Category Archives: Sports Section

Fruchtl’s No-No and Fritz’s Power Surge OV to Regional Final

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Photo furnished Regional Champion Timberwolves move on to sectionals Thursday in Danville.

Photo furnished
Regional Champion Timberwolves move on to sectionals Thursday in Danville.

•May 25, 2016•

By Kirk Whitaker
News Progress Sports

No­hitter.

When a pitcher allows no ­hits, that normally spells success for his team.

Beat­ down would be a more appropriate term for this one.

Behind a homer and triple by catcher Garrett Fritz, two inning­ ending­double­plays, Drew Fruchtl’s no ­hitter propelled Okaw Valley past Arthur- Lovington/Atwood-Hammond 15-­0 Tuesday night at the St. Teresa Regional semi­finals.

This set up the chance for a repeat Regional championship Saturday against one of the only three teams who had defeated them to date in Windsor/Stewardson­-Strasburg.

“I thought Drew came out really well mixing his pitches up early,” Timberwolves head coach Andrew Hagerman said. “We also gave him some good run support too. We didn’t hit bad, we didn’t hit great, but it was enough today.”

After a four­ run first, the ‘wolves hung a seven spot in the second, chasing Knights’ starter Marcus Vanausdoll from the contest and all hope of a Knight comeback as well. Read More

Lady Redskins Advance Past Villa Grove, but Fall to Tuscola in Regional Play

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•May 25, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports

Sullivan softball hosted a regional play-in game last Monday. The lady Redskins defeated Villa Grove 14-0 in five innings on the north diamond.  Heidi Clements tossed a shutout behind a dominant fastball.

Coach Andy Wagner noted it was the perfect final home game for his seniors. “The girls understood that now it is a one game season. They went out and played like it was their last game. If there was a way to align their last home game, it aligned pretty well for them.”

Brooke Tuttle jump-started the offense against Villa Grove with a two RBI triple to left field in the bottom of the second inning. With a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third the Lady Redskins batted around the order.  Mackenzie Ruppert started it off with a leadoff single. Bailey Pratt followed with a single of her own, and a walk to Seleste Smith loaded the bases with no outs.   Read More

Sullivan Redskin Baseball Season’s Leaders

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•May 25, 2016•

Sullivan baseball Redskins completed regular season play with a 14-13 record for head coach Troy Rogers.

Five pitchers served the Redskins on the mound, with Brett Tuttle pitching 21 2/3 innings, allowing 30 hits and eight earned runs, while striking out 20. He had a 3-1 record and 2.58 ERA.

Zach Hrvol pitched 44 1/3 innings, allowing 38 hits and 18 earned runs with 61 strike outs. He had a 4-3 record and 2.84 ERA.

Tom Schibur pitched 40 innings, giving up 32 hits and 20 earned runs. He had a 2-3 record and struck out 50 batters for a 3.5 ERA.

Dylan Liddiard pitched 26 innings allowing 30 hits and eight earned runs. He struck 23 batters out and had a 3-1 record with a 2.15 ERA. Read More

Fourth for SOV Track at CIC Shelbyville Meet

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•May 18, 2016•

The Sullivan Okaw Valley boys’ track team finished in fourth place at the CIC track meet May 10 in Shelbyville.

Medal earners include Sebastian Smith and Jadon Nuzzo getting first and second place in pole vault and setting the new conference record at 12’6”.

Because Smith earned first place, he is recognized as a CIC All-Conference track athlete.

Zane Uphoff medaled in the triple jump with a second place finish.

Performances and rankings: Read More

Redskin Baseball Seniors 2016

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Photo By Darian Hays Redskin Baseball Seniors Senior day was observed in Sullivan last week. Seniors from left: Dylan Liddiard, Adam White, Alec Ballinger, Austin Minnigerode, Zach Hrvol, Blake Stewart and coach Troy Rogers

Photo By Darian Hays
Redskin Baseball Seniors
Senior day was observed in Sullivan last week. Seniors from left: Dylan Liddiard, Adam White, Alec Ballinger, Austin Minnigerode, Zach Hrvol, Blake Stewart and coach Troy Rogers

Central A&M Over ALAH by One

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•May 18, 2016•

Central A&M softball traveled to Arthur May 13 edging the Arthur-Lovington/Atwiood-Hammond team 6-5.

Shelby Frederick pitched seven innings for ALAH allowing 13 hits and six runs with four strikeouts.

Dunn pitched for Central A& M allowing 11 hits including three doubles and five runs, while striking out 10 batters. Read More

Sullivan Softball Shrugs off Rain to Beat ALAH

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Photo by Darian Hays Lady Redskin seniors were honored during the last home game. From left: Abby Elzy, Heidi Clements, Dani Boyer and Seleste Smith.

Photo by Darian Hays
Lady Redskin seniors were honored during the last home game. From left: Abby Elzy, Heidi Clements, Dani Boyer and Seleste Smith.

•May 18, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports

The rain gods favored the Lady Redskins with a 10-0 victory over the Lady Knights from Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond on Monday.  Sullivan’s north diamond held up well in poor conditions, and Heidi Clements handled the rest.

Clements pitched five shutout innings behind some of the best velocity she has featured all year. The Lady Redskin senior scattered two hits in a performance that bodes well for the postseason.

Sullivan head coach Andy Wagner noted the team’s focus was where it needed to be, “I thought our girls today came out ready to play; we did not let the weather affect us. We have been preaching about expecting to play perfect even though it is not possible. And today I thought we did. That is the best I have seen us defensively all year.”

Sullivan jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a double by Clements.

After a long battle including several foul balls down the left field line, Clements smoked a line drive into the gap in left center to bring home two runs. Coach Wagner said the team’s approach at the plate has improved. “I thought today we had better approaches; we stayed back.  The big thing that we talked about was letting the ball travel. When you are doing that, you can work counts and not be so gunny to hit that first pitch.” Read More

Wall Takes Aim

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Photo by Darian Hays Sullivan sophomore Madison Wall takes aim during the game with Shelbyville last Thursday.

Photo by Darian Hays
Sullivan sophomore Madison Wall takes aim during the game with Shelbyville last Thursday.

SOV Girls’ Track Overcomes Delays to Finish Season

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•May 18, 2016•

The Sullivan Okaw Valley girls’ track team finished their season Friday at the Rochester Sectional.

The girls’ efforts this season was exceptional, especially on Friday with seven athletes still having events to compete in following a three hour weather delay. Their only point came from Alyssa Marshall with a sixth place 800 run in 2:39.

Other results are listed below.

100M- 10. Risley 14.02, 14. Wooters 14.65.

200M- 15. Wooters 31.44, 18. Hill 32.44

400- 8. Risley 1:07.04, 10. Hogan 1:07.94 Read More

Yeakley Signs with EIU

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Photo furnished Yeakley Signs with EIU ALAH track stand out Colton Yeakley signed his letter of intent to participate in Eastern Illinois University track and field. At the signing on May 11 at the high school gym were Colton’s mother Heidi and father Steve. Colton displayed shot put, javelin and discus on the signing table.

Photo furnished
Yeakley Signs with EIU
ALAH track stand out Colton Yeakley signed his letter of intent to participate in Eastern Illinois University track and field. At the signing on May 11 at the high school gym were Colton’s mother Heidi and father Steve. Colton displayed shot put, javelin and discus on the signing table.