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High school baseball

LCHS vs. Decatur Eisenhower and Decatur MacArthur

[APRIL 2, 2001]  The Lincoln High School varsity baseball team continues to make a loud preseason statement that there’s more than good basketball in Lincoln. On Saturday, the point echoed in Decatur, with both Eisenhower and MacArthur falling to a scrappy Lincoln club that is now 6-1. Lincoln nipped Eisenhower 9-8 and outlasted MacArthur 10-7.

Lincoln got on the board quickly against Eisenhower, leading 6-2 after three innings, helped by eight free passes and two errors. During those frames, runners were pushed along by Chris Phillips (2B), Matt Boyer (1B) and Danny Schick (1B,2B). With a 7-2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth, Lincoln seemed in total control.

And then the proverbial wheels fell off. Senior Justin Dedman, who had given up only four hits to that point, allowed a run on a couple of hits and two walks before he surrendered the mound to sophomore Ryne Komnick with the bases loaded. Eisenhower junior Brian Neal, on the seventh pitch of his at-bat, smacked a hard drive to left center. LCHS’s center fielder, Schick, gambled and dove to nab the ball before it hit the dirt. He lost. The relay subsequently missed its target, and the eventual throw home was wide. The wild, inside-the-park grand slam instantly evened the score at 7-7. On the final play of the inning, Eisenhower’s David Bates drove a sacrifice fly to center field, the go-ahead run scored, and Lincoln’s Schick gunned down Cory Lane, who attempted to make third.

After the nightmare fourth inning that put Eisenhower on top 8-7, Komnick went the final three innings, facing the minimum of nine batters. In the fifth inning, Lincoln took the lead back. A two-out single by Matt Aper, followed by an RBI hit by Nick Bay, tied the score. Ryan Williams then drew a walk, and Derek Schrader drove in Williams’ game-winning run on a single up the middle.

Lincoln’s second game, this time with Decatur MacArthur, had a little bit of everything, including a downpour from the skies above during the final two outs. Lincoln’s 10 runs were created, in part, by four RBIs from Phillips and three RBIs from Andy Knopp. In the first inning, with bases loaded, Knopp turned on a fast ball, lining it into the left field corner and clearing the bases.

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[Lincoln catcher, Andrew Bartman takes a cut, while Danny Schick is moving toward third.]

[Lincoln senior, Justin Dedman, picking up his sign.]

[Justin Dedman strikes out Eisenhower’s Jess Collins.]
[Click here to view a movie of Dedman’s strikeout. You must have QuickTime installed to view it.]

In the top of the fourth inning, with the score 4-4, Phillips had an RBI single; and Knopp, who had another hard hit down third base line in the third inning, came to bat with two on. MacArthur coach Jim Cline had apparent seen enough of Knopp’s bat and ordered a two-out intentional walk to load the bases. Cline was probably not aware of Knopp’s .500 season batting average, yet it still seemed like a reasonable gamble. Coaches gamble too. But this time the gamble was lost to none other than Danny Schick. Schick, who is hitting a season .368, pinch-hit with the bases jammed and sent an RBI single into right field and put Lincoln up by two (6-4).

In the top of the seventh, with Lincoln on top 7-6, Phillips smacked his two-out, bases-loaded, three-RBI double into right center field that gave Lincoln some needed cushion.

Matt Boyer pitched five innings, relieving Sheley (who allowed four runs, two earned) in the second. Boyer struck out four and gave up three runs, all earned.

In the fifth, with the score 7-5 (Lincoln), MacArthur started the inning with two doubles. However, Josh Spurlock tried to stretch his hit into a triple, which produced the first out on a relay and tag out involving Dedman, Schoonover and Knopp. The play seemed to squelch the shift in momentum. Boyer himself was pumped after the play and completed the inning with a strikeout and an easy comebacker.

Down 10-6 in the bottom of the seventh, Eisenhower’s Dusty Heitz homered off Boyer and Josh Davison singled. With one out, Lincoln’s Ryan Williams was brought to the mound. The intensity of the rain increased, and Williams gave a full count walk to Spurlock. With the tying run at the plate, Williams, in a downpour, got the next two batters to ground out to the right side, and Lincoln won its sixth game in a row.

On April 3, Lincoln opens its conference season at preseason league favorite, Southeast and will host Southeast at home on Thursday, with a nonconference matchup at Mount Zion on Wednesday.

[Rich Knopp]

Stats on the Eisenhower game (3-31-01).

Stats on the MacArthur game (3-31-01).

