SPORTS

By Craig Lang | Prairie Advocate Sports

Varsity Baseball

March 19

Forreston 8 Eastland 1

The Cougars pushed across a top of the first inning run and Forreston tied the score in the bottom of the opening inning. The Cardinals pushed across two more runs in the bottom half of the third and the score remained at three to one until the fifth.

Forreston (3-2) exploded for five runs in the inning on a base hit from Adam Akins and back to back home runs by Tanner Bronkema and Brysen Vietmeier. A dropped third strike to Forreston’s Nick Ludwig was followed by a two run shot by Jake Groom.

Cardinal starting pitcher Nick Ludwig held the Cougars to just three hits over six innings to earn the victory. Bronkema led the Cardinals, going three for three at the plate with two home runs, four runs batted in and two runs scored. Eastland’s Tyler Giedd took the pitching loss for Eastland (0-4).

Morrison 4 Sterling 0

The Mustangs used a great pitching performance by starter Brandon Neighbour and got some timely hitting to shut out the Golden Warriors (0-1). Neighbour pitched five innings of four hit ball, striking out four Sterling hitters. Alex Fischbach pitched the final two innings to earn the save for Morrison (3-0).

The game was scoreless through the first three innings before the Mustangs struck first with a run in the top of the fourth. A Blake Blean single started the inning. Blean then stole second and third base. Andy Schaver drew a base on balls and promptly stole second. A groundout to third base by Jacob Tegeler scored Blean to give the Mustangs a one to nothing lead. Morrison added three more runs in the sixth inning on RBI singles to Danny Willis and Neighbour. Neighbour also had two hits and a pair of runs batted in to help his cause.

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March 20

Fulton 5 Milledgeville 0

What started as a scoreless pitching duel between the two starters, ended with five Steamer runs and six Missile errors in Milledgeville on Tuesday.

Fulton pushed across a lone run in the sixth and plated four more runs in the seventh to record the shutout victory. Missile starter Zach Herin took the pitching loss and was relieved by Kyle Groen, Kameron DawTyne and Blake Kappes. Milledgeville managed three hits, one each by DawTyne, Eric Gibbs and Andrew Wiersema.

Forreston/Polo 13 Warren/Stockton 7

The Cardinals took a four to nothing first inning lead and held off the Warren/Stockton squad to take the six run victory in Warren. Forreston/Polo led six to nothing going into the bottom half of the second before the Warhawks responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Warren/Stockton added another run in the third but the Cardinals put up seven more runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Warhawks plated four runs in the fifth and sixth but couldn’t complete their comeback. Forreston/Polo was aided by twelve base on balls by Warhawk pitching.

Skylar Hayunga led Forreston/Polo at the plate, going three for four with three runs scored while teammate Brysen Vietmeier went two for four with four runs batted in. Robert Cornelius took the pitching win, going six innings with relief help from Adam Akins. The victory improves Forreston/ Polo’s record to 4-2.

March 21

Durand/Pecatonica 3 West Carroll 0

The Thunder hosted the Indians on Wednesday afternoon in Thomson and the visitors used good pitching to take the three run shutout victory. West Carroll only managed to generate one hit in the game, a double by Josh Sullivan.

Durand/Pec pushed across a pair of runs in the opening inning and scored an insurance run in the sixth to put the game away. The Thunder’s Jordan Barr took the pitching loss, going four innings and giving up two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out five batters. He was relieved by Joey Sullivan who pitched the final three innings, giving up the final run while walking two and striking out two.

”We left nine runners on base,” said Thunder coach Brian Kamper. ”We are not patient at the plate, swinging at too many bad pitches.”

March 22

Forreston/Polo 6 Christian Life 0

Forreston/Polo scored a run in the opening inning and behind Jake Groom’s four hit pitching that would be plenty as Forreston/Polo took the shutout win. Forreston/Polo added three runs in the fourth and single runs in the fifth and sixth. The three run sixth was capped by Skylar Hayunga’s two RBI base hit with two outs. Tanner Bronkema blasted a home run for Forreston/Polo. Groom pitched seven scoreless innings walking only one batter and striking out six Christian Life hitters. The victory improves Forreston/Polo’s record to 5-2.

