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[APRIL 22, 2002]  Lincoln’s weekend varsity baseball tournament was a cold event — at least on Saturday — and that’s the day the Railers cooled off themselves. Friday’s matchup with Whitney Young produced an 8-7 Lincoln victory, but the Railers fell twice on Saturday — once to Oak Forest (2-10) and once to Tinley Park Andrew (4-10).

The competition against the Chicago-area teams was a good experience for the Railers. Whitney Young went to state last year, Oak Forest has a very solid ball team, and Andrew is currently ranked fourth in the state by the Chicago Tribune.

Ryne Komnick picked up the win on Friday, pitching a complete game while giving up nine hits, walking one and striking out three. The Railers found themselves down early after a three-run homer in the first inning, but they scored twice themselves in the bottom of the first frame, thanks to a double by Jeremy Ohmart and errors that allowed Derek Schrader to get on and score.

[Photos provided by Rich Knopp]
[Ryne Komnick picks up the pitching victory over Whitney-Young.]

Lincoln’s big inning was the fifth, when five runs were tallied. Five Railers had singles in that inning: Ryan Williams, Derek Schrader, Matt Boyer, Andy Knopp (RBI) and Blake Schoonover (two RBIs).

With the score 8-4 going into the seventh inning, things looked secure for Lincoln. However, three Railer miscues and a single and a double by Whitney-Young made the score 8-7 with runners at first and third. Fortunately, a ground out to Mitch Sheley at third base finalized the Lincoln win. Three Railers had a two-hit game: Ryan Williams, Mitch Sheley and Blake Schoonover.

Saturday’s first game against Oak Forest looked pretty good — except for one inning. In fact, Oak Forest scored in only two innings. The bad news is that in one of those innings, nine Oak Forest runs crossed the plate. Matt Boyer took the pitching loss for Lincoln, going 2 1/3 innings and giving up six hits, nine runs (five earned), walking two and striking out two. Chris Gosda had mound duty during the rest of the five-inning time-called game, allowing two hits, one run (not earned) and walking two. Jeremy Ohmart was the only Railer to register a hit in the game, managing two singles.

[Jeremy Ohmart is at the plate with Blake Schoonover at third. Ohmart batted 4-10 for the three-game tournament and Schoonover was 4-6.]

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Saturday’s second game against Andrew was a highly anticipated confrontation, since the Railers wanted to test their talent against the fourth-ranked AA team in the state. Andrew proved that it had good bats from top to bottom, with every starter getting at least one hit against Railer hurlers. Andrew scored nine runs through five innings.

Senior Ryan Williams suffered the loss, going four innings and granting 13 hits, nine runs (seven earned), walking none and striking out one. Freshman Railer Chance Berger saw his first varsity pitching action against the Chicago-area powerhouse. Berger threw 2 1/3 innings and gave up just one hit, one earned run and struck out one. Berger looked very promising for the Railers, although five of the 10 hitters he faced were pinch hitters. Nonetheless, the freshman had an excellent outing.

[Ryan Williams lies on the ground after a collision with Whitney-Young’s catcher. Andy Knopp, Danny Schick, coach Hake and assistant coach Brad Shaw look on.]

The Railers did not score until the fifth inning, when they came up with four runs. Michael Aper reached on an error and eventually scored on a hit by John Peters, who scored later on a wild pitch; Blake Schoonover singled and later scored on an errant pickoff throw to first base; and Ryne Komnick was walked and scored on a ground out by Mitch Sheley. Schoonover was the only Railer with two hits in the game.

The tournament outcome moved the Railer record to 9-11 on the year. This week Lincoln will face one of the toughest teams in the Central State Eight Conference when it faces off with Chatham on Tuesday and hosts Chatham on Thursday. The game on Saturday, April 27, will be a special event at Mike Curry field. During the doubleheader with Morton, the Railers will honor their last-year players in a Senior Appreciation ceremony.

[Rich Knopp]

[APRIL 22, 2002]   

Peoria Central       000 000 0 — 0-  1-2

Olympia                222 011 x — 8-12-0

For Olympia:  Jeff Darnall (4-0) and Rush Olson. Outstanding hitters:  Darnall, 3 hits; Ryne Sherman, 2 hits.  Outstanding pitcher:  Darnall, 11 strikeouts, 2 walks.

