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[APRIL 15, 2002]  The Railer varsity fell just short of taking a doubleheader at Peoria Richwoods Saturday. The Railers controlled the first game 7-1 and seemed in control of the second game, leading 8-5 after six innings. But things changed quickly and Lincoln lost in eight innings, 9-8.

In the first game, the Railers scored seven runs on only seven hits, four of which were tallied by junior Derek Schrader and senior Andy Knopp, who had two hits each. Schrader scored in the first inning after doubling, stealing third and reaching home on an errant throw on the steal. Josh Gallagher scored Lincoln’s second run in the third inning, after a single and the help of a bunt single by Mitch Sheley and an RBI ground out by Schrader.

In the fifth inning, Lincoln scored two more runs without a hit. Leadoff hitter Jeremy Ohmart was hit by a pitch and stole second. He moved to third on a Schrader fly out in foul territory on the right side and scored on a passed ball. With two outs, Adam Schonauer walked and stole second; then he scored on a throwing error by Richwood’s third baseman on a Ryne Komnick grounder.

After five innings, Lincoln led 4-0. Lincoln senior pitcher Blake Schoonover held the Knights scoreless, gave up only one hit and struck out five. Just two Richwoods’ hitters reached base on Schoonover’s stint on the mound. Junior Chris Gosda relieved Schoonover in the sixth and yielded a hit and a run that inning, but he got the Knights out in order in the seventh.

The one run did little good for the Knights, since Lincoln scored another three runs in the seventh. Ohmart reached on an error and Schrader singled. With two outs, Ryne Komnick sliced a two-RBI single to right field. He scored himself when John Peters was walked with the bases loaded.

Lincoln played without an error in the game and was undoubtedly confident approaching game two.

Game two seemed OK for six innings. Even though the Railers had committed four errors in the first five innings, they still led 8-5 after six innings.

Michael Aper and Derek Schrader scored in the first after reaching base on singles. Ryan Williams brought Aper in on a sacrifice fly, and Schrader scored on a shortstop throwing error. Aper (with a single) and Schrader (with a walk) scored again in the third inning with the help of an RBI single by Williams. A fifth Railer run came in the fourth inning from junior Steve Shanley who walked, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Mitch Sheley and scored on a wild pitch.

In the fifth inning, three more Railers scored, on singles by Derek Schrader, Ryan Williams (RBI), Matt Boyer and Andy Knopp (RBI), as well as a double by Danny Schick (RBI). The Railers might have scored more — and might have changed the game’s outcome — but Schick was tagged out between third and home, and Knopp was tagged out trying to stretch his single into a double.

[to top of second column in this article]

Senior Mike Martin went the first three innings for the Railers. Martin struck out four and gave up five hits and five runs, though only two of the runs were earned. Chris Gosda made his second appearance of the day on the mound, keeping the Knights scoreless from the fourth through the sixth innings. But Richwoods’ leadoff hitter in the bottom of the seventh doubled, and the next hitter reached on an error. Senior lefty Ryan Williams was then called to the mound to stifle the threat. But Richwoods scored three runs in the inning and tied the game after a couple more hits.

With a three-run lead, the Railers had a good opportunity to score more in the top of the seventh, which would have prevented an extra-inning game. Williams reached first on an error, and Danny Schick singled and went to second on a fielder’s choice. But with men at second and third with no outs, the Railers had a fly out, a pinch-hit ground out and a strikeout. No one scored, and the stage was set for the Knights’ three-run comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Richwoods gained the victory in the eighth inning. David Ward led off the bottom of the inning with his fifth single of the game and stole second. The next hitter was intentionally walked, but a wild pitch put the two on second and third with no out. Williams struck out the third hitter of the inning to register the first out. Lincoln’s coach, Pat Hake, had the next batter intentionally walked, loading the bases. Williams once again struck out a batter to mark up the second out. Unfortunately, the strikeout streak couldn’t continue, and a line drive single to right center field ended the contest.

In the losing effort, four Railers had two hits each: Mike Aper, Derek Schrader, Ryan Williams and Danny Schick. Aper scored twice and Schrader three times, and Williams had three RBIs.

The Railers, now 7-8, will play at Lanphier on Tuesday and will host the same team on Thursday at 4:30.

[Rich Knopp]

[APRIL 15, 2002]   

At Farmer City

Game 1

Mount Pulaski          021 57 -- 15-9-0

Blue Ridge               000 00 --   0-3-3

Josh Foley (1-0) and Cam McClellan

Home runs--Chris Wilson (one on in third).

Hitting stars--Wilson (2 hits, 4 RBI), Justin Anderson (2 hits), Josh Blaum (2 hits, 2 RBI).

Game 2

Mount Pulaski          230 010 0 -- 6-8-0

Blue Ridge               120 000 0 -- 3-8-1

Moore and Cam McClellan.

Hitting stars--Craig Erlenbush (3 hits), Wilson (2 hits, 2 RBI).

At Stanford

Game 1

Dunlap                     000 001 0 -- 1-3-0

Olympia                   300 510 x -- 9-12-1

Ryan Kendrick (4-0), Lance Leesman (7) and Rush Olson

Hitting stars--Chris Frank (2 hits), Jeff Darnall (3 hits, triple, 3 RBI), Olson (2 hits, 2 RBI), Tyler Haning (2 hits), Kendrick (2 RBI).

