High School Sports RSS: Baseball

Krol to head for Arizona

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Ian Krol, a senior for the Neuqua Valley Wildcats, narrowed his college baseball choice to the Arizona Wildcats and Kentucky Wildcats. In the end, Krol chose Arizona for reasons like good climate, facilities, players and especially coaching.

Brookfield's run ends in regional final

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00 CST

Illinois state champ Brookfield finished second in the Senior Babe Ruth Ohio Valley Regional after losing twice to the Hammond Chiefs on Tuesday at T.F. North High School.

Polito's role expands for Seminoles

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00 CST

Jordan Polito, a rising sophomore at Mount Carmel, has been an impact player on the mound and at the plate for the Hammond Seminoles, who are seeking a berth in the Mickey Mantle (15-16) World Series.

Lincoln-Way East advances to state final

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:00 CST

Matt Hartmann no-hit Elk Grove for six innings en route to a 3-1 win over Elk Grove Friday in the semifinals of the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association summer state tourney.

Pitching helps Huskies win battle of Oak Park

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00 CST

Luke McLeese pitched a four-hitter as Oak Park beat neighborhood rival Fenwick 4-1 Thursday to advance to the summer state tournament.

Friday's baseball roundup

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Friday's summer baseball action.

Chimera comes through as Rice rallies for win

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Brother Rice overcame a 3-0 deficit and five errors to edge visiting Oak Lawn 5-4 Tuesday in the South Suburban Summer League's North Division.

Summer in the city: Lane gets past Young

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Bobby Gora pitched a five-hitter as Lane knocked off host Young 4-2 Monday in summer league action.

Monday's baseball roundup

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Monday's summer baseball action.

Herscher falls in tourney final

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00 CST

Host Herscher fell 18-8 to Mascoutah in the title game of a four-team invitational.

Hill's topper

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Joliet Catholic's John Ruettiger always finds a way to get on base. He proceeds to steal second and scores easily on the type of single where most runners are held at third. For that and more, he is the MVP of the Herald News Baseball All-Area Team.

SBT features talent from around state

By Ryan Gregg rgregg@scn1.com — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

More than 60 college coaches and professional scouts descended on Plainfield South High School's baseball diamonds Saturday.

Once a Spartan, always a Spartan

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Ten years after he graduated from Marian Catholic, Phil Wail has returned to his alma mater to try to rebuild a baseball program that has not had much success in recent years.

Friday's baseball roundup

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Friday's baseball action.

Prep baseball talent to be featured at SBT

By Ryan Gregg rgregg@scn1.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

In order to know if you are the best, you have to play the best. Such is the theory behind the Suburban Baseball Tournament to be held at Plainfield South on Saturday and Sunday.

All by instinct

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

With the help of his playing style, Neuqua Valley junior Ian Krol was nearly automatic this spring. The junior left-hander coupled a 0.98 ERA with a .479 batting average to claim the 2008 Sun Player of the Year award.

Providence works OT to edge Illiana

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

A solid outing by reliever Connor DuCray helped Providence edge Illiana Christian 6-5 in nine innings Wednesday in South Suburban Summer League South Division action.

A Phoenix is on the rise in Frankfort

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00 CST

Lincoln-Way North's brand-new varsity baseball program doesn't yet have a field of its own. But the Phoenix have some high hopes - and some talent, as their 4-1 summer record demonstrates.

Wednesday's baseball roundup

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Wednesday's summer baseball action.

Eagles going through growing pains early on

BY RICK BEHREN -- CONTRIBUTOR — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

As summer high school baseball begins, it's a whole new ball game for the Leyden squad after losing 13 seniors, including eight starters, from the 2008 conference and regional championship team.

Piecyznski takes Giants job

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00 CST

Former Niles West assistant Eddie Pieczynski has been hired as Highland Park's baseball coach to replace Andy Knotek, who retired.

Tuesday's baseball roundup

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Tuesday's summer baseball action.

Monday's baseball roundup

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Monday's summer baseball action.

Butler does it: Bulldogs land Marian's Padove

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Marian Catholic catcher Brian Padove will be joining three of his summer baseball teammates at Butler University.

A new attitude

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

All it took was a strikeout, a brief act of failure during a long baseball season, for Marmion Academy coach Dave Rakow to know Matt Milroy had arrived as a varsity player. Milroy is the 2008 Beacon News Baseball Player of the Year.

Friday's baseball roundup

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Friday's summer baseball action.