LCHS freshmen vs. Sacred Heart-Griffin

[APRIL 2, 2001]  Lincoln High School lost a freshman baseball game to Sacred Heart-Griffin 7-4 Saturday at Lincoln Land College in Springfield. LCHS is 1-2 for the season. The second game of the scheduled twin bill was rained out.

Leading the LCHS frosh team at the plate was Jason Williams with three hits and a run scored.  Trent Kavelman and Chris Matson both had a pair of hits for Lincoln. Jason Melton had one hit and an RBI, while Brandon Babbs had a pair of RBIs.   SH-G won the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, to break a 4-4 tie.

Lincoln          010 003 0  -  4-9-3

SH-G            022 003 x  -  7-6-3

Jason Williams, Trent Kavelman (3-L) & Jason Melton; Stallup, Bova (7) & Steal.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

College baseball

Lincoln College vs. Lewis and Clark

[APRIL 2, 2001]  After losing the first game of a doubleheader in the seventh inning, Lincoln College came back to win the nightcap 10-8 against Lewis and Clark in Godfrey on Sunday afternoon.   Lincoln took an 8-4 lead into the seventh inning of the first game; however, the Lynx gave up five runs in the stanza and lost 9-8.

In the second game, Jaren McLane went the distance on the mound, allowing eight hits and eight runs, four earned. McLane struck out three and walked three. Leading the Lynx at the plate was Jake VanDyke with three hits in four trips to the plate. One of the VanDyke hits was a homer in the sixth inning with a pair of runners on the base path.   Brad Bone contributed two hits, including a triple and two RBIs. Robert Sherren also connected for a pair of hits.

Anthony Hoffert pitched well in the first game, giving up two earned runs in four innings, striking out one and walking three. Charlie Deaken worked the fifth and sixth innings before the roof fell in during the seventh. Matt Knepper started the seventh inning, giving up three walks and a pair of hits while getting one out. Jason Rockhold came on, walked one and gave up a hit. VanDyke and Sherren were the hitting stars for Lincoln with two hits each.

The doubleheader split leaves Lincoln College with a record of 8-13 for the season.

Lincoln College      050 003 0  -  8-10-6

Lewis and Clark     002 011 5  -  9-11-2

Anthony Hoffert, Charlie Deaken (5), Matt Knepper (7-L), Jason Rockhold (7) & Robert Sherren; Mayes (W) & Barron.

Lincoln College     300 015 1  -  10-11-5

Lewis and Clark    211 103 0  -   8-8-2

Jaren McLane (W) & Robert Sherren;  Felder, Brenner (6-L) & Barron.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

Lincoln College vs. Lake Land

[APRIL 2, 2001]  A five-run first inning proved to be enough as Lincoln College defeated Lake Land College of Mattoon 5-4 in baseball action at Galen Shirley Field Saturday afternoon. The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was rained out. The victory raises the Lincoln College record to 7-12 for the season.

Charlie Hulett opened the first stanza with a single and moved to second on a bunt.  Brad Bone drew a walk and Eirk Rich reached base on an error, allowing the first run to score.  Chad Blackburn followed with a run-scoring single, and Jake VanDyke slammed a two-run double.  Robert Sherren then singled in the final run of the inning.

Jonathon Cave worked the first five innings of the contest and picked up the victory, allowing four hits and a pair of earned runs.  Matt Knepper came on to record the final six outs and picked up the save. Hulett and Blackburn both had two hits to lead the Lynx hitting attack.

Lake Land          100 011 1  -  4-5-2

Lincoln College   500 000 x  -  5-7-0

Burris (L) & Huff; Jonathon Cave (W), Brad Barker (6), Matt Knepper (6) & Robert Sherren.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

High school boys track

Olympia, Mahomet-Seymour, Prairie Central meet

[MARCH 31, 2001]  Olympia traveled to Mahomet to compete with Mahomet-Seymour and Prairie Central.  The Olympia Spartans led the meet with 83 points to Mahomet-Seymour’s 74 and Prairie Central’s 29 points.

Winners for Olympia:

800 run –  Sean Brand 2:04.4

1,600 run – Seline 5:06.0

High hurdles – Brandon Sholty 16.5

Intermediate hurdles – Sholty 44.7

High jump – Raes 5-10

Triple jump –  Brooks 35-6

Pole vault – Brian DeLoriea 13-0

Discus –  Jimmy Schultz 133-0

1,600 relay –  Olympia 3:41.2

3,200 relay – Olympia 9:13.0

[LDN]

Area high school boys baseball

[MARCH 31, 2001]

Olympia vs. Metamora

At Metamora the game was called at the bottom of the sixth inning because of the 10-run rule.  Olympia ruled over Metamora 18-5.