Game 2

Dunlap                     100 000 0 -- 1-6-1

Olympia                   000 242 x -- 8-9-1

Tyler Thornton (3-0) and Kendrick

Hitting stars--Cole Horner (2 hits), Steve Raleigh (2 hits), Frank (2 hits).

[APRIL 15, 2002]   

Chicago Land Challenge

Game 1

Chicago Christian    000 000 1 -- 1-  5-0

Olympia                  015 001 x -- 7-14-1

Amanda Wilson (3-0) and Katie Tucker.

Hitting stars--Gaither (1 double, 2 hits), Shay (1 double, 1 triple), Shaffer (2 hits, 2 RBI), Prager (2 hits), Lessen (2 hits, 1 RBI).

Pitching star--Wilson ( 6 strikeouts, 1 walk).

Game 2

Olympia                   003 100 4 -- 8-15-0

Elgin St. Edward      000 000 0 -- 0-  5-2

Jessie Say (7-1), Amanda Wilson (6) and Lessen, Tucker (6).

Hitting stars--Prager (3 hits), Logsdon (2 RBI).

Game 3

Illiana Christian      000 000 0 -- 0-1-2

Olympia                102 110 x -- 5-7-0

Shay (8-1), Wilson (6) and Lessen, Tucker (6).

Hitting stars--Gaither (1 triple), Shay ( 2 hits), Prager (2 RBI).

[APRIL 15, 2002]  Olympia boys scored 49 points for fourth place.  Lincoln boys scored 6 points for 14th place.

Winners for Olympia and Lincoln:

100 meter dash – 4. Scott Joyce (O) 11.3;
5. Jacob Slager (O), 11.8

110 high hurdles – 4. Brandon Sholty (O) 15.0

300 Intermediate Hurdles – 3. Brandon Sholty (O) 41.4

High jump – 3.  Nick Raes (O) 5-11

Long jump – 3. Kiel Aderman (L) 20-5 1/4

Discus – 2. Jimmy Schultz (O) 153-8; 3. Josh Hieronymus (O) 149-3

Shot put – 1. Jimmy Schultz (O) 51-4 1/4

1,600 relay – 3. Olympia 3:31.7

[APRIL 15, 2002]  Lincoln College split a pair of games with John Wood in conference play at Galen Shirley Field in Lincoln Sunday, winning the first game 15-5 in six innings and dropping the nightcap 6-0.

Zach Rinaberger provided the most offense in the opener. He had four hits in five trips to the plate, with a pair of triples, two runs scored and four runs batted in. Jake VanDyke added three hits, including a triple, and a pair of RBIs. Tim May had a pair of doubles and four RBIs, while Chris Phillips was two for two with four runs scored, a double and a pair of walks.

Kyle Eastman was the starting and winning pitcher. Charlie Deakin hurled the final 3 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and one hit allowed.

Lincoln College managed six hits in the second game; however, they were unable to dent the plate. Jonathon Cave was the starting and losing pitcher for the Lynx, hurling 4 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, four earned runs, three strikeouts and a pair of walks. Rinaberger and Matt Mifflin each had a pair of hits for the Lynx.

Lincoln College is now 6-8 in conference play and 8-21 overall. John Wood stands at 7-7 in conference play. Lincoln will host Danville at 3:30 p.m. Monday in a nine-inning game and hosts Illinois Central on Tuesday.

[to top of second column in this article]

First game

John Wood           113 000 — 5-5-2

Lincoln College     263 103 — 15-17-1

Felger (L), McLean (2), Conrad (3) and Stembredge; Eastman (W), Deakin (S-3) and Bartman.

Second game

John Wood             302 010 0 — 6-5-0

Lincoln College       000 000 0 — 0-6-1

Shipp (W) and Miffen; Cave (L), King (5) and Pesce.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 15, 2002]  Lincoln College suffered a tough 6-5 loss to Lake Land College Saturday afternoon at Galen Shirley Field in Lincoln. The Lynx had beaten Lake Land in a doubleheader Thursday afternoon at Mattoon. Lincoln College then defeated Millikin JV 15-9 and 7-5 Friday night in Decatur.

That took Lincoln College to 7-20 for the season, 5-7 in the conference, going into a conference twin bill with John Wood on Sunday afternoon

Lincoln College had its chances against Lake Land Saturday, loading the bases in the seventh inning with no one out; however, the Lynx were unable to score. Lincoln managed to score two runs in the ninth and had the tying run at third and the winning run at first with one out, but they were unable to come up with the key hit.

Chris Phillips was the starting and losing pitcher for Lincoln, giving up eight hits and all six runs. Jeff King hurled the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up one hit while striking out three and walking one. 

Tim May continued his hot hitting, with four safeties in four trips to the plate. He had a double, a run scored and an RBI.  Jeff Harris, Kenny VanHouten and Frank Pesce each had a pair of hits for coach Tony Thomas.

Against Millikin, Josh Becker picked up the victory in game one, with VanHouten connecting for a double and a home run.  Zack Rinaberger, May, Jake VanDyke and Matt Mifflin each collected a pair of hits.

[to top of second column in this article]

In the second game Matt Gilbert was the winning pitcher in the 7-5 game.  Andrew Bartman, Lou Persino and VanDyke each had a pair of hits for Lincoln.