Pearl City 10 Milledgeville 8

The Missiles jumped out to a five to two first inning lead but Pearl City battled back with three runs in the third inning and another three runs in the fourth. Milledgeville plated a single run in the sixth but the Wolves countered with another pair of runs. The Missiles were able to plate two more runs in the seventh but it was not enough. Nathan Falk went four for four at the plate for Pearl City with five runs batted in. Colton Bastian took the win on the mound.

March 23

Fulton 9 West Carroll 4

The Thunder fell to 0-4 on the season after the Steamers took the five run win in Fulton on Friday. West Carroll held a four to two lead after two innings bit Fulton responded with three in the third and another four runs in the fourth to take control. Thunder coach Kamper said, “By far the worst game we’ve played this season. We were never mentally in this game. We left eleven runners on base.”

March 24

Freeport Aquin 5 West Carroll 4

Freeport Aquin 10 West Carroll 0 (6 Innings)

The Thunder traveled to Freeport and lost both ends of a double header on Saturday. Game one saw the Bulldogs take a two to nothing first inning lead before West Carroll came back with three runs in the top of the third. Aquin plated a single run in the bottom of the third and added another pair of runs in the fifth. West Carroll closed the gap with a run in the seventh but that was as close as they would come. “Followed up the worst game of the year with our best game of the year,” said Thunder coach Kamper, “We had a chance to tie the game in the seventh. We left seven runners on base. Travis pitched an outstanding complete game giving up only two earned runs.” Travis Ritenour went the distance for West Carroll in game one, walking two and striking out four.

Game two saw Aquin take a one to nothing lead in the first. The game remained that way until the Bulldogs erupted for nine sixth innings runs to put the game away. West Carroll had three hits in the game while Aquin had only four but were aided by five Thunder errors. Josh Sullivan had a triple and single in the game for West Carroll. Coach Kamper said, “The score was not obvious of the good game played. There were seven unearned runs n the sixth. Our team inexperience really hurt us as we just couldn’t make a play to get ourselves out of that inning.”

Varsity Softball

March 19

Sterling 9 Morrison 2

Sterling took a four to nothing first inning lead and added four more second inning runs to take the win over the Fillies Monday afternoon in Morrison, Morrison plated their two runs in the third and fifth innings on an RBI single by Allie Renkes and an RBI double by Kaitlyn Finneran, with both hits scoring Morgan Ammon. The Golden Warriors were led at the plate by Ashli King who went two for three with a run batted in and three runs scored. The Fillies Morgan Ammon scored twice and had two hits for Morrison.

March 20

Orangeville 12 Pearl City 11

The Lady Broncos used five Pearl City errors and pounded out eight hits to take the narrow one run win. Pearl City jumped out to a six to two second inning lead but Orangeville countered with six runs in the fourth and another three runs in the fifth to take an eleven to six lead. The Lady Wolves were able to tie the score in the top of the seventh but the Lady Broncos pushed across the winning run in the seventh. Jenna Canon led Pearl City at the plate, going three for four with a home run and two runs batted in. Laura Melville was three for five with a double, three runs scored and two runs batted in while Michaela Heinrich was three for five with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

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Milledgeville 10 Fulton 9

Despite being down seven to nothing going into the bottom of the third inning, the Lady Missiles battled back to take the one run win. Fulton scored a run in the top of the first and plated six more runs in the third before Milledgeville came back with five runs in the bottom of the third. The Lady Steamers pushed across another pair of runs in the fourth and The Lady Missiles countered with a pair of their own to make it nine to seven going into inning number five.

Fulton was held scoreless the rest of the way with Milledgeville adding three runs in the sixth to take the lead and the game. Courtney Swalve led the Lady Missiles with her bat, going three for four with a home run, two runs scored and three runs batted in. Morgan Adolph added a homer for the Lady Missiles with a pair of runs batted in. Jolee Parks took the pitching victory for Milledgeville, going the distance, giving up twelve hits while walking five and striking out eleven Fulton batters.

March 21

Freeport Aquin 8 West Carroll 5

The Lady Thunder took a five to nothing lead into the top of the fourth inning but couldn’t hold off the Lady Bulldogs. Aquin came right back to score five runs of their own in the top of the fourth and added three more runs in the top of the seventh to take the three run win.

