By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

In 2018, Plainfield Central’s varsity baseball team won 25 games and finished in the Top 25, in the state of Illinois. In 2019, the Wildcats returned almost everyone for head coach John Rosner, from the state-ranked 2018 Wildcats.

The Wildcats opened up their 2019 campaign with nine consecutive victories, before losing to Lockport in the 2019 WJOL/Don Ladas Memorial Baseball Tournament Championship Game.

The dreaded injury bug struck the Wildcats during the WJOL tourney and has continued to decimate the once almost unbeatable Wildcats. Losers of seven of their last 11 games, Plainfield Central (14-8, 3-5) headed to Joliet to take on the Southwest Prairie Conference leaders from Plainfield South (17-4, 6-2) on Wednesday.

Zach Rana — to say the 6-foot senior right-handed pitcher Rana (3-4) pounded the strike zone against Plainfield South, would be an understatement. Rana fired 97 pitches at the Cougars, 70 of them for strikes and went on to fire a six-hitter at the SPC leaders. Rana struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

“It was nice to beat South after they beat us on Monday,” Rana said. “I was throwing the ball harder than I normally do. A great mound here to pitch on and we had a lot of fans here today and I had a lot of fun.”

The Wildcats picked up an unearned run in the first inning against Plainfield South starting pitcher Austin Richardson (4-2). With two outs, the red-hot Jac Lindish (2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI) ripped a booming double to left. Right fielder Anthony Noble walked and shortstop Charlie Bischoff ripped a single to center. When the Cougar centerfielder booted the ball, Lindish streaked home with the first run of the game.

In the Plainfield South second inning, Cougar third baseman Zach Pawlak (2-for-3, 2B), doubled and scored on an RBI single from Tony Mosher (2-for-3, 2B, RBI), tying the game at one.

“We just have to tip our hat to Rana, “ Mosher said. “He pounded the strike zone all day on us and was  very difficult to hit. I have been struggling as of late and I was happy to hit the ball hard all day.”

Two Cougar errors in the Plainfield Central top of the third, led to a pair of unearned runs for the victorious Wildcats. Lindish ripped his second double of the game, driving home leadoffman Jake Donahue who had reached on an error. Lindish scored to make it 3-1 Cats, when Bischoff wreached on another Cougar miscue.

“We really came out today with a lot of energy,” Lindish said. “Zach’s performance on the mound was outstanding. He really pounded the strike zone. I have been really squaring the ball up and hitting it at people, for outs. After my hot start to the season, things have been evening out for me. That’s a lesson in life though. I just went out today and tried to hit the ball hard to all to all parts on the field. I’m confident that the hits will start falling again.”

In the top of the fifth, Bischoff ( 2-for-4, 2B, RBI) drove home a huge insurance run, with a double scoring Noble for a 4-1 Wildcat lead.

“We made a couple of mistakes that cost us against South on Monday,” Bischoff said. “Rana threw a gem for us and I was fortunate to come through with some clutch two out hits. Jac’s double in the first inning, after the first two batters of the game struck out, turned the momentum of the game in our favor. I was able to follow with the clutch hit.”

In the bottom of the seventh with one out,  Mosher ripped a double off Rana and Zach Pawlak who walked bringing the tying run to the plate for the Cougars. Rana, picked up the second out of the inning on a force out at second and then finished off his masterpiece in style with his seventh punch-out of the game.

For Plainfield South, the Cougars will host the second-place Wolves of Oswego East (12-5, 5-2) on Thursday.

“We are not good enough to win, when we give them three runs, in the first three innings, as we did today,“ Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said. “Zach Rana was outstanding for Plainfield Central today  and we were hoping we could get him out, due the pitch-count rule. We would have liked to get one batter, against their bullpen, with the tying run at the plate, in the bottom of the seventh.”

Plainfield Central will travel to Joliet Central (8-11, 2-6) in SPC action on Thursday.

“Zach Rana was something else for us tonight,” Rosner said. “70 strikes among his 97 pitches tonight. for a much-needed win for us. Very happy how aggressive we came, out both offensively and on defense today. We came up with some great clutch hits from Charlie and Jac.”

“We have lost our top two pitchers to injury and that made Zach’s performance extra-special, for us tonight. Don’t write us off just yet. We have a lot of baseball yet to be played and we will be alright.”

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE STANDINGS through games of 4/24

Plainfield South        17-5        6-2
Oswego East             12-5        5-2
Oswego                      11-7        5-2

Plainfield North        8-7-1       5-2

Plainfield East           14-6        5-3

Joliet West               11-10       3-4
Plainfield Central     14-8        3-5
Romeoville                 5-14-1   2-5
Joliet Central              8-11      2-6

Minooka                     6-11-1   2-6

As nurses of Edward Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, we have deep and serious concerns about a legislative proposal, House Bill 2604, that would impose mandatory nurse staffing ratios at Illinois hospitals.

Throughout our careers as direct care hospital nurses, we have been honored to care for people during the most vulnerable times of their lives. We provide high-quality, compassionate care based on the specific conditions and individual needs of each and every patient.

However, this proposal would create a numerical, “one-size-fits-all” mandate for nurse staffing, overriding the expertise and judgment of nurses and other medical professionals at our hospitals. This rigid, by-the-numbers approach would severely limit our flexibility and decision-making to meet the unique and ever-changing healthcare needs of our patients.

We believe in flexible staffing that starts with assessing each patient’s condition and care needs, and allows our hospitals, with the input of direct care nurses, to match our nursing staff to the individual needs of our patients. This approach enables our hospitals to provide the right and appropriate staffing and care that patients need instead of being handcuffed by ratios that force us to add extra nurses in units where they are not needed.

That approach has been recognized as successful. Edward Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital have been designated as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition, Edward, Elmhurst and Linden Oaks are regularly honored for safety, quality and patient care by national healthcare organizations.

Mandatory staffing ratios wrongly assume that patients in observation units need the same level of nursing care as patients in psychiatric units or hospital units with complex medical and surgical patients. Staffing ratios would require unnecessarily high staffing levels during the middle of the night when patients are sleeping and force highly trained nurses to perform tasks normally handled by support staff. It’s an ineffective and costly way to handle healthcare staffing decisions and it could impede our hospitals’ ability to provide the best possible patient care.

There is no conclusive evidence that nurse staffing ratios improve quality or patient outcomes, but they will drive up healthcare costs in Illinois by at least $2 billion a year, including more than $15 million a year for our hospitals.

If nurse staffing ratios are mandated for hospitals, we will be forced to reduce or close healthcare services and units. There will be times when hospitals will have to go on bypass (sending patients to other hospitals) during unpredictable periods of elevated need when there are not enough nurses in the emergency department to treat patients to comply with the ratio mandates.

 We urge our state legislators to oppose House Bill 2604 – or any other legislative proposal – that would impose unworkable and costly nurse staffing ratios that won’t improve care for our patients.