Pitching for Olympia were Jeff Darnall, Steve Raleigh (2,W, 1-0) and Rush Olson.  Olympia’s pitcher Raleigh was recognized as best pitcher for the game (five innings, two earned runs, three strikeouts, one walk).

Pitching for Metamora were Buddy Robison (L, 0-2), Dan Lueders (3), Jon Schlemmer (6) and John Sizemore.

Olympia’s Steve Raleigh had a grand slam in the sixth.

Outstanding hitters for Olympia: Chris Frank (four hits, three RBIs), Ben Lee (three hits, three RBIs), Raleigh (three hits, five RBIs), Cullen Hayes (two hits).

Mount Pulaski vs. Lexington

Lexington won 6-2 in the game played on their home turf.

Pitching for the Hilltoppers were Justin Anderson (L,0-2), Zach Cyrulik (6), Colton McClellan (6) and Cam McClellan. Lexington pitchers were Andy Schneider (W, 1-0) and Adam Miller.

Outstanding hitter for Mount Pulaski was Chris Wilson (two hits).

Mount Pulaski is 2-4.  Lexington is 2-0.

[LDN]

Lincoln varsity baseball at Bloomington

[MARCH 30, 2001]  Lincoln High School’s varsity baseball team is giving early notice that it will demand respect this year. After sweeping a doubleheader from Bradley-Bourbonnais this past weekend, Lincoln fought its way to a 3-2 victory over Bloomington on Thursday and pushed its record to 4-1.

The one-run win required timely hits, aggressive base running and great pitching. Lincoln faced Eric Haberer, a hard-throwing senior left-hander headed for SIU at Carbondale. Haberer struck out five of Lincoln’s first six hitters — something he is accustomed to doing, with 105 strikeouts recorded last season. But Lincoln players may have had the words of Jimmy Valvano echoing in their minds: "Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up."

Lincoln had its own ace on the mound: senior Chris Phillips. In the seven-inning complete game, Phillips allowed only five hits and gave up three walks. One hit was a leadoff home run in the fourth inning to Haberer that gave Bloomington a 2-1 lead and its only earned run.

In the third inning Phillips was forced to take a seat — on the mound! With one runner on, senior Pete Stone smashed a shot directly back toward Phillips’ chest. Fortunately, and remarkably, the ball found and stayed in Phillips’ glove as he dropped to his posterior. Perhaps Phillips had some revenge in mind in the bottom of the seventh. With a slim one-run lead, and having walked two that inning, Phillips faced Stone again with two outs. This time it took three pitches, and Stone was forced to take his own seat after looking at the final game pitch, a called third strike.

Lincoln’s offense produced just five hits against Bloomington’s best, but they got enough at the right time. In the top of the fourth inning, Justin Dedman scored Lincoln’s first run. After reaching base on an infield error, he moved all the way to third on a passed ball. Danny Schick’s ground ball to the right side scored Dedman on a close play at the plate, and Schick took first on the fielder’s choice. Andy Knopp then whacked a double to the right-center-field fence, prompting coach Hake to send Schick on home on the play. A good relay, however, cut down Schick, and Dedman had Lincoln’s only score until the seventh inning.

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[Chris Phillips delivers one of his 70 strikes in 96 pitches.]

[Ryan Williams take an inside ball before being hit by the following pitch. Williams scored the winning run.]

[Blake Schoonover gets his second hit of the game.]

Trailing by one, the seventh inning began with an infield hit by Schick. This time, Knopp was called on to move Schick forward with a sacrifice bunt, which he did successfully on the first pitch. Ryan Williams’ plate-hugging pinch-hitting responsibility resulted in his being hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. Although Jamison Sheley struck out swinging for the second out, both runners moved into scoring position on a double steal. Senior catcher Andrew Bartman then had his big opportunity. With one strike, Bartman guided a single into short left-center field that scored both Schick and Williams and put Lincoln on top 3-2. Blake Schoonover got his second game hit in the seventh, but he and Bartman were left stranded at second and third.

Reflecting on the game and the quality of the pitching Lincoln faced, first-year head coach Pat Hake said the game "really helped us get more prepared for the regionals." Hake used 14 different players to get the job done. The way things look, Lincoln should get the job done quite a few times this season. This Saturday, Lincoln will travel to Decatur Eisenhower to get the job done again.