Peoria Central       000 000 2 — 2-  3-3

Olympia                233 010 x — 9-12-2

For Olympia:  Dusty Hayes (3-0), Olson (6), Cole Horner (7) and Derek Foley. Outstanding hitters:  Cam Cheek, 3 hits; Foley, 2 hits.  Outstanding pitcher:  Hayes, 5 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks.

At Dunlap

[APRIL 22, 2002]  Olympia boys took second place with 86 points.  Olympia girls took fourth place (points NA).  The teams competed against Dunlap, Eureka, Farmington, IVC, University High, Kewanee, Kewanee Wethersfield, Knoxville, Lewistown and Monmouth .  The boys also competed against Galva; the girls also competed against Tremont.

Olympia boys:

High jump — 2. Raes, 5-11; 6. Neisler, 5-7

Discus — 2. Schultz, 151-8; 4. Heironymus, 149-4

400 relay — 1. Olympia (Weaver, Dillenburg, Sholty, Joyce), 44.6

F-S 400 relay — 3. Olympia, 47.8

Sprint medley — 3. Olympia, 1:43.0

1,600 medley — 6. Olympia, 3:43.7

1,600 relay — 1. Olympia (Raes, Dillenburg, Sholty, Joyce), 3:31.7

F-S 1,600 relay — 2. Olympia, 3:43.7

3,200 relay — 5. Olympia, 8:37.2

330 shuttle — 2. Olympia, 48.7

Olympia girls:

1,600 meters — 1. Floyd, 5:45.0

High jump — 4. Crawford, 4-10; 5. Rader, 4-10

Discus — 4. Cook, 98-11

800 relay — 5. Olympia, 1:57.0

800 medley — 4. Olympia, 2:01.4

1,600 relay — 2. Olympia, 4:17.4

3,200 relay — 3. Olympia 10:37.5

At Clinton

[APRIL 22, 2002]  Warrensburg-Latham girls took sixth place with 48 points.  The team competed against Argenta-Oreana, Monticello, Central Catholic, Clinton, Decatur St. Teresa, Blue Ridge, Niantic-Harristown, Meridian and Deland-Weldon.

Individual results:

200 meters — 6. Markus, 31.10

400 meters — 2. Weber, 1:06.89

3,200 — 4. Empie, 13:04.59

100 hurdles — 5. Loerzel, 19.57

300 hurdles — 4. Fozard, 56.74

Pole vault — 4. Layton, 5-0

400 relay — 4. W-L, 57.3

800 relay — 6. W-L, 2:07.15

800 medley — 3. W-L, 2:05.38

1,600 relay — 4. W-L, 4:53.04

3,200 relay — 4. W-L, 12:10.18

[APRIL 20, 2002]   

Limestone             200 511 1 — 10-11-6

Olympia                111 014 0 —   8-11-1

For Olympia:  Ryan Kendrick (4-1), Ryne Sherman (4), Lance Leesman (6), Steve Raleigh (6) and Rush Olson. Outstanding hitters:  Steve Raleigh, 3 hits; Ryan Kendrick, 2 hits, 3 RBIs.

Illini Central           005 004 x — 9-10-1

Illini Bluffs             100 000 1 —  2- 5-3

For Illini Central:  Jason Thomas and Travis Scott. Outstanding hitters:  Bryce Cunningham, 3 hits, double, 3 RBI; Josh McDaniel, 2 hits; Trevor Scott, 2 hits; Travis Scott, HR (1 on in 3rd), 2 RBIs.

Mount Pulaski        304 022 x — 11-14-2

Springfield Calvary 000 000 x —   0-  4-2

For Mount Pulaski:  John Foley (2-0), Colt McClellan (5), Craige Erlenbush (6) and Cam McClellan, Blaum (4). Outstanding hitters:  Chris Wilson, 3 hits; Craige Erlenbush, 3 hits; Josh Blaum, 2 hits, 2 RBIs; Nate Tierney, 2 hits; Justin Anderson, 3 RBIs.

[APRIL 20, 2002]   

Morton                 102 000 0 — 3-5-2

Olympia                100 000 0 — 1-4-0

For Olympia:  Jessie Shay (10-2), Amanda Wilson (4) and Amber Lessen. Outstanding hitter:  Shay, 2 hits.