Score by innings

Lake Land             011 003 100 — 6-9-1

Lincoln College      101 010 002 — 5-14-3

Moreale, Allen (3-W), Blue (9) and Diaz; Phillips, King (7) and Pesce.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 13, 2002]  At Washington:

Score by innings

Olympia               102 026 0 – 11-11-1

Washington          010 001 0 – 2-8-1

For Olympia:

Pitching and catching: Jeff Darnall (3-0), Dusty Hayes (7) and Rush Olson.

Outstanding hitters: Cole Horner (2 hits), Darnall (2 hits, double, 3 RBIs), Kendrick (2 hits), Olson (2 hits, double, 2 RBIs).

Darnall had 9 strikeouts.

Olympia’s record is 13-0.

[APRIL 13, 2002]  Olympia girls tied for 11^th with Springfield Lanphier at Friday’s Bloomington Invitational.

Winners for Olympia:

400-meter dash –  5. Brianne Crawford, 1:03.4

800 run – 6. Tamarida Boone. 2:34.0

1,600 run – 5. Jill Floyd, 5:45.2

300 hurdles – 5. Katie Hentzen, 50.3

High jump – 3. Michelle Radar, 4 – 10

1,600 relay – 4. Olympia, 4:20.2

3,200 relay – 3. Olympia, 10:21.8

[APRIL 12, 2002]  Although Springfield High outhit Lincoln 10-8 in Thursday’s conference matchup, it was the big bats of Lincoln that made the decisive difference, leading the Railers to an 11-7 victory and a 2-2 conference record.

Springfield jumped to an early lead in the first inning, scoring two runs on three hits and a sacrifice bunt. Lincoln’s starter, Ryne Komnick, threw four innings and saw a 4-3 Railer lead transform into a 7-4 Senator lead after 3 1/2 innings. The junior hurler allowed seven hits, struck out four, walked only one and surrendered five earned runs.

Springfield’s scoring leap came in the fourth inning. Doak Wingert led off with a double that was followed by a fly-ball single that the Lincoln right fielder apparently lost in the sun. A throwing error put another Senator on base, and Blake Helm, Springfield’s starting pitcher, helped his cause with a two-run line drive home run off the Railer scoreboard in left field. Nonetheless, Komnick came back strong and got a ground out and a fly out to end the inning; and with the go-ahead Railer runs scored in the bottom of the inning, he registered the pitching victory.

Senior left-hander Mike Martin took the mound to start the fifth inning, but after a single, a strikeout and another single he was replaced by senior lefty Ryan Williams. Williams stranded the two runners he inherited and finished the game without allowing a score, striking out three and allowing just one hit.

[Photos provided by Rich Knopp]
[Ryan Williams held Springfield scoreless in
the final 2 2/3 innings.]

Lincoln’s first score came in the first inning, from sophomore Mitch Sheley, who reached first and went to second on a shortstop throwing error, and then scored on another shortstop throwing error that benefited Ryan Williams. The Railers pushed their lead to 4-2 in the second inning with runs by Komnick, Andy Knopp and Jeremy Ohmart. A sacrifice bunt by John Peters, an RBI ground out by Josh Gallagher, and RBI singles by Ohmart and Mitch Sheley brought the runners home.

[to top of second column in this article]

[Leadoff hitter Jeremy Ohmart had three singles.]

With Springfield’s four-run fourth inning, the Railers trailed 7-4. But the Lincoln bats exploded to produce seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. After singles by Peters and Ohmart and a walk to Sheley, Derek Schrader blasted a grand slam to left field, giving the Railers an 8-7 lead.

[Andy Knopp’s and Derek Schrader’s home runs accounted for seven RBIs.]

The Senators changed pitchers, but the good guys stayed hot. Danny Schick singled and Ryne Komnick walked. With two on, two outs and two strikes, Western Illinois recruit Andy Knopp sent a three-run shot over the left-field fence, his second three-run homer in two days. With the help of runners getting on base, two swings of the bat in the fourth inning made a seven-run difference for the Railers, and the guys in red and green held on for the 11-7 win.

Lincoln is now 6-7 on the year, with a doubleheader this Saturday at Peoria Richwoods. On April 19-20, the Railers will have their own tournament, hosting five teams, and fans will get to see some very fine baseball right here in Lincoln.

[Rich Knopp]

LCHS soph baseball vs. Springfield

[APRIL 12, 2002]   Springfield High School scored three times in the top of the eighth inning to defeat Lincoln 4-1 in sophomore baseball at Lincoln Thursday afternoon. The game was originally slated to go five innings; however, the score was tied at 1-1 after two innings, and neither team could score until the eighth.

Springfield got a leadoff single from Hargan, and Broughton attempted to bunt but sent the ball over the pitcher’s head and both runners were safe. Tate then singled in the winning run, and two more scored on an infield out and an error.

Jason Williams was the tough-luck loser, allowing just two hits entering the eighth inning. He fanned three and walked three. Trent Kavelman came on in the eighth and permitted one hit while striking out one.

Lincoln had just two hits, both off the bat of Bobby Maestas. Lincoln scored its run in the second on an error, a walk, a sacrifice bunt in which all runners were safe (to load the bases) and a walk to Sean Ferguson.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln was leading in the second game of the twin bill, 4-1, with one out in the bottom of the fourth and two men on base, when the game was halted due to darkness. The two teams were slated to play two five-inning games.

