Fillies To Play For State Title

The Morrison Fillies got off to a rocky beginning then fought back to beat the Lisle Lions and qualify to play for the IHSA Class 2A State Title at East Peoria Friday, June 4, 2011.

The opening inning gave notice that this was going to be an interesting afternoon as the Lisle leadoff hitter was awarded first base on a controversial call of a hit batsman and the batter didn’t know she had been hit. She was moved to second by a single up the middle and scored when a liner glanced off the end of Samantha Sumption’s glove in right field and the Lions were on the board. A second run scored as the Fillies tried to catch another runner on the throw back to the infield, but she was safe at home and the Lions led 2-0 after one inning.

The Fillies went three and out for three innings before Shannon Finneran singled to lead off the fourth inning. Marie Deter laid down a sacrifice bunt and was thrown out at first as Finneran rounded second and headed for third. The first baseman made a bad throw attempting to catch the sliding Finneran at third which allowed her to score and cut the lead in half. The Lions collected a single and double to add another run in their half of the fourth and the game went into the fifth with the Lions on top 3-1.

Danielle Stralow started the fifth inning with a screaming double down the leftfield line. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Allie Hanson and scored when Allie Wiersema lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Lisle Lions. Christie Wiersema allowed a walk to open the bottom of the fifth inning and two outs later the runner was on third with the Lions cleanup batter in the box. On a two and two count, she popped a fly ball which Allie Hanson dropped on the third base foul line as the runner was trying to score from third. The umpire ruled that the runner interfered with Hanson and was called out to end the inning and the Lion’s threat. Trailing 3-2 and the temperature in the low 90’s, the game situation was becoming very tense and time was running out for the Fillies when Shannon Finneran stroked a homerun over the leftfield fence to tie the game and breath new energy into the afternoon. Deter followed with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Danielle Stralow singled pinch runner Tyler Fuller home with a bloop hit over the shortstop’s head in left field. The Lions answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth when the leadoff batter doubled off the centerfield fence and two outs later was singled in to tie the game at four entering the seventh inning.

The seventh inning started with a line double off the centerfield fence by Allie Wiersema, but she died there when the next Fillie batters were unable to get the ball out of the infield. The Lions started the bottom of the seventh inning with a slow rolling single just out of the reach of Allie Wiersema at second. She advanced to second with a sacrifice bunt and represented the game-winning run with only one out. The next Lion batter lined a rope down the right field foul line which first baseman Danielle Stralow jumped and caught and quickly threw to second to catch the runner off base for the third out and the game entered the eighth tied a four.

The eighth started with Deter flying out to the first baseman for the first out. Christie Wiersema followed with a line drive that missed exiting the park by a foot for a double and the Fillies had new fire. Six of the next seven Fillie batters collected singles and the score expanded to 9-4 before the Lions could extinguish the rally and the Fillies were three outs away from a Saturday night championship game. The Lions didn’t have anything left and went down without a fight in the eighth s the Fillies collected their 30th win and a date to play for the IHSA Class 2A State Title against the Shelbyville Lady Rams of the Okaw Conference

(30-7) Morrison-0-0-0-1-1-2-0-5-9-12-1

(28-1) Lisle-2-0-1-0-0-1-0-0-4-8-2

WP: Wiersema (17-2) 8IP, 4R, 3ER, 8H, 1BB, 6K

LP: Houda (20-3) 7 2/3IP, 9R, 4ER, 12H, 1BB, 6K

2B: Morrison: 4 (K. Finneran, Stralow, Al. Wiersema, C. Wiersema)

Lisle: 3 (Buchelt 3)

HR: Morrison: 1 (S. Finneran)

(Article courtesy the city1.com)

Worth The Wait

Finally, after several rain delays, your Morrison Fillies and coaches (top) claim their first-ever girls sports championship, proudly hoisting their trophy (right). (Photos courtesy of Alex T. Paschal/ Sauk Valley Newspapers)

The Morrison High School Girl’s softball team had to wait two hours before playing the Class 2A State Championship game on Saturday night June 4, 2011. The game originally scheduled to start at 7 p.m. started at 9:20 p.m. due to delays by uncooperative weather. The delay kept a very eager Fillies team at bay. They wanted nothing more than to play a game that would define a ten-year journey for the senior Fillies, who have played together since elementary school.

At the beginning of the year the senior Fillies were adamant about accomplishing one goal and that was to win a state championship. Although the 3rd place finish from last year’s season was still a bittersweet taste in their mouths in March, the taste of being a state champion will last forever in their hearts and minds. Senior Danielle Stralow took the mound after a quick three and out first inning.