[APRIL 19, 2002]  The Railer varsity outhit Springfield Lanphier 11-6 in their second baseball contest this week but fell short on the scoreboard, 8-6. Lanphier scored half of its runs in the first inning, and Lincoln played catch-up almost the entire game. Both teams committed four errors, but Lincoln’s tended to be more costly.

Senior Blake Schoonover took the mound for Lincoln and had two outs after three batters — then things fell apart. The next batter hit a hard ground ball to first base, which could have ended the inning. But a fielding error and a subsequent throwing error on the same play put the runner at third. After a double, a hit batter, a single, a walk and a runner who stole home, Lanphier stunned the Railers in the opening frame with four runs.

The good news is the Lanphier did not score again until the fifth inning. In the meantime, the Railers finally tied the score at 4-4 in the fourth. Leadoff hitter Jeremy Ohmart scored two of those runs — the first run after a single and an RBI hit by Ryan Williams, and the second after reaching on an error and coming home on a triple by Danny Schick, who scored himself on the play after an errant throw from the outfield. Matt Boyer also scored after walking and being driven home on a triple by Blake Schoonover that took a Railer hop by the center fielder. When Schoonover tried to score on his triple, however, he was thrown out.

Unfortunately, the good guys didn’t score any more for the next three innings. A leadoff double by Matt Boyer in the sixth still yielded no runs, even though the next hitter, Ryne Komnick, reached first on an error. A double play and a strikeout ended the inning.

Lanphier scored two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Ryan Williams relieved Schoonover on the mound after two singles, a walk and a wild pitch gave Lanphier its go-ahead fifth run. Williams walked his first batter and then recorded two outs without a further score. With bases loaded, however, a hit batter forced home Lanphier’s sixth run.

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Lanphier scored two more in the sixth inning even though Williams began the inning with two outs and allowing no one on base. But the next two batters walked and a two-out fly ball to left field scored both runners when some apparent miscommunication between the center fielder and left fielder resulted in the ball popping out of the left-fielder’s glove.

Four runs down (8-4) in the bottom of the seventh, the Railers still did not give up. Lincoln led off with a double by Jeremy Ohmart — his third hit of the day — and a single by Mitch Sheley. Ohmart scored on a wild pitch, and Sheley scored after a stolen base and a ground out by Williams. With two outs, Andy Knopp had an 11-pitch at-bat, fouling off five pitches before getting his second single of the game. Although the Railers were able to bring up the tying run at the plate, the game ended on a ground out to the Lanphier shortstop.

On Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, the Railers will host a tournament with some very good visiting teams. Simultaneous games will be played at the high school, the park district field and Lincoln College. Lincoln will open at 4:30 against Whitney-Young, which went to state last year. The Railers will then play Oak Forest at 10 on Saturday and their final game at 2 p.m. Other teams in the tourney include Midwest Central, Troy (Triad) and Tinley Park (Andrew). Andrew (12-2) has gone to the Elite Eight four times in the 1990s and is currently ranked fourth in the state by the Chicago Tribune. Excellent concessions will be offered at the high school field, so it promises to be a great time for baseball fans and eaters alike.

[Rich Knopp]

[APRIL 19, 2002]   

Mount Pulaski      001 004 6 — 11-11-1

Maroa-Forsyth     303 000 1 —   7-  4-1

For Mount Pulaski:  Nate Tierney (6, 1-0) and Cam McClellen. Outstanding hitters:  Justin Anderson, 3 hits, double, triple, 2RBIs; Thomas Maske, double, triple; Tim Milner, 2 hits, triple, 2 RBIs.

[APRIL 19, 2002]   

At Stanford

Pontiac                   000 000 0 — 0-2-2

Olympia                  210 000 x — 3-6-0

For Olympia:  Jessica Shay (10-1), Amanda Wilson (5) and Amber Lessen, Katie Tucker (6).  Hitting stars:  Becky Hieser, 2 hits, 2 RBIs; Amber Lessen, 2 RBIs; Tiffany Prager, 2 RBIs.

[APRIL 19, 2002]  Illinois started the scoring early and never stopped as they rolled to a 14-1 victory over Lincoln College in baseball at Galen Shirley Field on Thursday afternoon.