Score by innings

Springfield         100 000 03 — 4-5-4

Lincoln              010 000 00 — 1-2-7

Dill (W), Walker (8) & Tate; Williams (L), Kavelman (8) & Melton.

[Bill Martinie]

Area game results

[APRIL 12, 2002]   

At Stanford

Bloomington              001 050 3 --   9- 6-2

Olympia                    615 000 x -- 12-14-6

Cam Cheek (1-0), Lance Leesman (5), Ryne Sherman (7) and Rush Olson, Derrick Folley (7).

HR-Ryan Kendrick (two on in first).  2B-Olson.  Three hits-Steve Raleigh.  Two hits-Sherman, Cole Horner, Chris Frank, Tyler Hanning.  RBIs-Kendrick 3, Hanning 2, Olson, Frank, Sherman, Jeff Darnall.

Pitching-Cheek (4 IP, 0 BB, 2 SO), Leesman (2 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO), Sherman (1 IP, 0 BB, 0 SO).

At Mount Pulaski

Meridian                   003 011 0 -- 5-3-3

Mount Pulaski           201 222 x -- 9-9-4

Brian Clements (1-1), Zach Moore (7) and Cam McClellan

HR-Justin Anderson 2, Josh Blaum.  Hitting stars-Anderson (3 hits, 5 RBIs), Chris Wilson (2 hits, 3 runs, 3 stolen bases).

At Hartsburg

Williamsville              000 000 003 -- 3-5-1

Hartsburg                 000 000 000 -- 0-1-2

Matt Gleason, Ryan Anderson (6, 1-2) and Drew Olson.  Pitching star-Gleason (5 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs).

At Delavan

Illini Central               421 310 2 -- 13-11-4

Delavan                     210 120 0 --   6-  8-7

Bryce Cunningham (4-0), Chris Norton (5) and Travis Scott.

HR-Cunningham (solo in fourth), Adam Williams (one on in first).  Hitting stars-Cunningham (2 hits), Scott (2 hits), Jason Thomas (2 hits), Williams (2 hits).  Pitching star-Cunningham (4 2/3 innings, 9 strikeouts, 3 walks).

Area game results

[APRIL 12, 2002]   

At Tremont

Hartsburg-Emden       003 59 -- 17-9-0

Tremont                     100 01 --   2-5-7

Nikki Chapman (5-0) and Alyssa Moehring.

Hitting stars-Moehring (2 doubles, 2 RBIs), Valerie Tillman (2 hits).  Pitching star-Chapman (5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 strikeouts). 

Lincoln at Champaign

[APRIL 12, 2002]   Lincoln boys team took third place with 14 points against Bloomington (111) and Champaign Centennial (61).

Lincoln placements:

800 run:  2. Frost, 2:14.3

3,200 run:  4. Valdes, 11:39.3

110 hurdles:  4. L. Sheley, 19.8

High jump:  3. C. Sheley, 5-6

Triple jump:  4. C. Sheley, 34-4 1/4

Shot put:  4. Weitzel, 41-7 1/2

Discus:  3. Weitzel, 127-1

3,200 relay:  2. Lincoln, 9:04.1

Lincoln College vs. Lake Land

[APRIL 12, 2002]   MATTOON — Lincoln College won a pair of baseball games here Thursday afternoon, defeating Lake Land 5-1 in the opener and 15-13 in the nightcap. The Lynx now stand 5-6 in the conference and 5-19 overall. The Lynx play a twin bill at Millikin JV Friday, will be at home against Lake Land at 1 p.m. Saturday for a nine-inning game, and host John Wood at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in a doubleheader.

Dan Dunn went the distance in the first game, giving up five hits while walking one and striking out two. Tim May led the Lynx at the plate with a pair of hits, one a double, and an RBI.

In the second game May continued his torrid hitting with four hits, including a three-run homer in the third when the Lynx pushed across six runs. May finished the game with five RBIs. Andrew Bartman collected three hits in four trips and scored a pair of runs, while Kenny VanHouten was three for five with two runs, two RBIs and a double.  Jake VanDyke added a pair of hits and scored two runs for coach Tony Thomas.

[to top of second column in this article]

First game

Lincoln College         100 300 1 — 5-7-0

Lake Land                000 010 0 — 1-5-0

Dunn (W) & Pesce. Lake Land unknown.

Second game

Lincoln College       006 400 5 — 15-19-4

Lake Land              222 210 4 — 13-15-2

Hoffert, King (4-W), Deakin (7) & Bartman.  Lake Land unknown.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 12, 2002]  The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will kick off its annual summer "Experience Illinois" Tour on Friday, May 31, with the third annual "Illini Night at Busch Stadium" in St. Louis.

Illini Night at Busch Stadium features a special seating section for Illini fans for the Pirates-Cardinals game and a pre-game tailgate tent party, directly south of Busch Stadium, from 5 to 7 p.m. The tent party will feature Big Ten Football Coach of the Year Ron Turner, Coca-Cola inflatable sport games, and food and beverages available for purchase from Chevys Fresh Mex. Inside the ballpark, Turner is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to celebrate Illinois’ 2001 Big Ten title.

Tickets for Illini Night at Busch Stadium cost $20, which includes game ticket and admission to the pre-game party, where food and beverages can be purchased. For tickets, call Elizabeth Kampfe in the UI Marketing Office at (217) 244-8021.