Thank you,

Amy Bessett, RN, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health

Christa Beyer, RN, Edward Hospital

Jeanie Brown, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Breighanna Carey, RN, Linden Oaks

Lisa Coen, RN, Edward Hospital

Suzanne Driscoll, RN, Linden Oaks

Danette Farrell, RN, Edward Hospital

Patty Foley, RN, Edward Hospital

Jeanette Gort, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Neringa Haggerty, RN Linden Oaks

Kristin Hassett, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Jaclyn Kuhn, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Lindy Luchowski, RN, Linden Oaks

Colleen McKinney, RN, Edward Hospital

Jennifer Piloni, RN, Edward Hospital

Karen Plecki, RN, Edward Hospital

Christina Pogue, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Amy Rowe, RN, Edward Hospital

Alexandrea Russell, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Diana Scheck, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Marie Spitzer, RN, Edward Hospital

Kathryn Toben, RN, Elmhurst Hospital

Denise Whitt, RN, Linden Oaks

Katie Wilson, RN, Edward Hospital

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

For the last three seasons, the residents of Plainfield, Illinois have had the enjoyment of watching two of the best defensive catchers in all of Illinois. On the “North Side”, senior Greg Budig has been a defensive force and handler of the “arms factory” at Plainfield North High School. Last season, Budig along with centerfielder Cam Kissel and right fielder, Garret Cook, helped bring the IHSA Class 4A State Baseball Championship to Plainfield’s “North Side”.

On ”The South Side”, ever since he was a freshman and helped lead his Cougars to the 2016 IHSBCA Summer State Championship, Justin McGuigan has been a defensive stalwart behind the plate for Plainfield South.

On “The South Side” on Thursday, McGuigan showed  Plainfield that he can do more than catch. After Monday night’s Southwest Prairie Conference debacle, a 4-1 loss to Plainfield Central, the Cougars were in dire need of a victory over the second-place Wolves of Oswego East.

McGuigan (5-1) was masterful on the mound, firing a one-hit shutout as the Cougars routed the Wolves 10-0 in five innings.

With the Cougars up 8-0, McGuigan took a no-hitter into the top of the fifth. With two outs, Oswego East’s Ed Borwick used “Hawk” Harrelson’s famous euphemism, hit a “duck snort” to right that fell in for the only Wolves’ hit. McGuigan picked up his eighth punch-out to finish out the Wolves’ final inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Griffin Lapp (2-for-4, RBI) singled to lead off the inning. After one out, McGuigan ( 0-for-1, 3BB, 2SB) walked for the third time in the game. Zach Pawlak (1-for-2, BB, SF, 2RBI) singled home Lapp, for a 9-0 Cougar lead. Tony Mosher (1-for-2, 2BB, RBI) walked to load the bases and Ryan Pawlak (2-for-3, RBI) ripped the game-ending single to right, to score McGuigan for a 10-0 Cougar win.

“This was big for us to bounce back, after last night’s bad loss and pick up a big SPC win,” Pawlak said. “It was important for our confidence to get this win to keep us in first place, heading into this weekend.”

Behind the plate for the Cougars, with McGuigan on the mound, was sophomore Jonny Hernandez. Hernandez was McGuigan-like behind the plate. In the six-run Cougar fourth inning, Hernandez had not one but two hits in the Cougar fourth-inning explosion.

The big hit of the six-run Cougar fourth inning, was provided by sophomore left fielder, Tylor Puma” Phommachanhom.

“Puma” led off the Cougar first with a double and scored on a McGuigan RBI groundout, for a  1-0 Cougar lead. With the Cougars up 2-0 in the fourth, Phommachanhom took an inside pitch and ripped it down the right field line scoring Hernandez, who had singled for a 3-0 Cougar lead. Game Over.

For McGuigan, the shutout victory improves his record to 5-1. McGuigan now leads the Cougar staff with five wins.

“Yesterday’s loss really left a bad taste in our mouth’s,” McGuigan said. “We really bounced back big time today. We played well and proved that yesterday was a fluke. We executed our game plan and the great thing about baseball is, the very next day, you can redeem yourself.”

“On the mound, I just threw strikes and let my defense make the plays, which they did.”

“At the plate, I try to get on base anyway I can,” McGuigan added. “When I get on base, I’m always ready to run.”

“Justin was on point and threw strikes today,” Hernandez said. “Justin feeds off his success and becomes unhittable. We work very well together and are great batterymates. It was a lot of fun for me to be part of Justin’s, one-hitter today.”

“At the plate, I listened to my hitting coach and had great at bats and did my job.”

Plainfield South (18-4, 7-2) and Oswego East (12-6, 5-3) will meet again on Oswego’s “East Side” on Monday, in the conclusion of their SPC series.

“Justin pitched outstanding for us today and we hit the ball well, against a very good Oswego East pitcher,’ Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said. “The great thing about baseball is, one day you may think you are not very good and then the very next day, you think that you are good again.”

“Jonny Hernandez did a great job behind the plate and with the way he hit, he will be rewarded with more opportunities, at the plate, in the future. This was a huge win for us heading into what we call “Our All-Star Break” (Prom Weekend).”

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE through games of April 25

Plainfield South        18-4        7-2
Oswego                      12-7        6-2

Plainfield North        8-7-1       5-2
Oswego East             12-6        5-3

Plainfield East           14-7        5-4
Plainfield Central     15-8        4-5
Joliet West                12-10     4-5
Romeoville                 5-15-1   2-6
Joliet Central              8-12      2-7

Minooka                     6-12-1   2-7

Friday

Oswego at Plainfield North
Romeoville at Oswego East

The Downers Grove Park District’s Link Before and After School Program is a recreation-based program for Downers Grove students in grades K-6. The Link offers fun and engaging enrichment activities including nature, fitness, arts and crafts, science and cultural arts. Experienced staff provide a safe, friendly environment where children can explore age-based activities in addition to daily homework time and an afternoon snack. The program is hosted at the Lincoln Center located at 935 Maple Ave. just steps away from the downtown Downers Grove train station.

To encourage participation for the 2019-2020 school year, the Downers Grove Park District is offering 50% off the enrollment fee through May 31, 2019. Parents can choose to enroll for mornings, afternoons or both for 3, 4 or 5 days per week. The program delivers an extended-day schedule starting at 6:30 a.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m. each day. Fees start as low as $103 per month per child.

Recreation Supervisor Samantha Donovan plans to expand The Link services this fall.

“In addition to providing students with fun activities at the Lincoln Center, we aim to connect children to additional recreation programs offered by the Downers Grove Park District. Link participants will receive discounts on select programs and our experienced staff will ensure a safe drop off,” said Donovan.

Transportation to and from participating District 58 schools is included and routes will be determined this June and is dependent on enrollment.

To register for the Link Before and After School Program, please visit the Lincoln Center at 935 Maple Ave. in Downers Grove. For more information, call 630.963.1300 or visit www.dgparks.org.

The Valley View Board of Education will conduct their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 29 at
John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville IL.