ICC scored on a two-run homer in the first and connected for a solo shot in the second against Chris Phillips, who worked the first 4 1/3 innings and took the loss. Phillips gave up eight hits and seven runs, four earned. Five relief pitchers gave up seven additional runs.

Kenny VanHouten was the lone bright spot for the Lynx with a pair of hits and a stolen base.

Illinois Central          210 313 04 — 14-14-2

Lincoln College        000 000 10 — 1-6-4

Illinois Central battery unknown; Phillips (L), Whetstone (5), Gilbert (6), Cave (7), Villasenor (8), VanHouten (8) and Pesce.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 19, 2002]  NORMAL — Illinois State head basketball coach Tom Richardson has announced the dates for his summer basketball camps.

The Parent-Child Camp, for an adult and a child grades kindergarten through 12, is June 7-8. The Offensive Skills Camp, for boys entering grades five through 12, is June 23-26. The Day Camp (commuter only), for boys entering grades one through eight, is July 16-19.

Team Camp is June 14-16 for boys entering grades 6-12.

For more information, call (309) 438-8681. Also visit the Illinois State Athletics website, www.redbirds.org.

[Todd Kober, Illinois State University
director of media relations]

[APRIL 18, 2002]   

Olympia               100 060 x — 7-8-2

University High     000 000 2 — 2-8-1

For Olympia:  Cam Cheek (3-0) and Rush Olson. Jeff Darnall grand slam in the fifth. Chris Frank, 2B; Tyler Thornton, 2B; Darnall, two hits, 5 RBIs; Cheek, 2 RBIs. Record 18-0, 3-0.

Illini Central         255 (11)0 — 23-15-2

Buffalo Tri-City    204 20 — 8-8-10

Called because of the 10-run rule.

For Illini Central:  Grimsley and Tra. Scott. Outstanding hitters: Daniel, 3 hits, 4 RBIs; Cunningham, 3 hits, 4 RBIs; Williams, 2 hits; Norton, 2 hits; Grimsley, 4 RBIs.

[APRIL 18, 2002]  PEORIA — Illinois Central College rebounded for a 10-4 victory over Lincoln College here Wednesday afternoon.  The Lynx had beaten ICC Tuesday afternoon in Lincoln, and the two teams will complete the three-game series with a nine-inning game in Lincoln at 3 p.m. Thursday.

ICC started the scoring with three runs in the second inning. After Lincoln came back to knot the score with three in the top of the sixth, ICC pushed over a run in the bottom half of the inning, another in the seventh and put the game out of reach with five in the eighth.

Jeff Harris and Frank Pesce each had three hits to pace a 13-hit Lynx attack.  Jake VanDyke and Lou Persino had a pair of hits each for coach Tony Thomas.

Lincoln College now stands at 7-10 in the conference, with ICC at 9-5.  Overall Lincoln is 9-23 and ICC is 10-17.

Score by innings

Lincoln College       000 003 001 — 4-13-5

Illinois Central         030 001 15x — 10-10-2

Dunn (L), King (7), Deakin (7), Whetstone (8) and Pesce.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 17, 2002]  Lincoln’s varsity baseball team notched a well-deserved conference win over Springfield Lanphier on Tuesday, taking the game 5-3 and moving their conference record to 3-2. Both teams got complete games out of their senior starting pitchers: Springfield’s Marshall Pressler and Lincoln’s Matt Boyer.

Boyer threw only 82 pitches in the seven innings, giving up 10 hits, no walks and just two earned runs. Although the Railers had two errors in the game, the defense gave Boyer some good help. After a Lanphier run scored in the first, Boyer himself threw out a runner at home, and the middle infield of Blake Schoonover and Andy Knopp ended the inning with a double play, thanks in part to an interference call at second base. Junior catcher John Peters threw out two would-be base stealers at second. And in the bottom of the sixth inning, with the score 4-3 (Lincoln ahead) and a Lanphier runner at first, Knopp recorded an unassisted double play, tagging out the runner on a ground ball and throwing to first.

Lincoln’s offense exhibited not so much hitting prowess or power, but smart baseball. Danny Schick had two sacrifice flies for two RBIs, and the Railers used three sacrifice bunts to score two of their runs: one by John Peters and two by Blake Schoonover.

Ryan Williams scored Lincoln’s first run in the fourth inning, reaching on a single and scoring on a double by Derek Schrader in the gap to left-center field. Schrader scored on Schick’s first sacrifice fly. After four innings the score was 2-2.