Two days later, Experience Illinois heads to Chicago for "Illini Day at Wrigley Field" on Sunday, June 2, featuring a pre-game luncheon buffet and program highlighting Turner and men’s basketball head coach Bill Self at John Barleycorn-Wrigleyville, 3524 N. Clark St. The all-inclusive ticket package also includes seating in a special section to watch the Cubs-Astros game and festivities inside Wrigley Field. Coach Self will throw out the first pitch, commemorating Illinois’ back-to-back Big Ten basketball titles. Coach Turner and Illini football players will lead the fans in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch.

[to top of second column in this article]

Tickets for Illini Day at Wrigley Field cost $35, which includes pre-game buffet and beverages in addition to the game ticket. Advance purchase is required. Call Chris Tuttle at the FISF-Chicago office, (312) 575-7851.

The Experience Illinois program is a summer publicity tour to promote Fighting Illini athletics and football season and single-game ticket sales. The tour features video highlights and Illini posters and schedule cards. Experience Illinois will partner with Illini Sports Network stations in several markets to promote ticket sales and network programming.

For more information on tour stops, contact Dave Johnson in the UI Marketing Office at (217) 333-8221.

[Kent Brown, assistant athletics director / sports information director, University of Illinois]

[APRIL 11, 2002]  The Lincoln varsity baseball team had an unusual day Wednesday. First it played a rained-out game against Springfield High at Lincoln Land Community College at 4:30 and then traveled to Chamberlain Park in Springfield to complete a tied and suspended extra-inning match against Sacred Heart-Griffin. The first game went the Railers’ way with a 7-3 victory. The second game went 10 innings, but the lone additional run scored was by Sacred Heart, which took a 6-5 win.

[Lincoln vs. SH-G at Chamberlain Park]

Senior starting pitcher Matt Boyer pitched six innings against Springfield, scattering five hits and allowing one walk against six strikeouts. Of Springfield’s three runs, only two earned runs were charged to Boyer. In the bottom of the seventh, Boyer suffered a leadoff bad-hop single right at the shortstop and then gave up a full-count walk. With two on and no out, senior Ryan Williams was called on to finish the game. Williams faced just three batters, getting a fly out, a ground out and a strikeout. Although Springfield scored a run in the inning, it was too little, too late. The Railers had already put up seven runs on the board.

[After a single in the seventh inning against Springfield, winning pitcher Matt Boyer takes a seat when a pinch runner, Mike Aper, goes to first.]

Lincoln struck first in the top of the second inning. With two out and Williams at second (after a single and stolen base) and Ryne Komnick at first (after a walk), Andy Knopp sat on a first pitch fastball and skied it to left center field. The ball just kept going and cleared the fence for a three-run homer.

Jeremy Ohmart scored Lincoln’s fourth run, in the third. He reached on a single, stole second and scored on a Derek Schrader single to right field. Williams followed with another single, and Danny Schick also singled. But earlier Schrader had been caught stealing, and the Railers scored no more that inning.

With the score 4-2 in the top of the seventh, the Railers produced some important insurance runs. Ohmart led off with a single and stole second. Schrader reached base on an error and pushed Ohmart to third. Unfortunately, Ohmart was gunned down at the plate on a fielder’s-choice grounder to third by Williams. Schrader scored on a wild pitch, and Williams scored on a line drive by Schick that the left fielder dove for and missed, allowing Schick to record a triple on the play. Schick himself scored the third run of the inning on a base hit to right field by winning pitcher Matt Boyer.

Jeremy Ohmart had three singles in the game, and Andy Knopp added another three hits (including his three-run homer) to the Railer 13-hit attack. Ryan Williams and Danny Schick had two hits each. The 7-3 victory moved the Railers to five wins and six losses.

[to top of second column in this article]

Following their Springfield victory, Lincoln picked up an eighth-inning game against Sacred Heart-Griffin across town in Springfield. When the game was suspended on April 4, the score was 5-5 after seven innings. Up to that point, Jeremy Ohmart had singled and scored in the first inning. Matt Boyer doubled and scored on an RBI single by sophomore Mitch Sheley in the fourth, and Sheley scored on a fielder’s choice by Michael Martin. After four innings, SHG led 5-3. Matt Boyer pitched those innings with six hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

The Railers were able to tie the score with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Danny Schick doubled and scored on a double by Ryne Komnick; and Josh Gallagher scored after a walk, a sacrifice bunt by Mike Martin that sent Gallagher to third, and a wild pitch.

[Derek Schrader just scores Lincoln’s fifth run on a wild pitch against Springfield.]

Blake Schoonover kept Sacred Heart scoreless from the fourth through the seventh inning, when the game was suspended due to darkness.

The resumed game on Wednesday went two scoreless innings until it ended in a frustrating fashion. The Railers had good opportunities to score in the eighth and ninth innings, leaving runners in scoring position both times. Mitch Sheley was stranded at third in the eighth after a walk and a sacrifice bunt by Steve Shanle. In the ninth, Mike Martin got to second on a walk and a sacrifice bunt by Ohmart. Danny Schick pulled a hard-hit ball down third, but the third baseman dove, made the stab and threw Schick out at first, keeping the run from scoring on the play.

