Baseball Special Section 4/29/21 Jacksonville Journal-Courier

PLAY BALL! BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL 2021

50 cents APRIL 29, 2021 A special supplement to the Journal-Courier

2 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

DIFFERENCE MAKERS Jacob Pate Beardstown Beardstown, like many other area baseball teams, lacks varsity experience. Coaches are counting on players like pitcher Jacob Pate to bridge the gap as younger players learn the ropes. Pate threw some innings as a freshman in 2019. He throws hard, and he has a breaking ball that’s tough to hit. Pate was Beardstown’s quarterback this spring.

Noah Smith West Central Smith, a tall pitcher/infielder, is one of three returning starters for the West Central baseball team.

His experience in the field and at the plate will be key for the Cougars this year. Smith is primed for a big year offensively, with power to all parts of the field.

Cade Tomhave Pittsfield Tomhave, a pitcher who also can play in the infield and the outfield, is one of three returning starters for the Saukees this year.

Tomhave led Pittsfield in hitting in both 2018 and 2019. The Saukees will be counting on another big season.

Williams Davidsmeier Beardstown Another of Beardstown’s more experienced players, Davidsmeier also threw some innings as a freshman. When he’s not pitching, Davidsmeier will be playing shortstop for the Tigers. He’s got a good glove.

Drew Ezard Jacksonville One of the area’s best catcher, Ezard was an All-CS8 selection in 2019. He can hit. Ezard finished 2019 with a .333 batting average, with four home runs, 23 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He’s primed for an outstanding senior season.

Nolan Decker Jacksonville A versatile infielder, Decker plays third base and shortstop for the Crimsons. The junior also pitches.

A Special Mention All-CS8 selection in 2019, Decker hit .299 and drove in 29 runs. He’ll be a big part of the Crimsons’ offense this spring.

Cory Ronan Routt A University of Hawaii recruit, Ronan has been one of the area’s top pitchers for the past several years.

If you haven’t seen him pitch, try to

Clayton Woods Greenfield-Northwestern Senior pitcher/outfielder Clayton Woods was another key player in the Tigers’ breakout season in 2019. Woods batted .408, with 41 hits, 16 walks and 23 RBIs. Look for another big year from Woods.

Jacksonville’s Drew Ezard

Jacob Lansaw Greenfield-Northwestern Caden Moore It’s hard to pick just three playTriopia ers as difference makers from this Moore, who is quickly becoming team, which in 2019 won the first one of the area’s best catchers, will baseball regional championship in be an important part of the Triopia school history. Senior outfielder/ baseball team this spring, both at the infielder/pitcher Jacob Lansaw plate and behind it. With a young, was a big part of it, batting .548 inexperienced pitching staff, the with 40 hits, 13 extra-base hits, Trojans will rely on Moore to be a 26 walks, 40 RBIs and six home steadying influence. runs. make it out to a game this year.

Brady Pembrook Greenfield-Northwestern One of the best catchers in the Western Illinois Valley Conference, junior Brady Pembrook had an outstanding year in 2019. Pembrook batted .348, with 30 hits and 28 RBIs. Gabe Blakeley Brown County One of the best hitters in the WIVC, Blakeley will be an important piece for the Hornets, both as a pitcher and at the plate. As a freshman, Blakeley batted .480 and drove in 44 runs.

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 3

DIFFERENCE MAKERS Makenna Baptist Routt One of the best center fielders around, Makenna Baptist is also one of the best players around. She has tremendous range in the outfield, with a strong and accurate arm. She’s also one of the best hitters in the area. Baptist can hit the ball hard, but she’ll do anything to get on base. And once on base, she’ll do anything to score. Baptist’s last season might just be one of her best.

Taryn Moorman Brown County This figures to be a bounce-back season for the Hornets softball team. Moorman, who figures to get most of the innings in the circle for Brown County, will be a big part of it.

Katie Long New Berlin New Berlin should have a good team this year, and Katie Long will be a big part of it. The Pretzels shortstop hit .342 in 2019, with 20 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She had an on-base percentage of .534, with three home runs and 20 walks. New Berlin will count on Long to set the tone both offensively and defensively this season.

Zaylei Evans West Central A terrific ballplayer. Evans can play any position on the field, including catcher, and plays them all well. Only a junior, Evans is tough on the basepaths, and dangerous at the plate. She hit .466 in 2019.

Hannah Rhoades Carrollton One of the league’s best pitchers, Rhoades returns for her senior year with the Hawks. She’s already pitched a no-hitter this year. She finished 2019 with a record of 11-9 and a 1.55 ERA. Rhoades struck out 128 batters in 2019.

She can hit, too. Rhoades batted .292 last season, with five home runs and 28 RBIs.

Zoe Evans West Central One of the area’s best hitters, infielder Zoe Evans returns for her senior year with the Cougars. Evans batted .548 last season. She also has a reliable glove at first base.

Arynn Leanard Jacksonville Arynn Leanard figures to do most of the pitching this season for the Crimsons. With four pitches in her arsenal, Leanard has a high strikeout-to-walk ratio and a low earned run average. She’s also one of Jacksonville’s best hitters.

Addy McClure PORTA/A-C Central A unanimous all-conference selection in 2019, McClure is one of the best pitchers in the area. She’s also one of the best hitters, batting in the three-four slot in the Bluejays’ order.

Amber Teimeyer PORTA/A-C Central A close number two in the circle to teammate Addy McClure, Teimeyer will be another important player for the Bluejays this season. She’s also one of the team’s best hitters.

Kourtney Woolsey North Greene Woolsey pitched 59 innings as a sophomore in 2019 and picked up eight wins for North Greene. She’ll be the Spartans’ go-to in the circle this season. Woolsey has pitched in some big games during her career, including summer ball. She’s primed and ready for a great senior season.

Routt’s Makenna Baptist

Rilee Hobrock Beardstown One of the area’s best all-around players, catcher Rilee Hobrock is one of four returning starters for the Beardstown softball team this spring. She’s steady behind the plate, and can come up with a big hit when the chips are down.

Hobrock has some pop in that bat.

Hailey Reynolds Triopia Hailey Reynolds is a solid athlete, and excels at any sport she plays. A reliable glove in center field and a disciplined hitter at the plate, Reynolds is one of five starters returning for the Trojans this season. Only a junior, she still has a lot of upside potential.

Korissa Woolsey North Greene Woolsey was one of the top hitters for average in the WIVC South two years ago. Since then, Woolsey has gotten even stronger. North Greene has shown the ability to score runs over the past several years, and Woolsey will be an important part of the Spartans’ offense this season.

4 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

NEW BERLIN baseball The New Berlin baseball team welcomes Bo Gum in his first season with the Pretzels. He’ll be working with a young team with good gloves, a young pitching staff and an offense that will use speed on the basepaths to create runs.

Returning starters are seniors Cole Baker (1B/P) and Jack Kindred (OF). Both played a role as sophomores on the 2019 team that won a regional championship.

Other returners include seniors Bradley Ott (1B), Evan Harness (LF/P), Matt Drake (2B/OF) and Michael Buehr-

NEW BERLIN Schedule Sat, Apr 17 at Mount Pulaski 10 am Wed, Apr 21 Lutheran 4:30 pm Sat, Apr 24 at PORTA/A-C Central (DH) 10 am Thu, Apr 29 at Athens 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at Jacksonville (at Future Champions) 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Pleasant Plains 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 Riverton 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Lincoln 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Williamsville 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Illini Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 Greenfield-NW 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 at Gillespie 10 am Mon, May 17 Triopia 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 PORTA/A-C Central 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at North Mac 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 Springfield 10 am Tue, May 25 Auburn 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at Maroa-Forsyth 4:30 pm Sat, May 29 Tri-City 10 am

NEW BERLIN Roster 1 Noah Anderson SO 2 Trevor Colwell FR 4 Nicolas Babbs FR 6 Wesley Preckwinkle FR 7 Joshua Planitz FR 9 Thad Bergschneider SO 10 Jack Kindred SR 11 Evan Harness SR 12 Matt Drake SR 14 James Moore SO 16 Travis Berghold JR 17 Mason Miller JR 18 Isaac Long FR 19 Jacob Roberts FR 20 Erik Keeton SO 21 Gannon Dodd FR 22 Tyler Moore FR 23 Lucas Bixby FR 24 Bradley Ott SR 25 Cole Baker SR 26 Landon Schutz SO 27 Gabe Spann JR 28 Michael Buehrle SR 35 Nolan Hart FR

Submitted photo

NEW BERLIN

le (1B/3B), and junior Gabe Spann (1B).

New Berlin has a lot of underclassmen who will be asked to take on key roles at the varsity level. They include freshmen Trevor Colwell (SS), Isaac Long (C/3B/P), Jacob Roberts (OF), Lucas Bixby (1B/OF/P) and Wesley Preckwinkle (OF); and sophomores Thad Bergschneider (OF/P),

Landon Schutz (middle infield) and James Moore (C/ OF).

“We have a core of young players,” Gum said. “Opening day we will see five underclassmen in the starting lineup.”

The coach said the Pretzels will be a scrappy offensive team that runs, puts pressure on the other team, and manu-

factures runs.

Defense will be the team’s strength. “Our young guys like Trevor Colwell, Landon Schutz play a solid middle infield,” Gum said. “Isaac Long is a solid backstop who also swings the bat well. Jack Kindred, Thad Bergschneider and Jacob Roberts make the outfield really athletic, and should be able to frustrate hitters.”

Five freshmen will be pitching this year. “Inexperience will be a challenge throughout the season,” Gum Land said, “but, Sangamon Farm Land it Au Sangamon Co. FarmCo. Auction Francis “Red” Fromme & Family Estate 111.68 Francis “Red” Fromme &for Family Estate 111.684 +/- acres will be a key our program’s Joseph & Joyce Farm 38.416 +/Joseph & Joyce Fromme FarmFromme 38.416 +/acres Monday, January 18, 2016 at 1:00 success we 18, move forward.”

Monday, as January 2016 at 1:00 p.m.

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In- f terested parties theconvenience. land at their conven terested parties may view the may land view at their Viewingwill of the placeand on Saturday ing of the home takehome placewill on take Saturday Sunday, and January 9th and 1-3 p.m. Opportunities January 9th and 10th from 1-3 10th p.m. from Opportunities for crop production homeinsite in the New Berlin duction and home siteand situated thesituated New Berlin School District;our Please visitat our website at www.cowmana trict; Please visit website www.cowmanauction.com or auctionzip.com #37758 for more deta or auctionzip.com #37758 for more details.

“Inexperience will be a challenge throughout the season, but, it will be a key for our program’s success as we move forward.”

GOOD LUCK NEW BERLIN!

— Bo Gum Coach

Tract“Red” 1 - Francis “Red” Fromme & Family Tract 1 - Francis Fromme & Family Estate (111.684 +/- acres) (111.684 +/- acres) * Tractand 2 –Joyce Joseph and Joyce Farm ( * Tract 2 – Joseph Fromme FarmFromme (see note) * Tractand 3 –Joyce Joseph and Joyce Farm R * Tract 3 – Joseph Fromme FarmFromme Residence (see note) (see note) * NOTE:and TheJoyce Joseph and Joyce * NOTE: The Joseph Fromme FarmFromme consistsFarm of twoco (2)2tracts; Tractof231.657 consisting of 31.657 acres (2) tracts; Tract consisting +/- acres and +/Tract 3 a consisting of 6.759 and will be sold t consisting of 6.759 +/- acres and +/will acres be sold together as one parcel. as one parcel.

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 5

NEW BERLIN softball Coach Tim Roberts, entering his third season with New Berlin, will have some challenges after the lost softball season of 2020, but some key returning players should help carry the Pretzels through the shortened season of 2021.

The Pretzels lost Abby Stockton (.318 batting average, 24 R, 20 SB, .927 fielding percentage), Malena Bixby (.474 avg., 3 HR, 5-3 record in the circle) and Sierra Eigennman (.466 avg., 4 HR, 29 RBI). But they return three starters, all juniors: Katie Long (.342 avg., 20 RBI, 26 R), Kenna Bixby (.293 avg., 12 RBI) and Julia Owens. The Pretzels also return junior Brook Stuebs, as well as sophomores Kailyn Middleton, Kaitlyn Reynolds, Alyssa Hopkins and Mae Bandelow. Incoming freshmen Jenna Long, Ashlee Brown and Marissa Heironimus figure to make an impact this year. But the Pretzels will look to Long.