[Photos provided by Rich Knopp]
[Derek Schrader scores one of his two runs off the sacrifice fly by Danny Schick.]

The pesky Railers kept chipping away at the Lions, scoring a single run each in innings five through seven. John Peters led off the fifth with a single, moved to second on Schoonover’s sacrifice bunt and came home on a single by Jeremy Ohmart. Schrader reached first and went on to second on an error that led off the sixth inning. Schrader went to third on a fly ball by Boyer and scored on Schick’s second sacrifice fly of the game.

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[Mitch Sheley scores Lincoln’s final run in the seventh. He is greeted by Ryan Williams (No. 8) as Jeremy Ohmart moves to the plate.]

Lincoln’s final run was generated once again by a leadoff hitter getting on base. Sophomore Mitch Sheley, pinch-hitting for Ryne Komnick, who was warming up in case he was needed on the mound, singled and was moved to second and then to third on sacrifice bunts by John Peters and Blake Schoonover. Sheley was able to score on a passed ball just before Ohmart got his second hit. Ohmart and Andy Knopp had two hits each on the day.

(Knopp’s older sister was just down the road from Lanphier Park at St. John’s Hospital having a baby during the game. Yes, everything’s fine: Beautiful Gabrielle Rose Green was born at 9:59 p.m. and weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. It was a good day for the Railers and an especially good day for the Knopps.)

Lincoln’s overall record is now 8-8. They have a return match with Lanphier at home on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday of this week, the Railers will host five teams for tournament games to be played at the high school, the park district and Lincoln College. One of the teams coming, Tinley-Park (Andrew), has been ranked as high as third in the state this year, and Whitney-Young was a state-class ballclub last year. Also joining the tournament will be Midwest Central, Oak Forest and Troy.

[Rich Knopp]

[APRIL 17, 2002]  Kyle Atteberry collected a pair of singles and a double to lead Lincoln High School to a 13-3 five-inning victory over Springfield Lanphier in Springfield on Tuesday afternoon. The victory raises the sophomore record to 6-5.

Joining Atteberry in the hit parade was Trent Kavelman with three singles and a pair of runs scored. Jason Williams had a pair of hits, three runs scored and one run batted in, while Brandon Babbs had a pair of hits, three RBIs and one run scored. Jason Melton also added a pair of hits and collected four RBIs. Miles Musick and Chance Berger had the other Lincoln hits.

Lincoln scored three times in the first on a single by Kavelman, a walk to Williams, a double by Musick and a two-run single by Melton. The second-inning run scored on a double by Atteberry and a single by Berger. Two more runs scored in the third when Chris Matson reached on an error, Babbs singled in a run and later scored on a single by Atteberry.

The Railers scored two more in the fourth on a single by Williams, walks to Musick and Matson, an error, and a walk to Melton with the bases loaded. Lincoln put the game away with five more runs in the fifth. Atteberry led off with a single, and Scott Lee reached on an error. Kavelman and Williams singled before Matson drew a bases-loaded walk. Babbs followed with a two-run single, and Melton singled home the final run.

[to top of second column in this article]

Berger worked the first 2 2/3 innings to pick up the victory, striking out five and giving up three hits. Kavelman came on in the third and finished the game with three strikeouts and two hits allowed.

Lincoln will host Lanphier Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Lincoln 312 25 — 13-14-2

Lanphier 003 00 — 3-5-4

Berger (W), Kavelman (3-S) and Melton; Krumweide (L), Reagan (2), Meneweide (4), Henderson (5) and Durako.

[Bill Martinie]

[APRIL 17, 2002]   

At Tremont

Olympia                   (10)54 13 -- 23-24-1

Tremont                      4  00 00 --   4-  4-1

Ryne Sherman (3-0) and Rush Olson, Derek Foley (4).

Home runs -- Cullen Hayes (solo in second), Cam Cheek (three on in first).

Hitting stars -- Cole Horner (3 for 4), Steve Raleigh (2 doubles), Chris Frank (3 for 3, 2 doubles), Ryan Kendrick (2 doubles), Tyler Haning (3 for 4), Hayes (3 for 4), Cheek (3 for 5), Sherman (2 for 2).

Pitching star -- Sherman (6 strikeouts, 2 walks).