Blake Schoonover continued on the mound for Lincoln. In the eighth through 10th innings, he struck out two and yielded just one hit (in the 10th). SH-G had men at second and third with no outs in the 10th after a leadoff walk and a single that was bobbled by Lincoln’s right fielder. Schoonover struck out the next batter, and coach Pat Hake decided to award an intentional walk to load the bases with one out — a decision that certainly seemed wise at the time. Unfortunately, the next pitch got away from Schoonover and hit the right-handed hitter on the left arm. With no place to go, the hit batter got the winning RBI for SH-G.

Thursday, April 11, the Railer varsity will host Springfield at home, and the sophomores will play a doubleheader against the visiting Senators.

[Rich Knopp]

LCHS freshman baseball vs. Mount Pulaski

[APRIL 11, 2002]   Mount Pulaski High School handed Lincoln a 4-0 setback in freshman baseball action at Lincoln on Wednesday afternoon. The loss drops Lincoln to 2-4 for the season.

Lincoln collected five hits: a double by Paul Phillips and singles by Kevin Carroll, Jaron Harnacke, Chance Berger and Chris Boward.

Harnacke was the losing pitcher, striking out 10 and giving up six hits in seven innings. Blaum was the winning pitcher for Mount Pulaski, hurling all seven innings.

[Bill Martinie]

Lincoln College vs. Lincoln Land

[APRIL 11, 2002]   Lincoln Land came from behind to hand Lincoln College a 6-4 setback in college baseball at Lincoln Wednesday afternoon. The loss drops LC to 3-6 in the conference and 3-19 overall. The Lynx play a twin bill at Mattoon on Thursday against Lake Land.

Matt Mifflin and Zach Rinaberger led the Lynx with a pair of hits each. Charlie Deakin took the loss, giving up a pair of runs, one earned, in the ninth inning. Kyle Eastman started for the Lynx, giving up three runs, one earned, while striking out three and walking one.  Jeff King worked two innings, giving up one run on a pair of hits and four strikeouts.

 Score by innings

Lincoln Land         000 102 012 — 6-13-2

Lincoln College     000  310 000 — 4-6-3

Read (W) & Lewis; Eastman, King (7), Deakin (9) & Pesce.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 11, 2002]  CHAMPAIGN — University of Illinois men’s basketball coach Bill Self announced today that Chicago Dunbar all-stater Aaron Spears signed a national letter of intent to play for the Fighting Illini.

Spears, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound post player, is the fifth high school senior to sign a letter of intent with the Illini this year. He joins James Augustine (6-10, F., Lincoln-Way Central HS), Dee Brown (5-11, G, Proviso East HS), Deron Williams (6-4, G, The Colony, Texas) and Kyle Wilson (6-8, F, Dallas Jesuit) in the Illini recruiting class.

"Aaron is a player who has worked extremely hard both in the classroom and on the court," Self said. "He has gotten himself into excellent physical condition and has the frame that with strength training will be an even more physical force. Aaron can have an immediate impact on our program and continues to open the door to recruitment of Chicago-area players. He comes from an excellent program at Dunbar and has been well coached by Fate Mickel. At the conclusion of Aaron’s official visit with us, and discussions with his mother, Bonnie Spears, and his grandmother, Dorothy Dawson, we all felt it was a natural fit for him at the University of Illinois."

Spears earned first-team all-state honors from the Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette after averaging 27 points and 15 rebounds. He also earned all-state special mention from the Chicago Tribune and all-state honorable mention from the Associated Press. He was rated a consensus top 100 player by recruiting services.

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"Going into the spring we were fourth-fifths complete with our recruiting," Self said. "Aaron was the missing piece to what we feel will be an outstanding class. Replacing five experienced seniors is never easy for five entering freshmen, but this collective group recruited by Norm Roberts and Billy Gillispie can have the same impact on our program as the five guys who just left."

Spears is scheduled to play Thursday in the Michael Jordan Capital Classic All-Star game with fellow Illini recruit Dee Brown. He is also scheduled to play in the Wendy’s Classic as well as Chicago’s City vs. Suburban game and the IBCA All-Star game.

Spears’ father, Dan Davis, was an all-state player at Crane High School in 1965 who later went on to play at Northwestern from 1967-69, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1968 and leading the Wildcats in free-throw shooting in 1969 (.882), which still stands as the third-best season in NU history. Davis later coached at Crane, which he guided to the 1972 state finals, and at Malcolm X Junior College.

[Kent Brown, assistant athletics director / sports information director, University of Illinois]

Lincoln College vs. Millikin JV

[APRIL 11, 2002]   Lincoln College split a pair of softball games against the Millikin JV in Decatur Wednesday afternoon, losing the first game 3-1 and rebounding for a 9-7 victory in the second contest.

Lincoln College, now 5-10 for the season, plays at Lincoln Land Thursday afternoon.

In the first contest Jen Polhemus took a perfect game into the bottom of the fifth inning before Millikin came up with a pair of runs. Lincoln scored its lone run in the first inning. Polhemus finished with a four-hitter, striking out two and walking one.

In the second game Lincoln College got pairs of hits from Ronni Beebe, Jess Wilcoxen, Monica Perone and Erica Sharko. Beebe also had a pair of RBIs while Ashley Sims and Dori Booth had RBIs. Audra May picked up the victory for the Lynx.

First game

Lincoln College         100 000 0 — 1-3-2

Millikin JV                 000 021 x — 3-4-2

Polhemus & Burgess; McCoo & Nolan.

