graduate of Batavia High School and a 2018 alum of Benedictine University in Lisle — stood out as a player on the prep softball level as well as collegiately before ascending to the role that she now undertakes in the wake of her much-heralded predecessor. “I know I’ve got some

very big shoes to fill, and I realize (Siuda) built an amazing softball program here at Somonauk during the last 12 seasons, and that’s not lost on me one bit,” Kweder said. “So it’s my challenge now to take everything he’s built and not let things fall away from the amazing tradition of Somonauk softball. “It’s not going to be easy with only 10 girls in the program this season, but I’m going to give it my best.” Unfortunately, after Siuda’s departure the Lady Bobcats will see only 10 competitors on the field this year. That leaves the bulk of potential success on the shoulders of seniors Mary Seville and Claire Lamb. Seville received the vast majority of duties pitching last season, recording an 11-12 record as Somonauk finished with an overall record mark of 16-14 and an LTC ledger of 11-3. She’s hoping to improve on that in a big way in her last go-around as a Lady Bobcat. “I know I’m going to have to pitch the most again this year, and I hope I can better what I did for us last season,” Seville said. “We’ll be starting from the ground floor in a way with just a handful of starters back and

only 10 players on our roster. The biggest challenge for me will be holding onto my confidence each and every game, which I didn’t accomplish the way I wanted to last season.” Lamb will hope to lead the Lady Bobcats at shortstop and at the plate, desiring to increase her .378 batting average as a junior where she pounded out 34 hits and 26 runs batted in. “Having just 10 girls on our team this year, we know we’re really going to have to remain solid as a group with all the uncertainty,” Lamb said. “This is such a big change without Scott leading us. But I have all the confidence in the way our new coach can bring us along.” Kweder will also look to senior third baseman Chloe Kulton as well as senior first baseman McKenna Dayhuff to produce dividends. Juniors Alicia Hendron and Kendall Butler hope to figure prominently in the mix, with Hendron anchoring the catching duties, while Butler should play a significant role in the outfield as well as backing up Seville in the circle. Sophomores Maddie Schubbe and McKenzie Hall will also be counted on to contribute within the Lady Bobcats lineup.

The Times | File Somonauk’s Mary Seville deals to a LaMoille-Ohio batter last season. Seville returns to the circle for this season’s Lady Bobcats.

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Coach Moore piecing together Pirates’ puzzle Addis and Harth set to lead Ottawa this spring By Kyle Nevins knevins@shawmedia.com If the games go on, youth will be served by the Ottawa Pirates out on the diamond this spring. Ottawa’s 2020 17-player roster features 13 juniors and just four 12th-graders. Second-year Pirates coach Brent Moore won’t let that be an excuse. “It is rare to see the roster set up as it is this year,” said Moore, who added the junior class’ previous success is an asset. “We lost seven starting positions from last year and have a lot of new faces around this year. The few kids that are back with some experience saw last year around the second half of the season what it takes to play together as a team and win close games. So it is nice to lean on them at the beginning of the season. “(The inexperience) does not change my approach though. My mindset is to put the pieces of the puzzle together and have our team prepared to compete. “Our motto this year is ‘competition eliminates complacency.’ The first couple weeks

have brought high attention — this group does a great job of paying attention to detail, and usually that stuff pays off in the form of winning — and great competitiveness in drills. Players are more than well aware that there are plenty of open spots to get playing time; nobody is complacent, and that is a good thing. Everybody is competing. “Their mindset has been great.” Moore welcomes back the only two returning starters from last year’s 15-14 team — now-junior Jace Addis (37 IP, 4.16 ERA; .342 BA, 3B, 6 2B, .429 OBP as a 10th-grader in 2019), who will move from No. 3 in the rotation into the ace role and patrol center field when not pitching, and power-hitting senior first baseman Kadon Harth (.333 BA, 4 HR, 3B, 5 2B — .560 SLUG — 22 RBIs, 18 R, 16 BB), who will bat in the heart of the order. “Jace and Kadon are two kids that I am very fortunate to have coming back to anchor us down,” said Moore of the pair that garnered all-conference recognition a season ago (Addis All-NIB 12 West First Team, Harth Honorable Mention). “It is a comfortable feeling knowing that we have (Jace). He is a competitor. (Kadon) puts in the extra work and has shown leadership so far this spring.” Rounding out the top three pitchers are junior Jake Serby