“This team is relying on the leadership of team captain Katie Long,” Roberts sad. “We are counting on her to set the tone

NEW BERLIN Schedule Wed, Apr 21 Edinburg 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 23 at Springfield 4:30 pm Mon, Apr 26 at Sacred HeartGriffin 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 at Athens 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 Tri-City 4:30 pm Sat, May 1 at Lanphier 9 am Mon, May 3 at Jacksonville 4:30 pm Tues, May 4 Pleasant Plains 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 Riverton 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 North Greene 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Lincoln 4:30 pm Wed, May 12 at Williamsville 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Illini Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 Greenfield-NW 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Triopia 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 PORTA/A-C Central 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at North Mac 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 at Lincolnwood 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Auburn 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at Maroa-Forsyth 4:30 pm Sat, May 29 at Tri-City TBA

NEW BERLIN Roster 8 Alex Graham SR 00 Alyssa Hopkins SO 19 Alyssa Tipsword SO 3 Ashlee Brown FR 9 Brook Stuebs JR 15 Camri Phillips FR 11 Jenna Long FR 10 Julia Owens JR 12 Kaelyn Johnson SO 5 Kailyn Middleton SO 25 Kaitlyn Reynolds SO 23 Katie Long JR 22 Kenna Bixby JR 4 Mae Bandelow SO 20 Marissa Heironimus FR 7 Whittney Williams FR 13 Katy Wiser FR

Submitted photo

NEW BERLIN — First row (l-r): Alyssa Hopkins, Katy Wiser, Whittney Williams, Ashlee Brown, Kaitlyn Reynolds, Camri Phillips.

Second row: Alyssa Tipsword, Julia Owens, Brook Stuebs, Katie Long, Mae Bandelow, Alex Graham. Not pictured: Jenna Long, Kaelyn Johnson, Kailyn Middleton, Kenna Bixby, Marissa Heironimus.

both offensively and defensively. Although we will be a young team, I expect to be strong on defense. Our sophomore pitchers (Middleton, Reynolds) will share most of the work from the circle. Offensively we hope to pick up where we left off in

2019 with our new freshmen and sophomore additions.”

Long had an outstanding year at the plate in her sophomore season, with an on-base percentage of .534, including three home runs and 20 walks.

“I expect juniors Julia Owens,

Kenna Bixby and Brook Stuebs to be offensive threats as well,” Roberts said, adding that New Berlin’s sophomore hitters should be able to spread the ball around.

Defensively, New Berlin will have several girls who can play

multiple positions. “Mae Bandelow will be our workhorse behind the plate, with Kenna Bixby anchoring the outfield,” Roberts said. “Katie Long will lead the infield at shortstop.

Middleton, Reynolds, Owens and Brown are looking to round out the infield, with Stuebs, Hopkins and Long battling for outfield spots.”

Roberts said he expects Middleton and Reynolds to split time in the circle. The Pretzels lost a strong presence in Malena Bixby, and are working to fill that gap. Heironimus, a freshman, will fight for innings on the varsity team as well.

6 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

BROWN COUNTY baseball

B

How will the long COVID-19 layoff affect area baseball players? Brown County coach Jared Hoots — like everybody else — can’t wait to find out.

“I think we will be a competitive group this year,” said Hoots, entering his 14th season. “We will have to knock off the rust from not playing last year.”

The Hornets lost Nathan Hendricker, Gavin Miller and Wyatt Fink, but they return some talented ballplayers, including juniors Gabe Blakeley (.480 batting average, 44 RBI) and Mason Henry (.240 avg., 10 RBI); and seniors Chance Fuqua (.380 avg., 27 RBI) and Cody Haynes (.240 avg., 10 RBI).

Although there was no high school season last year, several Brown County student-athletes

BROWN COUNTY

Schedule Thu, Apr. 29 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm Fri, Apr. 30 at Liberty 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 Pleasant Hill 4 pm Tue, May 4 Camp Point 4 pm Thu, May 6 at South Fulton 4 pm Fri, May 7 Illini West 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 Greenfield-NW 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Rushville-Industry 4 pm Thu, May 13 at Carrollton (DH) 4 pm Fri, May 14 at West Hancock 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 at North Greene 10 am Tue, May 18 Liberty 4:30 pm Wed, May 19 South Fulton 4 pm Thu, May 20 at Calhoun (DH) 4 pm Fri, May 21 at Havana 4 pm Tue, May 25 at Southeastern 4:30 pm Wed, May 26 at Routt 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 West Central (DH) 4 pm Mon, May 31 at Triopia (DH) 10 am Tue, June 1 Western 4 pm

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BROWN COUNTY — First row (l-r): Hayden Weise, Sam Carr, Eathan Oliver Colby Wort, Tate Fullerton, Chance Fuqua, Gabe Blakeley. Second row: Cody Haynes, Kayden Sorrel, Will Goesch, Layden Volk, Esra Keokham, Trevon Volk, Wyatt Logsdon. Third row: Jack Anderson, Rioth Wort, Mason Henry, Ethan Howell, Gavin Montgomery, Joe Miller, Dallas Clark.

played baseball over the summer. That should help lift the Hornets this spring. “We will have to lean on a group of guys that got in summer ball last year,” Hoots said. “Gabe and Mason had two solid freshman seasons two years ago, and Chance hit really well.”

Key newcomers to the team

include sophomores Colby Wort, Ethan Howell and Gavin Montgomery; and juniors Will Goesch, Wyatt Logsdon, Sam Carr, Hayden Weise, Tate Fullerton, Esra Keokham, and Trevon Volk.

On the mound, Hoots said Blakeley, Henry, Haynes and Wort will be up there in the

rotation. “We will have to use everyone on the mound with our schedule this year, but everyone is in the same boat,” the coach said. “It will just come down to how much gas we have left in the tank and how quickly we can flip the switch from football to baseball.”

Brown County has many three-sports athletes, so finding the right rest and pushing the right buttons through the short season will be a challenge — for every team.

“I think we will be right there for a regional championship at the end,” Hoots said, “but I am just glad we can play.”

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 7

BROWN COUNTY softball Brown County was a formidable opponent in volleyball, and the Hornets won the Western Illinois Valley Conference girls’ basketball championship earlier this year. Brown County is hoping to capture some of that same magic on the softball diamond this spring.

“We look to bounce back from the 2019 season where we struggled a bit, but I have high hopes for this season,” said David Woodruff, entering his fifth season as Brown County’s head coach.

“Pitching will be led by Taryn Moorman, but we will also get pitching from Allison Prather, Makenna Post and Grace Groesch.

“This group had a lot of

BROWN COUNTY

BROWN COUNTY Roster Karsyn Moorman JR Cortni Law JR Savannah Rogers JR Katie Flynn SO Klare Flynn SO Mary Frank JR Jordan Craven SR Izzy Anderson SR Grace Groesch JR Melanie Loehr SO Peyton Wegs JR Allison Prather SR Jania Vega SR Aubree Jones SR Cyrah Dunlap SO Taryn Moorman SO Makenna Post JR

BROWN COUNTY

success in middle school, and we hope to replicate that on the varsity level.”

Expectations are high.

“I believe we will have a

strong lineup that should go all the way down to number nine,” Woodruff said. “We are going to play aggressive on both sides of the field, and

we feel pretty good about where the program is right now.”

Eric Jones enters his second year as assistant coach.

“We look to bounce back from the 2019 season where we struggled a bit, but I have high hopes for this season.”

— David Woodruff

Coach

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Schedule Wed, Apr 28 at Griggsville 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 South Fulton (at Ipava) 4 pm Mon, May 3 Mendon 4 pm Tue, May 4 Camp Point 4 pm Thu, May 6 Griggsville 4 pm Fri, May 7 Illini West 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 Greenfield-NW 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Rushville 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 at Carrollton (DH) 4 pm Sat, May 15 at QND (plus JV) 10:30 am Mon, May 17 at Routt 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 Liberty 4:30 pm Wed, May 19 Pleasant Hill 4 pm Thu, May 20 at Calhoun (DH) 4 pm Fri, May 21 Havana 4 pm Mon, May 24 at Abingdon 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Southeastern 4:30 pm Wed, May 26 at North Greene 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 West Central (DH) 4 pm Sat, May 29 at West Hancock (DH) 10 am Mon, May 31 at Triopia (DH) 10 am Tue, June 1 Western 4 pm Wed, June 2 Beardstown 4 pm

80698460

GOOD LUCK BROWN COUNTY!

8 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

ROUTT baseball Ryan Turner enters his first full season with the Routt baseball team after his first was cut short due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

The Rockets lost Clayton Costello, Adam Lindsey and Ian Hayes but return two starters: pitcher/center fielder Cory Ronan, a University of Hawaii recruit, and Braden Cors.

Other returners include Ethan Walker (C/MI/P), Ryan Oswald (P/IF) and Dax Baptist (OF/P).

Key newcomers include freshmen Nolan Turner (SS/P/C/OF) and Conrad Charpentier (P/ OF/1B), and sophomores Will Merwin (P/IF), Joe Whalen (OF) and Colten Decker (OF).

Make no mistake, this is a young team. “We are a very young and unproven team,” Turner said. “We have talent with our youth, but having two freshmen and five to six sophomores on the field at one time, I am sure many teaching moments

ROUTT Roster 1 Daxton Baptist 3 Nolan Turner 5 Conrad Charpentier 9 Braden Cors 10 Cory Ronan 13 Ryan Oswald 15 Joe Whalen 21 Will Merwin 24 Austin Kafer 25 Ethan Walker Colten Decker Ethan Mahoney

ROUTT

Submitted photo

ROUTT

will arise. This group works very hard and is dedicated to getting the most out of each other. We have the potential to compete with anyone, depending who is on the mound, and defensively I feel we are a solid group. To win we must limit our staff’s walks and play clean defense.”

Cory Ronan should lead the Rockets at the plate this year.

“Cory is our spark plug,” said Turner, adding that Ethan Walker, Daxton Baptist, Nolan Turn-

er, Conrad Charpentier and Ryan Oswald all have the potential to be great offensive players during their time at RCHS. “All of our guys are athletic, and we plan to put as much pressure on teams by running when situations call for it,” the coach said.

Routt has one of the best outfields around, with Cory Ronan in center field, Joe Whalen in right field, and Daxton Baptist in left. Ryan Oswald will be at third base (good hands, strong arm),

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Nolan Turner at short (quick, fundamentally smooth, strong arm), Will Merwin at second (athletic and strong arm, getting better daily), Conrad Charpentier at first (handles the ball well, very solid), and Ethan Walker at catcher (turning into a very good varsity catcher with limited game time, Turner said). The coach said Colten Decker and Austin Kafer both are working extremely hard and will compete for playing time.

Way to Go Routt!

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Schedule Wed, Apr 14 Pittsfield 4:30 pm Mon, Apr 19 PORTA/A-C Central 4 pm Wed, Apr 21 Southeast 4 pm Wed, Apr 28 at Mendon Unity 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Mendon Unity 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 West Central (DH) 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 at Williamsville (DH) 10 am Mon, May 10 Triopia (DH) 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Southwestern 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Jacksonville (at Future Champions) 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 at Southwestern 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 at North Greene 4:30 pm Wed, May 26 Rochester 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Calhoun (DH) 4 pm Mon, May 31 at GreenfieldNorthwestern (DH) 10 am Thu, Jun 3 at Carrollton 4:30 pm

Left-hander Cory Ronan is the area’s most dominant pitcher.

“He has very good stuff, and I feel he has a lot to prove this year, and I am looking forward to seeing him perform to the best of his abilities,” Turner said. The coach said Ethan Walker and Ryan Oswald, both sophomores, have great stuff and should contribute considerably this year.

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 9

ROUTT softball The Routt softball team lost some key pieces from last year, but the Rockets have plenty coming back as Jamie Martin enters his ninth season as head coach.

Routt lost team captain Sydney Walker, pitcher Bella Powell, and stalwarts Kirby Peters and Bella McCartney. “Happy to have senior pitchers Emily Cosgriff and Ally Hicks returning to the mound, along with center fielder Makenna Baptist in the outfield,” Martin said.

Third baseman Abby Lewis returns as well, along with second baseman/catcher Caitlin Horney. Also back are sophomore catcher Hannah Parlier, outfielders Jessie Winters, Grace Geirnaeirt, and Lilly Geirnaeirt, and infielder Emily Nava.