Stralow went right to work as she would hold Shelbyville to only one run all night. Even though the rain would linger around during the game, it played very little factor in determining the outcome of the game. It was sophomore Kaitlyn Finneran who would be the Fillies X-factor in the game. Finneran had a three run homerun in the top of the six inning to break open a scoresless game. But, it was not just her bat that did the talking but also her quick play at shortstop.

Finneran made some acrobatic throws and catches that would be the key to the Fillies defense. As the Fillies finished off the Shelbyville Rams 4-1 to become State Champions, tears of joy and shouts of admiration covered the field at the Eastside Centre in East Peoria. Parents, classmates and other fans took the field to congratulate the Fillies.

Finally, after several rain delays, your Morrison Fillies and coaches (top) claim their first-ever girls sports championship, proudly hoisting their trophy (right). (Photos courtesy of Alex T. Paschal/ Sauk Valley Newspapers)

(31-7) Morrison-0-0-0-0-0-3-1-4-5-1

(33-8) Shelbyville-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-1-6-2

WP: Stralow (15-5) 7IP, 1R, 1ER, 6H, 1BB, 5K

LP: Moll (25-4) 7IP, 4R, 4ER, 5H, 2BB, 8K

2B: Shelbyville: 1 (Martin)

HR: Morrison: 1 (K. Finneran)

Shelbyville: 1 (Boone)

(Article courtesy the city1.com)

Class 1A Softball State Finals

At Eastside Centre, East Peoria

June 3

Danville Schlarman 3 Hardin Calhoun 2

Monmouth United 1 Toledo Cumberland 0

June 4

Toledo Cumberland 6 Hardin Calhoun 0

Championship-Monmouth United 6 Danville Schlarman 0

Class 2A

June 3

Morrison 9 Lisle 4

Shelbyville 1 Alton Marquette 0

June 4

Third Place-Alton Marquette 5 Lisle 1

Championship-Morrison 4 Shelbyville 1

Cougars Punch Their Ticket To State

The Eastland Cougars battled the Streator (Woodland) Warriors on Tuesday afternoon, May 31, at Benedictine University in Lisle with a trip to the state tournament in Peoria on the line. Starting pitchers Tyler Giedd and Mason Erschen battled back and forth for the first three innings with neither team able to generate any offense.

The Warriors finally were able to snap the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth frame on a base hit by Alex Bullard, a base on balls to Kyle Alessi and a double to left field by Alec Dutko that scored both Bullard and Alessi.

The Cougars countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the same inning on a single by Giedd, who was replaced on first by courtesy runner Ty Hartman and base hits by Reid Lessman and Chase Wilhelms. A two out single by Jordan Blair plated both Hartman and Lessman to knot the score at two runs apiece.

Eastland took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as Blair singled to right. A two base error on rightfielder Josh Long sent Blair to third base. He would cross the plate with the go ahead run on a wild pitch by Erschen. Centerfielder Mack Byers reached first on an error by third baseman Bullard and Long’s second error of the inning plated Byers making the score Eastland four and the Warriors two.

The top of the sixth frame started with a Nate Roemer double and he advanced to third base on an error by third Baseman Reid Lessman on Ryan Starkey’s grounder. Roemer would cross home plate on a failed pick off attempt by Giedd with Starkey taking third base. Starkey later scored on a ground out by Dutko to knot the game at four.

The bottom of the sixth inning began with a Jordan Blair base on balls. After advancing to third on two straight outs, Zeke Hartman punched a base hit to right field that put the Cougars ahead five to four and Eastland was three outs away from a second trip to the state tourney in the past three seasons.

Tyler Giedd went to work in the seventh, striking out Erschen and Connor Kaminke. A two out single from Andrew Katcher kept the Warriors hopes alive, but Giedd got Bullard to ground out to shortstop Brad Dunlap for the final out of the game. Giedd finished the game with a four hitter, walking four and striking out eleven.

The Cougars now move on to O’Brien Field in Peoria to face the Goreville Blackcats on Friday, June 2nd at 9 a.m.

(19-10) Streator (Woodland) - 0-0-0-2-0-2-0-4-4-5

(24-5) Eastland - 0-0-0-2-2-1-X-5-6-3

WP: Giedd 7IP, 4R, 2ER, 4H, 4BB, 11K

LP: Erschen 6IP, 5R, 2ER, 6H, 2BB, 4K

2B: Woodland: 2 (Dutko, Roemer)

Eastland: 1 (Byers)

Class 1A Championship

Eastland Wins Another In Dramatic Fashion

Before almost nine hundred fans at O’Brien Field in Peoria, the Eastland Cougars continued their run for a state title pulling out the 2-1 victory over the Goreville Blackcats on Friday afternoon.