and senior John Vandervort (7 1/3 IP, 1.91 ERA, 9 K). Harth (3 BF) and senior Nolen Miller, along with juniors Michael Bruner, Briar Naggs and Ty Trovero will all pitch as well. Others listed as pitchers are juniors Kenrik Gage, Luke Poffenbarger and Andrew Shehorn. “With (Addis, Serby and Vandervort) we know we are getting bulldogs on the mound with winning mentalities,” Moore said, “and also kids that pump strikes.” Around the horn defensively it will be: Trovero catching; Harth at first base; Serby, along with juniors Levi Sholders and Jon Zytnowski competing at second; junior Anthony Cooper at shortstop, with competition from Serby and Shehorn; junior Evan Evola manning the hot corner; and Addis, Miller, Naggs and Vandervort vying for spots in the outfield. The remaining team members are senior newcomer TJ McDonnell and junior Adam Weitzel. “I think defense will be our strong suit. We have to be a team that executes things (offensively) ... and has timely hitting,” said Moore, who noted the offensive and defensive abilities of Evola and the lefty Trovero. The goals, as always, are to win a conference championship and to be playing the team’s best baseball come the postseason — the latter

The Times | File John Bruner scores an Ottawa run as the Pirates bench looks on during action at King Field last season. Bruner and a majority of last year’s key players graduated, but new faces are ready to step into those leadership roles. game and have fun along the way,” Moore said. “Baseball is a game where any team can get hot at any

something the Pirates did late last year. “We have to do this one game at a time, learn every

time. I would love to bring the oven mitts back out and see this team go on a run; anything can happen.”

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Diamond Dogs look promising for 2020 Pitching, hitting, defense all trending upward for SHS By J.T. Pedelty jtpedelty@shawmedia.com Streator High baseball took a small step back last season, struggling to an 8-18 record. When and if the 2020 season resumes after coronavirus containment efforts halted things less than a week before the team’s scheduled season opener, third-year head coach Beau Albert expects this spring’s Diamond Dogs to fare much better thanks to a few senior leaders and a handful of sophomores and juniors who have already shown they’re ready for varsity baseball. “You know what? I like this group that we’ve got,” Albert said. “One thing I’ve noticed at practice, they’re a pretty tightknit group, they legitimately root for each other and pull for each other, and I have a lot of kids who like to play baseball. “That’s a good sign to see ... and I’m really looking forward to the season with this group of guys we’ve got.” A quick look at the roster reveals immediately that some of last year’s top performers — seniors including Mason Benning (P/2B), Carter Spears (C/IB/P), Trevor Sterling (OF), returning-from-injury Drew Schmitt (P/3B) and Christian Bedecker (OF/P); juniors such as Times All-Area Second Team and Interstate Eight South First Team pick Mason Telford (P/

SS), Carter Pierce (P/Util.) and Payton Benning (P/Util.); and sophomore Times All-Area First Team and I-8 South First Team selection Sean McGurk (C) — are back for more. They are bolstered by other talented players across all three of those classes — senior Keegan Sauers (OF); juniors Logan Williamson (P/3B), Sawyer Good (OF/P) and AJ Benning (Util./P); and sophomore potential leadoff man Nolan Barr (OF/P). With so many pitchers and so little practice time logged, it’s hard to pinpoint what roles the Diamond Dogs hurlers might take. Albert was envisioning starting the season with Payton Benning, Bedecker and Telford being his likely top three arms, with guys such as Mason Benning, Good, Williamson, AJ Benning, Pierce and as he works his way back Schmitt handling the other mound duties and showing what they’re capable of. Alongside what he’s seen with the glove and bat work, it made — in Albert’s estimations — for a pretty solid Streator ballteam. “I think we’re going to hit the ball,” he said. “I think we’re going to be better defensively from what we were, we’ve shored some things up from last year. And 10 out of our 13 guys can pitch. I don’t know if we have anybody who’s going to come in and strike out 15 consistently, but I think we’re going to play defense behind those guys and have a pretty good shot to be toward the top of the conference by the end of the year. ...

The Times | File Streator shortstop Mason Telford (at left) gloves and swipes to put the tag on an IVC baserunner during the 2019 prep baseball season.