Newcomers to the team include senior Abby Bed-

ROUTT Roster 4 Grace Geirnaeirt 5 Lilly Geirnaeirt 10 Caitlyn Horney 11 Ally Hicks 14 Emily Cosgriff 15 Abby Lewis 16 Makenna Baptist 17 Jessie Winters 24 Hannah Parlier 28 Emily Nava 33 Addie Dobson Jaymee Vollmer Kelly Peters Abby Beddingfield

ROUTT Schedule Mon, May 3 West Central 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 Triopia 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Carrollton 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 at Griggsville-Perry 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Brown County 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 at North Greene 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Calhoun 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 at GreenfieldNorthwestern 10 am

hard to keep her from scoring once she reaches first base.

Routt is currently waiting for a couple of players to get healthy before finalizing things.

Hicks figures to get a number of games at shortstop when Submitted photo she’s not pitching. Hannah ROUTT — First row (l-r): Emily Cosgriff, Caitlyn Horney, Grace Geirnaeirt, Jessie Winters, Lilly Geirnaeirt, Emily Nava. Second Parlier will be behind the plate most of the time. Until she’s row: Abby Beddingfield, Abby Lewis, Ally Hicks, Hannah Parlier, Kelly Peters, Makenna Baptist. Not pictured: Jaymee Vollmer.

100 percent, second baseman Caitlin Horney will cover the dingfield, who, after taking a but feel our senior leadership this season. “We have a very year off hopes to come in and and player experience will help encouraging hitting lineup that duties behind the dish.

Abby Lewis should anchor contribute. Also joining the us succeed,” Martin said. “We I am excited to see get to play,” third base, and Kelly Peters will Rockets are sophomore transfer are confident our two senior Martin said. “Honestly, I feel Jaymee Vollmer and the team’s pitchers, Emily Cosgriff and we have a large number of play- be at first. Baptist covers a lot of ground in center field, and only freshman, Kelly Peters, Ally Hicks, can throw strikes ers who can hit the ball well will lead the way, along with who should contribute in a big and give our defense and and make other defenses play sophomore Jessie Winters, who way. offense a chance to win several error-free games to beat us.” has been hitting the ball well. A “Going into the season I feel ballgames.”

Makenna Baptist will hit few other positions are up for like all teams are going to be a Routt excels at the plate year lead-off and set the table for grabs. “All 14 players have been little behind with the long delay in and year out, and there’s the Rockets. With her speed doing a great job,” Martin said. since playing due to COVID, no reason to expect a letup and baserunning ability, it’s

GOOD LUCK ALL AREA TEAMS! The Home Of

10 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

WESTERN/GRIGGSVILLE-PERRY baseball Cody Ash is in his first season as head coach of the Western/Griggsville-Perry baseball team.

“Too early to tell what this team will be considering that they haven’t played a game in a year and a half,” Ash said. “We have five seniors we are hoping to build the team around, with a good mix of younger players contributing to this team.”

Returning starters include seniors Eric Hivley, Rilee West and Jeremiah Power. Senior Carl Conley also returns. Key newcomers this year include Jaxen White, Aaron Miller and Logan Evans.

The team will rely on its seniors for offensive production. “Again too early to tell, but Rilee West, Eric Hively and Jeremiah Power will be leaned on heavily to help this team at the plate this season,” Ash said.

In the field, Western/Griggsville-Perry has a versatile lineup, with athletes who can play several different spots.

“We have a number of guys who can play multiple positions this season, particularly in the infield,” Ash said. “Our defense will hopefully be one of our strengths this season.”

The Wildcats have experi-

WESTERN/ GRIGGSVILLEPERRY Roster 1 Kaleb Harris RF 4 Rilee West P/2B/SS 7 Jeremiah Power P/2B/3B/SS 9 Logan Evans LF/CF 12 Aaron Miller P/LF/CF 14 Johnathan Grammar RF 15 Carl Conley P/C 21 Colby Tate 2B/3B 23 Eric Hively P/2B/SS 35 Canin Rennecker RF/DH/EH 43 Aaron Vincent 1B 55 Jaxen White P/1B/3B

WESTERN/ GRIGGSVILLEPERRY Schedule Thu, Apr 29 West Central (K) 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 at Illini West 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 West Hancock (K) 4 pm Thu, May 6 Seymour (K) 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 Mendon Unity (K) 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Camp Point Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 Augusta Southeastern (K) 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 Rushville-Industry (K) 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 Quincy Notre Dame (K) 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 at Seymour 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 at Greenfield-NW 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Pittsfield (P) 4:30 pm Sat, May 29 at Brussels 10 am Mon, May 31 at Liberty 4:30 pm Tue, Jun 1 at Brown County 4 pm Submitted photo

WESTERN/GRIGGSVILLE-PERRY — First row (l-r): Johnathan Grammar, Logan Evans, Kaleb Harris, Canin Rennecker. Second row: Jeremiah Power, Jaxen White, Colby Tate, Aaron Vincent, Aaron Miller, Eric Hively, Rilee West. Not pictured: Carl Conley.

ence where it counts most —

on the pitching mound. “We

have a good mixture in pitch-

ing this season,” Ash said.

“There will be four seniors in our rotation this season, which will give us experience on the mound.”

“Too early to tell what this team will be considering that they haven’t played a game in a year and a half. We have five seniors we are hoping to build the team around, with a good mix of younger players contributing to this team.”

— Cody Ash Coach

G

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 11

GRIGGSVILLE-PERRY softball What the Griggsville-Perry softball team lacks in size, it makes up for in determination, and desire to improve.

“This year’s team is small in numbers, but big at heart,” said Jeremy Nash, who is entering his first full year coaching the Tornadoes. “We have 11 girls out this year, and we have focused on team and individual growth both on and off the field.”

GRIGGSVILLEPERRY Schedule Tue, Apr 27 Pittsfield 4:30 pm Wed, Apr 28 Brown County 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Payson 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at North Greene 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 at Western 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 at Southeastern 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Brown County 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 Carrollton 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Brussels 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Routt 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 Liberty 4:30 pm Wed, May 19 Beardstown 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at West Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 at Liberty 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 Calhoun 4:30 pm Wed, May 26 Greenfield-NW 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Triopia 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 at Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm

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This will be a team that can hit the ball. “I think we have a few power hitters in Jenna Kelley and Kaylee Spencer,” Nash said. “We will see Sydney Brown, Kiera Nash and Kiereny Nash making some noise with the bats as well.”

Defensively, the Tornadoes will have Renae Martin, Marina Orr, Claire Tate and Nathalie Lothridge in the outfield; Grace Stabile at third base; Kiera Nash at shortstop; Kaylee Spencer at second; and Ashley Waters at first base. Pitching will be Sydney Brown, with Jenna Kelley behind the plate.

Brown, a sophomore, is the team’s only pitcher. “That is a lot to put on a young pitcher, but I believe Syd is up for the challenge,” Nash said.

“This year’s team is small in numbers, but big at heart. We have 11 girls out this year, and we have focused on team and individual growth both on and off the field.”

— Jeremy Nash Coach

Good Luck in 2021!

Griggsville 217-833-2329 Mt. Sterling Pittsfield 217-773-9123 217-285-1943

Submitted photo

GRIGGSVILLE-PERRY — First row (l-r): Marina Orr, Grace Stabile, Kiera Nash. Second row: Claire Tate, Kaylee Spencer, Sydnee Brown. Third row: Jenna Kelley, Nathalie Lothridge, Ashley Waters, Renae Martin. Not pictured: Kiereny Nash.

GOOD LUCK!!!

12 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

CARROLLTON baseball

C

CARROLLTON Roster

Deizel Middleton SR Brady Cox SR Gus Coonrod JR Grant Pohlman JR Jackson Cotner JR Kyle Leonard JR Boden Flowers SO Willie Gilmore SO Mason Baumgartner SO Cameren Heath SO Braylon Rhoades FR Ajay Newton FR Caleb Howard FR Holden Haydon FR Brady Carroll FR Colten Snyder FR

CARROLLTON Schedule Thu, April 29 at Jersey 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 GreenfieldNorthwestern 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Carlinville 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Calhoun 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 at Brussels 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Routt 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Brown County 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 at Pleasant Plains 10 am Tue, May 18 Gillespie 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Triopia 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 West Central 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Calhoun 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 at North Greene 10 am

Submitted photo

CARROLLTON — First row (l-r): Willie Gilmore, Braylon Rhoades, Mason Baumgartner, Brady Carroll, Colten Snyder, Ajay Newton, Holden Hayden, Cameron Heath. Second row: Kyle Coates, Jackson Cotner, Brady Cox, Diezel Middleton, Gus Coonrod, Kyle Leonard, Grant Pohlman, Boden Flowers, Caleb Howard.

​Ryan Howard is in his first season as head coach of the Carrollton Hawks. Since the 2019 season, the team graduated seven talented starters.

Returning starters include juniors Grant Pohlman (C/P) and Gus Coonrod (SS/P).

Other returners include senior Brady Cox (P/1B) and junior Kyle Leonard (2B/C).

The Hawks have a number of key newcomers, including junior Jackson Cotner; sophomores Boden Flowers, Cameron Heath, Willie Gilm-

ore and Mason Baumgartner; and freshmen Ajay Newton, Holden Hayden, Caleb Howard, Braylon Rhoades, Brady Carroll, Kyle Coates, and Gavin Cartwright.

“We will be a very young team,” Howard said. “We

GOOD LUCK CARROLLTON!!

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graduated a lot of experience over the last two years. We will be returning two key starters, Gus Coonrod and Grant Pohlman.” The coach said Coonrod, Pohlman and senior Brady Cox will be the foundation for this year.

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 13

CARROLLTON softball The Carrollton softball program is building momentum as it heads into its third year under head coach Travis Klingler.

“We have a talented roster this year, with depth that will lead to some competition for starting positions,” Klingler said. “We are looking to compete for a WIVC conference championship by locking down defensively and being aggressive offensively and on the base paths.”

Returning to the circle will be the Lady Hawks’ top pitcher from 2019: senior Hannah Rhoades (11-9, 1.55 ERA, 128 K; .292 batting average, 5 HR, 28 RBI). Sophomore

CARROLLTON Schedule Wed, Apr 14 Auburn 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 16 Pawnee 4:30 pm Wed, Apr 21 Marquette Catholic 4:30 pm Sat, Apr 24 Jacksonville 10 am Mon, Apr 26 East Alton-Wood River 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Civic Memorial 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 at Rochester 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 GreenfieldNorthwestern 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Pittsfield 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Calhoun 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 at Brussels 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 Jersey Community (DH) 10 am Mon, May 10 at Griggsville-Perry 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Routt Catholic 4 pm Thu, May 13 Brown County (DH) 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 Gillespie 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Triopia 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 West Central 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Calhoun 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Fri, May 28 at Jersey Community 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 at North Greene 10 am

Submitted photo

CARROLLTON

Ryan Kallal will also get some innings. “I am hoping that Hannah can build on the experience she gained last year along with the work she has done in the offseason,” Klingler said.

Other starters who are back from the team that finished 18-12 in 2019 include Western Illinois Valley All-Conference selections seniors Ava Uhles

(.337 batting average, 16 runs, 22 RBI) and Layna Mullink (.309 average, 22 runs, 10 SB).

“Other returning players we expect to step up into new roles on the infield are seniors Beclyn Pinkerton and Ellen Kangas,” Klingler said.

The Lady Hawks are hopeful that Layna Mullink can transition from the outfield to catcher. Junior Marissa Cox and

sophomore Ella Stumpf will compete for some time in the infield. Competing for a couple of spots in the outfield will be returning senior Alayna Snyder, junior Mallory Darr and sophomores Sophie Pohlman, Lauren Walker, Paige Henson and Morgan Blasa.

The softball program will welcome two freshmen, Halle Webb and Destini Riley.

“We have a talented roster this year, with depth that will lead to some competition for starting positions. We are looking to compete for a WIVC conference championship by locking down defensively and being aggressive offensively and on the base paths.”

— Travis Klinger Coach

CARROLLTON Roster

Layna Mullink SR Hannah Rhoades SR Ava Uhles SR Alayna Snyder SR Beclyn Pinkerton SR Ellen Kangas SR Marissa Cox JR Mallory Darr JR Ella Stumpf SO Ryan Kallal SO Lauren Walker SO Sophie Pohlman SO Paige Henson SO Morgan Blasa SO Halle Webb FR Destini Riley FR

14 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

Hitting the deck

s s f

a E t s c w a p C s “ E A T

Dennis Mathes | Journal-Courie

Routt’s Cory Ronan dives to make a catch in center field during a baseball game against Pittsfield earlier this season.

