Dominant performance
In what gave the appearance of a close game, Geneva gave a dominant offensive performance against Oswego East at the Rosary Regional on Wednesday.
Bulldogs' win over Knights hurts so good
With 22 minutes remaining, Batavia senior Mary Wandolowski hobbled past the Bulldogs' bench in obvious pain. A Kaneland player stepped on the big toe on her right foot and kept her on the sidelines for the rest of Wednesday's matchup.
A day later, Royals finish off Greyhounds
HINCKLEY -- Hinckley-Big Rock's baseball team kept their dreams alive with an overpowering performance against St. Gregory in Wednesday regional action.
Lilly in bloom again for Cubs
CHICAGO -- Ted Lilly struck out 11 in six innings to win his third straight start, and Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto homered to lead the Chicago Cubs over the San Diego Padres 8-5 Wednesday night.
The need for speed
Have you seen the commercial where Camilo Villegas is pimping a training aide that measures swing speed? Villegas is pounding drives at 120 miles per hour while a bunch of giggling idiots are measuring their swing speeds, ranging from 80 to 90 miles per hour.
Italiano dominant again
GENEVA -- As long as Kane County Cougars starting pitcher Craig Italiano doesn't get promoted in the next month, he's solidifying his candidacy to start the Midwest League All-Star game at Great Lakes on June 19.
Blackhawks rout West Chicago
Kyle McCradic hit two homers -- including a grand slam -- and drove in six runs as West Aurora rolled to a 10-0 win over West Chicago in a DuPage Valley conference game Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Marquis lets 3-0 lead slip away
Forget Jim Edmonds. If the Cubs want to go after a San Diego Padre who can make a difference in a World Series push, maybe they should be looking at Old Man Winner, Greg Maddux.
Urlacher plans minicamp boycott
Brian Urlacher is threatening to retire again. Actually, Urlacher apparently was joking Monday when he brought up the subject with Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports while talking about media reaction to his demand for a contract extension.
Royals bow out as lightning ends game
Rosary's Class AA girls soccer regional game against Benet Tuesday saw the Royals' season end, but it left a lasting impression on both teams. With 23 minutes left in the second half and Benet out to a 3-0 lead, lightning forced both teams off the field.
Guillen tweaks batting order
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It's not the earth-shattering change that Ozzie Guillen was planning.
Offense musters up just three hits
GENEVA -- Struggling to find some offense, the Kane County Cougars were whitewashed 2-0 at Elfstrom Stadium Tuesday night by Cedar Rapids.
No interview set with Johnson
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls had not rescheduled an interview with coaching candidate Avery Johnson as of Tuesday evening after last week's meeting was postponed.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Still motivated
Anybody who thinks the past belongs in the past has never been around Julie Bergstrom when the Bon Jovi lyric "shot through the heart" is played.
Rindone leads Marmion to another title
If this were the symphony, Alex Rindone would be playing first chair. "He was second fiddle to other kids last year as a sophomore, but he's really gotten turned on to track, has worked hard and deserves everything that he's achieved," said Marmion Academy coach Dan Thorp.
Royals pull away in final innings
When Rosary visited Oswego Monday, the game looked like a mismatch on paper. But games aren't played on paper, and the underdog Panthers competed evenly for five innings with the Royals before succumbing by a 10-4 score.
Holding IMSA to two hits was impressive. So was the Oswego East batting display that pounded out 16 hits on the way to a 11-5 win.
177 hours the new world record for Aurora's Hood
NAPERVILLE -- It wasn't the physical pain. It wasn't the sleep deprivation. It was something different that finally got Aurora's George Hood to climb off his stationary bike and not get back on Monday morning.
Garland has fond memories of time with Sox
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The ''2005 White Sox Reunion Tour'' started in Southern California on Monday, where the Angels beat the White Sox 10-7, and will conclude on Sunday in San Francisco.
Zambrano gets sixth win
CHICAGO -- So how come they can't do this anywhere but cold, damp Wrigley Field?