“When we’re doing batting practice out on the field, last year batting at the plate I don’t remember us hitting any balls out. This year taking BP from the plate, I’ve had six to eight home runs hit over three days, and it’s been from four guys — Mason Telford, Logan

Williamson, Sean McGurk and Christian Bedecker. “I’m looking at those guys right now as the meat of the order ... to drive in some runs.” Had things gone as scheduled, Albert thought a 20-win season — which would have been the Diamond Dogs’ first

since a 2010 regional championship season under former skipper Nick McGurk — was a good possibility. As things stand, the hope is these Diamond Dogs will just get the chance to get back on the field. “I like this group,” said

Albert. “We’re young, but we have some senior leadership with Christian Bedecker and Mason Benning, and then we have the young guys who aren’t really rookies like Mason Telford and Sean McGurk. “We’re looking for big things out of these guys.”

Red Raiders raw but eager to compete Earlville has dedicated dozen out for baseball By Bill Lidinsky For The Times The first time Earlville and Leland high schools combined as a co-operative unit on the baseball diamond was back in 1990. That came to an end last year, as the Earlville-Leland Raiders played their last ballgame together, combining to produce a 6-15 overall record and a 5-9 ledger within the Little Ten Conference under first-year coach Dillon Reel. With the co-op now dissolved, each will branch out on its own as Reel returns for Year 2 as the Raiders skipper. He’ll have to compete with only 12 players in the program, including just two seniors along with three juniors, six sophomores and one freshman. “Last year was my first year as head coach in the program, and I knew we had to start somewhere,” Reel said. “We have to build off that during this season with a majority of guys that played varsity base-

ball on last year’s team. “They know what it takes to compete, and even though we only have 12, there’s only one place to go, and that’s up after just six wins last spring.” The Raiders graduated two main cogs off last year’s squad in four-year starting catcher Brennan Sweeney — who was also a Times First Team selection throughout the past three campaigns — along with Tyler Bretsch, who led the team with a .358 batting average and was a Times Honorable Mention pick last spring. Of the key returners, junior Davis Sweeney leads the way, especially on the mound after logging a club-best 45 2/3 innings while compiling a 2-3 record with 48 strikeouts and a 2.76 earned run average in 2019. Davis Sweeney also registered 18 hits in 62 at-bats and a .290 average at the plate. He will patrol centerfield when not on the bump. “We’re a very young ballclub, so the main challenge will be to overcome that youth, building up experience game by game,” Davis Sweeney said. “I know I’ll be pitching a lot once again, so in each appearance I just want to make sure

I’m hitting my zones, and if I do that I think I’ll be pretty successful.” Junior Jake Pickert returns after recording 18 hits in 57 at-bats and a .316 average as a sophomore. He will play first base and also see time on the hill. “I definitely know my role on this team this season is to be a leader on the field at first base, backing up Davis on the mound and hitting well at the plate,” Pickert said. “I feel like this year we’re going to really have to battle to get wins on the board, because we’re so young. “But if we play as a team, we’ll be just fine.” Also set to return is junior third baseman and pitcher Noah Lemke, who completed his sophomore season with 11 hits and 12 runs scored. “I’m going to have to do my part whether I’m pitching, playing third or at the plate, because we’re going to have to battle for everything we can get,” Lemke said. “Obviously we don’t have a lot of guys out there, so all of us are going to have to step up in a big way.” Look for sophomore Bryar Keller and freshman Garett

Davis Sweeney (7) works in relief during the postseason for the 2019 Red Raiders.

Cook to handle the catching and shortstop duties. Senior James Teuscher and sophomore Mason Shannon will both compete for time at

second base as well as on the mound. Senior Elyot Ohme as well as sophomores Clay Philip, Kyle Jungels, Carter Garbacz and

The Times | file

Anthony Towne are all expected to play roles in the outfield, with Philip, Garbacz and Towne also figuring to see some time as pitchers.

Lady Raiders have talented vets, new faces All-stater Pickert returns for Earlville-Leland By Charlie Ellerbrock cellerbrock@shawmedia.com Putting together a jigsaw puzzle is a lot easier when you have at least the corner pieces. The Earlville-Leland softball squad will this spring be missing several of the pieces that led it to last year’s successful 16-4 season that ended in a 3-0 loss to St. Bede in the Lady Bruins’ 1A regional championship game. That team was led by fouryear starting shortstop Skyler Brue, whose .432 average, three triples, three homers, 30 runs scored, 20 runs driven in and 15 stolen bases earned her a unanimous Little Ten All-Con-