Second game   

Lincoln College         116 000 1 — 9-11-2

Millikin JV                 311 101 0 — 7-6-3

May & Booth; Winterrowd & Gatchel.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

Area game results

[APRIL 10, 2002]   

At Fairbury

Olympia                    311 000 0 -- 5-10-2

Prairie Central           002 001 1 -- 4-  8-0

Tyler Thornton (2-0), Lance Leesman (6), Ryan Sherman (7), Steve Raliegh (7) and Ryan Kendrick, Rush Olson (5).  Hitting stars:  Raleigh (2 hits, 1 homerun) and Chris Frank (2 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI)

Area game results

[APRIL 10, 2002]   

At Stanford

Olympia                     200 0(10) -- 12-15-0

Central Catholic         000 0  0    --   0-  1-1

Jessie Shay (6-1), Amanda Wilson (5) and Amber Lessen, Katie Tucker (5).

2B-Tricia Gaither.  Three hits-Gaither, Shay.  Two hits-Alisha Brand, Tiffany Prager.  RBI-Gaither 2, Shay 2, Prager 2.  Pitching-Shay (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 strikeouts), Wilson (1 IP, 0 H, O R, O BB, 3 strikeouts).

Olympia and Lincoln at Clinton

[APRIL 10, 2002]   Olympia boys team took second with 141 points and Lincoln took fourth with 74 points against (in order of placement) University High (152.2), Clinton (120.8), Lexington (38) and Decatur St. Teresa (28).  The Olympia girls team took second place with 131 points and Lincoln took third with 90.3 points against University High (190), Clinton, (82), Decatur St. Teresa (47) and Lexington (35.7)

Boys placing for Olympia:

100-meter dash – 2. Dillenburg, 11.8

200 dash – 1. Joyce, 23.2

400 dash –  4. Raes, 55.2

800 run – 6. Slager, 2:10.8

1,600 run – 5. McClain, 5:01.7; 6. Seline, 5:03.8

110 hurdles – 1. Sholty, 15.7; 3. (tie) Neisler, 17.7

300 hurdles – 1. Sholty, 41.9; 4. Myers, 45.9; 5. Neisler, 46.0

High jump – 1. Raes, 5-10; 3. Neisler, 5-8; 4. Stephey, 5-8; 5. McQue, 5-4

Long jump – 5. McClure, 17-4

Shot put – 1. Schultz, 49-10; 6. Bradshaw, 39-1

Discus – 1. Schultz, 147-7; 2. Hieronymus, NA; 6. Schmidgall, 113-7

400 relay – 1. Olympia (Weaver, Sholty, D. Burg, Joyce), 44.9

800 relay – 2. Olympia, 1:40.0

1,600 relay – 1. Olympia (Brand, Sholty, Joyce, Dillenburg), 3:34.9

3,200 relay – 3. Olympia, 8:47.3

Girls placing for Olympia:

400-meter dash – 1. Crawford, 1:06.0

800 run –  4. Westerfield, 2:41.6; 6. Lindgren, 2:47.8

1,600 run – 1. Floyd, 5:48.1

3,200 run – 3. Floyd, 12:39.1

100 hurdles – 2. Hish, 17.8; 3. Hentzen, 18.0; 4. Bennett, 18.7

300 hurdles –  2. Hentzen, 52.0; 4. Fredericks, 53.2

High jump – 2. (tie) Rader and Crawford, 4-10

Triple jump – 4. Hish, 30-5

Shot put – 3. Cook, 27-10

Discus – 1. Cook, 91-5

400 relay – 3. Olympia, 55.6

800 relay – 3. Olympia 1:57.6

800 medley relay – 4. Olympia 2:03.4

1,600 relay – 1. Olympia 4:24.3

3,200 relay – 1. Olympia (Fredericks, Boone, Rader, Freshour), 10:34.6

Boys placing for Lincoln:

200-meter dash – 3. Aderman, 24.6; 4. Barnes, 24.7; 6. Schneider, 25.2

400 dash – 6. Guffarin, 58.0

110 hurdles – 3. (tie) Heidbreder, 17.7; 6. Sheley, 19.9

High jump – 2. M. Fox, 5-8

Long jump – 1. Andermark, 19-4; 4. McNamara, 17-6½

Triple jump – 4. Sheley, 35-4

Pole vault – 3. (tie) Frost, 8-0; 5. Barringer, 8-0; 6. Valdes, 7-0

Shot put – 3. Tibias, NA; 5. Neitzel, 39-5

Discus – 4. Neitzel, 117-2

400 relay – 4. Lincoln, 48.0

800 relay – 5. Lincoln, 1:41.2

3,200 relay – 4. Lincoln, 9:06.6

Girls placing for Lincoln:

100 meter dash – 1. Dawson, 12.7; 4. Dorsey, 13.7

200 meter dash – 3. Dorsey, 28.2; 5. Robbins, 28.2

400 meter dash – 3. Smith, 1:08.5

100 hurdles – 6. Conklen, 19.1

300 hurdles –  6. Conklen, 57.9

High jump –  4. (tie) Burch, 4-6

Long jump – 1. Dawson, 17-7; 2. Robbins, 15-1

Triple jump – 2. Whalen, 30-6

Shot put – 3. Cook, 27-10

Discus – 1. Cook, 91-5

400 relay – 2. Lincoln, 53.9

800 relay – 4. Lincoln, 2:00.8

800 medley relay – 6. Lincoln, 2:06.4

3,200 relay – 5. Lincoln, 12:10.7

[APRIL 10, 2002]  CHAMPAIGN — The Fighting Illini 2001-02 season officially came to a close Tuesday night with the 80th annual Kiwanis Men’s Basketball Banquet, held at the Round Barn Banquet Center. For the nearly 600 in attendance it was a time to celebrate the achievements of the 2002 squad, which included a run to another Big Ten championship and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. Illinois won 26 games on the year, the third-most in school history, and was ranked in the top 25 for the entire season.