[APRIL 17, 2002]   

At Fairbury

Olympia                  100 000 0 -- 1-8-0

Prairie Central         000 000 0 -- 0-3-1

Jessie Shay (9-1), Amanda Wilson (5) and Amber Lesson.

Hitting stars -- Shay (2 hits), Becky Heiser (2 hits).

At Springfield

Hartsburg-Emden     407 14 -- 16-13-1

Springfield Ursuline   011 00 --   2-  7-5

Nikki Chapman, Jenna Leesman (2, 3-0) and Alyssa Moehring.

Hitting stars -- Jenna Bergman (3 hits, 2 RBIs), Molly Klokkenga (2 doubles, 4 RBIs), Danielle Bergman (2 hits, 2 RBIs).

[APRIL 17, 2002]  Olympia boys took first place with 224 points.  Olympia girls took second place with 138 points.  The teams competed against Blue Ridge, Central Catholic, Flanagan, GCMS, Tremont and Tri-Valley.  The girls also competed against Bloomington.

Olympia boys:

100 meters -- 2. Weaver, 11.6; 6. Rodenburger, 11.9

200 meters -- 1. Joyce, 22.9; 2. Dillenburg, 23.3; 3. Sholty, 23.5; 4. Weaver, 24.3

400 meters -- 1. Joyce, 53.9; 2. Dillenburg, 54.4; 3. Raes, 56.6

800 meters -- 1. Willard, 2:15.4

1,600 meters -- 1. McClain, 5:15.7; 2. Seline, 5:17.3; 3. Dudgeon, 5:18.5; 4. Slager, 5:19.4

3,200 meters -- 2. Seline, 11:34.9; 4. Lingle, 12:01.2

110 high hurdles -- 1. Sholty, 14.6 (school record); 5. Neisler, 16.7

300 intermediate hurdles -- 1. Sholty, 42.6; 3. Myers, 46.4; 6. Neisler, 48.0

Long jump -- 4. McClure, 17-4

High jump -- 3. Raes, 5-8; 4. Neisler, 5-8

Shot put -- 1. Schultz, 48-10; 5. Heironymus, 38-1

Discus -- 1. Schultz, 141-7 1/2; 2. Heironymus, 132-2 1/2; 6. Boudman, 116-4

400 relay -- 2. Olympia, 49.9

800 relay -- 1. Olympia, 1:44.0

1,600 relay -- 2. Olympia, 3:57.5

3,200 relay -- 1. Olympia 9:11.9

Olympia girls:

100 meters -- 5. Bennett, 13.4

400 meters -- 1. Freshour, 1:07.1; 4. Westerfield, 1:11.7

1,600 meters -- 2. Floyd, 6:06.2; 3. Rader, 6:06.7; 5. Wade, 6:19.2

3,200 meters -- 2. Floyd, 13:52.5

100 hurdles -- 1. Hish, 16.1

300 hurdles -- 1. Hentzen, 51.4; 3. Hish, 52.8

Long jump -- 4. Fredericks, 14-8

High jump -- 1. Crawford, 5-0

Triple jump -- 2. Prater, 31-2 1/2

Discus -- 4. Cook, 93-3

400 relay -- 2. Olympia, 456.6

800 relay -- 1. Olympia, 1:58.3

1,600 relay -- 1. Olympia, 4:35.1

3,200 relay -- 3. Olympia 11:19.3

[APRIL 17, 2002]  Lincoln College scored five times in the first inning after two were out and went on to post a 13-9 victory over Illinois Central College at Galen Shirley Field on Tuesday afternoon. Lincoln plays at ICC Wednesday.

After the first two batters were retired, Zach Rinaberger, Tim May and Jake VanDyke hit back-to-back triples, and then Kenny VanHouten slammed a two-run homer. 

Anthony Hoffert worked the first five innings and picked up the victory. The LCHS grad gave up 13 hits and seven runs, five earned, while walking one and striking out four. 

Dan Dunn had three hits, was hit by a pitch twice and drove in a pair of runs for coach Tony Thomas. Frank Pesce had the big blow in the fifth for the Lynx with a bases-loaded triple that missed going out of the park by less than a foot. Matt Mifflin also had a pair of hits for Lincoln.

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The Lynx are now 7-9 in the conference and 9-22 overall.