The Board Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., at which time, the Board will vote to move to Closed Executive
Session. The Public Session of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the agenda for this meeting will be posted at
http://www.boarddocs.com/il/d365u/Board.nsf/Public at least 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

Valley View School District 365U is the recipient of a rebate totaling $478,528 from ComEd for the
installation of solar panels at Jane Addams, Humphrey, and Lukancic Middle Schools, along with B.J. Ward
and Jamie McGee Elementary Schools.

VVSD earned the rebate for its commitment to solar energy and by applying to ComEd’s distributed
generation program which encourages commercial and industrial customers to develop and use sources of
renewable energy.

“Obviously, we are pleased with the amount of the rebate because it allows us to use the financial
resources provided by our community in other areas that directly impact student learning,” said VVSD Board
of Education President Mr. Steve Quigley. “We are also proud of the leadership role VVSD has taken in
utilizing solar energy technology.” The Board approved installation of the solar panels was completed in
summer 2017.

“ComEd was able to recognize early in the process the value that solar was going to provide to us,” said Mr.
Scott Vogt, ComEd Vice President for Energy Acquisition. “We wanted to compensate customers like Valley
View School District who took the effort and deployed solar for their own benefit, and in their case, the
benefit of the taxpayers who support the District.”

Wood View Elementary students recently welcomed a visit from
a gentleman known for being a little on the cold side.

Mr. Jerry Zimmerman is a physicist from Fermilab in Batavia who is
especially knowledgeable about the science of freezing things.

Eleven Valley View staff members are now Google Level 2 Certified
Educators.

These Google Gooru’s began their work in expanding their
knowledge of curriculum and resources last fall and the culmination of the
training was a three hour exam testing them on all facets of Google Apps for
Education and Digital Citizenship.

These educators are now ready to bring their expanded knowledge into the classroom to the benefit or our students.

Congratulations to: Ms. Megan Madsen, Martinez Middle School; Ms. Amy
Brauneis, Ms. Janel Klinetobe, and Mr. Nick Detman, Bolingbrook HS;
Ms. Mallory Kaster, B.J. Ward Elementary; Mr. Peter Kujawa, Skoff
Elementary; Mr. Mike Stoehrmann, Humphrey Middle School; Ms. Kristen Orr, Lukancic Middle School;
Ms. Lindsay Pozzie, Oak View Elementary; Ms. Sandrine Clairardin and Ms. Jaime Johnson,
Romeoville HS. Congratulations also to Ms. Amanda Brzuszkiewicz, Bolingbrook HS and Ms. Karina
Lopez, Early Childhood Center who successfully earned Level 1 Certification.

North High Theatre presents their Spring studio production of Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom on May 2-4. The performances will take place in the Room 248 at North High School (4436 Main Street, Downers Grove).

North High performance dates and times are as follows:

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students (outside D99) and senior citizens, and free for D99 students with their school ID. Tickets can be purchased at the North High Book Store. Space is limited, so get your tickets today! The show is rated M, for Mature, and it is not recommended for audience members under the age of 14.

Synopsis: In this terrifying twist between The Twilight Zone and a Stephen King horror novel, suburban parents find their teenagers addicted to an online horror video game that uses a GPS system to map out their own neighborhood.  The goal of the game is to decimate an army of zombies and escape the neighborhood for good. But as the line blurs between virtual and reality, both parents and players realize that fear has a life of its own and, in this game, you only get one life.

For more information, contact the North High Student Activities Office: 630-795-8413

South High Drama presents their Spring musical production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on May 2-5. The performances will take place in the Auditorium at South High School (1436 Norfolk Street, Downers Grove).

South High performance dates and times are as follows:

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students (outside D99) and senior citizens, and free for D99 students with their school ID. Tickets can be purchased at the South High Activities Office.

For more information, contact the South High Student Activities Office: 630-795-8518

By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com

The Lewis University women’s basketball team is less than a month away from the trip of a lifetime for its players.
The team will travel to Paris, France for a 10-day experience that will feature a pair of basketball games, exposure to a different culture and class credit.The student-athletes will learn about Lewis University and its founder, John Baptist De La Salle.
“It is academically centered and they get to learn about Lewis, a place they are spending every day of their lives,” said Lewis coach Sam Quigley Smith. “This is truly a once in a lifetime experience for our student athletes in which they are learning about the mission of Lewis University.”
The academic side of the trip in part is thanks in part to Lewis University’s Study Abroad and Dr. Dennis Cremin, who has worked with the Flyers in numerous in class sessions and online discussions and will travel with the team.
In efforts to not have the players responsible for any cost associated with the trip, the program has been working on several fundraisers over the past year and have raised a significant dollar amount to date — but there is still more needed.
Saturday, May 4 at Lewis University, the program is hosting what it hopes to become an annual 5K walk/run on campus
The “Fly for the Roses” 5K begins at 8 a.m. and costs $30 for adults and $15 for children 14 years old or younger.
All participants get a T-Shirt at registration and walk-ups will be accepted.
The trip will also serve as the final games for graduating seniors, such as Jessica Kelliher — one of the top players in the history of NCAA Division-II.
She was named the D2CCA Women’s Basketball Ron Lenz National Player of the Year in March. This season she averaged 24.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, leading the Flyers to a 27-5 record. She led the country in field goal percentage (65.9 percent). She finished her career having scored the fifth-most points in DII history with 2,764 and also surpassed the 1,000-rebound milestone during the season. Kelliher is the 33rd player in Division II history to surpass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her 1,093 career field goals made are second-most in Division II history. Kelliher’s 2,764 points is currently second among active players in Division I, II and III while her career field goal percentage of 64.8 percent is fifth among active players in all three Divisions
“There is a new NCAA rule that lets seniors go on overseas trips,” Quigley Smith said. “The seniors that graduate in a couple weeks are able to play — they get one last game and its under the Eiffel Tower.”

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
Voyager Media Publications Week 6 Team of the Week- Maine South Hawks (16-7, 6-1)

The Central Suburban South co-leaders from Maine South, went 4-0 this week and have won seven consecutive games, for head coach Brian Lorenz. What wrapped up the Week 6 award for the Hawks was a Wednesday pounding of the mighty Chicago Catholic League  Blue’s Brother Rice Crusaders (16-8, 6-2). Led by red-hot duo of Bobby Rinaldi and Timmy O’Brien, the Hawks, took apart the Crusaders 12-6.

Hawk ace pitcher Ysen Useni fired a three-hitter at Niles North with 12 strikeouts in Tuesday’s 4-1 CSL South win.

Tied with Glenbrook South (12-8, 6-1) atop the CSL South, the Hawks will take on Evanston (7-9, 2-3) in a pair of CSL South games Tuesday and Thursday. On Saturday, the Hawks will host Deerfield (12-5, 4-3 North), in a CSL crossover.

Voyager Media Publications Player of the Week –  Kyle Vogt  Downers Grove South
Vogt used his bat, going 6-for-7 to help lead the  Mustangs to a pair of huge West Suburban Conference Gold Division victories over Leyden Monday (12-0) and Tuesday (6-5). On Thursday, Vogt, allowed just one run and one hit, in five innings on the mound, leading the Mustangs to an 8-2, WSC Gold sweep of the Eagles. Vogt fired 15 first-pitch strikes in his masterpiece on the mound.