Dowling ends long contest
GENEVA -- The night was getting long, and Greg Dowling finally had a chance to do something about it.
Monday's 3-0 DuPage Valley Conference loss to Naperville North was a microcosm of the struggles West Aurora's softball team have endured in the second half of the season.
Romero follows up no-hitter with big day
After throwing a no-hitter Saturday against Luther North, Tony Romero had two hits Monday to help Aurora Christian to a 4-3 win over Westminster Christian in Private School League play.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Ward delivers in pinch
The significance of sweeping a three-game series from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who arrived at Wrigley Field Friday as baseball's best team, might become even clearer in the days ahead for the Cubs.
Aurora Christian peaking at right time
Better late than never. Every coach would prefer to have his/her team peaking as it heads into the postseason and that's where April Boldman's Aurora Christian softball team finds itself heading into this week's IHSA Westmont Class 2A Regional.
Hood on verge of breaking world record
The TV pointed toward George Hood showed the end of a "Survivor" episode. For the more than 20 people gathered at the Fry Family YMCA on Sunday night, the show they were watching was about to stretch into its 168th hour.
Mets pound hapless Cincinnati
NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning to support Oliver Perez and lead the New York Mets to an 8-3 victory Sunday over the bumbling Cincinnati Reds.
Sox Notes
SEATTLE -- One of the reasons manager Ozzie Guillen loved the idea of adding Orlando Cabrera to his roster last winter was because the veteran shortstop is not afraid to speak his mind.
Gallagher taking Lieber's spot?
CHICAGO -- A change in starters Sunday could be the start of a change in the Cubs rotation, with rookie Sean Gallagher joining the starting five and Jon Lieber moving back to the bullpen.
Jazz, Spurs even series 2-2
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Jazz had plenty of chances to crumble and nearly did.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A little more meaningful
Back in December, junior Kaneland basketball player Joe Spitzzeri got sick. Being in the cold Midwest in winter time, that is nothing unusual. But the whirlwind Spitzzeri has endured, and survived, in the past six months is nothing short of amazing.
Bulldogs settle for second place, Vikings third Western Sun
The Batavia's boys tennis team entered Day 2 of the Western Sun Conference meet in the mix with Glenbard South in the race for the team title. And the Bulldogs had three head-to-head matchups with the Raiders to help determine the outcome. But Glenbard South won all three of those matches, plus two other individual titles, to edge Batavia for the crown, 28-24.
Aurora wins opener, eliminated in nightcap
The UW-Oshkosh softball team won its second consecutive one-run game Saturday at Eau Claire, Wis., and in the process eliminated Aurora University from the NCAA Division III Softball Regional Championship in Eau Claire with a 2-1 contest.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Strategy was almost as important as speed Saturday as Scott Dixon won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 with a big gamble by his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team.
Bases loaded, bottom of the seventh and two outs: West Aurora second baseman Jeff Etter rockets the ball high towards right-center for what looked like a game tying, possibly winning line drive to the outfield.
Kyle Schalz tossed a one-hitter as Rosary captured the Suburban Catholic conference title with a 7-0 win over Aurora Central. Shalz finished with 15 strikeouts on the day for the Royals, now 13-10 overall and 12-2 in league play. Brenda Rocha paced Rosary at the plate with three RBIs, Jessica Fortier added two RBIs and Schalz had two hits.
Oswego finished with four conference champions and tied Plainfield Central for first place with 26.5 points at the Southwest Prairie conference meet Saturday.
CHICAGO -- Yes, that was a hesitant Alfonso Soriano rounding third base and coming home in the seventh inning Saturday at Wrigley Field. But it wasn't because the Cubs outfielder's right calf was hurting again.
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Kyle Busch won the battle of attrition Saturday night as NASCAR's least popular driver overcame a pit-road penalty and several scrapes with the wall to win at Darlington Raceway.