Illinois Central           001 123 020 — 9-19-1

Lincoln College         520 040 02x — 13-14-2

ICC battery unknown; Hoffert (W), King (6), Deakin (9) and Pesce.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 17, 2002]  NORMAL — Chris Burras, a first-team Class A all-state player from Chicago Leo High School, signed a national basketball letter of intent with Illinois State on Tuesday.

Burras, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward, averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds per game during his senior season, while leading Leo High School to a 16-12 record and a trip to the regionals.

"We’re excited about adding Chris to our program," Illinois State head coach Tom Richardson said. "He reminded a lot of people of Rico Hill when he came on his visit. Chris is a talent that can play inside or outside. He will bring some additional athleticism to our team and can come in and contribute as a freshman."

Burras, whose sister Alisa currently plays for the WNBA’s Portland Fire, was also named first team all-area and all-conference. He also made the all-tournament teams of the Bloom Thanksgiving Tournament and the Rich South Christmas Tournament.

Jerry Tokars, Leo’s head coach, also commented on Burras’ versatility.

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"He’s a dedicated kid that only missed one practice in the two years that I coached him," Tokarz said. "He’s got a good game. He’s real tough inside for his size, and he has the ability to step out to the perimeter. Chris is a nice kid with a nice personality. Illinois State’s getting a good one."

Burras, who plans on majoring in communications, felt that Illinois State was the right choice.

"Throughout this whole process, I just wanted to follow my heart, and my heart led me to Illinois State," Burras said. "I hope to bring a little versatility, some excitement and a winning attitude to Redbird Arena. I really liked the staff and players and am looking forward to wearing a Redbird uniform."

Burras, who is one of 12 children, joins fellow all-state selection Dana Ford in the Illinois State 2002 recruiting class. Richardson and the Redbirds have one scholarship available.

[Todd Kober, Illinois State University
director of media relations]

[APRIL 16, 2002]  Lincoln High School handed Peoria Richwoods a pair of losses in Peoria. Lincoln won the first game 6-4 and took the nightcap 15-4.

Paul Phillips picked up the win in the opener, working the final two innings in relief of Kevin Carroll. Chance Berger led the Railers at bat with a double and two singles.  Jaron Harnacke, Phillips and Carroll each had one hit.

Neil Rohrer pitched the first three innings of the second game to get the victory. Alex Dahm hurled the final two innings and struck out five batters.

 Bobby Maestas led the Railers with three doubles and a single. Phillips and Carroll each had a double and a single, while Rohrer had a double and two singles. Collecting one hit each were Andrew Gilmore, Berger, Dahm and Colin Neitzel. Caleb Olsen had a pair of singles.

The doubleheader sweep evens the freshman record at 4-4.

[Bill Martinie]

[APRIL 16, 2002]   

Central Catholic     220 11x — 6-7-2

Olympia             (14)22 1x — 19-19-1

Hartsburg-Emden    000 11 —  2-4-2

Illini Central             055 02 — 12-1-3

[APRIL 16, 2002]   

Olympia      602 83 — 19-19-0

Delavan       010 11 — 1-1-5

Hartsburg-Emden     110 101 2 — 6-7-3

Illini Central              001 110 0 — 3-5-6

[APRIL 16, 2002]  Danville handed the Lincoln College Lynx an 11-3 pounding at Galen Shirley Memorial Field in Lincoln on Monday afternoon, dropping the Lynx to 6-9 in conference play. The Lynx host Illinois Central on Tuesday in a nine-inning contest.

Danville scored three times in the first and was never headed, although the Lynx came within one run with single runs in the first and second innings. Lincoln pounded out 10 hits, with Jake VanDyke going three for four with a triple. Jeff Harris and Matt Mifflin each had a pair of hits.

Matt Carnahan was the starting and losing pitcher for the Lynx, hurling four innings, giving up nine hits and six earned runs. 

Score by innings

Danville               301 103 210 — 11-14-0

Lincoln College    110 000 001 — 3-10-3

Danville battery unknown; Carnahan (L), Gilbert (5), Villasenor (6), Lusicic (8), Whetstone (9), and Bartman, Pesce (6).

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[APRIL 16, 2002]  NORMAL — A ligament tear in the right wrist of Illinois State’s Baboucarr Bojang was discovered on Monday, during an arthroscopic procedure to re-evaluate the basketball star’s injury.