Downers Grove South (11-8, 8-1) will host Willowbrook (17-3, 12-0), in the opener of a crucial WSC Gold, three-game series on Monday. The two clubs will play in Villa Park, on Tuesday and return to Downers Grove, for the series finale on Thursday.

Voyager Media Publications- Pitcher of the Week- Zach Rana Plainfield Central- The Cougars of Plainfield South (18-5, 7-2), the Southwest Prairie Conference co-leaders, will be the first to tell you that Rana should win this week’s award. After Rana fired 70 strikes in his 97-pitch, six hitter in Wednesday’s, 4-1 Plainfield Central’s  (15-8, 4-5) SPC win over South, the Cougars were impressed.

Rana, struck out seven and did not walk a batter, giving the injury-decimated Wildcats, a much needed SPC win.

Terrific Ten Baseball Rankings
1 Joliet Catholic      19-5  Cushing, Fleischauer, lead ESCC South leaders
2 Plainfield South   18-5  McGuigan, throws one-hitter at Oswego East
3 Maine South        16-7  Seven in a row for WEEK 6 TEAM OF THE WEEK
4 Plainfield North   10-7 Seven in a row for defending 4A State Champs
5 Lockport               18-5 Porters swept by Lincoln-Way East
6 Notre Dame           9-6 ESCC North leaders led by Bryan Broecker
7 Plainfield Central 15-8 Lindish, Bischoff crushing the baseball for ‘Cats
8 Plainfield East      14-7 Jack Crowder has big week for Bengals
9 DG South              11-8 Red-hot Mustangs have won 7 in a row
10 Joliet West         13-11 Cannon Karczewski pitches Tigers past The ‘Ville

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
MAINE EAST (1-11, 1-6)

5-1 CSL North loss to Highland Park- Ashton Schwab drove home the lone Demon run.

4-0 CSL North loss to Highland Park–

CENTRAL SUBUBURBAN SOUTH
MAINE SOUTH (16-7, 6-1)

4-1 CSL South win over Niles North- Hawks win for the fifth consecutive time and move into first place in the CSL South. Ysen Useni fired a three-hitter, with 12 strikeouts. Timmy O’Brien drove home two more runs while Zach Buchan and the red-hot Bobby Rinaldi, picked up an RBI.
12-6 win  over Brother Rice- Red-hot Hawks win for the sixth consecutive game, in style. Led by the red-hot Bobby Rinaldi, the Hawks crushed Chicago Catholic League Blue power, Brother Rice. Rianaldi, drove home three more Hawk runs, while sophomore Zac Buchan. added two hits and plated a pair.  Timmy O’Brien, continued his assault on the baseball with three more hits, while Bobby Inserrra chipped in with two hits.

18-2 CSL South win over Niles North- Hawks route the Vikings for their seventh consecutive victory. Aiden Teahan, Bobby Inserra and Ethan Quinn all drove home three runs for the rampaging Hawks. Timmy O’Brien continued his assault on the baseball with two more hits, while Zander Buchan chipped in with two hits.

NILES WEST (11-7, 1-4) Did not play

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC NORTH

NOTRE DAME (9-6, 6-2)
4-1 ESCC North win over St. Viator Joe Buikema scattered seven hits and allowed just one run in six innings leading the Dons past the Lions. Nick Loizzi, Matt Salmonson and Bryan Broecker, all drove home Don runs. 
3-1 ESCC North win over St. Viator- Nick Liozzi fired a three-hitter at the Lions and pitches the Dons back atop the ESCC North with Carmel (9-3-1, 5-2). Kyle Schuster drove in two Don runs, while Bryan Broecker, Matt Murphy and Cole Manley all get two hits for the ESCC North co-leaders.

10-0 ESCC North win over MCC –Nick Giamarusti had two hits and drove home three runs, in the five-inning romp past the Hurricanes. Dylan Coleman, also had three RBI, while Bryan Boecker and Mike Jakot, combined on a two-hit shutout, on the mound.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH

JOLIET CATHOLIC (19-5, 6-2)

4-3 ESCC loss to Nazareth– Alex Vera struck out 10 and allowed just one run in six innings as the Hilltopper defense imploded as the Roadrunners walked-off with the ESCC win in the bottom of the seventh. Tony Fleischauser continued his hot hitting with two hits and an RBI. Greg Ziegler chipped in with two more hits

9-5 win over Lincoln-Way Central- Hilltopper first baseman Max Cullen, drove home three JCA runs, while Nate Gehrke had two hits for the Hilltoppers.

10-4 ESCC win over St. Patrick  (See Game Story)

BENET ACADEMY (9-13, 2-5)

9-3 ESCC South loss to Marian Catholic- Charlie Romenesko drove home a pair of Redwing runs
4-1 ESCC South loss to Marian Catholic– Charlie Romenesko picked up  a pair of hits, while Ben Wright drove home the lone Redwing run.
6-2 loss to Naperville North  The Red-Hot Charlie Romenesko, had two more hits and Collin Gorz and Jared Novak, drove home the Redwing runs.
8-3 ESCC loss to Carmel-Collin Gorz led the Redwings with three hits.

INTERSTATE 8 NORTH

LISLE (14-8, 3-4)

5-2 I-8 North win over Sandwich- AJ Casmer fires a seven hitter at the Indians, with eight strikeouts for the win. Tony Raineri had three more hits and an RBI for the Lions. Connor Nigro led the Lion attack with two hits and three RBI. Jay McGrath chipped in with two hits. 
16-1 I-8 North loss to Sandwich

10-8 win over Somonauk– Damian Guerrero led the 13-hit Lion onslaught with four hits and three RBI. Cal Payne also had four hits and drove home two Lion runs. Connor Nigro chipped in with two hits.

8-0 I-8 loss to Manteno

WESTMONT (16-8, 4-3)
16-6 I-8 North win over Plano– Matt O’Leary, continued his assault on the baseball, driving in three more Sentinel runs placing him among the area’s batting  average and RBI leaders. Nick Machcek, drove home four runs in the win over the Reapers.
2-1 I-8 North loss to Plano-Alex Marotta drove home the lone Sentinel run.

14-1 win over Intrinsic  Caden Anderson hit a home run for the Sentinels
5-2 loss to Beecher  Matt O’Leary singled home a Sentinel run and picked up two stolen bases. 
10-4 I-8 win over Herscher Matt O’Leary had two more hits, (Ho-Hum) including a triple, and drove home two more Sentinel runs. Alex Marotta hit a two-run bomb, while Shawn Kwasny, drove home three runs with a single and a double.

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE

PLAINFIELD SOUTH (18-4, 7-2)
5-1 SPC win over Plainfield Central Griffin Lapp improved to 4-0 with six-hitter. Lapp’s scoreless streak of 23.2 innings came to an end in  the third, when Plainfield Central’s hit a home run. Justin McGuigan drove home two Cougar runs.