RUSHVILLE-INDUSTRY baseball Tyler Crum enters his first real season as head coach of the

RUSHVILLEINDUSTRY Schedule Mon, Apr 26 at Hamilton 4 pm Tue, Apr 27 at South Fulton 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Macomb 4 pm Fri Apr 30 Havana 4 pm Tue, May 4 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 at Beardstown 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Triopia 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 Lewistown (DH) 10 am Tue, May 11 at Brown County 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Beardstown 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 at Bushnell (DH) 4 pm Tue, May 18 at Western 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 at Illini West (DH) 4 pm Thu, May 27 Quincy Notre Dame 4 pm

Rushville-Industry baseball team, after COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 season.

“Our biggest strength will be our senior leadership,” Crum said. “We return five seniors who would have played significant time last year. They have all worked hard over the past four years and are hungry to get to play after their junior year was taken away from them.”

The Rockets lost some awfully good players, including Briar Stinson (.417 batting average, .611 on-base percentage, .833 slugging percentage) and Brady Klitz (.362 avg., 22 RBI; 24.2 innings pitched, 2.27 ERA).

But they return four starters: seniors Keaton Hulvey (P/C/3B) and Gage Logsdon (P/CF); and juniors James Corrie (P/INF) and Tanner Spencer (P/C/INF/ OF).

Other returning players include seniors Kanon Prather

(1B) and Evan Mathus (P/INF), and junior pitcher/infielder Dillon Schmidt. Key newcomers to the team this year include freshman Wyatt Fowler (INF/OF) and sophomore Derrick Phillips (P/ OF).

This should be a team that can score some runs. “The top of our lineup will be a nice mixture of speed, contact hitting and power,” Crum said. The coach said Evan Mathus does a great job of getting on base and is an elite base runner. Gage Logsdon is a left-handed hitter who controls the strike zone. And Tanner Spencer, Keaton Hulvey and James Corrie can bring power and drive in runners.

Defensively, Kanon Prather and Gavin Runkle will be at first base. Evan Mathus, Dillon Schmidt and Wyatt Fowler will share time between second base and shortstop. James Corrie, Keaton Hulvey and Tanner Spen-

cer will split time at shortstop and third base. Gage Logsdon will be the Rockets’ everyday center fielder, with Derrick Phillips and Wyatt Fowler starting to his left and right.

“Our biggest defensive strength is our athleticism and understanding of the game,” Crum said. “Our middle infielders do a great job of keeping the ball in front of them and making the correct plays where needed.”

Keaton Hulvey will be Rushville-Industry’s go-to guy on the hill. As a sophomore, he started eight games and finished with a 4-2 record, striking out 41 batters and ending with a 3.08 ERA. “He does a great job of being in the zone and finding the edges,” Crum said. “He has good movement on his fastball that complements his off-speed stuff.”

Tanner Spencer, Gavin Runkle, James Corrie, Dillon Schmidt, Gage Logsdon and Evan Mathus

o s b s

will start games for Rushville-Industry this season, but none has s logged any varsity innings.

RUSHVILLEINDUSTRY Roster 3 Carson Belville FR 4 Evan Mathus SR 6 Isaac Litle SO 8 Gage Logsdon SR 9 Liam Ackman FR 9 Wyatt Fowler FR 12 Bronson Barlett SO 13 Jacob Lazzell FR 16 Chance Gerleman SR 18 Dillon Schmidt JR 20 Keaton Hulvey SR 21 Kanon Prather SR 25 James Corrie JR 27 Mikah Peterman FR 29 Derrick Phillips SO 31 Rex Hamm FR 33 Gavin Runkle SR 34 Tanner Spencer JR 40 Keaton Runkle FR

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 15

RUSHVILLE-INDUSTRY softball

The Rushville-Industry softball team enters the 2021 season with a lot of new faces, and a lot of potential.

The Rockets are expecting a special season for pitcher Elliott Stinson, who used the COVID-19 layoff to sharpen her skills in the circle. “She has put in a lot of work during the pandemic and should be one of the top pitchers in the area,” said Craig Crosier, entering his seventh year as head coach.

“We will also have Ainsley Eskridge and freshman Addie Green on the mound.

These two should provide a nice complement to Stiner son.”

The COVID break hit some teams harder than others — taking away a final season for seniors, and robbing younger players of a season’s worth of improvement.

“With last year being a lost season, we will be lacking

RUSHVILLEINDUSTRY Schedule Tue, Apr 27 Beardstown 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 at West Hancock 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 at Havana 4 pm Sat, May 1 at Lewistown, 9 am Mon, May 3 at Southeastern, 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Triopia, 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Brown County, 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 at Midwest Central 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 West Prairie 4 pm Tue, May 18 at Western, 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at MonmouthRoseville, 4 pm Mon, May 24 Illini West, 4 pm Tue, May 25 at South Fulton 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Quincy Notre Dame 4 pm

RUSHVILLE-INDUSTRY — First row (l-r): Avery Dodds, Andree Ambrosious, Alexis Hardy, Addie Greene, and Maddie White. Second row: Maggie Wenger, Charlie Weishaar, Elliott Stinson, Ainsley Eskridge, and Maddie Quinn. Not pictured. Casey Benton, Josey Vogler, Jordan Reedy, Maycee Hovendon Brynna Swan, and Elizabeth Corrie.

players with previous varsity experience,” Crosier said.

“Junior Elliott Stinson is the player returning with the most varsity experience since she started varsity as a freshman. Her freshman year she

was .500 at the plate and saw a lot of time on the mound.”

Senior Maddie Quinn is also expected to be a big part of the offense. Along with Stinson and Quinn, the team will add several sopho-

mores and freshmen to help move runners and produce runs.

Defensively, the Rockets will have senior Avery Dodds on the infield and junior Charlie Weishaar in

the outfield. Juniors Casey Benton, Ainsley Eskridge and Andree Ambrosious will be asked to play multiple positions at different times, depending on the situation.

16 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

JACKSONVILLE baseball The Jacksonville baseball has plenty of experience heading into the 2021 season under Cory Bunner, entering his eighth year as head coach.

“We have a core group of guys that have contributed at the varsity level from day one,” Bunner said.

“Their leadership will dictate how our season unfolds. We’ve had great buy-in from our guys starting with contact days and moving on into official practices. We hope this transitions into a quick start from game

Submitted photo

JACKSONVILLE

JACKSONVILLE Roster 1 Ryan Maul OF/P Sr. 2 Keaton Frye 2B Sr. 3 Trey Bourn 1B/OF Jr. 4 Hayden Hicks OF/P Fr. 5 Garrett Meyer OF/INF/P Jr. 8 Rees Megginson 2B/OF Sr. 10 Drew Ezard C/P/1B Sr. 11 Stone Lambie C/1B Jr. 13 Nolan Decker INF/P Jr. 14 Myles Alexander 1B/3B/C Jr. 15 Riley Hickox 2B Jr. 21 Quin Saxer OF/1B/P So. 22 Will Rohlk P/1B/3B Sr.

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one.”

The Crimsons lost three-year starter Jack Rohn, Dalton Strubbe, Tanner Howell and Wes Ervin. But they return five starters from the 2019 team, including senior Drew Ezard (C/P), an All-CS8 selection; seniors Ryan Maul (OF/P) and Will Rohlk (1B/3B/P); junior Nolan Decker (3B/SS/P), a Special Mention All-CS8 selection; and junior Garrett Meyer (SS/P).

Other returners include seniors Rees Megginson (OF) and Keaton Frye (2B), and junior Stone Lambie

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(C/1B). Sophomore Quin Saxer (P/OF) is a key newcomer on this year’s team.

“Offensively we should be able to score runs in many ways, led by Ezard (.333 average, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 30 R) and Decker (.299 average, 29 RBI), who were two of our top hitters from two seasons ago,” Bunner said. “With our experience at the plate, including Rohlk (.295 average, 14 RBI), Maul (.255 average, 32 R, 24 SB) and contributions from Meyer and Saxer, we hope that the offensive side will be a strength of

Good Luck!

Jacksonville 2021 Teams

ours this season.”

Defensively, Jacksonville will have many moving pieces, but the Crimsons are anchored by Drew Ezard, one of the best catchers in the league. Maul and Saxer will anchor the outfield. “Meyer has put a ton of work in at shortstop, and we’re excited to see him excel there this year,” Bunner sad. “Decker, Rohlk and Lambie will be mainstays at the corner infield positions for us.” The coach said Keaton Frye is another newcomer who has put in a lot of work to improve his play at second base.

The Crimsons have experience and depth on the mound — and they’ll need it, with a busy spring ahead. “Our pitching rotation is anchored by Nolan Decker (36.1 IP, 2-2 record , 2.12 ERA, 29K),” Bunner said. “We have some depth as well. Ezard, Maul, Rohlk, Saxer and Meyer will log many innings for us this spring. Our success will be determined a lot by how deep guys go into games. With the shortened season and four to five games a week, it will be imperative that we have quality innings from everyone.”

GOOD LUCK

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JACKSONVILLE Schedule Wed, Apr 28 Rochester 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Taylorville 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 at Springfield 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 New Berlin 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Springfield 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 at Chatham Glenwood 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 at Quincy Notre Dame 11 am Sat, May 8 at Quincy Notre Dame 1 pm Tue, May 11 Sacred Heart-Griffin 4:30 pm Wed, May 12 at Decatur MacArthur 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 at Beardstown 10 am Sat, May 15 at Beardstown Noon Mon, May 17 Routt Catholic 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 Springfield Southeast 4:30 pm Wed, May 19 at Normal University 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 Jerseyville 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 Lincoln 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Lanphier 4:30 pm Wed, May 26 at Gillespie 4:30 pm Sat, May 29 at Quincy 11 am Sat, May 29 at Quincy 1 pm

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 17

JACKSONVILLE softball Kelly Brockhouse will be working with a strong group of returning players in her first season as head coach of the Jacksonville softball team.

Returning starters include seniors Arynn Leanard (P/1B) and Taylor Brobeck (CF); and juniors Frankie Hoots (3B/C) and Taryn Ford (SS, P). Other returners include juniors Lexi Lane (2B) and Lexie Blackley (1B).

Freshman MacKenzie Gerard (C/3B) is a key newcomer to the team this year.

“We are building our team around our seniors Arynn Leanard and Taylor Brobeck,” Brockhouse said. “With strong pitching from Leanard, we are going to have to rely on sound, fundamental defense, timely hitting and smart baserunning. Since we lost last season with COVID19, and we have only two

JACKSONVILLE Schedule Mon, Apr 19 Gillespie 4:30 pm Wed, Apr 21 at Lincoln 4:30 pm Sat, Apr 24 at Carrollton 10 am Tue, Apr 27 Decatur Eisenhower 4:30 pm Wed, Apr 28 at Rochester 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 at North Greene 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 New Berlin 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Springfield 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 Glenwood 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Sacred HeartGriffin 4:30 pm Wed, May 12 Decatur MacArthur 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 Pleasant Plains 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 at Southeast 4:30 pm Wed, May 19 University High 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 at Springfield Calvary (at Springfield Lutheran) 10 am Tue, May 25 at Lanphier 4:30 pm Fri, May 28 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm

JACKSONVILLE Roster 14 Taylor Brobeck SR 55 Arynn Leanard SR 6 Lexie Blackley JR 4 Frankie Hoots JR 23 Lexi Lane JR 2 Taryn Ford JR 60 Emma Taylor SO 13 Brooklynn Anders FR 17 Gerica Gillis FR 3 Addy Blimling FR 25 MacKenzie Gerard FR 5 Cortney Bollinger FR 16 Elizabeth Rigor FR 24 Annabelle Christensen SO

Submitted photo

JACKSONVILLE — First row (l-r): Annabell Christensen, Taryn Ford, Lexi Lane, Cortney Bollinger, Brooklyn Anders. Second row: Frankie Hoots, Arynn Leanard, Taylor Brobeck, Lexie Blackley, MacKenzie Gerard, Addy Blimling, Ellie Rigor.

seniors on the team, juniors are going to have to step up and take leadership roles.”

Leanard and Hoots will lead the Crimsons on offense. “(Hoots) has a tremendous amount of pop in her bat and will hit for a high average,” Brockhouse said, adding that the team will rely on Brobeck

and Ford to get on base ahead of Leanard and Hoots so they can drive them in. Gerard will be a key hitter as well.

Defense will be a strength this year, led by Taryn Ford (SS), Frankie Hoots (3B/C) and Taylor Brobeck (CF).

