The pitching matchup Thursday afternoon at Ralph McKinzie Field on the Northern Illinois University campus was made in heaven -- as well as in the Joliet area.

As far as senior moments go, Plainfield North High School outfielder Bridget Glasgow broke out like a brick flying through glass Thursday afternoon, finding her glow from the right side of the batter's box.

Ryan Dempster called Greg Maddux a mentor and showed he learned some lessons. Dempster struck out a career-high 12 and hit a go-ahead single against Maddux during a four-run fifth inning, leading the Cubs over the punchless San Diego Padres 4-0 Thursday.

It's going to be OK, Cubs fans. You can sit back and relax, because Alfonso Soriano will not be the biggest bust this side of the Giants' Barry Zito.

JOLIET -- University of St. Francis dominated the all-conference selections nearly as much as it did the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball regular season as six Saints earned first-team all-league honors, one was named Player of the Year and one more was named to the honorable mention squad.

PLAINFIELD -- Plainfield Central High School celebrated Senior Day with a 10-0, 5-inning victory over Oswego East on Thursday.

PLAINFIELD -- Outstanding pitching continued to be the norm Thursday for Plainfield North High School.

BALTIMORE -- Before anointing Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown the next coming of Secretariat, consider this: The colt enters Saturday's Preakness off a two-week turnaround, the shortest of his career; he's got problem front feet; and there are 12 horses with connections eager to show Big Brown can be beaten.

CHICAGO -- Jim Edmonds wasn't out of work long. The Cubs agreed to a contract with the 37-year-old outfielder on Wednesday, five days after he was released by the San Diego Padres.

NEW YORK -- Former New England assistant coach Brian Daboll told the NFL he doesn't remember speaking with Matt Walsh about the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough Walsh attended the day before the 2002 Super Bowl.