4-1 SPC loss to Plainfield Central 

10-0 SPC win (FIVE INNINGS)  

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (15-8, 4-5)

5-1 SPC  loss to Plainfield South– Anthony Noble, went the distance for the Wildcats, allowing just five hits. Brandon Micetich homered for the lone Wildcat run.

4-1 SPC win over Plainfield South

13-8 SPC win over Joliet Central Brandon Micetich and the red-hot Charlie Bischoff each had three hits and drove home three Wildcat runs, in  the slugfest win over the Steelmen. Jac Lindish had a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate with another double and a RBI. Anthony Noble, for the second straight game had two hits and an RBI.

PLAINFIELD  EAST (14-7, 5-4)
5-4 SPC win over Minooka – Nick Pratscher continued his all out assault on the baseball, driving home three more, Bengal runs. Jack Crowder chipped in with two hits.
5-3 SPC win over Minooka – Jack Crowder fired a seven-hitter with seven strikeouts, to get the win on the mound. Nick Pratscher continued his torrid hitting with three more Bengal RBI. 
10-6 SPC loss to Oswego-Andrew Hill and Riley Morris each drove home a pair of Bengal runs, while Jack Crowder, continued his big week with three more hits.

JOLIET WEST
11-1 SPC loss to Oswego
11-1 SPC loss to Oswego  Mason Kasprisin drove home the lone Tiger run.
5-3 SPC win over Romeoville Cannon Karczewski fired a six-hitter at the Spartans to pick up the win on the mound. Mason Kasprisin drove home another Tiger run.

6-3 win over TF South- Tylor Anderson drove home two Tiger runs, to lead West past the Rebels.

MINOOKA (6-12, 2-7)

5-4 SPC loss to Plainfield East– Pedro Martinez had two hits and an RBI for the Indians. Collin Olkiewicz drove home a pair of Indian runs while Scott Harper chipped in with two hits.

5-3 SPC loss to Plainfield East- Nate Cochran led the Indian attack with two hits and driving home all three Indian runs.

5-1 SPC loss to Plainfield North-Nate Cochran, continued to lead the Indian attack with two hits and Nick Groh, drove home the lone Indian run. 
PLAINFIELD NORTH (10-7, 7-2)
9-4 SPC win over Romeoville Cam Kissel, Greg Budig and Garret Cook, all had three hits, as the Tigers won their fourth game in a row. Kissel had three RBI while Budig drove home one run. Noah Massa chipped in with a single, double and an RBI. 
2-1 SPC win over Romeoville  Dylan Szajkovics, improved to 4-0, on the season and Sammy Valdez, struck out the final two Spartan hitters to nail down the save at Route 66 Stadium. Patrick Miller had a hit and an RBI while Garret Cook continued his hot-hitting with a 1-for-2 night at the plate. 
5-1 SPC win over Minooka- The Tigers win for the sixth game in a row, behind the red-hot Cam Kissel. Kissel, had two doubles and drove home two Tiger runs. Josh Fleming (2-0) picked up the win on the mound for the Tigers, while Brandon Hutson nailed down the save, slamming the door on the Indians, with three hitless innings of relief. 
12-11 SPC win over Oswego  (See Game Story)

JOLIET CENTRAL (8-12, 2-7)

4-0 SPC loss to Oswego East– Ethan Darling and Sebastian Pantoja, had the two Steelmen hits.

6-5 SPC loss to Oswego East– Jim Zdanwic, led the Steelmen with two hits.

13-8 SPC loss to Plainfield Central Jalen Green and Osvaldo Lopez led the Steelmen attack with three hits each. Nate Coombs drove home a pair of Steelmen runs.

ROMEOVILLE (5-16, 2-7)

9-4 SPC loss to Plainfield North Griffin Springer, drove home two runs for the Spartans. 
2-1 SPC loss to Plainfield North Spartan ace Ulysses Munoz, went the distance allowing just five hits and two first-inning runs, to suffer the heart-breaking loss. Kevin Murphy, Dylan Scafuri and Luis Delgado, all had hits for the Spartans 
8-7 loss to Naperville North- Joe Selby drove home a pair of Spartan runs.

5-2 SPC loss to Joliet West- Luis Delgado, had a hit and an RBI to lead the Spartans. Mike Bunch and Dylan Scafuri, each picked up a hit for the Spartans.

8-3 SPC loss to Oswego East 

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE

LOCKPORT (18-5, 2-3)
7-3 SWSC Blue loss to Lincoln-Way East- (See Game Story)
6-5 SWSC Blue loss to H-F  (8-innings)- Jackson Mladic highlighted the big five-run Porter sixth that tied the game with a three-run bomb.

BOLINGBROOK (8-15, 1-4)
9-8 SWSC Blue loss to Sandburg- Josh Madsen led the Raiders with two hits and three RBI,while Dave Underdonk drove home two, more Raider runs.
2-1 SCSC Blue win over Stagg- Matt Dinkel, was magnificent on the mound for the Raiders, throwing a one-hitter at the Chargers. Dave Underdonk continued to crush the baseball with a pair of hits and an RBI. 

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH (11-8, 8-1)
12-0 WSC Gold win over Leyden- Chris Gory fired a one-hitter with 10 punch-outs to keep the Mustangs within a game of WSC Gold leader Willowbrook. Gory helped himself at the plate with a hit and two RBI, while Kyle Vogt and Charlie Kulhman each had three hits. Jack Blazevich also drove home a pair of Mustang runs.

6-5 WSC Gold win over Leyden– Kyle Vogt, had three more hits for the Mustangs and Jack Blazevich picked up two more RBI as the Mustangs kept pace with Willowbrook in the WSC Gold. Gino Cozzi struck out seven in his six innings on the mound to pick up the win.
8-2 WSC Gold win over Leyden- Kyle Vogt fired a four-hitter at the Eagles with six strike outs, while Chris Gory had two hits and two RBI. Blair Thilbault drove home a pair of Mustang runs.

Jake Pillegi and Joe Consenza each, chipped in with two hits. WSC Gold leader Willowbrook (16-3-1, 11-0) .

8-3 WSC win over Glenbard West  Jake Pileggi and Jack Blazevich led the Mustangs to their fourth straight win. Mitch Hoes allowed a run in his game-winning performance on the mound. 

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

DOWNERS GROVE NORTH  (5-16, 4-7)

6-1 WSC Silver win over York– Cam Demos fired a five-hitter at the Dukes with seven strikeouts. Demos helped himself at the plate with two hits and two RBI. Lucas Nielson also had two hits and two RBI while Scott Jakobscz chipped in with two ribbies. 
10-2 WSC Silver loss to York Dave Marshall, had a pair of hits for the Trojans
12-0 WSC Silver loss to York-

Most members of the Plainfield Association of Support Staff (PASS) will get annual raises averaging 4.1 percent under a new five-year agreement with District 202.

The District 202 Board of Education unanimously approved the new contract with PASS at its April 29, 2019 regular meeting. PASS members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the new pact, passing it 837-98.