Thunderbolts strike late vs. Marian

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:00 CST

Andrew relied on a familiar formula -- stingy pitching and clutch hitting -- to beat Marian Catholic 3-1 Wednesday in South Suburban Summer League action.

Wednesday's baseball roundup

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Wednesday's summer baseball action.

Mustang rally: St. Rita stalls Caravan

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

St. Rita had home runs from Kevin Austin and Joey Filomeno en route to an 18-7 romp past Mount Carmel Tuesday in a South Suburban Summer League opener.

Tales of great success

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

The players on the Sun-Times All-Area baseball team all have different success stories. Some have been four-year standouts, others have gradually built up their acclaim, while others have emerged out of nowhere.

Lincoln-Way North successful in debut

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Kevin Majchrzak slugged a bases-loaded triple Monday as Lincoln-Way North moved up to the varsity level for the first time and beat Bloom 11-1 in the South Suburban Summer League.

Wildcats put aside their disappointment

BY PATRICK MOONEY -- NAPERVILLE SUN — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Neuqua Valley's decorated senior class went out on top. The Wildcats defeated Wheaton North 4-3 on Saturday in Joliet. Pitcher Ian Krol struck out nine to earn his fourth victory of the postseason.

Neuqua Valley punctuates season with a trophy

BY BRAD ENGEL -- NAPERVILLE SUN — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Well before Neuqua Valley's outgoing seniors took the state tournament by storm the last two years, the Wildcats were itty-bitty freshmen. They had to learn their way around campus, memorize locker combinations and get bigger at practice.

Player of the Year: Bryan Roberts

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

With his time freed up to work on pitching drills, mechanics and long toss, Benet�s Bryan Roberts developed into a dominant pitcher. He blew opponents away this year en route to becoming the Sun-Times� 2008 Player of the Year.

Super Swank: Prairie Ridge wins 4A crown

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sun, 8 Jun 2008 23:00 CST

Prairie Ridge ace T.J. Swank drove in two runs, including the game-tying triple, to propel the Wolves to a 3-2 victory over Oak Park in the Class 4A state championship game Saturday at Joliet's Silver Cross Field.

Highland wins 3A title with Gifford

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Danny Gifford did it all for Highland in its 6-2 victory over Rock Falls in the Class 3A state championship game Saturday at Joliet's Silver Cross Field.

Joliet Catholic bounces back, finishes third

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

It wasn't the trophy Joliet Catholic expected to win this weekend, but the Hilltoppers finished their impressive season by defeating Crystal Lake Central 7-0 Saturday in the Class 3A baseball third-place game at Joliet's Silver Cross Field.

Mike Clark's blog from the Class 4A finals

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Yourseason.com's Mike Clark blogged live from the Class 4A state baseball finals at Joliet's Silver Cross Field.

Almost perfect: Neuqua takes third

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Neuqua Valley's Ian Krol and Mike McKinley combined to two-hit Wheaton North in a 4-3 win to take home the school's second straight state trophy Saturday in the Class 4A third-place game at Joliet's Silver Cross Field.

Sun-Times All-Area baseball teams

Sat, 7 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Benet pitcher Bryan Roberts, the 2008 Baseball Player of the Year, headlines the 2008 Sun-Times' All-Area teams.

Leyden's Weaver goes to White Sox in draft

YOUSEASON.COM STAFF REPORT — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 17:00 CST

Leyden pitcher Jonathan Weaver was the first local prep player to be picked in this year's baseball draft, going to the White Sox in the 17th round Friday. Also among those selected were Conant's Austin Wright, Sandburg's Greg Billo and Rolling Meadows' Kyle Gaedele.

Semi-surprise: Rock Falls upends Joliet Cath.

BY TINA AKOURIS -- SUN-TIMES — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 17:00 CST

Rock Falls jumped on Joliet Catholic and pitcher John Ruettiger early and never let up, tallying a 5-1 win Friday in the Class 3A semifinals at Joliet�s Silver Cross Field. The Hilltoppers play Crystal Lake Central Saturday in the third-place game.

Maldanado powers Huskies in 4A semis

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 17:00 CST

In the Class 4A semifinals, Oak Park's Jo Jo Maldanado went 4-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI as the Huskies rolled to an 11-1 win over Wheaton North in six innings Friday at Joliet's Silver Cross Field.