“Ford at shortstop has a tremendous glove and great

range,” Brockhouse said. The Crimsons will have freshmen in left field and right field, so Brobeck will have to cover a lot of ground. Brockhouse said she will be up to the challenge.

Rounding out the other positions will be Gerard (C/3B), Lane (2B), Blackley (1B), and Addy Blimling (LF). Brock-

house said the Crimsons will platoon the right field spot, playing whoever is swinging a hot bat at the time.

Leanard figures to do most of the pitching this season.

“Arynn Leanard is our ace on the staff,” Brockhouse said.

“She is going to get the lion’s share of innings this year and will have a high strikeout-towalk ratio and a low ERA, working with four different pitches.”

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18 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

PITTSFIELD baseball John Schultz enters his 30th season as head coach of the Pittsfield baseball team with experience on the mound and at the plate.

The Saukees return three starters: senior Cade Tomhave (IF/OF/P), and juniors Nathan Scranton (IF/P) and Caden Casto (OF/C/P). “We have a handful of players who have not stopped playing since spring of 2019,” Schultz said.

“Their experience will be important to set the stage for the newcomers.”

Senior Cade Tomhave, the team’s returning hit leader in 2018 and 2019, along with juniors Nate Scranton and Caden Casto, have the most experience swinging the bat.

“All three are tough outs at the plate,” Schultz said. “We will have to see who else comes along to contribute and have a good spring. There is always one or two players you don’t think in the beginning may do much, but someone always comes along as a surprise.”

The Saukees lost Griffin VanWinkle, Colin Meleski, Isaac Shaw and JD Gresham. The team will be without senior Peyton Apps (1B/P) due to a knee injury.

Key newcomers this season

PITTSFIELD Roster 1 Liam Davidsmeyer 2 Brennan Tomhave 3 Nate Scranton 4 TJ Reel 5 Konner Allen 7 Randley Springer 8 Cole Walston 9 Nolan Daniel 10 Peyton Apps 11 Caden Casto 12 Justin Pennock 13 Phillip Graham 14 Jackson Fish 15 Ian Damon 16 Cameron Walker 18 Cade Tomhave

PITTSFIELD Schedule Wed, Apr 14 at Routt Catholic 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 16 Quincy 4:30 pm Tue, Apr 20 Camp Point Central 4:30 pm Mon, Apr 26 at Brussels 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Brown County 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 Triopia Home 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 Rushville-Industry 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Camp Point Central 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 at Calhoun (triangular vs. Piasa and Calhoun) 10 a.m., noon Mon, May 10 at Liberty 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Southeastern 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Western 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 West Central 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Payson Seymour 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 at Beardstown 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at Western 4:30 pm Sat, May 29 Jersey Community 10 am Submitted photo

PITTSFIELD — First row (l-r): Xan Guthrie, R.J. Allred, Kyle Bradshaw, Cole Walston, Brennan Tomhave. Second row: T.J. Reel, Nate Scranton, Logan Shinn, Randley Springer, Nolan Daniel, Phillip Graham, Jackson Fish. Third row: Cade Tomhave, Peyton Apps, Bradley Gratton, Caden Casto, Ean Thelander, Jackson Throne, Liam Davidsmeyer.

include senior outfielder Liam Davidsmeyer, junior infielder Logan Shinn, junior T.J. Reel (IF/OF/P), freshman Brennan Tomhave (IF/OF/P), junior infielder Randley Spring-

er, freshman Cole Walston (OF/C/P) sophomore Nolan Daniel (OF/1B/P), and juniors Phillip Graham (OF) and Jackson Fish (OF/P).

“Where each individual plays

defensively is entirely dependent on who is on the mound pitching at any given time,” Schultz said. “Most if not all players will be playing multiple positions, and rarely at the

spot one might consider their primary position.”

Nate Scranton and Cade Tomhave return on the mound.

The Saukees also will look to T.J. Reel, Brennan Tomhave, Randley Springer, Cole Walston, Nolan Daniel, Caden Casto and Jackson Fish to contribute, and see who can shine.

“Where each individual plays defensively is entirely dependent on who is on the mound pitching at any given time. Most if not all players will be playing multiple positions, and rarely at the spot one might consider their primary position.”

— John Schultz Coach

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 19

PITTSFIELD softball After the lost spring of 2020, Pittsfield softball coach Kristi Heafner and the Saukees have some work to do this year.

“We have continually gotten better each season and expect to build on that this year,” said Heafner, now entering her sixth season. “Some challenges include finding the best lineup for the situation, and our lack of experience at the varsity level. We will spend the first part of the season settling into our new roles on the field.”

The Saukees have two returning starters, junior outfielder Matti McCartney and senior pitcher Audrey White.

“Matti played shortstop for us,” Heafner said. “She will be working a new position this year for the Lady Saukees. She is extremely fast with great range. We are excited to see her in center field. Matti is a consistent hitter for us as well.

She batted .368 with 32 hits and 8 RBIs. “Audrey played in 17 games for us as a sophomore,” the coach said. “She is expected to be our workhorse in the circle this year. She batted .342 with 13 hits and 10 RBIs. We expect her to be a calm presence on the field, especially for

PITTSFIELD Roster 1 Audrey White SR 2 Matti McCartney JR 3 Haley Smith SR 4 Alexis Ator FR 10 Rachael Boatright SR 11 Carlee Constable SO 12 Rebecca Neupauer FR 13 Ali Merryman SR 15 Sadie Weir FR 16 Emma Saxe JR 23 Taylor Scott JR 24 Ella Constable SO 25 Ella Pepper SR 28 Kayla Martin FR 29 Abby Springer SR 31 Allie Stambaugh FR 52 Jaynee Heafner SO

PITTSFIELD

Submitted photo

PITTSFIELD — First row (l-r): Ali Merryman, Taylor Scott, Matti McCartney, Emma Saxe, Audrey White, Rachael Boatright, Haley Smith, Rebecca Neupauer, Reese Davis. Second row: Allie Stambaugh, Carlee Constable, Ella Constable, Jaynee Heafner, Abby Springer, Kayla Martin, Alexis Ator, Ella Pepper, Sadie Weir, Marley Hoover.

our younger players.”

Junior catcher Emma Saxe also returns. “Emma is a force,” Heafner said. “She is everything you want in a catcher. She shared catching responsibilities her sophomore year. She is a very focused, athletic player. We expect her to really help us at the plate this year.”

Heafner said most of her

players are essentially newcomers to varsity this year.

“Due to the cancellation of last year’s season, most of our team, although not all of them freshmen, are ‘newcomers,’” the coach said. “We are bringing a new crew to varsity level games this season. Abby Springer, (Senior, third base) will be leading our infield. She is a very vocal anchor at the

corner for our squad.”

With a solid core of juniors and seniors, Heafner’s team has maturity and leadership.

“Our girls understand the importance of doing what is necessary to help the team,” the coach said. “Experience-wise, our team is young but very competitive.”

Senior Audrey White and sophomore Carlee Constable

Schedule Fri, Apr 16 at Quincy 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 23 Pleasant Plains 4:30 pm Tue, Apr 27 at Griggsville-Perry 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Brown County 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 Triopia 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 Brussels 4:30 pm Tue, May 4 at Carrollton 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Camp Point Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 Routt Catholic 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Liberty 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 at Southeastern 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 PORTA/A-C Central 11 am Mon, May 17 Western 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 West Central 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 Payson Seymour 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 Beardstown 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 at North Greene 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at Western 4:30 pm Fri, May 28 Jacksonville 4:30 pm

should do most of the pitching this year, but sophomore Jaynee Heafner should get some innings in the circle as well. “All three pitchers bring different styles to the mound,” the coach said.

“We have continually gotten better each season and expect to build on that this year. Some challenges include finding the best lineup for the situation, and our lack of experience at the varsity level. We will spend the first part of the season settling into our new roles on the field.”

— Kristi Heafner Coach

20 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

GREENFIELD-NORTHWESTERN baseball Jacob McEvers will take the field as head coach of the Greenfield-Northwestern baseball team for the first time this spring. He took the position last season before the shutdown. McEvers will be assisted by John Goode, Austin Bishop and Carey Lansaw.

The Tigers return almost everybody from the team that won a regional championship in 2019.

“We feel like we have more experience than most teams, from guys that played as underclassmen in 2019,” McEvers said.

“We will return a great amount of hitting, pitching and defensive innings from that team. We are confident that we may have the best catcher in the conference this season in Brady Pembrook, and will be able to throw many different arms at him this season.

The Tigers are extremely excited for these upperclassmen to finally be able to display their hard

GREENFIELDNORTHWESTERN Roster 3 Brayden Roberts FR 4 Blake Woelfel SR 6 Brady Pembrook JR 8 Gavin Roberts SR 11 Clayton Woods SR 13 Connor Bettis JR 15 Kohen Vetter FR 22 Griffin Roberts FR 23 Jimmy Stewart JR 32 Jacob Lansaw SR 33 Drake Stuart JR 35 Brody Reif FR

Submitted photo

GREENFIELD-NORTHWESTERN

work, and get the opportunity to compete together again on the diamond this spring.”

The Tigers lost Hayden Lansaw (.354 batting average) and Devin Chaudoin (.367) from the 2019 season, and Blake Bettis and Cade Bilbruck from last year.

But they return no less than seven starters from 2019. Back this year are senior outfielder, infielder and pitcher Jacob Lansaw (.548 batting average, 40 hits, 13 extra-base hits, 26 BB, 40 RBI, 6 HR); senior pitcher/ outfielder Clayton Woods (.408, 41 hits, 16 BB, 23 RBI); junior catcher Brady Pembrook (.348, 30 hits, 28 RBIs); junior third baseman/pitcher Drake Stuart (.333, 31 hits, 30 RBI); senior

outfielder Gavin Roberts (.329 24 hits, 18 RBI); junior pitcher/ infielder Connor Bettis, who led the team with six wins on the mound in his freshman season; and senior pitcher, infielder and outfielder Blake Woelfel.

First baseman Jimmy Stewart, a junior, also returns.

Freshmen Kohen Vetter (P/ OF) Griffin Roberts (IF) Brayden Roberts (P/IF/OF) and Brody Reif (C) will be key newcomers this season.

The Tigers started seven freshmen and sophomores in 2019, when they won the first regional baseball title in school history. “We feel like we have a great amount of depth at the top as well as experience, with even

missing an entire season last year,” McEvers said. “We will be led by eight upperclassmen, who have all had success on the baseball field at all levels. We will return two 40-plus hit guys from two seasons ago, as well as the arm that led us in wins. We will lean very heavily on those eight to lead us this season.”

Greenfield-Northwestern can hit the ball. It starts with senior Clayton Woods, who has been the Tigers’ leadoff hitter since his freshman year. The Tigers also return their Nos. 2 and 3 hitters, Brady Pembrook and Jacob Lansaw. As underclassmen, those three collected a combined 101 hits in 2019. Greenfield-Northwestern averaged 11 hits per game that season, and expect to increase that with returned depth in the lineup.

The Tigers have only a dozen players on their roster, but they all can play virtually every position. “We feel like we have multiple guys that can plug in and play in different places, like we have never had before,” McEvers said.

Drake Stuart will be the anchor at third base, while the versatile Blake Woelfel will be the key to the Tigers’ moving pieces on the diamond. Greenfield-Northwestern will look for Jimmy Stewart to step in and take over at first base this season. “Our team defense will win us those close games down the stretch,” McEvers said.

The Tigers return ace pitcher Connor Bettis, who won six

GREENFIELDNORTHWESTERN Schedule Tue, April 27 at Edinburg 4:30 pm Wed, April 28 Staunton (P) 4:30 pm Thu, April 29 at Triopia 4:30 pm Fri, April 30 Southwestern (G) 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at Carrollton 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 Auburn (P) 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at West Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 Gillespie (P) 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Brown County 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Carlinville (P) 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Calhoun (G) 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 at New Berlin 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Beardstown (DH) (G) 4 pm Wed, May 19 at Brussels 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 Morrisonville (P) 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 at North Mac 10 am Mon, May 24 Triopia (G) 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Western (G) 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 North Greene (P) 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 Routt (G) 10 am Tue, June 1 Bunker Hill (P) 4:30 pm

games as a freshman in 2019.

The Tigers will also return 60 innings pitched from three seniors — Jacob Lansaw, Clayton Woods, and Blake Woelfel. Gavin Roberts, Drake Stuart, Brady Pembrook, Jimmy Stewart and Kohen Vetter will pitch some of the remaining innings.