In ninety degree heat, the two starting pitchers were bringing the heat as Eastland put Jordan Blair on the mound to face Goreville’s ace Nick Andros. It was the Cougar’s Blair that started the game by setting down the side in order in the top of the first, fanning leadoff hitter Cody Smith with second hitter Lee Sopczak grounding one back to the mound and number three hitter Andros flying out to right field.

Andros began his stint on the hill by striking out Brad Dunlap but the number two hitter Mack Byers took a base on balls and advanced to second on a passed ball. Tyler Giedd then flied to right and Reid Lessman grounded to second to end the first. The second inning started with cleanup hitter Alex Stout flying out to Lessman in right but Nate Webb reached first base on an error by Zeke Hartman at second. The Cougars quickly erased any threat with a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. The bottom of the third started with a Chase Wilhelms strike out, Jordan Blair grounded to second for out number two and Collin Macomber went down on strikes.

The Blackcats were able to crack the scoreboard in the top of the third as leadoff hitter Jake Clark singled and advanced to second when Clayboy Shadowen’s grounder wasn’t fielded cleanly by third baseman Macomber. A sacrifice by Alex Andros put runners on second and third with only one out. Cody Smith lofted a fly ball to Calvin Cassens in left, scoring Clark and the Blackcats took the one to nothing lead.

The Cougars mounted several scoring threats in the middle innings but were unable to push that tying run across home plate. Goreville threatened to widen their lead in the fourth and sixth innings but heads up defensive plays from Eastland quickly snuffed out those threats.

The bottom of the sixth inning began with a base hit by Blair and Collin Macomber was able to reach first on an error by Nick Andros. A base hit by Stichter loaded the bases with no outs. A fielder’s choice kept the bases loaded with one out and a base hit by Dunlap made it 2-1. After a Byer’s strikeout, Andros walked Giedd and allowed pinch runner Austin Weaver to score the go ahead and eventual game winning run.

The Cougars were three outs away and Blair would make sure there would be no more Blackcat threats as he fanned Clark, Shadowens and Alex Andros to end the game.

With the win, Eastland advanced to Saturday morning’s championship game where they face the Carrollton Hawks who were 8-4 winners in their semifinal game.

Blair improved his record to eight wins against just one loss. He gave up one unearned run on five hits while walking none and striking out five.

(23-15_ Goreville-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-1-5-2

(25-5) Eastland-0-0-0-0-0-2-X-2-8-2

WP: Blair (8-1) 7IP, 1R, 0ER, 5H, 0BB, 5K

LP: N. Andros (4-5) 6IP, 2R, 0ER, 8H, 3BB, 8K

Cougars Take Second Place

Cougar starting pitcher Tyler Giedd delivers a pitch to a Carrollton Hawk hitter during Saturday’s state title game in Peoria. Tyler pitched three and a third innings giving up six runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out four. (PA photo/Craig Lang)

With the scoreboard thermometer showing a steamy ninety-six degrees the Eastland Cougars and Carrollton Hawks battled for the IHSA Class 1A baseball state title on Saturday at O’Brien Field in Peoria.

Cougar Tyler Giedd took the mound to start the game for the Cougars and fell behind early. The Hawks were able to push two runs across home plate in the top of the first as Giedd walked leadoff hitter Kurtis Weber and Eastland committed an error to put Carrollton up by two going into the bottom of the opening frame.

The Cougars managed to get one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning as Brad Dunlap singled to left field, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Weber and scored the first run of the game on a base hit by centerfielder Mack Byers.

The Hawks pushed across two more runs in the top of the third inning to extend their lead to 4-1 and pushed across another pair in the top of the fourth frame. They added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to make the scored 8-1 going into the final half inning.

Eastland’s Brad Dunlap crosses the plate with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Brad singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on Mack Byers single to make the score Carrollton 2 and Eastland 1. (PA photo/Craig Lang)

Starter Giedd was relieved in the third by Reid Lessman who moved from third base to come in to pitch, with starter Giedd going to first base and Collin Macomber moving from first base to third. Giedd surrendered six runs in three and a third innings with five earned. He allowed seven hits while walking four hitters and striking out four.

Lessman pitched the final three and two thirds innings, giving up a pair of runs, neither earned on two hits while walking two and striking out none. Mack Byers went two for three at the plate for Eastland with the Cougar’s only run batted in. Brad Dunlap was two for four at the plate with the lone run scored. Joey Coonrod took the win for Carrollton, going the distance and giving up five hits while walking none and striking out eleven Cougar batters.