ference First Team berth, a spot on The Times Second Team and the Illinois Coaches Association’s All-State Third Team. Also graduated are Kennedy Meloy, the team’s leader in the circle, catcher Taylor Weymouth and outfielders Julia Niles and Amanda Meyers. But while the majority of the Lady Raiders’ 18-player roster — comprised of five seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores and four freshmen — is still pretty young, the cupboard is far from bare, including a pair of anchors at the corners of the infield. “We’re looking to our seniors to use their experience and lead by example,” said EHS coach Shannon Cook. “These girls are all very athletic. When I look at the roster, I see a (volleyball) setter. I see a (basketball) point guard. I see a power forward. The thing that

strikes me about this team is that they’re big. We have some bigger girls who are strong, athletic girls who can drive the ball, and they’re going to have to play strong if we’re to be successful.” Leading the returnees is senior first baseman Jadyn Pickert, who like Brue was a unanimous LTC First Teamer, Times Second Teamer and ICA Third Teamer after having posted team-highs of a .456 average and 31 hits, to go with 17 runs and 17 RBIs. At the other corner will be sophomore Elizabeth Browder, who posted solid numbers while starting every game at third base as a freshman. In between, soph Alexis Olson slides to shortstop from second base, replaced there now by senior Kylie Congdon. The outfield will be anchored in center by last year’s

right fielder, senior Meghann Harness, flanked by two more sophomores Hailey Kuter in left and Brynn Guelde in right. Senior MaKenzie Farley and soph Emma Benson take over behind the plate for Weymouth, and they’ll likely be catching Meloy’s replacement, sophomore Paige Marks. Vying for time will be senior Kaela Hoagland, juniors Mya Thrall and Lexus Strawser, soph Avery Strohm and freshmen Darlene Sparks, Lexi Campbell, Natalie Barton and Kenzie Hoagland. “We are sophomore-heavy in our lineup this season,” said Cook. “They got a little bit of time last year, but not necessarily at the positions they might be playing this year. … With our inexperience at those positions, the key will be just playing that position correctly. “How do you field a ball

at this position, do we know what to do with the ball at this position, can we make this play on a game-to-game basis at this position? That will really make or break us this year. They’re working really hard on communicating with

each other, knowing where to throw, going through all kinds of situations. “We can’t treat them like freshmen anymore. They’ll have to grow up a little bit for us to help us fill out our starting lineup.”

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PREP BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

Monday, March 23, 2020

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Streator softball quite young but quite talented Lady Bulldogs will rely on six returnees By J.T. Pedelty jtpedelty@shawmedia.com One senior and three juniors make for an atypically small core of upperclassmen for what has historically been Streator High’s most successful program, Lady Bulldogs softball. Those four upperclassmen, however, are more than proven, and the eight underclassmen joining them look more than ready for varsity ball as SHS looks to build on a bounceback, 17-12-1 season as it enters the new Illinois Central Eight Conference. “So far, so good,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Dawn Williams (third year, 25-34-1). “I have a very talented group of girls. There are (six returning starters) from last year, and I also have some very talented sophomores and freshmen who will be moving up and will help us at the varsity level. “As far as competing, I think we can definitely hold our own and do a good job of competing against some of the strong teams on our schedule.” The team’s lone senior, Ellie Magana (.368 with 15 RBIs last season, Times All-Area Second Team), is a great place to start, a rock both at shortstop and toward the top of the order. Returning alongside her is the 2019 Lady Bulldogs’ other non-senior standout, pitcher/

first baseman/outfielder Jadyn Hansen (.455 with 19 RBIs; 14-11 record, 2.82 ERA, 115 K over 126 2/3 IP; Times All-Area and Interstate Eight South first teams), now a junior after a breakout and at times completely dominating sophomore campaign. Also back from last year are starters such as strong-gloved junior second baseman Faith Clift (.232 with 14 RBIs), 11thgrade utility player/pitcher Anna Schmitz (.182, 6 RBIs; 4-2 pitching record) and a pair of sophomores who will step into big roles this season — catcher/third baseman Maci Byers (.232 with 9 RBIs) taking over behind the plate and center fielder/pitcher Anna Hoffmeyer (.298 with 12 RBIs last season). The dozen-girl roster also includes players competing for field time and at-bats and expected to contribute such as: freshmen Leilani Zavada (1B/ OF), Kadence Ondrey (C/Util.) and Emma Augustine (3B/OF); and 10th-graders Jaelyn Blakemore (Util./P), Zoe Dearth (3B/ OF) and Hanna Gotch (IF/P). Asked if she saw her team’s strength as its hitting, fielding or pitching — with all five listed pitchers expected to see innings in the circle to offer opposing hitters different looks (“I’m not afraid to change pitchers during the course of a game. ... I think it’s key to throwing off the other teams’ offenses,” Williams said) — Streator’s coach said the Lady Bulldogs’ strength might actually be their balance.