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 21

GREENFIELD-NORTHWESTERN softball Greenfield-Northwestern softball coach Kristie Ornellas calls this her “second rookie year.”

Ornellas, who took the reins before the 2020 season was cancelled, is back to coach the Tigers this year. Her team returns three starters: juniors Laural Rothe (CF/2B), Torrie McAdams (P/SS) and Jealee Clark (LF/IF). The last time they played was their freshman year.

Also back is junior Aliyah Roberts, along with three sophomores who return after practicing with the team for two weeks last year. They are Bailee Mathews, Gracie Retherford and Lacee Bramley.

“Our team is young with no seniors on the team at all,” Ornellas said. “After last season, or lack thereof, and with

GREENFIELDNORTHWESTERN

GREENFIELDNORTHWESTERN Roster Jealee Clark Taylor Jones Torrie McAdams Aliyah Roberts Laural Rothe Sydney Turley Lacee Bramley Bailee Mathews Gracie Retherford Claire Costello Tessa Jones Faith Roberts Camylle Treadway Abby Waters Claire Woods

Submitted photo

GREENFIELD-NORTHWESTERN — First row (l-r): Lacee Bramley, Tessa Jones, Laural Rothe, Torrie McAdams, Faith Roberts, Gracie Retherford, Bailee Mathews. Second row: Abby Waters, Taylor Jones, Claire Costello, Jealee Clark, Sydney Turley, Aliyah Roberts, Claire Woods, Camylle Treadway.

me being a new coach to this high school team for more than two weeks, we are working on rebuilding from the ground up.”

Defensive positions, as well as spots in the batting order,

were still up for grabs early in practice. Ornellas said Torrie McAdams has been a strong hitter in the past, and the coach is looking forward to McAdams having another great year at the

plate.

McAdams also should get the bulk of the pitching duties this year, with help in the circle from Aliyah Roberts and Claire Costello.

Schedule Tue, April 27 at Edinburg 4:30 pm Wed, April 28 Staunton (P) 4:30 pm Thu, April 29 at Triopia 4:30 pm Fri, April 30 Southwestern (G) 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at Carrollton 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 Auburn (P) 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at West Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 Gillespie (P) 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Brown County 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Carlinville (P) 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Calhoun (G) 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 at New Berlin 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Beardstown (DH) (G) 4 pm Wed, May 19 at Brussels 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 Morrisonville (P) 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 at North Mac 10 am Mon, May 24 Triopia (G) 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Western (G) 4:30 pm Wed, May 26 at GriggsvillePerry 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 North Greene (P) 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 Routt (G) 10 am Tue, June 1 Bunker Hill (P) 4:30 pm

GOOD LUCK TIGERS!

22 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

NORTH GREENE baseball Longtime baseball coach Joe Kindred has found a new home at North Greene. After coaching for 11 years at Routt and 12 at New Berlin, Kindred this year takes over a young Spartan program with only 11 players on the roster. “We are looking for everyone to contribute in some way,” Kindred said.

Key returning players include seniors Calvin Shaw (IF/P), Jacob Suttles (OF/P) and Will Merriman (OF/P).

Key newcomers for the Spartans this year are junior Colton Daniel; sophomores Jacob Hinsey, Walker McMillen, Brayden Faulkner, Reese Scott and Tyler Hodgson; and freshmen Bradley Barfield and Caiden Angel.

“Seniors are motivated to compete and work hard,” Kindred said. “Younger players should have a lot of opportunities to experience varsity baseball.”

NORTH GREENE Schedule Thu, April 29 at Father McGivney 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at Brussels 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 at North Mac 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 at Triopia 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Calhoun 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Triopia 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 West Central 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 Brown County 10 am Mon, May 17 Brussels 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Lutheran 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 Routt 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 at Mount Pulaski 11 am Mon, May 24 Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at GreenfieldNorthwestern 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 Carrollton 4:30 pm

NORTH GREENE Roster Jacob Suttles SR Calvin Shaw SR Will Merriman SR Colton Daniel JR Jacob Hinsey SO Reese Scott SO Walker McMillen SO Tyler Hodgson SO Brayden Faulkner SO Caiden Angel FR Bradley Barfield FR

Submitted photo

NORTH GREENE — First row (l-r): Reese Scott, Jacob Hinsey, Tyler Hodgson Bradley Barfield, Caiden Angel. Second row: Brayden Faulkner, Colton Daniel, Calvin Shaw, Jacob Suttles, Will Merriman, Walker McMillen.

Kindred hopes to lay the groundwork for the future of the North Greene baseball

program this season. “This is a year to establish the foundation for Spartan baseball mov-

ing forward,” the coach said.

“Focusing our efforts on fundamentals, a strong work ethic,

accountability, and a positive culture centered around team goals.”

With a thin roster, avoiding injuries will be important.

“Staying healthy is a big key for us this year and developing as many pitchers as possible,” Kindred said.

This is Kindred’s first year back in the Western Illinois Valley Conference in over 15 seasons. “Conference is up for grabs,” he said.

N Good Luck North Greene!

Good Luck North Greene!

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 23

NORTH GREENE softball The North Greene softball team lost no seniors from last year’s cancelled season.

And that’s good news for the Spartans and coach Nathan Roberts.

“We should be a solid team that will put the ball in play and play solid defense,” said Roberts, entering his fifth year at the helm. “We will take chances and aren’t afraid to get a little dirt on our uniforms.”

The Spartans return three starters from the 2019 team, including seniors Kassie Edwards (OF), Korissa Woolsey (1B/C) and Kourtney Woolsey (P/3B). Other key returners include juniors Bailey Berry (2B), Brittany Davidson (1B), Kailyn Hoesman (OF), Kahsey Poe (3B) and Maddison Osborne (OF/1B); and senior outfielder Kyla Hurt.

Newcomers this year include freshman Kearstan Smith (SS); sophomores Kassidy Riley (OF), Abigail Jones (SS/ OF) and Cameron Hurt (SS/C/ OF); junior shortstop Maddie Magelitz; and senior outfielder Molly Mumford.

North Greene will score some runs this year. “We are returning one of the top hitters for average from the

NORTH GREENE Schedule Fri, Apr 30 Jacksonville 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 Griggsville-Perry 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 at North Mac 4:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Calhoun 4:30 pm Tue, May 11 Triopia 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 West Central 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 at Carlinville 4:30 pm Mon, May 17 Brussels 4:30 pm Fri, May 21 Routt Catholic 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 Pittsfield 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at GreenfieldNorthwestern 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 Carrollton 4:30 pm Thu, Jun 3 Brown County 4:30 pm

NORTH GREENE

Roster 2 Brittany Davidson 1B Jr 4 Bailey Berry 2B Jr 5 Molly Mumford OF Sr 6 Kyla Hurt OF Sr 7 Kearstan Smith SS Fr 9 Kailyn Hoseman OF Jr 12 Maddison Osborne OF/1B Jr 20 Kassidy Riley OF So 22 Madie Magelitz SS Jr 23 Kahsey Poe 3B Jr 24 Kourtney Woolsey P/3B Sr 26 Kassie Edwards OF Sr. 32 Cameron Hurt SS/C/OF So 33 Abigal Jones SS/OF So 35 Korissa Woolsey 1B/C Sr.

Submitted photo

NORTH GREENE — First row (l-r): Front Kourtney Woolsey, Kassie Edwards, Korissa Woolsey, Kyla Hurt. Second row: Brittaney Davidson, Maddie Osborne. Third row: Kailyn Hoesman, Maddie Magalitz, Bailey Berry, Abigail Jones. Fourth row: Kearstan Smith, Kahsey Poe, Cameron Hurt, Kassidy Riley.

WIVC South from two years ago who has gotten a lot stronger, that being Korissa Woolsey,” Roberts said. “We should hit for a pretty decent team average as they all put the ball

in play very well. We have a few this year that I expect to be able to get the ball out of the park on occasion as well.”

Roberts is doing some shuffling on defense this season.

“The three starters that we are returning will play some different roles in this category,” the coach said. “Korissa Woolsey will move from first to behind the plate some, and Kassie

Edwards will slide from left field to center, which should fit her well with her leadership abilities, with some new, young additions beside her in the outfield. Kourtney Woolsey will be back in a familiar location in the circle to pick up where she left off her sophomore year. Our infield will have several new faces since the last time we stepped on the dirt, but the crew that we have assembled there have jelled really well and the gloves look to be sharp this early in the year.”

Senior Kourtney Woolsey, who pitched 59 innings as a sophomore and picked up eight wins, will be the Spartans’ go-to in the circle. “She has pitched in some big games over her career including summer ball, so she has been tested and proven,” Roberts said. Junior pitcher Brittney Davidson is ready to step up and fill in when needed.

24 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

WEST CENTRAL baseball Grant DeWitt is optimistic entering his fourth season as head coach of the West Central baseball team.

“Heading into the 2021 season, I believe that the future of West Central baseball is bright,” DeWitt said.

“Although we will not have a lot of varsity experience on the field, I think their knowledge of the game will help. This team will have to adapt to varsity baseball quickly due to a shortened season. We do not have many kids on the roster this year, so we will be looking at all players to contribute in one way or another.

“Our number one goal this season is to continue learning how to play the game of baseball the right way,” the coach said. “Go out each day and have fun — not take anything for granted. The work ethic thus far in practice has been great, and we’re looking for it to translate to the field during games.”

The Cougars lost a couple of solid players in Drew Evans, a four-year starting pitcher, and Gabe Cox, a three-year starter and the team’s lead-off hitter.

“Both of these two will be missed,” DeWitt said. “Wish we could have played last spring to see what they could have done as seniors.”

The Cougars return starters

Noah Smith (P/INF), Cole Meyer (INF) and Lathan Barnett (P/INF), along with seniors Grant Frost, Gabe Drake and Eli Crews, and juniors Jackson Ford and Ryan Moore.

The team has several key newcomers, including sophomore Tyson Brown (P/UTL), an athletic player who should fill a middle infield position and pitch in key situations; junior Tysyn Mast (P/OF), a left-handed pitcher who plays hard and brings energy to the team; and freshmen Zack Evans (P/UTL) and Mason Berry (C).

At the plate, DeWitt said the Cougars’ goal is to put the ball in play and put as much pressure on the defense as possible. “We have several kids who have not seen varsity pitching yet, so their ability to adjust quickly will be key to the offensive success,” the coach said.

“We look for Noah Smith to have a big year. He has power to all parts of the field.”

DeWitt said this should be a pretty solid fielding team. The Cougars have spent a lot of time this spring on defensive situations, working on fielding ground balls, catching fly balls, hitting the cut-off, and covering bunts.

DeWitt said pitching will be the “most interesting” aspect

Delivery

WEST CENTRAL Schedule Thu, Apr 29 at Western 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at Routt Catholic 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 GreenfieldNorthwestern (W) 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 Camp Point Central (B) 10 am Mon, May 10 Pleasant Hill (W) 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 at North Greene 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 Athens (W) 4:30 pm Tue, May 18 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm Wed, May 19 at Triopia 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 Beardstown (B) 4:30 pm Mon, May 24 at Carrollton 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 at Brown County 4 pm Mon, May 31 Calhoun (W) 10 am

of his team. “We have several kids who have been working on pitching throughout the spring so far, but their ability to step on a mound in a game situation and execute will be key,” the coach said.

The goal will be to minimize walks, throw strikes and let the defense work. Key pitchers this year will be junior Tysyn Mast, sophomore Tyson Brown, junior Ryan Moore, junior Lathan Barnett, and senior Gabe Drake. Everyone else on the roster will be expected to pitch at some point during the season.

Dennis Mathes | Journal-Courier

Routt’s Conrad Charpentier delivers a pitch during a game against Pittsfield earlier this season.

GOOD LUCK ALL AREA TEAMS! The Home Of

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 25

WEST CENTRAL softball This season West Central softball coach Kandice Kunkel has a team of versatile athletes who can play virtually anywhere on the field.

“This team is full of utility players, which is a great option to have, and you will see many players in different positions throughout this season,” said Kunkel, entering her third season with the team. “They are a great group of girls that go wherever they need to in order to make the team stronger.”

The Cougars lost outfielder Haley Daniel (.306 batting average), but they return three starters who hit over .300 in 2019 — and in some cases, way over. Senior first baseman Zoe Evans, who batted .548 last season, is back, along with senior shortstop Sydney Elliott (.329), and junior Zaylei Evans (.466).