[Rich Knopp]

Area high school baseball and softball games

[MARCH 30, 2001] 

Mount Pulaski vs. Midwest Central

Mount Pulaski’s baseball and softball teams traveled to Manito yesterday afternoon for two games against Midwest Central.

Mount Pulaski’s baseball team hit one ball and scored a run against Midwest in the third inning. Clements pitched his first game for Mount Pulaski. Midwest Central hit five balls and made four runs. The final score of the game was 4-1. The Hilltopper baseball team’s record is now 2-3.

Mount Pulaski’s softball team was not able to score any runs against their opponent, and the game was called due to the 10-run rule. Tobias pitched for the Hilltoppers, and Lewis pitched for Midwest Central. The final score of the game was 16-0.

Olympia vs. Canton (baseball)

Olympia played baseball yesterday in Canton and earned a decisive victory. Both teams earned one run in the first inning, and Olympia earned one in the second inning. In the fifth inning Olympia made five runs and Canton made only two. Olympia continued to plate runs: one in the sixth inning and two in the seventh. The final score was 10-3.

Cam Cheek pitched the winning game, to bring his personal record to two wins and no losses. Ryne Sherman, Lance Leesman and Rush Olson caught for the Spartans.

Ben Lee, Steve Raleigh and Rush Olson each hit two balls for Olympia. The Spartans had nine hits and made only one error. Canton had four hits and three errors.

Olympia now has four wins and no losses.

Olympia vs. Bloomington (softball)

Olympia’s and Bloomington’s softball teams met in Stanford yesterday. Olympia made an early run in the first inning, but Bloomington made three runs in the third inning. Neither team scored until the last inning. Three of the Spartans ran home to make the final score 4-3, Olympia.

Jessie Shay pitched for Olympia, with Al Flessner’s help. Of the three games Shay has pitched, this is her second win. She pitched seven innings and struck out four players. Shay allowed Bloomington seven hits, one run and walked three of its players.

Becky Hieser hit one double for Olympia and was herself batted in. Nichole Prager, Jessie Shay and Amber Lessen were also batted in. Lessen made two hits as well.

Olympia had eight hits and two errors. Bloomington had seven hits. Olympia’s new record is two wins, one loss and one tie.

[LDN]

High school girls track

Olympia, Mahomet-Seymour, Prairie Central meet

[MARCH 30, 2001]  Three teams gathered in Mahomet for a high school girls track and field meet: Mahomet-Seymour, Prairie Central and Olympia. Mahomet-Seymour won the match easily with 112½ points. Prairie Central earned 36½ points, and Olympia made 30 points.

The first-place results were as follows:

100-meter dash—Mahomet-Seymour: Tiffany Pavesic, 13.5

200—Olympia: Prater, 28.7

400—Olympia: Gena Rawlins, 1:00.0

800—Mahomet-Seymour: Maureen Scott, 2:32

1,600—Mahomet-Seymour: Maureen Scott, 5:12

3,200—Mahomet-Seymour: Courtney Philbrook, 13:23

100-meter hurdles—Mahomet-Seymour: Schroeder, 17.9

300 hurdles—Mahomet-Seymour: Breanne Huddleston, 51.0

High jump—Mahomet-Seymour: Eileen Scott, 4'10"

Long jump—Mahomet-Seymour: Lydia Morris, 15'5"

Triple jump—Mahomet-Seymour: Morris, 35'5½"

Shot put—Mahomet-Seymour: Carrie Lohmeyer, 32'2"

Discus—Mahomet-Seymour: Katie Eden, 105'4"

400-meter relay—Mahomet-Seymour, 54.4

800 relay—Prairie Central, 1:58.4

800 medley relay—Olympia, 1:57.8

1,600 relay—Olympia, 4:23.0

3,200 relay—Mahomet-Seymour, 10:43.0

[LDN]

College baseball

Lincoln College vs. Danville

[MARCH 30, 2001]  Lincoln College split a baseball doubleheader with Danville at Galen Shirley Field in Lincoln Thursday afternoon. The Lynx were beaten 20-0 in a five-inning opener but rebounded to win the nightcap 10-6. The split leaves coach Tony Thomas' team with a 6-12 mark for the season.

Lincoln managed only two hits against Danville's ace pitcher in the first game. Gray raised his individual record to 6-0 with the victory. Jack VanDyke and Robert Sherren had the only hits for Lincoln. Matt Whetstone took the pitching loss for Lincoln. Whetstone was followed to the mound by Mark Stoltzenburg, Scott Onken, Brian Langworth, Brent Barker and Matt Carnahan.