CHICAGO -- The Bulls were ready to talk contract Saturday with Mike D'Antoni but never got a chance.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Lilly gets a little bit of revenge vs. Arizona
The most emotion Ted Lilly showed last season came in Game 2 of the division playoff series when the Cubs lefty angrily slammed his glove to the mound after giving up a three-run homer to Chris Young as the Arizona Diamondbacks put up six runs in less than four innings.
Headliners don't disappoint
One, two, three jump. Sounds easy. And it sure looked easy when she breezed through the 100-meter hurdles in a blistering 13.50 seconds, a personal record. But Natalie Tarter would be the first to tell you, it's anything but easy.
Geneva, Batavia, Kaneland finish 1-2-3
Andrew Nelson and Joe Augustine hit the trifecta Friday during the Western Sun Conference Meet at Campbell Field. Each Viking won three events and helped pace Geneva to a conference title with 155.5 points and spoil the evening for rival Batavia.
Zinzer helps West earn second place
WHEATON -- Josh Zinzer helped the West Aurora Blackhawks claim second place at the DuPage Valley Conference track meet Friday night finishing in a dead heat in the 100 meter dash, grabbing second in the 200 meter dash and racing in two relays. Zinzer and Wheaton North's Ken Collier put on a show for the crowd.
Wandolowski has come a long way
Man, has time flown since Batavia senior soccer player Mary Wandolowski burst onto the scene as a freshman.
Geneva close to perfect in topping arch rival
BATAVIA -- Strong pitching. Timely hitting. Solid defense. Following Geneva's 3-0 Western Sun Conference victory over rival Batavia on Friday afternoon, there wasn't much that Geneva coach Greg Dierks could find fault with his team's performance.
AU softball stays alive in NCAA tourney
The Aurora University Spartan softball team avenged two early season losses against North Central College Cardinals with an 8-0 victory in five innings in an elimination game at the 2008 NCAA Division III Softball Championships in Eau Claire, Wis.
Contreras sharp in victory
SEATTLE -- Jose Contreras pitched seven sharp innings, Paul Konerko hit a two-run double and the Chicago White Sox beat the slumping Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Friday night.
Friday, May 9, 2008
'A natural talent'
If you bumped into Shanice Andrews in the hallways of West Aurora High School, the first thing you would notice is her beautifully braided hair with a few strands of gold intertwined.
Waubonsie takes team title
Waubonsie Valley used last season's Upstate Eight Conference outdoor meet as a learning experience. The Warriors finished first (146 points) Thursday night at St. Charles North High School.
Unbeaten streak reaches 50
The Waubonsie Valley High School girls soccer team wrapped up its regular season with a 2-1 victory over St. Charles East Thursday night in the Upstate Eight Conference closer. In the process the defending-state championWarriors (18-0-1 overall, 10-0 UEC) extended their unbeaten streak to 50 games and won their third straight UEC title.
Garcia shoots 66, takes first-round lead at Sawgrass
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Sergio Garcia put together his third straight impressive round at The Players Championship. The first two gave him a runner-up finish last year. The 6-under 66 on Thursday was only a great start.
East duo hoping to place at state
Most teams would probably consider it a terrible weekend. But for the East Aurora badminton doubles team of Janey Villa and Melissa Valenzuela losing three matches this year at the Naperville Invitational was an overwhelmingly positive experience.
Oswego's King beats own record
JOLIET -- Oswego senior Martin King won two events and set a meet record Thursday during the Southwest Prairie Conference meet at Plainfield South High School.
AU softball team drops regional game
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- Ronessa Stampfli (17-3) allowed just two hits while striking out 16 as UW-Oshkosh squad defeated Aurora 5-0 at the NCAA Division III Softball Regional Championship in Eau Claire Thursday afternoon.
Blackhawks waste no time vs. Reapers
Five minutes and 34 seconds is all it took for West Aurora's Raquel Rodriguez to score two goals and Madison Pickett and Ashley Malmgren to score one each, combining to build a commanding 4-0 lead over Plano Thursday.
Servos strikes out 9 in win
AURORA -- Waubonsie Valley starting pitcher Ryan Servos struck out nine hitters and allowed just three hits over five innings in a 13-0 Warriors victory over East Aurora Thursday afternoon at Waubonsie.