Six-run fifth carries Wolves

BY TINA AKOURIS -- SUN-TIMES — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 17:00 CST

Prairie Ridge�s six-run fifth inning overwhelmed defending state champion Neuqua Valley, and gave the Wolves a 7-1 win in a Class 4A state semifinal Friday at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Crystal Lake Central falls to Highland ace Odorizzi

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 17:00 CST

Crystal Lake Central gave Highland ace Jake Odorizzi everything he could handle, but wound up dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker Friday in the Class 3A semifinals at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

On any given day, baseball proves fickle

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 17:00 CST

If your first chance to see this Joliet Catholic baseball team in action was Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament at Silver Cross Field, you may be wondering what all the fuss was about.

Drafty feeling for Southland products

By Pat Disabato, Staff writer — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Several Southland products were selected Friday in the Major League Baseball draft.

Middle men prove key for Hilltoppers

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Second baseman Nick Ratajczak and shortstop Nick Cladis, both juniors at Joliet Catholic, have been teammates for about as long as they've been playing baseball. And their experience has paid off for the Hilltoppers.

Budzinski's glove work is key for Hilltoppers

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Brian Budzinski's slick fielding and clutch hitting are two reasons Joliet Catholic is two wins away from the Class 3A state baseball title.

Neuqua, Prairie Ridge are familiar foes

BY BRAD ENGEL -- NAPERVILLE SUN — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Neuqua Valley ace Ian Krol can give his teammates scouting reports on Prairie Ridge's top pitchers, because he was on the same summer team as T.J. Swank, Michael Heesch and Nick Martini.

Power pitchers awaiting Joliet Catholic?

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Depending on how the Class 3A tourney plays out, Joliet Catholic could wind up facing two of the state's top pitchers in any class: Highland's Jake Odorizzi and Rock Falls' Jarred Hippen.

Neuqua aims to double its pleasure at state

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Led by ace pitcher Ian Krol, Neuqua Valley is looking to become the first repeat state baseball champ in nearly 50 years.

3A finals: Mystery waiting for solution

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Downstate powers Highland and Rock Falls are unknown quantities -- at least to their Chicago area rivals -- in the first Class 3A state baseball tournament.

A look at the Oak Park-Wheaton N. matchup

BY PATRICK MOONEY -- NAPERVILLE SUN — Fri, 6 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

A quick look at the Wheaton North-Oak Park semifinal in the Class 4A state tournament.

Illiana's Kapteyn awaits draft call

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Wed, 4 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

Illiana Christian third baseman/pitcher Braden Kapteyn could be selected in the early rounds of baseball's First-Year Player Draft, which begins Thursday.

Hilltoppers aim to scale another mountain

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:00 CST

With two more wins this weekend at Silver Cross Field in Joliet, Joliet Catholic would claim claim state championships in football and baseball in the same school year for the first time.

'Big hits' spark Oak Park

BY SETH SCHWARTZ — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Clutch hitting by Sam Picciotti and Drew Golz in the top of the seventh inning lifted Oak Park to a 7-3 win over Sandburg in a Class 4A supersectional at Standard Bank Stadium.

Wheaton North knocks off Loyola

BY PHIL BROZYNSKI — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Wheaton North exploded for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on back-to-back doubles by Travis Otto and Wade Cervenka and a two-out home run by Trey Martin to defeat Loyola 4-1 Monday at the Class 4A supersectional at Benedictine University.

Kazak comes through for Joliet Catholic

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Joliet Catholic employed its small-ball attack to score four runs in the second inning and left-hander Steve Kazak made it stand up as the Hilltoppers defeated Jones 5-1 Monday in a Class 3A supersectional at Standard Bank Stadium.

Neuqua's Krol too much for Collinsville

BY CURT HERRON — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Ian Krol tossed a two-hitter while striking out a season-high 14 batters to lead Neuqua Valley to a 5-0 win over Collinsville Monday in the Class 4A University of Illinois Supersectional in Champaign.

Ljunggren�s winner sends Wolves to state

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Chad Ljunggren's single in the bottom of the eighth inning propelled Prairie Ridge to a thrilling 5-4 victory over No. 3 Carmel in the Class 4A Schaumburg Supersectional on Monday at Alexian Field.

Tigers stay on a roll

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Crystal Lake Central took one step closer to sending coach Jeff Aldridge off with a state title with a 4-2 win over Glenbard South Monday in the Class 3A Schaumburg Supersectional.

Highland rolls behind Odorizzi

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 19:00 CST

Highland's Jake Odorizzi smacked a leadoff homer to get things going for the Bulldogs, who rolled to a 10-0 win over Mt. Zion Monday in the Class 3A Univsersity of Illinois Supersectional.