PASS represents about 1,015 non-certified staff including custodians; grounds, building and maintenance staff; most secretaries; bookkeepers; clerks; nurses; paraprofessionals; lunchroom supervisors; and campus monitors.

“This new agreement addresses some of biggest challenges created by the last two contracts passed during and after the Great Recession,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lane Abrell.

The new contract increases compensation for various PASS categories that have been paid less than market value in recent years.

“All of our staff, including our PASS members, made a lot of sacrifices during that time. We are finally now able to start showing the appropriate value for these vital employees and the work they do every day to serve our students, schools and families,” Abrell said.

“I thank the PASS leadership for its dedication, hard work and good-faith negotiations,” said Board of Education President Greg Nichols. “We believe this agreement is fair to everyone and helps to move us forward as a district.”

Under the new contract, most PASS members will receive raises of:

4.5 percent in 2019-20

4.75 percent in 2020-21 (except head custodians and shift supervisor custodians who will get an extra $1 per hour instead of the percent increase; all other custodians will get $1.50 more per hour instead of the percent increase)

4.5 percent in 2021-22

4.25 percent in 2022-23 (except clerks who will get an extra $1 per hour instead of the percent increase; if state revenue decreases, salary negotiations will re-open)

2.5 percent plus a Cost of Living increase in 2023-24 (except clerks who will get an extra $1 per hour instead of the percent increase; if state revenue decreases, salary negotiations will re-open; all positions are guaranteed raises of at least 2.5 percent plus a Cost of Living increase ranging from .5 percent to 1.5 percent)

The new PASS contract also:

adjusts minimum wage requirements for the next five years

adds stipends for paraprofessionals working in specialized programs

adds insurance benefits for all 12-month employees

keeps insurance percentages flat for the next five years

incorporates the CPI

PASS President Joanne Clemans thanked the Board of Education, district administration, the PASS negotiations team for their spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

“Having been part of the negotiation team for the last three contracts for PASS, I have to say that this was one of the most collaborative efforts to do what was right and fair for all parties,” she said.

“Other districts should take note of the great working relationship we have with each other and see that it does not have to be adversarial for each party to get what they need,” Clemans said. “This is definitely a win for both of us.”

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

Back on April 17, Plainfield North, behind their ace pitcher Dylan Szajkovics (4-0(, blanked Oswego 1-0. On Friday, game two of the SPC series was played, with co-leadership atop the SPC with Plainfield South (18-5, 7-2) to the winner.

To the large and vocal contingent, that invaded Plainfield from Oswego, it sure looked like the Panthers were going to get a split in the SPC series. With the win, Oswego shared the SPC lead with the Cougars.

Leading 11-8 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh; on the mound for the Panthers, right-handed pitcher, Tommy Picha appeared in control. Having fired 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief, Picha needed to get one more out.

It  would never be recorded.

Plainfield North (10-7, 7-2) No. 9 hitter, Ryan Tribe walked. Tiger leadoffman Greg Budig (3-for-4, 2B, BB) also walked. Senior Garret Cook (3-for-5, 3B, 4RBI) crushed a two-run triple to right, scoring Tribe and courtesy runner Nolan Pomatta, to bring the Tigers within 11-10.

“I went up to the plate, wanting to hammer the ball, “ Cook said.

Senior Cam Kissel (3-for-5, HR, 3RBI), served a Pitcha curve ball into center, scoring Cook and the game was tied at 11.

“Coach Darlington said with a man on third, just drive the ball up the middle,” Kissel said.

Tiger cleanup hitter, Brandon Hutson, got a blooper for his fourth hit of the game, in front of the Panther right fielder with Kissel moving to third.

Tiger left fielder Patrick Miller (3-for-5, 2B, 3RBI, GW hit) was next.

“I went up to the plate with the mindset to attack the ball,” Miller said.

Miller,  attacked the ball and ripped the walk-off single, as Kissel danced home with the game winner, for an unbelievable 12-11 Tiger win. Miller’s game-winner was the 21^st Tiger hit of the game.

“I was looking for a fastball and I ripped it. Best feeling in the world to celebrate, my walk-off hit, with my teammates,” Miller added.

With the win, the Tigers pulled into a first-play tie in the SPC with their archrival Cougars. The two clubs will meet on May 9, on the “North Side” and on May 13, on the “South Side”.

For Oswego (12-7, 6-3), the Panthers fall into a tie for third in the SPC, with their archrivals from Oswego East (13-6, 6-3).

Of the 12 Tiger runs, 10 of them were scored after two outs.

Budig doubled and Cook singled home Pomatta, for a 1-0 Tiger lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Miller made it 2-0 Tigers, scoring Cook with an RBI single.

Oswego opened up a 6-2 lead as the game headed to the bottom of the fourth.

After two outs, the Tigers ripped seven hits, scoring five runs, to take a 7-6 lead after four innings. Tribe and Budig singled. Cook, singled home Tribe and Pomatta scored on an errant throw, to make it 6-4.

Kissel was next and hammered his first home run of the season over the center field fence, scoring Cook to tie the game at 6-6. Miller drove home Hutson, who also doubled to put the Tigers up 7-6.

“I owe all of my success to Coach Darlington,” Miller added.

Oswego answered with a four spot in the fifth, to retake the lead 10-7. Josh Fleming (2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI) pulled the Tigers within 10-8, with a solo-blast in the bottom of the fifth.

Kissel (1-0) pitched a scoreless sixth inning and then a wild pitch a Panther run in the top of the seventh, to give Oswego the 11-8 lead. Five of the six outs recorded by Kissel were of the punch-out variety.

“It was insane after Pat ended the game with his walk-off single,” Kissel added. “We are really on a roll now.”

“It was amazing after Pat won the game, for us,” Cook added. “We are really coming together as a team right now,” Cook added. “We are getting use to each other and playing well.”

“I thought if we could just back to the top of the order, we would have a chance,” Darlington said. “We get two outs and Ryan gets the big walk. Garret gets a pitch he likes, for the two run triple and Cam takes a curve ball into to center to tie the game. Patrick Miller wins it. I don’t know how we did it but we did.”

“Cam was effectively wild on the mound for us and we hope he can get some quality innings, from him in the future.”

 SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE through games of April 27

Plainfield South        18-5      7-2
Plainfield North        10-7      7-2

Oswego East             13-6      6-3
Oswego                      12-8      6-3

Plainfield East           14-7      5-4
Plainfield Central     15-8       4-5
Joliet West                13-11     4-5
Joliet Central              8-12      2-7

Minooka                     6-12-1   2-7

Romeoville                5-16-1    2-7

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

At Route 66 Stadium, the home of the defending Frontier League Champion Joliet Slammers, the Terrific Ten Area Baseball Rankings leaders from Joliet Catholic hosted St. Patrick on Friday night.

“Take a Swing at Lou Gehrig Disease” was the promotion, sponsored by Joliet Catholic Academy and the Chicago Chapter of the ALS Foundation.

The top-ranked Hilltoppers (19-5, 6-2) wasted no time in dispatching their guests from Chicago, with a four-run first inning. JCA rolled to a 10-4 East Suburban Catholic Conference crossover victory.