Gomez rides cycle to lead Minnesota
There are two ways you can look at the surprising numbers summing up the American League Central Division. Either this was the most overhyped division in baseball or these teams are so good, they are simply beating up on each other too much. White Sox third baseman Joe Crede chooses to believe the latter.
Following her passion
Entering high school, West Aurora senior Liz Chollet was looking for an athletic activity to fall in love with. She became a cheerleader in the winter and participated in field events during track season. But it was diving that ultimately became her passion.
Mueller does all the little things for AU
In her three years playing softball at Aurora University, Jamie Mueller has never hit a home run. That covers 117 starts and 310 plate appearances. And that's just fine with the Spartans. Power isn't Mueller's game.
Freshman shortstop stymies Blackhawks
AURORA -- Nothing could get past Wheaton North's Paige Wilson on Wednesday during West Aurora's 5-0 loss to the Falcons in a DuPage Valley Conference contest.
Lewis scores 33 as Orlando beats Detroit
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic won't be swept by the Detroit Pistons again. Rashard Lewis made sure of it Wednesday night.
Target zone
I'm going to take a quick poll -- raise your hand if you two-putt for par 12 times a round.
Bulldogs let three-run lead slip away
BATAVIA -- Batavia baseball coach Matt Holm has been doing everything he can to try to shake up a struggling team the past few days.
Warriors shoot well from outside against Red Devils
NAPERVILLE -- Waubonsie Valley got comfortable with its long-distance shooting Wednesday in a 14-6 win over Hinsdale Central in the second of four quarterfinals at the Neuqua Valley Sectional.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Nothing comes easy
Losers in six consecutive games, the West Aurora Blackhawks simply needed a win. While the Blackhawks captured an 8-7 DuPage Valley Conference triumph over Naperville Central Tuesday, it was neither simple nor easy.
Fast start goes to waste for Knights
It hasn't been often that Sycamore ace Will Strack has given up a run, let alone runs , this season, so when Kaneland jumped on Strack for three runs in the first inning, things were looking up for the Knights.
Panthers sluggish early, recover to stay unbeaten in conference
Still stinging from last season's regional final loss to Belleville Althoff, Oswego has been eyeing the postseason since this season started. But after Tuesday's 25-21, 25-19 Southwest Prairie Conference win against visiting Minooka, the Panthers are learning that they still need to focus on the team across the net.
Garnett scores 28 as Celtics win Game 1 vs. Cavs
BOSTON -- Kevin Garnett scored 28 points to make up for an off night for the rest of Boston's Big Three, and the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 76-72 on Tuesday night in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
First-inning rally gives Bulldogs a leg up
A two-run first inning proved to be the deciding margin as visiting Batavia defeated the Glenbard South Raiders 6-5 on a warm evening in Glen Ellyn.
Tigers make it tough for Blackhawks' defense
Midway through the second half, Wheaton Warrenville South added some security to their lead over West Aurora when Tigers' midfielder Jill Langlas scored a goal, putting them up 2-0.
Somonauk extends winning streak to 14
Tyler Buell had two hits and scored a run while Josh Shaw tossed five innings of one-run relief as Somonauk won its 14th straight game 4-3 over Kirkland-Hiawatha Tuesday afternoon. Shaw (2-0) gave up just three hits and struck out five in relief of starter Shayne Peterson. The Bobcats are 21-3 overall and 14-1 in the Little 10.
Bulls broadcasting shakeup a wise move
The coaching staff won't be the only sideline change for the Bulls next season. The team announced on Tuesday a major shakeup of its broadcast teams.
Foley likely to return to Hawks
The Blackhawks have fired Dan Kelly as their television play-by-play announcer in a move that almost certainly will grease the skids for Pat Foley's return to the Hawks.
Zambrano pitches over pair of errors
CINCINNATI -- The Cubs don't have a powerhouse team, they don't have as soft a road to the playoffs as a year ago and they don't have the luxury of being able to make mistakes and still expect to win, says their manager.