Other returners include

WEST CENTRAL Roster 6 Anabell Schafer FR 7 Shaylyn Bitoon FR 8 Ashley Gregory JR 9 Sydney Elliott SR 10 Alli Peterson FR 11 Bryleigh Fox FR 13 Abbie Vieira SO 17 Tinley Wagstaff JR 19 Emma Smith JR 20 Zaylei Evans JR 30 Rylee Burk SO 32 Trystan White FR 33 Zoe Evans SR

WEST CENTRAL Schedule Apr 27 Brussels (W) 4:30 pm Apr 29 at Western 4:30 pm Apr 30 Beardstown (B) 4:30 pm May 3 at Routt 4:30 pm May 6 Greenfield-NW (W) 4:30 pm May 10 Pleasant Hill (W) 4:30 pm May 13 at North Greene 4:30 pm May 14 Athens (W) 4:30 pm May 18 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm May 19 at Triopia 4:30 pm May 20 Griggsville-Perry (B) 4:30 pm May 24 at Carrollton 4:30 pm May 27 at Brown County 4 pm May 31 Calhoun (W) 10 am

Kunkel’s teams have always excelled in the field, and this year’s edition should be no exception. Besides Elliott at short and Zoe Evans at first, the Cougars could have a number of different looks defensively this season.

“We always take pride in our defensive game,” Kunkel said, “and the only thing that is certain about this season is our 6-3 combo that has been there Submitted photo since their freshman year. This WEST CENTRAL — First row (l-r): Abbie Vieira, Trystan White, Alli Peterson, Bryleigh Fox, Anabell Schafer, Rylee Burk. Second row: will be their 11th and final seaZaylei Evans, Zoe Evans, Ashley Gregory, Sydney Elliott, Tinley Wagstaff, Emma Smith. son together as a 6-3 combo.”

The Cougars’ one question juniors Emma Smith (infielder). team, offensively. “We look mark is pitching. West Central er), Ashley Gregory (infielder/ Key newcomers include for big things to happen at the has no returning pitchers. outfielder) and Tinley Wagstaff freshmen Bryleigh Fox, Trystan plate this season,” Kunkel said. “We do have three pitchers,” (outfielder); and sophomores White, Alli Peterson, Shaylyn “Any given day any one of my Kunkel said, “and look to use Rylee Burk (infielder/outfieldBitoon, and Anabell Schafer. girls can have a great day at the all of them at some point this er) and Abbie Vieira (outfieldThis could be an explosive plate.” season.”

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26 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

BEARDSTOWN baseball Robin Lewis is retiring.

“I’ve got one more after this,” said Lewis, now entering his 29th season as head coach of the Beardstown baseball team.

“Turned in my paperwork.”

Lewis said he still enjoys coaching, but it’s time.

“I’ll be 65 in August, so I’ve had my share,” the coach said.

“It’s a good thing. It’s not anything that’s bad,” Lewis said.

“I’ve got grandkids that are old enough to play, and I want to watch them. And, you know — do some other things, maybe.”

With the exception of three players, this year’s Beardstown squad doesn’t have a lot of varsity experience, but more than half the team played baseball last summer at Future Champions Sports Complex in Jacksonville.

“Some of these kids got an

BEARDSTOWN Roster 3 Owen Quigley So. P/2B 4 Anthony Borchers Jr. OF 5 Braiden Glover Jr. OF 10 Jacob Pate Jr. P/OF 11 William Davidsmeier Jr. P/SS 14 Drake Seaman Sr. OF 16 Aaric Brown So. P/OF 20 Alan Villegas Jr. 1B 21 Wyatt Petersen Jr. OF 22 Sanderson Mena Jr. OF 23 Jefferson Severino Jr. P/OF 24 Micah Wink So. P/C 25 Dakota Bolen Sr. OF 30 Brock Krumboltz Jr. OF 31 Darwin Acosta Jr. 1B/DH 33 Oscar Espinoza Sr. 1B/3B 34 Jack Elam Sr. OF

BEARDSTOWN Schedule Tue, Apr 27 at Augusta Southeastern 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 at Quincy Notre Dame 4:30 pm Fri, Apr 30 Payson Seymour 4:30 pm Mon, May 3 at Brown County 4:30 pm Wed, May 5 Rushville-Industry 4:30 pm Fri, May 7 at Pleasant Plains 6:30 pm Mon, May 10 at Quincy 4:30 pm Wed, May 12 Liberty 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 at RushvilleIndustry 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 Jacksonville (DH) 10 am Mon, May 17 at GreenfieldNorthwestern 4 pm Thu, May 20 at West Central (at Bluffs) 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 at Auburn 10 am Mon, May 24 Pittsfield 4:30 pm Tue, May 25 at Triopia 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 South Fulton 4:30 pm Fri, May 28 Mendon Unity 4:30 pm Mon, May 31 Lincoln 11 am

Submitted photo

BEARDSTOWN — First row (l-r) — Owen Quigley, Alan Villegas, Darwin Acosta, Jack Elam, Jefferson Severino, Anthony Borchers, Braiden Glover. Second row: Micah Wink, Brock Krumboltz, Aaric Brown, Oscar Espinoza, Jacob Pate, William Davidsmeier, Dakota Bolen, Drake Seaman. Not pictured: Wyatt Petersen.

opportunity to go belt it around and throw it around a little bit.

So that’s a good thing,” Lewis said.

“It’s going to be interesting until we get our feet on the ground and find out who’s who,” the coach said.

Pitching should be a strength.

“We have a lot of good arms, starting with Jacob Pate and William Davidsmeier,” Lewis said. “They’re both big, strong kids, and they got their feet wet as freshmen. They didn’t throw a great deal of innings, but they were probably around 20 apiece, give or take a little bit. So

they’ve had a taste of it, which is good.

“We’re looking for good things out of our pitchers,” the coach said. “We’ve got some young kids, sophomores, that I think can step up, and once they get a taste of it and figure it out, I think they’ll be OK and give us a lot of quality innings.”

It’s a little too early to know who will lead the Tigers at the plate. “That’s one thing that — until you see other people, and their pitching as well, you’re not going to be able to tell,” Lewis said. “We have ideas, of course.

But we’ll just have to throw them

out there and see what happens.”

This team doesn’t have a lot of speed, but it could have some punch. “I think we’ll be more of a doubles-type of team,” Lewis said. “We’re looking to get kids to put the ball on the barrel and get it into the gaps.”

Lewis said he’s planning to do some shuffling early, trying different players in different spots. Sophomore Micah Wink figures to be the team’s catcher, with William Davidsmeier at shortstop when he’s not pitching.

Owen Quigley will play second base, with Aaric Brown and Anthony Borchers in the mix

Good Luck Beardstown!

B

there. Center field was still up for grabs last week.

Beardstown was primed for a good season in 2020, before the shutdown. “I thought we had a heckuva bunch coming back,” Lewis said, “and I thought we could have done some things.”

But it’s good to get back on the field again.

“It feels great,” the coach said.

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 27

BEARDSTOWN softball Robbi Howard coached the Beardstown football team this spring, put together schedules for every sport at the school, threw most of them out and started over when the Illinois High School Association changed its mind, then did it again. And now, softball.

Howard enters his fourth season as head coach of the Beardstown softball team.

“We are a young team and like everyone else, it has been so long since we competed we don’t know what we have yet,” Howard said.

Beardstown lost Alyssa Dour, Ellie White, Shayna Price, Reagan Krumboltz and Alayna Deacon. The Tigers return four starters: catcher Rilee Hobrock, pitcher/first baseman Rachel Hager, second baseman Sydney Barker

BEARDSTOWN Roster 1 Hayley Sloan IF 4 Emma Hymes OF 5 Jaelyn Simpson 1B/2B 7 Rilee Hobrock C/OF 8 Tanna Coats OF 15 Gracy Hamlin 3B 19 Katie Orr 1B 22 Rachel Hager P/OF 24 Sydney Barker IF 33 McKaylee Kearns P 37 Marlee Brown P/1B 42 Kourtney Logsdon C/OF 50 Ana Santiago OF

BEARDSTOWN Schedule 1 Hayley Sloan IF 4 Emma Hymes OF 5 Jaelyn Simpson 1B/2B 7 Rilee Hobrock C/OF 8 Tanna Coats OF 15 Gracy Hamlin 3B 19 Katie Orr 1B 22 Rachel Hager P/OF 24 Sydney Barker IF 33 McKaylee Kearns P 37 Marlee Brown P/1B 42 Kourtney Logsdon C/OF 50 Ana Santiago OF

BEARDSTOWN

and shortstop Hayley Sloan.

Key newcomers include Marlee Brown (P/3B), Kourtney Logsdon (OF/C), Katie

Orr (1B), Jaelyn Simpson (1B/2B), Emma Hymes (OF) and Tanna Coats (OF).

Beardstown has a good

mix of athletes who run well and bring some power to the plate. Howard said he has some young players who

don’t have varsity experience, but who have had success in recreational leagues.

The Tigers have players returning in key spots on the diamond. “Defensively, we will be strong through the middle with returning starters,” Howard said. “Rilee Hobrock behind the plate, Hayley Sloan at shortstop and Kourtney Logsdon in center field will lead to solid defense behind our pitching.”

Beardstown could have a good pitching staff. “We have three quality pitchers in McKaylee Kearns, Rachel Hager and Marlee Brown,” Howard said. “Rachel Hager is the only one with varsity experience, but we expect the other two to develop and provide quality innings.”

28 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

TRIOPIA baseball

T

The Triopia baseball team will be solid in the field but looking for answers elsewhere as Rich Thompson enters his 12th season with the team.

The Trojans lost Broc Moore, Alec Coil, Russell Gregory and Jakob Lakamp, but they return several players who have started at one time or another. They include juniors Caden Moore (C), Ty Malcomson (CF), Cordell Walker (SS/2B), and Brayden Booth (SS/2B); and seniors Sam Stanberry (P) and Mason Fricke (P).

Other returners include seniors Owen Bell (1B/3B), Eric Caldwell (OF), Brendan

TRIOPIA Schedule April 29 GreenfieldNorthwestern 4:30 pm April 30 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm May 3 at Calhoun 4:30 pm May 4 at Liberty 4:30 pm May 6 North Greene 4:30 pm May 10 at Routt (DH) 4:30 pm May 13 at Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm May 17 at New Berlin 4:30 pm May 18 Calhoun 4:30 pm May 19 West Central 4:30 pm May 20 Carrollton (DH) 4:30 pm May 21 South Fulton 4:30 pm May 24 at GreenfieldNorthwestern (DH) 4:30 pm May 25 Beardstown 4:30 pm May 26 Routt 4:30 pm May 31 Brown County (DH) 10 am

TRIOPIA Roster Mason Fricke SR Sam Stanberry SR Ben Dambacher SR Kevin Fritsche SR Owen Bell SR Eric Caldwell SR John Cruz SR Brendan Kanaske SR Caden Moore JR Brayden Booth JR Ty Malcomson JR Cordell Walker JR Jacob Walkington JR Grant Wisdom JR Sam Cox JR Clayton Klopfer JR Brandon Bottens SO Wade Swan FR Evan Bell FR Jack Cox FR Collin Caldwell FR Carter Lakamp FR

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TRIOPIA

Kansaske (OF/P), Kevin Fritsche (INF), and Ben Dambacher (INF/P); and juniors Jakob Walkington (OF), Grant Wisdom (INF/P) and Sam Cox (INF/P).

New to the team this year will be sophomore Brandon Bottens (INF) and freshmen Evan Bell (OF/P), Collin Caldwell (INF) and Carter Lakamp (OF/P).

Triopia returns some proven hitters, but the Trojans may have to work to manufacture

some runs. “I think our top half of the lineup should be strong, and we should be fairly quick on the bases,” Thompson said. “I expect Moore and Malcomson to bat three and four, with Booth and Walker at the top of our lineup. The bottom half will have to step up and prove they can hit.”

Defense will be the team’s strength, with plenty of experience returning. Caden Moore will catch, with Malcomson

backing him up. First base will be up for grabs with Owen Bell, Kevin Fritsche and Ben Dambacher in the mix. Thompson said he expects Brayden Booth and Cordell Walker to play second and short; Sam Cox and Grant Wisdom are options for middle infield as well. Sam Stanberry and Mason Fricke will vie for playing time at third base.

The outfield will consist of Jakob Walkington, Ty Malcomson, Eric

GO TRIOPIA TROJANS!

Caldwell, Brendan Kanaske and Sam Stanberry.

“I feel like our team will be a pretty solid defensive team,” Thompson said. “We should be strong up the middle and in the outfield.”