After suffering through a rare 0-for-3 performance against Nazareth on Tuesday, Hilltopper shortstop Jared Cushing, singled home the first Hilltopper run, scoring Nick Iannantone who walked. The Hilltoppers picked up three  unearned runs on a Shamrock miscue and an RBI single from  Mike Gurka (2-for-2, RBI walk).

“This was another great win and it was a special atmosphere here with the ALS event going on,” Cushing said. “Greg Ziegler and I both know, a dad who is battling ALS and we were playing for them.”

“We are all swing the bats so well. Zach Hise, pounded the strike-zone and helped us get this win.”

After St. Patrick (16-9, 3-6 North) picked up a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third against Hilltopper starting pitcher Zach Hise, JCA answered with a three spot for a 7-2 lead after three innings.

The red-hot Hilltopper DH, Tony Fleischauer (2-for-4, RBI) and catcher Nate Gerhke, drove home runs for the Hill.

“We jumped on them early, with the four-run, first inning,” Fleishauer said. “Jared and I, had  big nights at the plate, as well as everyone In the lineup.”

St. Pat’s pulled to within 7-4, on a two-run double,with two outs in the top pf the sixth from Luke Paolucci.  Hise was replaced by Hilltopper lefty, Josh Ragusa.

Hise allowed two earned runs and just four hits in his 5 2/3 innings of work, to improve to 4-0 on the season. Hise struck out five and walked three.

“Four runs in the first inning made it real easy for me to pitch,” Hise said. “The defense was great behind me and all I had to do was throw strikes. I did alright tonight but I couldn’t get the strikeout pitch going.”

The Hilltoppers scored three times in the bottom of the sixth. Cleanup hitter junior Dan Wuestenfeld drove home Iannantone for an 8-4 lead. Cushing, tripled home Wuestenfeld and Greg Ziegler singled home Cushin, to conclude the game’s scoring.

“Good win,” Joliet Catholic Academy head coach Jared Voss said. “We go for win No. 20 on Monday night, here against Marist. We came out and swung the bats really well. We have threats  1-9, in our order, that are all hitting the ball well. . Zach pitched another good game for us tonight on the mound.”

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
through games of April 27

Joliet Catholic          19-5       6-2

Marist                       11-7       4-2
Marian Catholic       13-9       4-2
Nazareth                   16-3       3-3

Benet                         9-13       2-5

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

 Entering Monday night’s East Suburban Catholic South Division first-place showdown, Joliet Catholic Academy had a ½ game lead over Marist.

After taking advantage of a “strange first inning”, followed by a mammoth three-run homer from left fielder Kendal Ewell and a complete-game pitching performance from senior right-hander Justin Janus, the Redhawk’s traded places with the Hilltoppers in the ESCC South.

Marist (13-7, 6-2) replaces JCA (19-6, 6-3) atop the ESCC South, after the Redhawks 7-3 win on Monday night at Route 66 Stadium in Joliet.

With JCA ace-lefty Alex Vera (4-2) on the mound, the “strange first-inning” began with a walk to Redhawk leadoffman Jack Brannigan.  Janas, hit a roller to Hilltopper second baseman, Christian Knapczyk, who fired to Hilltopper shortstop, Jared Cushing for the apparent force at second base. Safe at second was the call and the return throw by Cushing to Hilltopper first baseman Max Cullen was late and Janas had an infield hit.

The fleet-footed Jason Hodges (2-for-3, BB, 2SB),  beat out a slow roller for a base hit and Marist had the bases loaded with no outs.

Marist cleanup hitter Dane Thomas, hit a pop up beyond second base, that should have been caught for the first out of the inning. The ball dropped for an RBI single and the Redhawks led 1-0. Successive RBI groundouts gave Marist the unlikely 3-0 lead after one-half inning.

“That was a weird first inning,” Joliet Catholic Academy head coach Jared Voss said. “To Marist’s credit, they put the ball in play but picking up the three first-inning runs, in the way they did, really put us in a hole.”

In the Marist third inning, with two out, Vera walked successive Marist hitters. Ewell crushed a Vera fastball for a mammoth three-run homer over the left field fence, for a 6-0 Redhawk lead.

“No doubt about it. The three-run homer was huge.” Voss added.

In the bottom of the fourth, Knapczyk (2-for-4, R) singled Dan Wuestenfeld (1-for-2, R, BB) walked and Greg Ziegler ( 1-for-3,R) singled, to load the bases.

Hilltopper DH Tony Fleischauer‘s sac-fly scored Knapczyk for the first Hilltopper run. Mike Gurka’s,  clutch two-run triple scored Wuestenfeld and Ziegler and the Hilltoppers closed to within 6-3.

Marist  picked up an unearned run against Hilltopper relief pitcher Josh Ragusa, in the top of the sixth to complete the game’s scoring.

Weather-permitting on Tuesday, the two clubs will conclude their crucial ESCC South series in Mount Greenwood, at 4:30 p.m.

“We’ll get them tomorrow,” Cushing said.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH

MARIST                           13-7     6-2

JOLIET CATHOLIC           20-6     6-3

MARIAN CATHOLIC       13-9     4-2

NAZARETH                      14-3      3-3
BENET                                9-13    2-5

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced on Monday (April 29) that Lewis University’s Ryan Coenen (Franklin, WI/Franklin), Tyler Mitchem (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS), Michael Simmons (Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley) and Matt Yoshimoto (Ventura, CA/Adolfo Camarillo) were named to the AVCA All-American team. Coenen, Mitchem and Yoshimoto earned second team honors while Simmons was named to the honorable mention team.

Bolingbrook graduate Tyler Mitchem and three other Flyers are All-Americans. (Photo by Steve Woltmann/Lewis University)

“I’m really proud of these guys and this team,” Lewis head men’s volleyball coach Dan Friend said. “All four of these guys had a tremendous year and worked hard to help us achieve the success we’ve had.”

Coenen, a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association First Team selection and two-time AVCA Second Team All-American in 2017 and 2018, 3.15 kills-per-set and led the team in kills (312). He joins BJ Boldog as the only player in program history to be named an All-American three times. Coenen recorded double-digit kills in 18 of 30 matches and matched his career-high with 23 kills at Ball State on March 23.
“Coenen continued to dominate opponents for a third straight year,” Friend said.

Mitchem earns his first AVCA Second Team All-American honor after being named to the All-MIVA First Team. He currently leads the nation in hitting percentage at .505 and is third on the team in kills (229) and kills-per-set (2.16). Mitchem is 10th in the nation in blocks per set with 1.113 per set.

“Tyler evolved into a beast at the net this year for us,” Friend said.

Simmons earns his third straight AVCA Honorable Mention All-America award after being named to the All-MIVA First Team.

He has 191 digs and averaged 2.17 digs-per-set which is currently third in the conference and 13th nationally. Simmons has reached double figures in digs five times this season highlighted by a pair of 17-dig performances against Pepperdine (Jan. 19) and at Ball State (March 23).