In the second game Lincoln's Jeff King gave up three runs in the top of the third inning, but the Lynx bounced back with a four spot in the bottom half of the inning. The Lynx added three more runs in the fourth and two in the fifth. Danville had the bases loaded, with no one out and one run already across the plate, before Charlie Deakin finally shut down the visitors. Deakin got the first out with a strikeout, the second on a tap to the mound, and the final out came on a ground out.

Robert Sherren had three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Charlie Hulett had three hits, including a triple. Chris Ackman, Chad Blackburn and Brad Bone all had two hits for the Lynx. Bone's hits were a double and triple, with a run batted in. Blackburn had a pair of RBIs and Ackman, one.

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Reminder

Sign up at Rec Center for summer baseball and softball

[MARCH 29, 2001]  Sign-ups for summer baseball and softball are going on now until this Saturday, March 31, at the Rec Center. A baseball representative will be available there from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday to answer any questions. Time's running short to get signed up for a summer of recreational baseball and softball !!  For more details, click here.

High school baseball

[MARCH 29, 2001] 

Mount Pulaski vs. Niantic-Harristown

Niantic-Harristown competed against Mount Pulaski High School’s baseball team yesterday afternoon in Mount Pulaski. Niantic-Harristown grabbed an early lead with six runs in the first inning and two in the second inning. Mount Pulaski finally scored some runs in the fourth inning—five to be exact. Niantic-Harristown also made two runs during that inning. The final score of the game was 10-5.

Nat Tierney pitched for Mount Pulaski, and Cory Rogers pitched for Niantic-Harristown. The Hilltoppers had two hitting stars: Damien Schlitt and Matt Fuller. Schlitt made two hits. Fuller also made hits, plus he batted in two runners.

Mount Pulaski hit a total of six balls and had three outfield errors. Niantic-Harristown hit six balls also and had four errors. Mount Pulaski’s record is now two wins and two losses.

[LDN]

High school baseball

[MARCH 28, 2001] 

Playing on the Mount Pulaski turf, the Hilltoppers beat IC 10-4. With seven hits and four errors, Mount Pulaski scored in all but the first inning. The Cougars had all four of their runs in the third inning.

Pitching for IC: Fletcher, Cunningham (4,L), and Bohm; for Mount Pulaski: Korey Davis (W) and Cam McClellan.

Mount Pulaski’s Matt Fuller had a home run in the fifth. Zach Cyrulik and Damien Schlitt each had two RBIs.

IC’s Travis Scott brought in two runs in addition to his homer in the third.

Mount Pulaski is 2-1. Illini Central is 4-2.

Olympia swept Morton at home 6-1. Both teams had seven hits. Morton made four errors to Olympia’s one.

Pitching for Olympia: Brandon Gale (W, 1-0), Ryne Sherman (7), and Rush Olson.

The Spartans’ Ben Lee (2-for-3, one RBI), Steve Raleigh (double), Jeff Darnall (triple), and Ryan Dendrick (RBI) were the top hitters.

Olympia is 3-0. Morton is 0-2.

[LDN]

High school softball

[MARCH 28, 2001]  

At Tremont, Olympia topped Tremont by 1 in a 1-nothing game. Olympia had four hits and Tremont had two.

Jessie Shay (W, 1-1) and Al Flessner pitched for the Lady Spartans, and Amanda Wilson (L, 1-2) and Meagan Schroeder pitched for Tremont.

For Olympia, Tricia Gaither had two hits and a double, and Tiffany Prager brought in the winning run.

Olympia is 1-1-1. Tremont is 1-2.

[LDN]

High school girls track

[MARCH 28, 2001]  

Meeting in Mason City, Illini Central outran, out-jumped and out-threw Illini Bluffs 79-47.

Winners for Illini Central:

100-meter dash — McDonald, 14.1

200 dash — Harvey, 29.4

400 dash — McLaughlin, 1:09

800 run — Herman, 3:16.8

3,200 run — McKenna, 14:21.9

100 hurdles — Mortlock, 22.8

300 hurdles — Mortlock, 22.8

High jump — Hankins, 3’10"

Triple jump — Harvey, 29'7½"

400 relay — (McDonald, Cave, Hankins, Harvey) 57.3

800 relay — (Daum, McDonald, Cave, Harvey) 2:03.6

1,600 relay — (Cave, Hankins, Daum, McLaughlin) 4:47.8

3,200 relay — (Mortlock, Herman, List, Daum) 13:18.0

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Lincoln vs. Clinton

The Lady Railers (146) triumphed supreme at a five-team meet with Clinton (50), Decatur St. Teresa (88), Fisher (48) and Deland-Weldon (12). The meet was at Clinton.