Floyd flirts with no-hitter
Somewhere after asking about blow-up dolls in his clubhouse and profanity-laced tirades by the manager, White Sox general manager Ken Williams got around to the topic he really wanted to discuss during his long lunch Tuesday with Ozzie Guillen.
Bears release veteran Archuleta
A return to the defense he starred in with the Rams couldn't revive Adam Archuleta's career last season, and not even his relationship with coach Lovie Smith could get him to training camp this summer.
Latest outbursts keep Williams busy
It was a busy day for White Sox general manager Ken Williams on Tuesday. He didn't accompany his team to Toronto for a four-game series against the Blue Jays, but he dealt with the fallout upon their return to U.S. Cellular Field.
Piniella looks to shore up defense
CINCINNATI -- The day after the Cubs allowed the Reds to beat them on nothing but unearned runs, the two players who made the errors were on the bench, and manager Lou Piniella promised a new and improved look on defense.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
As close as they come
The line between winning and losing can be a fine one indeed, as the Rosary girls track team learned Monday night in the Suburban Catholic Conference Meet. Last year, the Royals had a string of five straight league titles ended by Aurora Central.
Late-charging West runs out of time
If West Aurora's softball team had another inning Monday, maybe the outcome of their game against Glenbard East would have been a little different. After going scoreless and struggling offensively the first six innings, the Blackhawks rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but just ran out of outs in a 5-4, DuPage Valley Conference loss.
Blake-Hasenheyer battery helps ACC bust out of slump
ACC broke a slump at home against Driscoll on Monday, and they didn't have to look any farther than their battery mates for the key plays they needed. Led by the pitching performance of Courtney Blake and timely hits by Blake and catcher Alyssa Hasenheyer, the Chargers (12-15, 2-6 Suburban Catholic) defeated the Highlanders 6-4.
Tragedy overshadows Big Brown's win
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A day after Big Brown blazed across the finish line, the snapshot of Eight Belles down on the dirt set off a raging debate that extended far beyond the Kentucky Derby: Is horse racing now facing an image crisis?
Registration open for Marmion camps
Registration has begun for Marmion Academy summer athletic camps in basketball, cross country, football, soccer, tennis and wrestling. All camps are held on the Marmion Campus at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. Registration flyers for all camps are available online at marmion.org or for more information call the phone number listed below with each camp. To reserve a space, early registration is recommended.
In first mini-camp, rookie Forte shines
Matt Forte gathered with his family Wednesday night at Zea Cafe, a restaurant in New Orleans, celebrating the beginning of a journey he's not making alone.
Suns allow D'Antoni to talk to Bulls
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns granted permission for coach Mike D'Antoni to talk to other teams, with the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks apparently the leading suitors.
A different kind of NFL recruit
Nearly 15 minutes pass before the first question about football and the Detroit Lions gets asked.
The NCAA Division III softball tournament selection committee announced the seedings for the 2008 NCAA Division III Championships. The Spartans of Aurora University will travel to the Eau Claire Regional hosted by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, Wis.
CHICAGO -- You did not hear Lovie Smith break out his well-worn line about not kicking a player out of the family for one off-field indiscretion.
Leader of the Pack
Two years into her collegiate golf career, Kim Hunley has emerged as a leader of the pack for coach Pam Tyska's Northern Illinois University golf team. "She really has the capacity to be one of our lowest scorers ever," Tyska said of the sophomore from West High last week after the Huskies finished their spring season with a seventh place showing in the Mid-American Conference Championships they hosted at the Brickyard Crossing at Indianapolis.
Guillen explodes after White Sox drop fifth-straight loss
Five straight losses, something had to give. It was manager Ozzie Guillen. Tired of "all the managers in the press box and at home, watching the game on TV and spilling food on themselves,'' the fifth-year White Sox skipper became the story of the day in Sunday's 4-3 loss, making his feelings known about the perceived treatment he and his organization get in the Windy City.