“Simmons is once again one of the best passers/liberos in the country,” Friend said.

Yoshimoto earns his first AVCA Secon Team All-American honor after being an honorable mention selection in 2017 and 2018.

He was named to the All-MIVA First Team and was the MIVA Player of the Year.

Yoshimoto leads the nation in aces per set with 0.66 and is eighth nationally in assists per set with 9.95.

He has recorded at least 40 assists in a match nine times this season and had a career-high six aces at King (Jan. 11).

“Yoshi had his best year in all facets of his game,” Friend said.

The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced on Monday (April 29) that Lewis University’s Pete Hamot (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) has been named the GLVC Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the period ending April 28.

Hamot held No. 7 Quincy to just two hits and an .087 batting average in the Flyers 11-0 win in game one of the series on Saturday. He threw his second complete game shutout of the season while striking out five and walking two in the contest. It’s the fourth time in his last five starts that he’s pitched into the seventh inning and he won his third straight decision.

Hamot allowed a career-low two hits in the contest.

Lewis is scheduled too plat St. Francis in a cross-town rivalry game. (Photo Courtesy of Lewis University)

It’s his second career GLVC Pitcher of the Week award of his career.

He’s also the last Flyer hurler to win the award (4/25/17).

“Pete has been throwing the ball really well over his last couple of starts and it is great rewarded for his effort this past weekend against a very good Quincy club,” Lewis head baseball coach Tim McDonough said.

Lewis wraps up its regular season this Friday and Saturday hosting Truman State in a three-game series.

The games are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. both days.

Lewis’ baseball team completed its series sweep with an 8-1 win at No. 7 Quincy on Sunday afternoon at Quincy Stadium in Quincy, Ill.

The Flyers improve to 25-21 overall and are 17-13 in the GLVC while the Hawks fall to 29-14 and 21-9 in the GLVC.

“Offensively we did just enough to support Brad (Littleton),” Lewis head baseball coach Tim McDonough said. “You can never have enough runs so the run in the eighth was big and obviously (Connor) Rutherford’s home run and (Matt) McCauley’s grand slam was huge in putting the game away.

“Defensively we were really good all weekend and we can be a pretty good team when we don’t make miscues in the field,” McDonough said. “The game was won in the eighth when (Jake) Lotz got us the big double play ball and (Austin) Tittle and (Michael) O’Brien did a great job turning it.”

Lewis struck first with single runs in the third and fifth innings to take a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Quincy got a run back in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to center with runners on second and third and one out to cut the lead in half.

Brad Littleton (Coal City, Ill./) was able to get the final out of the inning on a fly ball to right.

The Hawks had a chance to tie the game in the seventh with runners on the corner but ran themselves out of the inning when Lance Logsdon tried to score on a passed ball and was tagged out at the plate.

Littleton then struck out TJ Tamaccio to end the inning.

The Flyers tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on bases load walk to Chris Zeschke (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards) which forced in Anthony Rios (Lemont, Ill./St. Laurence) to make it 3-1.

Quincy loaded the bases with one out in the eighth but Jake Lotz (Palos Hills, Ill./St. Laurence) got Michael Nielsen to ground into a 3-6-1 double play to end the inning.

“The game was won in the eighth when Lotz got us the big double play ball and (Austin) Tittle and (Michael) O’Brien did a great job turning it,” McDonough said. Lewis tacked on some more runs in the ninth as Connor Rutherford (DePere, Wis./DePere) hit a solo home run to right center with two outs in the inning and then with the bases loaded Matt McCauley (Oakville, Mo./St. John Vianney) hit a grand slam to left to put the game out of reach.

The Flyers outhit the Hawks 8-5 in the contest and were led by Rios and Rutherford with two hits apiece.

Littleton went seven strong innings giving up one unearned run on four hits with four strikeouts to improve to 4-2 on the season.

“Brad was outstanding and it was huge for him to give us seven strong innings,” McDonough said. “He did a great job minimizing the damage in the sixth.”

Lewis takes on crosstown rival St. Francis in a single game at 6 p.m. on May 1 at Joliet Route 66 Stadium.

Women’s Golf
Lewis University’s women’s golf team will be represented at the NCAA Women’s Golf East Super Regional as sophomore Kasey Kane (Texarkana, Tex./Texas) was selected to compete at the event from May 6-8. The tournament will be held at the Pearl Club in Owensboro, Ky.

Kane was one of six individuals selected to compete at the event and will face off against 12 other teams and five individuals with the top-four teams and top-four student-athletes not with a top three team moving on to the 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship at the PGA National Resort and Spa in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Kane has a team-best five top-10 finishes this season with medalist honors at the Bearcat Intercollegiate Invite Oct. 22-23, 2018.

Downers Grove South High hosted their “Spring All-Sign Day” on Wednesday, April 17.

Thirty-seven graduating seniors will be playing their sport at the collegiate level.

(Photo Courtesy of Downers Grove South)

“Thanks to our outstanding coaching staff, we’re proud to send off one of our largest groups of students who will soon be college athletes,” Randy Konstans, South High Athletic Director said. “These colleges and universities are fortunate to have such dedicated student-athletes on their way.”

The complete list of South High graduating senior student athletes who will be continuing their sport at their chosen college or university:
Andrew Alfini: Baseball,
Black Hawk College
Tyler Bachara: Football,
St. Norbert College
Jonah Blazek: Volleyball,
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Jaelynn Blecke: Football,
College of DuPage
Allison Calek: Cross Country/Track,
Appalachian State University
Anthony Ciraulo: Track,
St. Ambrose University
Gino Cozzi: Baseball,
North Iowa Area Community College
Jack Daly: Soccer,
Carroll University
Olivia Duax: Cross Country/Track,
Campbell University
Lucy Dumford: Volleyball,
High Point University
Matt Nicole Fajardo: Soccer,
Illinois Institute of Technology
Max Foster: Football,
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Rachel Foster: Soccer,
Rochester Community and Technical College

Matt Garcia: Tennis,
Ohio Northern University
Margaret Greco: Softball, George Washington University
Lauryn Hodge: Track,
Olivet Nazarene University
Wesley Hooker: Basketball, Elmhurst College
JT Jablonski: Basketball,
Milliken University
Amelia Jimenez: Softball, Elgin Community College
Michelle Kurcina: Track, North Central College
Clarice Maes: Track,
Aquinas College
Randi McKay: Softball,
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Jacob Mersch: Tennis,
North Central College
Alyssa Mojica: Volleyball, Benedictine University
Jillian Paladino: Soccer,
Grinnell College
Matt Peloso: Cross Country/Track,
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Taylor Petring: Soccer, Newberry College
Brock Royle: Cross Country/Track,
Coe College
Emily Scehovic: Dance,
University of Illinois
Edwin Siuda: Cross Country/Track, University of Illinois
Parker Smith: Soccer, Northern Illinois University
Matt Straus: Wrestling, Augustana College
Blair Thibault: Baseball, Ripon College
Lauren Victorin: Soccer,
Carroll University