The Times | File Ellie Magana returns for her senior season after batting .368 last season and earning a spot on The Times All-Area Second Team. “I would envision all of those wrapped into one,” said Williams. “I feel we are strong (in the circle), where we have five girls capable of pitching,

we have a good defense backing up those pitchers, we’ve worked on our smallball and bunting, and I’ve also seen a lot of strong hitters.

“Most of our players have a lot of experience playing travel ball. They’re not new to the game, they’re experienced, and putting them together I

Lady Cavaliers hope to take the next step Kevin Chlum Shaw Media With several key players back from a team that came up just short in a Class 3A regional final, the La Salle-Peru softball team hopes to take the next step this spring and claim the program’s first plaque since 2013. “The goal for every team is to win, but with how we’ve been playing (the first few) weeks, I think we can go far this year,” junior Lauren Phillips said. “We fell short of a regional championship last year, and wedefinitely want to go back and win that this year and even go further. Really, anything is possible. If we put our grit and minds to it, I think we can definitely go far.”

The Lady Cavs return several strong players from last year’s squad, led by junior Kaitlyn Gibson — a Ball State University commit — and sophomore Maddy Pangrcic, who were both NewsTribune First-Team All-Area selections last year. Gibson, a Ball State University recruit, hit .514 with an area-best 60 RBIs and seven homeruns along with 29 runs, 10 doubles, while Pangrcic hit an area-best .578 with an area-leading 13 doubles along with 32 RBIs, 25 runs and five home runs. Also back are Phillips, Paige Champlin, Lauren Klein, Alexia Michael and Kelli Boyer. With Gibson and Pangrcic leading the way, the Lady Cavs should have a solid offense. Along with the returning

players, freshman Taylor Martyn brings speed and the ability to slap, freshman Evin Becker “can hit heck out of the ball,” and Avary Kampwerth improved her swing in the offseason, while sophomore Paige Kirkman and seniors Maddie Rose and Jacey Mertel also are expected to contribute. “Our offense will be younger than usual, but we will be solid,” Gibson said. “We have every girl working their butts off on hitting days and it shows. “We have a mixture of both power and contact hitters. We have some big monster hitters and we also have hitters who will make contact almost every time to advance runners.” Boyer logged some varsity innings toward the end of last season.

think gives us a pretty great little ballclub. “I’m very, very excited about this season. I think we have a great group of girls.”

GO “JADO” HANSEN GO!

Junior Claire Stillwell and freshmen Becker and Chloe Mitchell also could see time. “We’re gong to use our first few games to really evaluate because they’re all really close,” coach Randy Huebbe said. Huebbe expects the team to be better on defense than last season. The Lady Cavs are experienced in the infield with Gibson returning at third base and Phillips back at second. Pangrcic takes over at shortstop, while Champlin will likely get the nod at first base. Kampwerth will handle duties behind the plate. Michael and Rose will play in the outfield, while Martyn, Klein, Champlin, Becker and Mertel could also see time out there.

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Monday, March 23, 2020

n 11

Senior leaders, promising rookies at WFC Warriors baseball brings interesting mix into new season By J.T. Pedelty jtpedelty@shawmedia.com If there is a 2020 high school spring season here in Illinois, the Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell baseball Warriors look like a strong candidate to be one of the area’s more fun, up-and-coming ballclubs to watch. Five seniors — all returning starters — return for skipper “Bubs” Hoffman (ninth season at Woodland, 58-99-1) from 2019’s 7-16 team, complemented by seven juniors and sophomore with varying experience and a promising crop of six freshmen which brings talent to contribute to the varsity team right away. “It is a nice group of freshmen this year,” said Hoffman before the coronavirus-caused school closures halted the preseason. “They’re all nice players, and I know they’ve done well in youth baseball and their travel teams in the summer. With our numbers, a couple of those guys are going to have to step up and maybe start for us. We’re definitely going to look for a couple of them to pitch and help us out there. “It’s a feeling-out process to see where some of these guys will fit in, and even some of