Bojang, who was named the Redbird’s most valuable player and one of the top newcomers in the Missouri Valley Conference, was in a cast for three weeks with the injury. However when his progress didn’t improve, medical professionals wanted a better look.

Even though the MRI and X-ray didn’t show it, a scapholunate tear was identified during a 1½-hour procedure, and pins were inserted to reattach the torn ligament. He is expected to miss four to six months but should be ready for the 2002-03 campaign.

"My initial priority is Boo’s well-being, and I’m pleased to say he’s doing fine after the surgery," head coach Tom Richardson said. "It is really unfortunate for the young man, but at least we caught it early enough to where he won’t miss any of next season."

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Bojang, who averaged 13.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, initially suffered the injury in the second half of the game at Southwest Missouri State on Feb. 2, but re-aggravated the injury numerous times during the remainder of the season, including in the conference tournament semifinal against Creighton.

Bojang will return to a cast for three months before starting his range-of-motion and strength rehabilitation.

[Todd Kober, Illinois State University
director of media relations]

[APRIL 22, 2002]  The LDN has learned that, according to the ISU football office this morning, Lincoln’s Andy King has signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams! This news makes King potentially the second player from Lincoln to play in the NFL in the last decade, joining offensive lineman Tony Semple of the Detroit Lions.

According to an ISU source, the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears had both shown considerable interest in acquiring King’s services, so it was pretty surprising to see him end up with the Rams. If he is able to make the roster though, what a coup for his family and friends — being able to watch him play just two hours from beautiful downtown Lincoln!

I just tried to call Andy on his cell phone and he was unavailable. I will keep trying to bring you loyal LDN fans the inside scoop as soon as I can get it for you. Tune in tonight at FIX 96.3 on your FM dial, and Greg Taylor and I will bring you all the latest developments on this incredible story!

CONGRATULATIONS, Andy! Nice going! We are all so proud of you and we wish you God’s best in this new adventure of your life!

•  Will the Cubs and the Cards just not taste the postseason until they change managers?

•  Even though the Blues are up 2-1 on the Hawks, I’m still not convinced that St. Louis is a solid playoff club.

•  Took my boy to see the Railer baseball and track teams last week. Both squads have as much potential as you could hope to see. Here’s hoping that they both really get it going at just the right time.

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•  When the Lakers are hungry, can anyone beat them?

•  Illinois’ Kurt Kittner ended up going late in the draft to Atlanta. I really think that that’s a good fit for him.

•  Other Illini that signed free agent contracts and their respective teams are:

Luke Butkus, Chicago Bears

Steve Fitts, Chicago Bears

Bobby Jackson, New York Jets

Jay Kulaga, New York Jets

Brandon Moore, New York Jets

Terrell Washington, Houston Texans

•  If the NBA players played as hard during the season as they do during the playoffs, they’d never have to worry about declining ratings and poor ticket sales.

•  Do you have the itch to play golf yet, or is it just me?

•  Speaking of golf. Justin Leonard tried to run away from the field this weekend, then he tried to give it away, then he reluctantly won his seventh tour event. I wonder what his new bride said when she saw that paycheck?

•  Is there ever any similarity to the game of golf that those PGAer’s play to the game that we play?

[Jeff Mayfield]

Announcements

[APRIL 17, 2002]  Central Illinois Select Soccer Club will have open tryouts for all interested players May 13-17, May 20-24, and June 17 and 19. Tryout dates and times for specific age groups are shown at www.cis-soccer.org/Tryouts/Tryouts.htm.   

All tryouts will be at Nord Field, located on Six Points Road, two miles west of Morris Avenue in Bloomington. More detailed directions are available at www.cis-soccer.org/Clubfolder/Facilities.htm. 

For more information about tryouts and CIS traveling soccer, visit the club’s website, www.cis-soccer.org.; e-mail Steve Berry, director of coaching and player development, at cissocceracademy@hotmail.com; or call (309) 378-4699.

Baseball and softball at the Lincoln Park District

[APRIL 17, 2002]  You know summer is coming when it’s time to sign up for baseball and softball. At the Lincoln Park District, registrations are still being taken for boys and girls. Teams will be drawn at the end of the month. Men’s and women’s softball registration will close the first Saturday in May.

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