Brass can't blame this flop on injuries
If your cup is half full of it, you could look at Cedric Benson's Saturday arrest in Texas as a positive sign for the 2008 Bears. The player is recovering from a fracture just above his left ankle that required a plate and screws be inserted to hold the bone together and as the team wonders how much speed the injury will cost him it can take heart in the fact that he's apparently found his sea legs.
Top-seeded Celtics smash Hawks to advance in playoffs
BOSTON -- Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce scored 22 points, and the Boston Celtics turned back the pesky Atlanta Hawks with a 99-65 victory Sunday in Game 7 of their playoff series, earning a second-round matchup with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bouncing back
Practice may make perfect, but Nicci Schultz will be quick to tell you it's possible to overdo it.
Keough starting to star on field
GENEVA -- Cougars' outfielder Shane Keough is a bit more famous than your typical minor league baseball player.
Cubs still looking for answers
ST. LOUIS -- Cubs general manager Jim Hendry talked before Sunday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals about the state of the Cubs' pitching depth in the wake of Rich Hill's demotion.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Benson: 'I wasn't drunk'
Bears running back Cedric Benson was pepper-sprayed and charged with drunken boating and resisting arrest in Texas -- but he denies the charges, saying police roughed him up for no reason.
CHICAGO — You did not hear Lovie Smith break out his well-worn line about not kicking a player out of the family for one off-field indiscretion.
Spartans win championship
With win in Northern Athletics Conference tournament, Aurora University awaits NCAA Division III tournament invitation today.
Undefeated Big Brown lives up to the hype
Big Brown backed up his trainer's boasts with an explosive finishing kick and won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a commanding victory turned somber by the fatal breakdown of the filly Eight Belles on horse racing's biggest day.
Kunold's decades of hard work pay off
In the beginning, there was no athletic program and minimal facilities at Rosary High School. Zip. Nada. And then along came Mary Lou Kunold.
After a rough start, McKee enjoying life at Pepperdine
Final Fours. National championships. Its what all collegiate athletes dream about, no matter what sport they play, no matter what level of the NCAA they play at.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- John Thorrington and Stephen King scored goals in the second half and the Chicago Fire beat the New England Revolution 3-0 on Saturday night.
Going for a record, again
Humans are not meant to exercise for more than 100 hours straight without rest. George Hood, 50, was the only man to ever do so -- until last summer when his record of 111 hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds straight was broken by another cyclist from Tasmania.
OSWEGO -- Something was wrong. After starting pitcher Brad Lemar opened the non-conference game against Marmion with a leadoff walk to junior David DeSimone on four pitches, Oswego coach Chris Neitzel made an unscheduled trip to the mound.
Aurora Central and Rosary tuned up for Monday's Suburban Catholic Conference meet by combining to win five events at the Mooseheart Relays.
Geneva's youngsters face challenges
Maybe they just snuck up on everybody. Or maybe they were just too young and naíve to realize what they were accomplishing. I mean, a team filled with nearly all freshmen is just not supposed to win a state title in cross country, right? That's just what Geneva's girls cross country did at the Class 3A meet in Peoria last fall.
Rain was predicted in the forecast, and the Batavia Bulldogs brought it, raining down on the scoreboard with 14 runs in two innings.
Spartans advance to NAC title game
It's known as sitting in the catbird's seat. Aurora University's softball team jumped onto that perch in the Northern
Athletics Conference Tournament Saturday at Benedictine University. The Spartans parlayed the magnificent pitching of sophomore Anna Snyder with an opportunistic offense to defeat Lakeland College 4-0 in a morning contest before coming back to polish off Marian College 6-0 in an evening encounter.
TORONTO -- There stood Jeff Cox Saturday morning, cap off, proudly displaying his freshly shaven head.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
H-BR's building block
Hinckley-Big Rock goalie Jessica Leifheit knows what it takes to stand alone. The sophomore goalkeeper actually likes the vigilant solitude of guarding the net.
Home run sinks Cubs in the 11th
If this is how the National League Central intends to play itself out, it's going to be a long season.