The Eastland Cougar players and coaches pose with their IHSA Class 1A second place trophy and medallions after Saturday’s game at O’Brien Field in Peoria. (PA photo/Craig Lang)

(32-1-1) Carrollton-2-0-2-2-1-0-1-8-9-1

(25-6) Eastland-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-5-4

WP: Coonrod 7IP, 1R, 1ER, 5H, 0BB, 11K

LP: Giedd 3 1/3IP, 6R, 5ER, 4BB, 4K

2B: Carrollton: 2 (J. Coonrod, Walls0

Eastland: 1 (Dunlap)

IHSA Class 1A Baseball State Finals

At O’Brien Field, Peoria

June 3

Carrollton 8 Tremont 4

Eastland 2 Goreville 1

June 4

Third Place-Goreville 10 Tremont 9

Championship-Carrollton 8 Eastland 1

Class 2A

June 3

Walther Lutheran 15 DuQuoin 2

Teutoplis 6 Erie/Prophetstown 4

June 4

Third Place-Erie/Prophetstown 4 DuQuoin 4 (6 Inn.)

Championship-Teutoplis 4 Walther Lutheran 0

IBFN Bass Tournament

Every year the member clubs of the Illinois B.A.S.S. Federation Nation (IBFN) send their 6 best anglers to compete in this event. This is the first step on the road to the Bassmaster Classic.

This weekend at Palisades State Park in Savanna, the Illinois B.A.S.S. Federation Nation will hold its State Qualifier Tournament and over 150 anglers from across the state will be competing. Official Practice days are on Thursday, June 9 and Friday June 10 with the tournament being held Saturday and Sunday. The IBFN invites everyone from Savanna to come out for the weigh-ins which will take place at 3:00PM Saturday and Sunday. The guest MC for the tournament will be Frank Hyla from “Time On the Water Outdoors.”

Next year the IBFN will be hosting the 2012 B.A.S.S. Northern Divisional Tournament and Savanna is one of the cities that are being considered. Tournaments like our State Qualifier and the Northern Divisional bring a great economic impact to a community.

The IBFN would like to thank the city of Savanna for its hospitality during our State Qualifier Tournament and hope you will join us at the weigh-ins.

Correction

The Prairie Advocate inadvertently omitted two things from the 2011 NUIC West Division All-Conference Softball team listing in the June 1st edition. The West Division Player of the Year was Eastland’s Marissa Harris and the West Division Sportsmanship Award was won by Scales Mound/River Ridge. The Prairie Advocate regrets the error.

14th Annual “Jim Shaw All-Star Classic” Basketball Games

The 14th Annual “Jim Shaw All-Star Classic” basketball games, sponsored by the Northwest Illinois Sports Hall of Fame and WCCI radio, will be held on Tuesday, June 7th in the new Eastland High School gym. The girls’ game will be held at 5:30 p.m. with the boys’ game to follow. Fifty-one area seniors have been invited to participate. Brian Wurster of River Ridge/Scales Mound will coach the North Girls’ and will be assisted by Dave Weigel and Ron Johnson. Eastland’s Colleen Henze will coach the South Girls’ and will be assisted by Nicole Brinker. The North Boys’ will be coached by Eastland’s Tony Dunlap with Larry Tigges and Scott Hartman serving as assistants. Forreston’s Jonathon Schneiderman will coach the South Boys’ assisted by Seth Heitter. Tickets will be available at the door and both games will be broadcast live on WCCI 100.3 FM.

North Squad Girls

Sophi Morhardt, West Carroll; Katy Cook, West Carroll; Whittney Kieffer, River Ridge/Scales Mound; Courtney Busch, River Ridge/Scales Mound; Jessie Albrecht, River Ridge/Scales Mound; Kelsie Kluck, Pearl City; Danielle Koning, Pearl City; Leslie Kurth, Pearl City; Abbie Leibold, East Dubuque; Ashley Sterger, Galena; Larynn Shumaker, Le-Win; Katie Jensen, Le-Win; Keeley Schulz, Stockton; Ella Wybourn, Warren

South Squad Girls

Courtney Blair, Eastland; Taylor Ruter, Eastland; Annabella Borota, Eastland; Kerby Kniss, Eastland; Alexis DawTyne, Milledgeville; Brianna Herin, Milledgeville; Danielle Stralow, Morrison; Christie Wiersema, Morrison; Holly Kortemeier, Forreston; Paige Sandquist, Fulton; Liz Sandquist, Fulton; Becca Meinema, Fulton Unity; Callie Willoughby, Fulton Unity