the guys back from last year. Just because you’re penciled in a position from last year doesn’t mean that’s where you’re going to play this year. We’re going to put people in a position where they can best help the team.” It starts with the five WFC seniors. Brad Simpson (.338 average with 5 RBIs last spring) could start at catcher but seems more likely to return to right field, a tough, sun-drenched position at the Windy Confines he handled adroitly a season ago. Christian Miller (.333 with 23 RBIs and 4 HR) will return to first base and the heart of the order, and will be asked to step up into the starting pitching rotation after limited innings in 2019. Mason Ewing (.294 with 4 RBIs) will be another top-ofthe-rotation guy after tossing 23 innings last season, but most of his time will be spent patrolling center field, where Hoffman says he is “as good as any center fielder defensively I’ve even coached, and this will be my 31st year of coaching baseball.” The versatile Cody Dodge (.280 with 7 RBIs) is slotted into an infield spot and could also see some innings on the bump after logging just two last spring. And Trevor Derossett (.217 with 6 RBIs) will return either to his second base spot or the outfield after spending

time in both as a junior, and is another of the arms Hoffman referenced on an 18-man program-wide roster which boasts 11 listed pitchers. “The five seniors were all starters for us last year, and they’re all going to be starters for us this year in some capacity,” said Hoffman. Another returner from a strong 2019 is sophomore Carl Sass (.250 with 3 RBIs; 22 1/3 IP, 1-0 record, 3.76 ERA), who projects to be at the top of the Warriors’ rotation when and if things get going again, and when not pitching could be in the mix at first base or in the grass. Juniors Aiden Boyles (1B/P), Nolan Bressi (2B/P) and Mark Matson (OF); sophomores Keegan Boldt (C/IF), Phoenix Cooper (OF) and Will Weber (C/ OF); and the aforementioned strong group of freshmen featuring Xander Boyles (P/3B), Carter Ewing (SS/P), Dane Osterdock (C/OF), Ethan Schumm (P/IF), Mason Sterling (P/2B) and Jesse Simpson (OF) could all play their way into featured roles on a WFC roster that seems to offer a lot of opportunity but also a lot of potential. “We just want to be able to be competitive in every game we play in, primarily the conference games,” Hoffman said. “This team, I think, has some potential offensively to do a few more things than the past. We have more depth in pitching — we lack the power arms, but we have more guys we can

The Times | File Cody Dodge, shown here dealing home during a relief appearance last spring, is one of a number of returnees for the Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell baseball co-op in 2020.

go to, which gives us a little more flexibility. The big thing is we’re going to have to find the right mixes defensively. “That first week of practice

(on Woodland’s vastly renovated and rebuilt home field), that was nice. We were on the infield every day (after the opening day of practice), and

having the batting cage out there just opens up possibilities of what we can do at practice. ... “It should be a fun year.”

Key losses offset by key returnees for Lady Warriors WFC keeping expectations high despite graduations By J.T. Pedelty jtpedelty@shawmedia.com Some important pieces from 2019’s Woodland/ Flanagan-Cornell softball club departed via Pomp and Circumstance after another successful season, including all of the team’s varsity pitchers. There are, however, some important pieces returning from that 17-10 ballclub, keeping expectations for the 2020 Lady Warriors high despite the team’s modest number of five returning upperclassmen. “I feel really good about what we have coming back and excited for some of the youth we have coming up,” said Lady Warriors coach Jordan Farris (seventh year, 88-59). “All in all, I feel really optimistic about the season. “I feel we have a chance to build upon what we did last year.” The main reason for Farris’ optimism lies in his returnees — a group that may not feature any of last year’s pitchers but does contain a wealth of explosive offense and steady

glovework. Elise Kane (.398 batting average with 32 RBIs, Times All-Area Honorable Mention) is one of two returning seniors for WFC and will compete to take over the primary pitching duties. “Kaner’s taking that leadership role,” said Farris, “and she said she has no problem stepping into the circle.” Speedy outfielder and gap hitter Kaitlyn Walter is the Warriors’ other returning senior, with three juniors — third baseman/catcher Morgan Schwahn, first baseman Sydnee Plesko (.524 with 32 RBIs, Times All-Area First Team, Tri-County First Team) and shortstop Audrey Jenkins (.407 with 23 RBIs, Times All-Area Second Team, Tri-County Second Team, ICA All-State Third Team) — also returning as leaders. “Two of my seniors have been three-year starters, so it’s nice to have that experience,” Farris said. “They’ve played in multiple championship games, they know what it’s like, they’re beyond the point of jitters and nerves. And then my juniors have been two-year starters, and they’ve sort of taken the same approach as the seniors: It’s business. We’re here to work. “We want to keep it loose and have fun, but we’re look-