For the second year in a row, Frank Williams earned the team’s Most Valuable Player Award by vote of his teammates. Williams becomes the second consecutive back-to-back winner of MVP honors, following teammate Cory Bradford in 1999 and 2000.

Also for the second consecutive season, junior Brian Cook won the Ralf Woods Free Throw Award for having the highest free-throw percentage in Big Ten games. Cook was 46-of-50 (.920) from the line in conference games.

Senior Cory Bradford was named the Kenny Battle Most Inspirational Player. Also voted on by the Illini team, Bradford earned the respect of his teammates, having started all 134 games of his collegiate career for a UI and Big Ten record.

The Matto Award, given in honor of former Illini guard Matt Heldman, who died in a car accident, was given to senior Lucas Johnson. The award signifies all-around hustle and enthusiasm on the floor.

[Kent Brown, assistant athletics director / sports information director, University of Illinois]

[APRIL 15, 2002]  Oh, hum; Tiger Woods won another major. This time he was fitted for his third green jacket, as he became only the third golfer in the history of the Masters to win back-to-back titles. Ironically, it was Woods’ seventh major title, which ties the legendary Arnold Palmer, who finished his 48th and final Masters on Saturday.

Not only is Woods good, but he’s smart — a lethal combination in any sport. In my non-illustrious career the few times that I have been good, I wasn’t very smart. And in the even fewer times where I was smart, I wasn’t very good. So, to see a guy who is consistently both… All I can do is laugh. It is so far out of the realm of comprehension that it is ridiculous! How would you like to devote yourself to a sport and know that the only real battle is who will finish second? He is more than dominant; he is mystical. Maybe he’ll someday get caught in a traffic jam and arrive late for his tee time. Naw, he probably sleeps at the course!!!

The Railer baseball club seems to be turning things around of late. Although their record is not what they’d like it to be, they’re showing signs of life. Andy Knopp and Derek Schrader have been hitting some bombs, and Lincoln’s pitching seems to be coming along just a bit. While a brutal early schedule might not have aided the Railers to a quick start, it may have toughened their resolve and made them a better team in the long run.

The Lady Railers also are not sporting the kind of overall record that sends shivers down their opponents’ spines, but they were 2-2 in the conference the last time we got a report. The loss of JoBeth Borowiak could’ve been killer. Instead, the girls have marched on. It will be interesting to see how both of these teams fare in the weeks ahead.

Out on the track it’s been a lot of Dominique Dawson and Brooklyn Robbins.

In tennis last week, Lincoln defeated Decatur Eisenhower 5-4 behind the inspired play of

Chad Kerns, Adam Ramlow, J.R. Ewings and Justin Bruns.

The St. Louis Cardinals came within an eyelash of sweeping the Houston Astros yesterday before bowing 5-4. They should’ve swept ’em last week in Houston. In fact, they seem to have lost the games they should’ve won and won the ones they could’ve easily lost. Go figure. Is it possible that Jose Oquendo is a better manager than Tony LaRussa? At least he’s got a pretty great name!

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Cubs won a monsoon-shortened disaster in Pittsburgh and may be putting things back together. Do you think that the Bucos wish they would’ve never given up on Jon Lieber? And where in the heck is Brant Brown? He was one of my all-time Cub picks to click. This is why I’m not a major league manager but a semiprofessional sportswriter instead! No expectations, no pressure from the front office, and our fans are always the best in the entire sports world!

The White Sox are showing signs of life as well, as they took two of three from the Orioles. I know that is like taking two from the Yankees, but you’ve gotta start somewhere. What a crowd they had Friday in Comiskey! And could you believe the ovation that Frank Thomas got? That as much as anything could really help this team. I also told Greg Taylor that the addition of Kenny Lofton would really help this organization, and I’m gonna stick to that thought!

Join Greg and me tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. on the new FIX 96, and let’s talk sports.

Apparently it will reside in Chambana, Ill., next season, as the Illini added another Chicago product, Aaron Spears, to the fold last week. The Illini now have their own version of the Fab Five to go along with some quality returning players. With lighter expectations and taking some time for the new guys to learn the system, next season could be a real adventure. Is summer just a prelude to another basketball season?

With spectacular weather comes the opportunity to get out of the house and watch many of our local products in action. Go on out to the high school and you will see a bevy of sports teams in action. Or truck over to one of the many county junior high or elementary schools. There’s plenty of action out there. Or, you can make your way over to LC or to LCC; their teams are always glad to have the local support. While my son is enthralled at Cardinal games (mostly because they don’t hit, run or throw like DaDa does — let’s just leave it at that), he usually can’t tell the difference between that and an LCC game! Someday he will be able to, but for now take your kids or grandkids out, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

[Jeff Mayfield]

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