The Lady Bulldogs were aided by five West Carroll fielding errors. Kendahl Schulueter led the Lady Bulldogs on the mound and at the plate. Schulueter pitched a complete game nine hitter, walking three and striking out seven Lady Thunder batters. She also went two for three at the plate with a double and two runs batted in. West Carroll’s Kim Durward took the pitching loss, giving up five hits while walking four and striking out seven. Tygan Cole led West Carroll, going three for three at the plate. Lady Thunder head coach Don Mathey said,

“Aquin did a great job of using their hits and some of our errors to produce runs. We left eight runners on base and just could not come through with that big hit. Outside of the third inning, their pitcher shut us down. Freeport Aquin is much improved this season.”

Eastland 9 Byron 6

The Lady Cougars held an eight to two lead after two innings and held off the Lady Tigers to take the three run victory. Byron pushed across four runs in the third but Eastland countered with a lone run in the sixth. Lady Cougar Marissa Harris picked up the pitching win, going the distance, walking two and striking out ten Byron hitters. She also added a pair of double at the plate.

March 22

Milledgeville 7 Pearl City 4 (11 Innings)

Milledgeville and Pearl City battled to extra innings before the Lady Missiles were able to break through with three runs in the eleventh to take the win. The Lady Wolves held a four to three lead going into the fourth inning and neither squad was able to generate any offense in the fourth through the sixth innings. Milledgeville pushed across a lone run in the seventh to knot the score at four runs apiece. They added three runs in the eleventh to make the final margin of the victory.

Brandie Gelwicks and Courtney Swalve both went two for five at the plate for the Lady Missiles with one of Gelwicks hits a home run. She also had four runs batted in for Milledgeville. Pearl City’s Morgan Curry was three for five at the plate with a run scored and a run batted in. Meghan Stichter added a home run for the Lady Wolves. Jolee Parks went the distance on the mound for the Lady Missiles, walking one and striking out fourteen. Korissa Blasing went ten and two thirds innings for the Lady Wolves, walking four and striking out seven Milledgeville batters.

March 23

West Carroll 17 Fulton 3

The Lady Thunder pounded out eleven hits and scored at will to take the lopsided fourteen run win in Thomson on Friday afternoon. West Carroll took a two to nothing lead going into the second and scored seven in that frame. They added eight third inning runs to put the contest out of reach. Fulton managed to score a run in the third and plated another pair of runs in the fourth.

Allison Thulen ran her record to two wins against no losses on the mound for West Carroll. She pitched the complete game, allowing six hits while walking one and striking out four. “We played a great game,” said Lady Thunder head coach Mathey, “Our hitting was tremendous, with many hard hit balls. Allison pitched well and we made the routine plays.”

March 24

Forreston/Polo 12 West Carroll 2

Forreston.Polo jumped out to a five to nothing first inning lead and rolled to the five inning ten run victory. Forreston/Polo added four runs in the third inning and three more in the fifth off both Lady Thunder starter Allison Thulen and reliever Audreanna Francke. Forreston/Polo’s Ketarah Devries improved her pitching record to four wins against one loss, going the distance and allowing only three West Carroll hits while walking one and striking out four. She also had a double and a triple at the plate to aid her teams cause on offense. West Carroll coach Mathey, said of the contest, “First of all, Forreston was the superior team today. In order for us to stay with them we needed to keep the score low by making the fundamental plays on defense. We did not make those plays and it was a long day on the diamond today.”

Pearl City 7 Fulton 4

Both teams plated three runs in the opening inning and the game remained tied at three until the Lady Wolves were able to break through with two more runs in the fifth and another pair of scores in the sixth to take the victory. Fulton managed to push across a single run in the sixth inning. Michaela Heinrich led the Lady Wolves on offense going three for three at the plate with three runs scored and four stolen bases. Winning pitcher Meghan Stichter went two for four with a home run and two runs batted in. She pitched the complete game, allowing six hits while walking two and striking out a pair of Fulton batters.

Eastland 7 South Beloit 1

Eastland 6 South Beloit 5 (10 Innings)

The Lady Cougars hosted South Beloit on Saturday in Lanark and took the doubleheader sweep. Eastland pushed three runs across in the first to take control of game one. South Beloit plated a run in the top of the fourth inning but the Lady Cougars countered by scoring another pair of runs in the fifth and added two more in the sixth. Marissa Harris picked up the victory going the distance, giving up four hits while walking one and fanning thirteen South Beloit hitters. She also went two for four with her bat.