Winners for Lincoln:

100-meter dash — Dominique Dawson, 13.0

400 dash — Sara Conklen, 1:04.3

100 hurdles — Allison Humbert, 18.0

Long jump — Dawson, 14'9½"

Triple jump — Jennifer Whalen, 30'3"

Shot put — M. Coons, 30-0

400 relay — (Conklen, Angela Maestas, Humbert, Dawson) 53.2

800 relay — (Conklen, Dawson, Humbert, Maestas) 1:53.4

1,600 relay — Lincoln, 4:38.2

3,200 relay — Lincoln, 12:00.3

[LDN]

College baseball

Lincoln College vs. Spoon River

[MARCH 28, 2001]  Lincoln College defeated Spoon River in a doubleheader baseball game at Canton Tuesday afternoon, running their winning streak to four straight. The Lynx won the first game, coming from behind, 10-5. Lincoln used a strong pitching performance from Jaren McLane to post a 9-0 victory in the nightcap. The doubleheader victory raises the Lincoln College record to 5-11 for the season.

McLane was outstanding for coach Tony Thomas in the second game, scattering five hits in a complete game outing. McLane fanned four and didn't allow a single walk. Lincoln College plated six runs in the first inning, and McLane made the big inning stand up. Chris Ackman led the Lynx hitting attack with three safeties in five trips to the plate, with a double and two runs scored.

In the first game Spoon River jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first two innings; however, the Lynx scored three times in the fourth and once in the fifth to tie the score. After Spoon River scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-4 lead, Lincoln pushed across six runs in the top of the sixth to take the victory. 

Chris Ackman led the way with three hits in three trips to the plate, with a double and a run scored. Erik Rich added a pair of hits and two RBIs while Chad Blackburn had two hits, including a double and an RBI. Anthony Hoffert was the winning pitcher for Lincoln, working the first five innings, giving up six hits and five runs, three earned. Hoffert fanned two and walked two. Matt Knepper hurled the final two innings, striking out two.

[to top of second column in this article]

High school baseball

Illini Bluffs vs. Illini Central

[MARCH 27, 2001]  Illini Bluffs met Illini Central in Mason City yesterday afternoon for a high school baseball game. 

Central started off strong with three runs in the first inning and two in the second inning. The Bluffs made four runs in the second inning, adding three runs in the fourth, one run in the fifth, and three runs in the seventh. Illini Central made their last run in the seventh inning. The final score was 11-6, Illini Bluffs.

Harris pitched for Illini Central, and this was his first loss of the season—he has already pitched two winning games.

Central hit five balls and made five errors. The Bluffs hit 15 balls and made only two errors.

[LDN]

College softball

Lincoln College vs. Parkland College

[MARCH 27, 2001]  Lincoln College defeated Parkland College of Champaign 6-3 and 2-1 in softball action at Lincoln College Monday afternoon.   The doubleheader victory raises the Lady Lynx record to 2-6 for the season.

Coach Jennifer Ciaccio saw her club plate three runs in the second inning of the opening game, and the Lady Lynx were never headed.  Amy Czerwionka drew a walk to start the three-run rally.  She moved to second on an error and advanced to third on a single by Brandi Barnes.   Maggie Green followed with an RBI single, and Ronni Beebe then added an RBI single.   After Heather Dobey drew a walk, Beth Gajdik singled in the final run of the inning. 

Parkland came back with two runs in the top of the third; however, Lincoln added one in the bottom of the inning and two more in the fourth to put the game out of reach.  Brandi Barnes went the distance on the mound for the Lady Lynx, giving up one earned run while fanning four and walking one.

Lincoln waited until the bottom of the fifth inning of the second game to get on the scoreboard.   Due to cold weather, both coaches agreed to a five-inning second game; therefore, the Lady Lynx won in their final at bat.   With two outs, Christine Lott drew a base on balls.  Ronnie Beebe followed with a double, scoring Lott and tying the game.  Heather Dobey then connected for a double, with Beebe scoring the winning run. 

[to top of second column in this article]

Illini’s trip to the Final Four derailed

[MARCH 26, 2001]  Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright. Somewhere bands are playing and somewhere children fight. But there is no joy in Mudville…Mighty Casey has struck out! There is also no joy in Illinois tonight, as our mighty Illini have fallen to the pesky Arizona Wildcats 87-81 in San Antonio, Texas. The win enabled the Cats to punch their transfer ticket to the Twinkie Dome for next week’s Final Four in Minneapolis, Minn.