ing to go deep in the postseason again like we always try to do.” Sophomore catcher Ella Sibert (.412 with 22 RBIs) and fellow 10th-grader Jena Easton also were heavy contributors a year ago and return, with a lean, 11-girl varsity roster also counting on contributions from senior outfielder Ashleigh Wright, sophomore utility Kayleigh Osterdock, and a pair of promising, versatile freshmen — Clara Downey and Cheyenne Burns, who can play all over the field including Burns working some innings in the pitcher’s circle in what their coach describes as a “1-1A situation” with Kane. Exactly when or even if the season will begin is still uncertain, but when and if it does, Farris feels his Lady Warriors can keep the program’s streak of eight consecutive winning seasons going. “We’d love to finish with a conference title,” Farris said. “The upper half of the TCC has traditionally been pretty stout, but I’d like to think we’ve been there the last however many years. “Staying in the hunt in the conference is key, and we always want the opportunity to play in multiple postseason games. ... “We at least want to give ourselves a chance.”

For The Times | File Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell catcher Ella Sibert gets the out on a sliding Eureka baserunner at the windy confines of Woodland School during last year’s nonconference meeting.

THE TIMES 2019 ALL-AREA BASEBALL TEAM FIRST TEAM Luke Couch

Sophomore, Marquette

Sam Grushkin Senior, Seneca

Jared Herzog Senior, Ottawa

Corey Jacobson

Logan Komater

John Thompson

Ben Lundy

Nolan Wegener

Senior, Marquette

Junior, Marquette

Kadon Harth

Jacob Slivka Senior, Newark

Senior, Sandwich

Nick Melvin

Junior, Ottawa

Andrew Gipe

Mason Telford

Sophomore, Streator

Tyler Jenkins

Senior, Somonauk

Sophomore, Marquette

Senior, Fieldcrest

SECOND TEAM

Christian Miller

Kyle Voytko

Vern McKinley

Sean McGurk

Sophomore, Ottawa

Myles Mitchell

HONORABLE MENTION

Lucas Pasakarnis Sophomore, Marquette

Liam Roberts

Senior, Ottawa

Derek May

Freshman, Streator

Jace Addis

McCoy Allen

Junior, WFC

Junior, Seneca

Senior, WFC

Tyler Bretsch

Senior, WFC

Senior, Streator

Freshman, Newark

Nate Melvin

Sophomore, Fieldcrest

Jackson Murphy Junior, Sandwich

Senior, Earlville-Leland

Senior, Marquette

Jack Snook

Connor Baker

Senior, Marquette

Junior, Serena

Haydon Price

Senior, Marquette

John Bruner Senior, Ottawa

Junior, Somonauk

Steven Kenyon

Brennan Sweeney

Tyler Carson

Jaron Schiera

Max Donahue

Drew Westbrook

Senior, Newark

Bryce Jones

Senior, Somonauk

Senior, Marquette

Senior, Earlville-Leland

Senior, Ottawa

Junior, Sandwich

Senior, Marquette

Shane Reynolds

Senior, Somonauk

12 n

PREP BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

Monday, March 23, 2020

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Leland starting fresh, hoping to play solid baseball Panthers to field team for first time in a couple decades By Brian Hoxsey bhoxsey@shawmedia.com It has been quite a while since Leland High School has fielded its own baseball team — the Panthers co-oping with Earlville in the sport over the past two decades. Coach Chris Bickel didn’t know what to expect when he reached out to athletes to see who would like to get the program re-started. “This will be the first time Leland has had a baseball program on its own in over 25 years,” said Bickel, who coached Earlville for a couple seasons before taking his position as LHS principal a number of years ago. “We have talked to the kids about if this was something we were going to commit to and what we needed to do. At that initial meeting of how many kids would be interested in baseball, we had 18, and I honestly was like,

‘Wow, that’s great.’ “ The Leland roster currently sits at 14, which includes three seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen — the latter being “very eager to improve, while holding potential and talent.” “We are going to have very little varsity experience,” Bickel said. “A couple kids were on the (co-op) team last year, but probably didn’t see too much playing time. We have many who have played baseball through our park district and some have played a little travel ball in the summers. “So they’ve played baseball, but almost all will be very new to varsity high school baseball.” The senior members of the team are Jacob Clifford (OF), Seth Schultz (IF/OF/P) and Joshua Creager (OF). “The approach to this season is that I want the kids to enjoy playing the game of baseball,” said Bickel. “For most of these kids, it’s an opportunity that they didn’t have before, and they’re taking it.” The Panthers will also feature juniors Fernando Silva (2B/ OF) and Joushua Henne (P/OF); sophomores Jesse White (3B/