Versatile Rowan shines for Neuqua Valley

BY CURT HERRON — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Geoff Rowan's ability to hit, pitch and catch helped Neuqua Valley capture a 9-4 win over Lockport in Saturday's Class 4A Neuqua Valley Sectional finals.

Saturday's baseball roundup

Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Saturday's baseball action.

Oak Park powers its way past rival Friars

BY SETH SCHWARTZ — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Home runs by Kyle Glancy and JoJo Maldanado powered Oak Park past rival Fenwick 8-4 Saturday in the Class 4A Mount Carmel Sectional title game.

Sandburg's Billo at his best vs. Brother Rice

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Sandburg pitcher Greg Billo silenced Brother Rice�s high-scoring offense in the Eagles' 4-2 victory Saturday in the Class 4A St. Rita Sectional championship game.

Jones advances to supersectionals

BY CLYDE TRAVIS — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Even though it has only 17 players in its entire baseball program, Jones continued its unprecedented state run with a 9-5 win over Harlan Saturday in the Class 3A Brooks Sectional championship.

Stopka sparks Carmel rout

BY DICK QUAGLIANO — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Carmel and Donald Stopka easily ended Buffalo Grove�s season with a 16-1 win in five innings Saturday in the Class 4A Libertyville Sectional title game.

Serritella stands out in Loyola win

BY CRAIG LYNCH — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Led by Chris Serritella, Loyola advanced to the Class 4A supersectionals with an 11-4 victory over Leyden Saturday in the Niles West Sectional finals.

Marmion lets Rock Falls off the hook

BY RICK ARMSTRONG -- BEACON NEWS — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Rock Falls claimed a 6-4 decision over Marmion on Saturday to win the Rochelle Class 3A Sectional title game and advance to Monday's Rock Island Super-Sectional against LaSalle-Peru.

Collinsville knocks out Minooka

BY RON KREMER -- HERALD NEWS — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Collinsville scored three times in the bottom of the first to erase a 1-0 deficit and went on to edge Minooka 4-3 Saturday in a Class 4A sectional final at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Coal City takes fourth

BY DAVE PARKER -- HERALD NEWS — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Pinckneyville pitcher Kyle Cassidy and and DH Garrick Hale were too much for Coal City as the Coalers lost the Class 2A state third-place game 4-0 on Saturday.

Neuqua's David makes it all the way back

BY BRAD ENGEL -- NAPERVILLE SUN — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

Less than a year after being seriously injured in an auto accident, Neuqua Valley's Jason David has emerged as one of the top power hitters in the Chicago area.

Defensive gems help Olympia win 2A title

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00 CST

A pair of big plays by right fielder Mitch Birky helped pave the way for Olympia's 6-1 win over Chillicothe IVC Saturday in the Class 2A state baseball championship at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.

Marmion counting on Milroy in title game

BY RICK ARMSTRONG -- BEACON NEWS — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:00 CST

Matt Milroy led Marmion to victory on Thursday with his bat, slugging three home runs in a 12-3 win over Belvidere North. Saturday afternoon, the Cadets will be counting on the junior's arm as he takes the mound against Rock Falls in the Rochelle Class 3A Sectional title game.

Coal City's title hopes washed away

BY RANDY WHALEN — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:00 CST

Another wave of storms brought an early end to the Class 2A baseball semifinal between Stanford Olympia and Coal City Friday. Olympia was credited with a 4-1 win in a game called with one out in the top of the sixth.

Friday's state baseball roundup

Fri, 30 May 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Friday's state baseball action.

Lasowski, Vikings go the distance

BY STEVE MILLAR -- FOR THE SOUTHTOWNSTAR — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Illiana Christian pitcher Kevin Lasowski allowed just four hits as the Vikings edged Oak Forest 1-0 in the Class 3A Crete-Monee Sectional semifinals on Thursday.

DeAno delivers for Wheaton North

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Jack DeAno pitrched a five-hitter and fanned seven, leading Wheaton North past St. Charles North 5-2 Thursday in the Class 4A Larkin Sectional semifinals.

Eagles soar on Stephens' late hit

BY CRAIG LYNCH — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Cameron Stephens singled home winning pitcher John Weaver with the tiebreaking run in the sixth as Leyden slipped past Maine South 1-0 Thursday in the Class 4A Niles West Sectional semifinals.