[click here to see photos from the game]

The Illini did not go down without a fight, and the contest was still in doubt until the last few seconds. The Illini started slow and dug themselves a hole. They slowly climbed back into the game and, amazingly, were only four points down at half after shooting an abysmal 29 percent from the field, while allowing the Cats to fire at a 60 percent clip.

The contest was marred by a plethora of free throws, and amazingly Illinois had six players disqualified before it was all said and done.

For the Illini, this game’s story had to be Robert Archibald. "Arch" fired in a career-high 25 points and must have felt that he was defending the Alamo all by himself at times.

The LDN had a premonition that Archibald would have a great game. On Saturday the LDN staff spent about an hour or more with Robert’s mother, Heather; his father, Bobby; and his sister, Jemma. They are one of the most delightful families that you will ever meet. They told us how much Robert enjoyed playing for the Illini and how he was playing with more confidence than he had in his entire career. I guess they were right…because if Archibald had not shown up Sunday, the Illini might have been embarrassed in front of a national TV audience. He seemed to be the most dominant big man on the floor.

It was especially important when you consider that Lincoln’s Brian Cook was limited to four points because of yet another bout with foul problems, and Marcus Griffin finished the night with one point. In fact, our crew of central Illinois players did not fare too well in this battle at all. Sergio McClain did not have one of his best games, and Frank Williams was nowhere near his sensational self of Friday night’s fame. Cory Bradford bounced back and had a solid night by hitting for 22 points including 6-for-11 on his 3-pointers. Lucas Johnson came off the bench and had another fine outing for the Fighting Illini.

[to top of second column in this article]

Illini, Cook make Elite Eight

Williams, Johnson help Illinois survive

[MARCH 24, 2001]  Had it been a battle of attrition the Illini might not have come away with the victory. Illinois was in a peck of foul trouble, and had the game gone into overtime, perhaps the Illini's deeper bench might have had to be a few seats wider. But just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, Frank Williams and Lucas Johnson simply took this game over, leading the Fighting Illini to a much larger than it actually was 80-64 victory over an outstanding group of Kansas Jayhawks.

This was truly a game of wild runs, hard fouls, funny bounces and a host of other unsettling stuff. But somehow, some way the Illini were able to hang on. The Illini had three players in double figures. Sergio McClain had a solid game and finished the night with 10 points. Lucas Johnson though, played the role of savior as he recorded 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. But Frank Williams was simply sensational. Frank put up 30 points, hit three 3-pointers and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the line

Illinois outscored Kansas 36-24 in the paint, but that was not the most amazing stat. The most amazing stat of the night was that Illinois out-rebounded the No. 1 rebounding team in the nation 45-30…and 19-6 on the offensive glass. Illinois also forced the Jayhawks into 20 turnovers.

[to top of second column in this article]

Sports Talk

[MARCH 26, 2001]  

[click here for Part 1]

A. He’s been a big part of my life. He’s always telling me to take the ball hard to the basket. He’s worked hard with me over the years, as has coach Donnie Aeilts, my junior high coach.

A. Our emphasis at Illinois is to take the ball to the basket and to dunk everything. I think if we could do that we could get to the foul line a little more often.

A. First, we’ve got to remember what happened to us last year and always keep that in mind. We have to come out every game with the best focus that we can. We have to show up with our A game and always give it 100 percent.

A. Yes. We know, but we have to be a team that approaches things one game at time.

A. I watched some in Frank’s room and some with my roommate, Sean. Yes, we want our conference to do well, but we’re mostly concerned about how well we perform.

[to top of second column in this section]

[Brian Cook]

Q. What do you need to do personally through the rest of the tournament?

A. I have to come out with more intensity. If I can be even more focused, that will help me and our team be even more successful. I just want to keep it going. I will use that experience from last year to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

A. They are stroking their shots pretty well right now. When they shoot it we think that they will make every shot.

A. I only got to see one game, but I read about how well they were doing. I was excited for them because I know how hard they have worked. I really wanted to see those Southeast and Mount Zion games, but obviously we had work to do here.

A. I give him credit for keeping us healthy.

A. I’m a lot more calm this year. I’m not bothered by the media or the hype now. I took that experience and learned from it. It’s a mental thing…my attitude is so much better this season. I remembered that in last year’s NCAA’s I had two rebounds in two games. I’m not going to let that happen again. I’m just trying to come out and do my job.