Mason Fricke, Sam Stanberry, Brayden Booth, Ben Dambacher, Evan Bell, Carter Lakamp, Sam Cox, Grant Wisdom and Brendan Kanaske all will pitch.

“Our pitching staff is where we need some guys to step up,” Thompson said. “We return Fricke and Stanberry with some varsity experience, but all our other pitchers have not really pitched at the varsity level.”

Good Luck Area Teams!

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Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 29

TRIOPIA softball The 2021 Triopia softball team hopes to put the ball in play, avoid giving up walks and play solid defense this season.

“We have a lot of young girls that surround a few upperclassmen,” said Ty Gebhardt, entering his fifth season as head coach. “This team has more speed than we’ve had in the past. We work hard in practice to strengthen our defense behind our pitchers that throw strikes. We have a lot of multisport girls, and we haven’t gotten as much practice as we typically would. If our defense is tough, we will stay in games and put pressure on teams.”

The Trojans lost some key

TRIOPIA Schedule Apr 29 Greenfield-Northwestern 4:30 pm Apr 30 at Pittsfield 4:30 pm May 3 at Calhoun 4:30 pm May 4 at Rushville-Industry 4:30 pm May 6 North Greene 4:30 pm May 10 at Routt (DH) 4:30 pm May 11 at North Greene, 4:30 pm May 13 at Pleasant Hill 4:30 pm May 17 at New Berlin 4:30 pm May 18 Calhoun 4:30 pm May 19 West Central 4:30 pm May 20 Carrollton (DH) 4:30 pm May 21 South Fulton 4:30 pm May 25 Liberty 4:30 pm May 27 at Griggsville-Perry, 4:30 pm May 31 Brown County 10 am

TRIOPIA Roster 1 Jocelyn Bartels SO 2 Jayla Waid SR 3 Hailey Reynolds JR 4 Gabby Young SO 5 Kendra Stock JR 6 Presley Wankel SR 7 Rachel Nelson SR 10 Ellie Vinyard SO 11 Lilly Carson SO 12 Megan Reynolds SO 14 Addison Walker FR 16 Brooklyn Beck FR 17 Abby Covington SR 18 Jaci Stambaugh SO 19 Rilyn Waid FR 21 Maggie Foster SO 22 Rhianna Lovekamp FR 24 Ava Ganz SO 33 Lilly Pate FR 44 Sailym Reid JR 45 Jeris Wankel FR

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TRIOPIA — Front row (l-r): Lily Carson, Josie Bartels, Addison Walker, Lauren Covington, Brooklyn Beck, Ellie Vinyard, Maggie Foster, Jeris Wankel. Second row: Rhianna Lovekamp, Presley Wankel, Jayla Waid, Sailym Reid, Rylan Waid, Lily Pate, Hailey Reynolds, Megan Reynolds, Gabby Young, Kendra Stock. Not pictured: Ava Ganz, Jaci Stambaugh, Rachel Nelson, Emma Lyons.

contributors, including Anna Burrus, Maddie Gregory, Peyton Knous and Sara Evans.

They return five starters, including third baseman Lauren Covington, pitcher Jayla Waid, center fielder Hailey Reynolds,

first baseman/catcher Sailym Reid and Kendra Stock. Key newcomers joining the party this year include Jaci Stambaugh, Lily Carson, Megan Reynolds, Josie Bartels, Ava Ganz and Gabby Young.

Gebhardt knows how to teach players to hit, and this team will hit.

“We have some girls that put the bat on the ball,” the coach said. “We are more contact hitters that try to get on base with

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their speed.”

Gebhardt said it’s still early to talk about positions in the field, but Triopia has a lot of student-athletes who can play multiple spots. “I hope our younger girls find their confidence early,” the coach said.

The Trojans have several options in the circle, including two experienced pitchers. “Jayla Waid and Josie Bartels pitched for us in the summer league they played in,” Gebhardt said.

“We have a few young girls who are throwing strikes. We don’t have pitchers that blow you away with speed, but we are working hard for them to hit their spots and rely on defense.”

30 • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • Jacksonville Journal-Courier

PORTA/A-C CENTRAL baseball Brett Leischner is in his first year as head coach for the PORTA/A-C Central baseball team.

“Our team will be young and inexperienced for the most part,” Leischner said. “We will need to make the routine play defensively and move the baseball offensively to be successful this year. Our eagerness to improve, and our team’s ability to be coached is something that we can build off of. Staying healthy and bringing intensity to every game this year will be key to having success. We have had a great start to practice, and our guys are getting better every day. I think this team can surprise people as long as they stay with the process and compete for all seven innings every game.”

PORTA/A-C Central lost Cole Chalmers last year after a solid 2019 season. His place in the order will need to be filled by some of the team’s younger guys. “We return Cade Privia, Jake Shannon and Wyatt Mahoney as players that played quite a few innings for us in 2019,” Leischner said. “We are looking to newcomers Aaron Suiter, Ryan Bettis, Krayton Reincke and Dane DeGroot to make a big impact for us this spring.”

PORTA/A-C CENTRAL Roster 1 Drew Atwater 2 Jacob Hampton 4 Anthony Hale 5 Aaron Suiter 6 Hunter Roberts 7 Wyatt Mahoney 10 Dane DeGroot 15 Ryan Bettis 16 Jake Shannon 19 Blake McDaniel 21 Krayton Reincke 24 Cade Privia 32 Jack Gurnsey 33 Bryton Butler

PORTA/A-C CENTRAL

Submitted photo

PORTA/A-C CENTRAL — First row (l-r): Drew Atwater, Jack Gurnsey, Ryan Bettis, Dane DeGroot. Second row: Coach Leischner, Aaron Suiter, Bryton Butler, Jake Shannon, Cade Privia, Wyatt Mahoney, Krayton Reincke Coach King, Coach Blakeman. Not pictured: Hunter Roberts, Mitchel Horn, Jake Hampton, Blake McDaniel.

Cade Privia is back after a good year on the mound in 2019. He figures to be key to the Bluejays’ pitching staff, along with Wyatt Mahoney, Aaron Suiter and Ryan Bettis.

“We will look to Cade Privia to continue his success at the plate to anchor our offense,”

Leischner said. “We are also looking for Jake Shannon, Krayton Reincke, and Ryan Bettis to provide some pop to the middle of our lineup.”

Jake Hampton, Anthony Hale, Blake McDaniel, Wyatt Mahoney, Mitchel Horn, Aaron Suiter, and Ryan Bettis should

all compete for significant innings in the outfield. The team has plenty of options at third base, including Jack Gurnsey, Bryton Butler, Krayton Reincke and Jacob Hampton.

Cade Privia will play shortstop; Krayton Reincke or Jack Gurnsey will take that spot when

Schedule Wed, Apr 14 at Lincoln, 4 pm Thu, Apr 15 at Morrisonville 4:30 pm Mon, Apr 19 at Routt, 4 pm Tue, Apr 20 Macomb, 4:30 pm Sat, Apr 24 New Berlin (DH) 10 am Wed, Apr 28 at Tri-City 4:30 pm Thu, Apr 29 Williamsville, 4:30 pm Sat, May 1 at Hillsboro, 10 am Mon, May 3 Midwest Central 4 pm Tue, May 4 at Illini Central 4:30 pm Thu, May 6 North Mac 4:30 pm Sat, May 8 Hamilton 11 am Tue, May 11 at Auburn 4:30 pm Wed, May 12 at Pawnee 4:30 pm Thu, May 13 Maroa-Forsyth 4:30 pm Fri, May 14 at Springfield Southeast 4:30 pm Sat, May 15 Pittsfield 11 am Tue, May 18 at New Berlin 4:30 pm Thu, May 20 at Riverton 4:30 pm Sat, May 22 Lutheran 10 am Tue, May 25 at Athens 4:30 pm Thu, May 27 Pleasant Plains 4:30 pm Sat, May 29 Havana 10 am

Privia is pitching. Ryan Bettis and Aaron Suiter both will play significant innings at second base. Jake Shannon looks to lock down first base, and Dane DeGroot, Hunter Roberts and Drew Atwater will catch significant innings this year.

Bryton Butler will figure prominently in the DH role when it is used.

“Our eagerness to improve, and our team’s ability to be coached is something that we can build off of.

Staying healthy and bringing intensity to every game this year will be key to having success.”

— Brett Leischner Coach

Jacksonville Journal-Courier • Thursday, April 29, 2021 • 31

PORTA/A-C CENTRAL softball PORTA/A-C CENTRAL Schedule Apr 19 Springfield 4:30 pm Apr 22 Hillsboro 4:30 pm Apr 27 at Midwest Central 4:30 pm Apr 29 Williamsville 4:30 pm May 4 at Illini Central 4:30 pm May 6 North Mac 4:30 pm May 8 Havana 10 am May 8 Quincy 11:30 am May 11 at Auburn 4:30 pm May 12 at Pawnee 4:30 pm May 13 Maroa-Forsyth 4:30 pm May 14 Tri-City 4:30 pm May 14 at Tri-City/Sangamon Valley 4:30 pm May 15 at Pittsfield 11 am May 18 at New Berlin 4:30 pm May 20 at Riverton 4:30 pm May 25 at Athens 4:30 pm May 27 Pleasant Plains 4:30 pm

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PORTA/A-C CENTRAL

PORTA/A-C CENTRAL Roster 00 Addy McClure P/INF Sr. 2 Hailey Brown C/INF Fr. 4 Jayce Privia C/INF Fr. 5 Macy Schnapp OF/INF Sr. 7 Abby Dawson OF/INF Jr. 11 Gabbie Branson LHP/1B/ OF Fr. 13 Jaydn Jiannoni 3B/OF Sr. 14 Maelyn Weatherby OF/INF Jr. 17 Cassidy Flack OF So. 18 Amber Teimeyer P/1B Jr. 21 Sierra Garner INF/OF Sr. 23 Marissa Jiannoni INF Fr. 24 Olivia Hampton INF/OF So. 25 Erin Wallace INF/OF So. 30 Karlie Hoke C/OF/P Fr. 31 Autumn Williams OF/INF So. 32 Raygan Horn OF So. 34 Emma Wankel INF/OF FR. 35 Paige Klauzer DP/P/INF Jr. 41 Sydney Wallbaum INF/OF Sr.

Coach Andy Biermann has moved from baseball to softball this year for PORTA/A-C Central.

The Bluejays lost some talented players, including Taylor Danner, Kassidy Johnson, Hannah Carlock, Emma Stone and Addison McMahon. But they return three dynamite seniors, including pitcher Addy McClure, a unanimous all-conference selection in 2019. Outfielder Macy Schnapp also returns, along with infielder Jaydn Jiannoni.

Other returning players include juniors Abby Dawson (IF/OF) and Amber Teimeyer (P/1B), and

senior infielder Sierra Garner.

Key newcomers include juniors Maelyn Weatherby (OF) and Paige Klauzer (1B/DP), sophomore Erin Wallace (IF/OF), and freshman catcher Jayce Privia.

“We will build around our pitchers,” Biermann said. “We have one of the very best in the area with Addy McClure. We also have some quality depth with Amber Teimeyer as a very good number two, and Paige Klauzer will see some time. Also, freshman Gabbie Branson could fill in some innings when needed.

McClure and Teimeyer will hit in

the middle of the lineup, and we have some options in front and behind them to get girls on base.”

McClure and Teimeyer will hit three-four in the batting order.

Privia, who has a knack for getting on base, will bat near the top. “Wallace and Klauzer will help provide protection after our three-four girls,” Biermann said.

“We can fill in the other areas with speed and bunters.”

Schnapp, Weatherby and Dawson figure to patrol the outfield, with potentially a couple of freshmen filling in to help out.

Teimeyer will play first base

when she’s not pitching. Garner will play at shortstop, with Jiannoni at third. Wallace got a lot of work at short during preseason practices. Privia will take over the catching duties. “We have a couple questions to answer as best fit at a couple positions,” Biermann said, “so you could see some rotations early in the year, until we find something we are comfortable with.”

The Bluejays have a wealth of pitching in McClure and Teimeyer. “McClure is a returning unanimous All-Conference pitcher her sophomore year,” Biermann said. “She is as good as anyone in the area. Teimeyer isn’t too far behind McClure. Anytime we have them on the mound, we have a great chance at winning.”

Klauzer and Branson will get some innings as well at the varsity level.

“We have a couple questions to answer as best fit at a couple positions, so you could see some rotations early in the year, until we find something we are comfortable with.”

— Andy Biermann

Coach

Jacksonville

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