Game two was a back and forth battle with South Beloit taking a two to one first inning lead. They added another run in the second before the Lady Cougars came back to score a pair of runs to knot the contest at three. South Beloit added single runs in the fourth and fifth before Eastland plated another pair of runs in the sixth inning. Neither team could score until Eastland’s Ashley Nepean reached first with a base hit in the eleventh. She stole second and third base and scored the winning run after Hannah Shellhause’s hit to third was thrown wildly to first for an error.

Varsity Baseball & Softball Schedule

March 28

(BB) Milledgeville at Eastland

(SB) Freeport Aquin at Eastland

(SB) Morrison at West Carroll

(SB) Milledgeville at Moline

(SB) Forreston at East Dubuque

(BB) East Dubuque at Forreston

March 29

(SB) Eastland at Durand

(BB) West Carroll at Milledgeville

(SB) Milledgeville at West Carroll

March 30

(BB) Eastland at Sterling Newman

(SB) Eastland at Sterling Newman

(BB) West Carroll at Fulton Unity

March 31

(BB) Pecatonica at Eastland (DH)

(SB) Amboy at Forreston (DH)

(BB) Winnebago at Forreston (DH)

April 2

(BB) Eastland at West Carroll

(SB) Stillman Valley at West Carroll

(SB) Galena at Forreston

(BB) South Beloit at Forreston

April 3

(BB) Eastland at West Carroll

(SB) Stockton at West Carroll

(SB) Forreston at AFC

Track & Field Results

March 21

Boys – At Forreston

1-Polo/Forreston – 135

2-Le-Win – 118

3-West Carroll – 83

4-Pec/Durand – 77

5-Galena/RR/ED – 55

6-Indian Creek 26

7-Pearl City – 19

8-AFC – 6

9-Dakota – 6

March 22

Girls – At Hanover

1-Galena/RR/ED – 96.5

2-West Carroll – 71

3-Le-Win – 43.5

4-Stockton/Warren - 40

On March 3rd, 2012 the Eastland 6th grade girls basketball team finished their 2012 season earning the 1st place trophy for the Northwest Illinois Youth Basketball League. They went 7-0 during their regular season and went 4-0 in the tournament. Congratulations to the players and coaches on a job well done!

Pictured are front row: Madison Weaver, Jordan Miller, Leah Kuper, Amry Simms

2nd row: Claire Pauley, Brittney Hardy, Taylor Metz, Mackenzie Randecker, Shianne Mitchell

3rd row: Erykah Blunt, Payton Demichele, Katie Krogman, Adrianna Hensgen, Anastasia Matias

4th row: Coach Pat Krogman, Coach Ken Weaver, Coach Guy Pauley and Manager Mackenzie Byer. Not in photo is Shelbie Preston. (Courtesy of Becky Krogman)

Morrison Bowling League Results

Women’s Wednesday Night League

March 21

1-Hilltop 36-20

2-Smith & Associates 35-21

3-Ken Kophamer Realty 34-22

4-Goldstar FS 29.5-26.5

5-Pruis Upholstery 25.5-30.5

6-KJ’s Bar & Grill 23-33

7-FAT Boy’s 22-34

8-Green & Clean 19-37

High Individual Game

Paula Wiersema 222, Carrie Bush 209, Jodi Beswick 209, Carol Folkerts 199, Angie Howell 193, Dana Nelson 191

High Individual Series

Paula Wiersema 612, Carrie Bush 570, Dana Nelson 555, Jodi Beswick 551, Angie Howell 538

Hilltop League

March 23

1-Hilltop 36-16

2- Nelson Electric 31-21

3-FAT Boy’s 28-24

4-Roger’s Roughriders 28-24

5-AG Express 28-24

6-CAR Quest 26-26

7-Hero’s 20-32

8-Blind 11-41

High Individual Game

Mike Hamilton 267-238, Rob Miller 253, Shaun Swaim 246, Brian Drehmer 240, Bill Beswick 226

High Individual Series

Mike Hamilton 729, Shaun Swaim 654, Jerry Ammon 627, Brian Drehmer 611, Ryan Renkes 609