[MARCH 22, 2001]  One year ago, Brian Cook was disappointed, dejected and despondent. His Fighting Illini had looked lethargic, lifeless and totally lost as the Florida Gators kicked the stuffing out of Illinois on their way to an NCAA title date. Even though the media seldom reports on the strong character and integrity that Cook possesses, we all knew that Brian would blame himself. And that’s exactly what he did. Never mind that the rest of the team failed to show up as well on that fateful day. Cook vowed that if his chance rolled around again that he would be ready…and ready he was, firing in 31 points and crashing down with 16 rebounds. The LDN spoke with Brian at the press conference last Friday in Dayton and then in a joyous Illini locker room after the game.

Q. Brian, once again you came out on fire, scoring eight straight points.

A. Yes. I just tried to come out with a lot of energy and a lot more focus than I came out with last year. I think that experience from last year helped me prepare for this year.

Q. Were you relaxed playing a team like Northwestern State in the first round?

A. No. They really pressured us in the first half, and after a few minutes they were picking their spots. We made some nice adjustments at halftime, and then their pressure was no factor after that.

Q. Did you guys need a game like this to get your confidence back and to get rolling into the NCAAs?

A. No. We’re just going to take it one game at a time. We played well today. We all worked the ball around and played unselfishly. Whoever we play tomorrow, we know that we’ll have to bring our A game (I forgot to ask Brian if he’s been talking to Tiger Woods with that A-game crack).

Q. You guys seem to be playing unselfishly, making lots of extra passes out there.

A. At the end we were just having fun, especially when the entire bench got in.

Q. Did all of the upsets on Thursday affect your thinking going into your game?

A. Yes. It affected us a little bit. You know…we didn’t want to get popped. But we came in here focused, with the mentality that we want to keep playing.

Q. After winning so handily, are you still able to see areas that can be improved on?

A. We’ve got to guard the ball more. When people try to pressure us, especially full court, we can’t let it bother us like it did for a few minutes.

Q. How did last year’s tournament help you this year, and do you feel redeemed?

A. Actually we all played well. I went out there and tried to get some easy baskets underneath and basically do my job. It feels real good that I could contribute and play as well as I did. I think I’m a lot stronger and much more mentally focused than I was last year. And like I said earlier, the experience from last year really helped me this year.

Q. For our loyal readers that don’t know, tell us about the shaved-head thing.

A. My hair was just long and I wanted to cut it. I wore it like this in high school during tournament time. I mean, I just wanted to bring it back.

Q. What a balanced attack! That should make us a scouting nightmare, huh?

A. We’re really moving the ball well and finding each other.

[to top of second column in this section]

Q. It seems like the Big Ten really struggled the first day. Were you weary of that?

A. We want the Big Ten to do well, but our main focus is us. We are selfish in that regard. We’re just going to go out and try to do our best.

Q. Any secret good-luck charms besides shaving your head…like your mom’s chicken?

A. No. I ate the hotel’s chicken.

Q. Compare this year with last year.

A. Last year I felt a little bit intimidated with all the media coverage and with all the hype flying around. That year to think about it and deal with it has helped me grow. Last year I was even shy with the media. This year my teammates and I were much more calm than we were a year ago.

Q. How fun was it to see your teammates get some playing time?

A. It was really fun. They work so hard trying to get us prepared. It was great to see them go out and be able to do their thing.

Q. What did this win mean, especially after losing to Indiana?

A. It means a lot. Everybody was knocking down shots…Cory shot it well, Sean shot it well…everyone was shooting it well. We’ve got a lot of weapons, and hopefully we can continue to use them all. We were disappointed after the Indiana game, but since the next day was selection Sunday, I think we got that out of our minds quickly. We immediately started focusing on the NCAA Tournament. I thought we came out with that kind of focus and jumped on ’em early today and came away with the victory.

Q. Did you watch the games Thursday on TV?

A. We watched as many games as we could. But mostly, we’re concerned with ourselves; we’re not concerned with other teams. We’re concerned with Illinois basketball and what goes on amongst our own players.

Q. Some people say that you weren’t really tested.

A. They played better pressure defense than most people thought. We came out in the second half and broke their press. Give credit to them. They didn’t back down the whole game. They did beat us to some loose balls and got a few boards, but that’s what we expected from them.

Q. Are you sick of answering questions about what happened last year, and is it a weight around your neck?

A. No. It’s not a weight. I knew the questions would be coming. I just thought I would take that experience and not let it happen again.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of LDN’s exclusive interview with Lincoln’s Brian Cook tomorrow!

[Jeff Mayfield]

[click here for Part 2 of interview]

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