North Squad Boys

Brad Dunlap, Eastland; Collin Macomber, Eastland; Reid Lessman, Eastland; Andrew Graves, River Ridge; Tyler McLane, East Dubuque; Andrew Belken, East Dubuque; Cory Theill, East Dubuque; Greg Hart, Galena; Bryce Keltner, Le-Win; Paul Stadel, Scales Mound; Alex Huschitt, Stockton; Taylor Williams, Warren

South Squad Boys

Keegan Neubauer, Milledgeville; Dylon Smith, Morrison; Will Bird, Morrison; Tyler Brashaw, West Carroll; Shaq Coleman, West Carroll; Matt Strohecker, Pearl City; Kody Michael, Forreston; Colton Scott, Forreston; Jonny Watkins, Forreston; Josh Warren, Fulton Unity; Brian Meinsma, Fulton Unity, Ashton Hutton, Fulton

2011 NUIC West Division All-Conference Baseball Team

First Team

Evan Williams, West Carroll*; Joey Sullivan, West Carroll*; Mack Byers, Eastland; Tyler Giedd, Eastland; Chase Wilhelms, Eastland; Austin Weller, West Carroll; Cole Theill, East Dubuque*; Cole Loggman, Le-Win*; Jerry Hess, Warren/Stockton*; Colton Bastian, Pearl City; Mike McNeil, East Dubuque; Seth Dascher, Le-Win*; Andrew Belken, East Dubuque; Jason Heller, Warren/Stockton; Jonah Puls, East Dubuque

Second Team

Brad Dunlap, Eastland; Zeke Hartman, Eastland; Reid Lessman, Eastland; Jordan Blair, Eastland (P); Dylan Stichter, Eastland; Matt LaShelle, West Carroll; Zach Moyer, Pearl City; Austin Duehr, East Dubuque (IF); Jack Miller, Warren/Stockton; Mitch Paramore, East Dubuque; Dusty Duehr, East Dubuque; Blake Freeze, Warren/Stockton;Tommy Rothschadl, Le-Win; Jacob Brunner, Warren/Stockton

Honorable Mention

Collin Macomber, Eastland; Jordan Blair, Eastland (OF); Trey Enloe, West Carroll; Pat Harrington, Pearl City; Alex Ertmer, River Ridge/Scales Mound; Trey Ertmer, River Ridge/Scales Mound; Cody Landwer, River Ridge/Scales Mound; Colton Radford, Pearl City;Austin Duehr, East Dubuque (P); Luke Murphy, Galena; Adam Werhane, Le-Win; Casey Schroeder, Le-Win; Kyle Baltierra, Warren/Stockton; Dalton Montgomery, Galena; Jordan Fox, Warren/Stockton; Dylan Riggle, Warren/Stockton (OF&P); Brady Calow, Warren/Stockton;

2011 NUIC East Division All-Conference Baseball Team

First Team

Ryan Mairs, AFC; Sawyer Shaw, Aquin; Skylar Boyer, Dalota; Tanner Bronkema, Forreston/Polo; Brandon Zimmerman, Orangeville; Bob Sweet, Durand/Pec*; Garrett Vietmeier, Forreston/Polo*; Patrick Schmelzle, Aquin; Vernie Huhlemeier, Orangeville; Zach Martin, Aquin*; Steve Bass, Orangeville*; Connor Fleming, Dakota*; Dillon McCannon, AFC; Cal Townsend, Dakota*

Second Team

Zach Gogel, Aquin; Tyler Jennings, Durand/Pec; Tyler Florey, Durand/Pec; Michael Osterloo, Forreston/Polo; Rob Wilson, Orangeville; Nathan Fahs, AFC; Drew Geisman, Dakota; Alex Deppe, Durand/Pec; Mike Hanson, Orangeville; Taylor Burns, Dakota; Mike Johnson, Durand/Pec; Nick Ludwig, Forreston/Polo; Ian Stemper, Durand/Pec; Chris Sander, Forreston/Polo; Kyle Groen, Milledgeville

Honorable Mention

Matt Nelson, AFC; Brock Stearns, Dakota; Adam Lawson, Dakota; Lance McCauley, Dakota; Andrew Baden, South Beloit; Kyle Blassingham, Durand/Pec; Devin Biller, Milledgeville; Aaron Scibona, Aquin; Darren Misner, South Beloit; Caleb Combs, Durand/Pec