Crusaders staggers Stagg

BY PAT DISABATO -- SOUTHTOWNSTAR — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Brother Rice's Kevin Koziol hit a three-run homer to help his shutout effort at the mound as the Crusaders shutout Stagg 10-0 on Thursday in the Class 4A St. Rita Sectional semifinal.

Oak Park's slams sink Dolphins

BY SETH SCHWARTZ — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

John Schreiber and Joe Kelty both slugged grand slams as Oak Park beat Young 9-5 Thursday in the Class 4A Mount Carmel Sectional semifinals.

Jones' Montoya rebounds vs. Brooks

BY MIKE CLARK -- SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

After struggling in last weekend's regional final, Jones pitcher Luis Montoya got his groove back Thursday en route to a 7-2 win over host Brooks in a Class 3A sectional semifinal.

Sabatino's return gives Lockport a big lift

BY MATT LE CREN — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Notre Dame recruit Steve Sabatino, who hadn't pitched all season because of an ailing shoulder, enjoyed a successful return to the mound Thursday as Lockport beat Benet 4-2 in the Class 4A Neuqua Valley Sectional semifinals.

Prairie Ridge, Swank stymie CL South

BY TAYLOR BECHTOLD -- PIONEER PRESS — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:00 CST

T.J. Swank spotted Crystal Lake South two early runs, but Prairie Ridge came back strong to win 12-2 Thursday in the Class 4A Rockford Guilford Sectional semifinals.

Resurgent Bison edges Mundelein

BY DICK QUAGLIANO — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Upstart Buffalo Grove reached the .500 mark by stunning Mundelein 3-2 in eight innings Thursday in the Class 4A Libertyville Sectional semifinals.

Coalers digging trip to state

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

On Friday Coal City will get their second opportunity to play at Silver Cross Field this season. This time a State 2A title game birth is on the line.

Thursday's baseball roundup

Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Thursday's baseball action.

Big fifth lifts Sandburg

BY PAT DISABATO -- SOUTHTOWNSTAR — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Sandburg broke loose for nine runs in the fifth inning to beat T.F. South 11-1 on Wednesday in the Class 4A St. Rita Sectional semifinals.

Krol's in full control for Neuqua Valley

BY CURT HERRON — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Ian Krol shut down Lincoln-Way East's potent attack and Neuqua Valley pushed across the decisive run in the eighth inning for a 2-1 win Wednesday in the Class 4A sectional semifinals.

Pustaeri atones for error with game-winning RBI for Saxons

BY JON YEE -- CONTRIBUTOR — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Schaumburg scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to top Geneva 5-4 Wednesday in the Class 4A Larkin Sectional semifinals.

Fantastic fourth lifts Loyola

BY CRAIG LYNCH — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Loyola scored four runs in the fourth inning to secure a 7-3 win over Glenbrook South Wednesday in a Class 4A sectional semifinal at Niles West.

Fenwick withstands Caravan's charge

BY SETH SCHWARTZ — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Fenwick survived a pair of late rallies by host Mount Carmel to win 7-6 Wednesday in a Class 4A sectional semifinal.

One is enough for Carmel vs. Giants

BY SEAN DUNCAN — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Kevin Hendricks' RBI single in the sixth lifted No. 4 Carmel past No. 10 Highland Park 1-0 Wednesday in the Class 4A Libertyville Sectional semifinals.

Harlan takes it easy vs. Hancock

BY CLYDE TRAVIS — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Harlan took advantage of Hancock's mistakes, opening a 8-0 lead before getting its first hit en route to a 12-1 win Wednesday in the C;ass 3A Brooks Sectional semifinals.

Joliet Catholic rolls, waits for opponent

BY DICK GOSS -- HERALD NEWS — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

After cruising past host Crete-Monee 12-0 Wednesday in a Class 3A sectional semifinal, Joliet Catholic will wait to see who it'll face in Saturday's final: Illiana Christian or Oak Forest.

Minooka plays small ball, earns big win

BY RON KREMER -- HERALD NEWS — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Using the bunt and stolen base to good effect, Minooka blanked Moline 3-0 Wednesday in a Class 4A sectional semifinal in Bloomington.

Wednesday's baseball roundup

Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Wednesday's baseball action.

Former Redhawk works his way back into Tar Heels' picture

BY PATRICK MOONEY -- NAPERVILLE SUN — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:00 CST

The warning signs closed in on Colin Bates. Veins popped from his right arm, which had swelled to twice the size of his left one. His velocity used to have an upward trajectory at Naperville Central, increasing from 85 to 86 mph all the way up to 90 mph as the game wore on, but now it kept falling.