OF), Andrew Salisbury (P/OF) and Luke Grimm (IF/OF/P); and freshman Alex Todd (2B/OF), Porter Thrall (IF/P/C), Mythys Pinnell (C/OF), Mitchell Henne (1B/P), Paul Head (SS) and MJ Grzanich (2B/3B). “We have been really teaching the fundamentals, and like I told them, my goal is to, while having fun, for them to be able to teach the game when they get old like me,” Bickel said with a laugh. “We’d like to be able to get a couple wins along the way. We are going to be optimistic and play the game of baseball to the best of our ability. Honestly, we already have a very nice field that the community will be excited to see being used, but we had to buy everything else new. “We are starting our program from scratch.” With the inexperience and a lot of unknowns, Bickel says they are trying to keep things simple and give his team the best possible opportunity to be competitive. “We are only going to play a Little Ten Conference schedule, what we feel is a sound adjustment for the new program, said Bickel. “We are also con-

cerned with having enough pitching with pitch-count rules what they are. Adding

nonconference games wasn’t something we felt comfortable doing, but hopefully maybe

late in the season we’ll be able to add a couple of JV games as well.”

La Salle-Peru baseball has plenty of experience Kevin Chlum Shaw Media Two years ago, the La Salle-Peru baseball team stumbled to a six-win season. Many of the 12 seniors on the 2020 Cavaliers were on that team and are entering their third year on the varsity. “Their experience should pay off big time for us,” L-P coach Matt Glupczynski said.”A lot of these kids who are seniors played up as sophomores. That year we did not have a very good overall record, but we were very young. We had a lot of sophomores up and a few freshmen up. We had kids bouncing back and

forth. Some of these kids are going on their third year on the varsity.” The Cavs return nine players who had starting experience last year in seniors Connor Reese, Jake Wagner, Mason Mitchell, Nate Hachenberger, Alex Lenkaitis, Dominic Derlien, Nick Kreiser and Ky Copeland and junior Drake Weber. “We’re very deep, we’re very athletic and when we put all that together it’s going to create great competition,” Glupczynski said. “The first couple weeks, I’ll be able to watch them play and mix up different lineups so we can get the best nine or 10 guys when

we get ready to go into the conference season.” While the Cavs have a strong core of experienced juniors and seniors, a pair of sophomores will make an impact as well in Jack Scheri and Julius Sanchez, who is already committed to the University of Illinois. “They’re both athletically gifted, great kids and great teammates,” Glupczynski said. “Julius will be getting innings on the mound for us and competing reps at the plate. He’ll also compete for innings in the infield and outfield. Jack is compete for innings in the infield. Jack is a great hitter and Julius has a very athletic,

explosive swing. I’m very excited to see what they can do.” Glupczynski said a lot of Cavaliers have put in a lot of time working on their offense in the offseason. “They put in a lot of time developing their swings and making adjustments,” Glupczynski said. “They spent a lot of time in the cage and outside the cage doing some extra work.” TheCavs are hoping that work pays off at the plate this spring. “I think as long as our confidence is up, we’re going to be OK,” Glupczynski said. “I think we’ll be a team that offensively can do a little bit

of everything. I think we can hit for some power. I think we can play some small ball. We have some guys who can run. I think we should be able to put up runs as long as westay confident and stay within ourselves.” Along with Sanchez, the Cavs return plenty of talented pitching as well, led by NewsTribune First-Team All-Area pick Colton Yanish. Also expected to log innings are Bobby Pohar, Ronnie Pelszynski, Hachenberger, Mitchell, Copeland, Lenkaitis, Drew Castelli and Drew Lane. “We’re about 10 deep with our pitching staff of guys I’d trust to go out and log

innings,” Glupczynski said. “I’m very pleased with that.” Weber can play multiple positions and could see time at catcher or at the middle infield spots. Reese, Wagner, Mitchell, Scheri and Sanchez could see time in the infield, while Hachenberger, Lenkaitis, Derlien, Copeland and Eric Rimmele are competing for time in the outfield. “The players have a wide range of goals, but winning the conference is a major goal of ours, trying to win 20 games with our tough schedule is a major goal and making a run into the postseason is another major goal,” Glupczynski said.

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