Photo by RR Best
Pictured are Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond high school’s senior softball players who were celebrated last Thursday before their contest against Sullivan, which the Knights lost 13-3. Pictured, left to right: Samantha Landers, Emily Seegmiller, and Brooke Tabb.

Errors cost Knights in loss

May 20, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Seleste Smith went 3-5 for the Redskins last Thursday, driving home four RBI in support of Heidi Clements who allowed two earned runs over seven innings, striking out four in the win.
Knight’s starter Macy Hollingsworth had a tough day on the mound, surrendering 18 hits over seven innings. The Knights were held to just six hits on the day with Erin Wildman driving in two RBI and Brooke Tabb adding Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s final tally.
Both teams put up zeros in the first two innings before Sullivan was able to bust the game open with a six run top of the third. Jordan Basset got the rally started for the Redskins with a leadoff double to left field. A sac bunt advanced the runner to third before an infield single off the pitchers glove allowed Basset to score. The Redskins would add five more runs in the inning as the wheels fell off the Knights defense. Read More

Defensive improvements stressed heading into regionals

May 20, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

The Timberwolves played a difficult double header on Sullivan’s north diamond Saturday, losing in the first game to Mt. Zion 16-2 and then falling in the second contest versus Cumberland 14-4. Senior Amanda McClain took the loss versus Mt Zion, and sophomore Matty Perrine fell against Cumberland.
“We definitely faced two strong offensive clubs today,” said head coach Dave Benning. “But there are times even if the ball is hit well you need to make a play. We had a couple catchable balls in game two that we did not make a play on. We had highlights here and there making some strong plays, but all in all the defensive effort was lacking in game two.” Read More

McClain completes record setting achievement

May 20, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Rounding out their regular season prior to the state track meet Thursday, the SOV girls’ track and field team left Urbana after leaving a big mark.
In particular, Amanda McClain broke the 30 year old meet record of 58.5 seconds in the 400. The SOV senior ran a 57.85. As if that itself wasn’t impressive enough, the record setting feat also marked a personal achievement for McClain.
“It was the only meet she hadn’t set a record at,” said Taylor, referring to all outdoor meets over McClain’s career. “It was a very neat feeling as her mentor and coach to be standing at the finish line as she broke that record. It was the second oldest on the girls’ side and the third oldest overall at the meet…She has now set a meet record at every outdoor invitational (that keeps meet records) she has been at, including the state meet. The only indoor one she didn’t get is coincidentally at ISU. Over four years she has set or rebroken 42 meet records and set a meet record or school record on every track she has run on, besides the track at ISU where she will be running next year. There probably are not too many athletes that have done that. It’s quite an outstanding accomplishment.” Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured are Sullivan high school’s senior baseball players who were celebrated last Thursday during their contest against Pana, which the Redsksins won 10-0. Front row, left to right: Nick Frerichs, Jacob Piper, Brody Elder, and Dylan Hart. Back row: Drew Harris, Dakota Clayton, Levi Nadler, and Matthew Sparrow.

Sullivan’s staple defense shows up in victory

May 20, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

It was back to Sullivan baseball Thursday night as the Redskins’, celebrating their eight seniors, took care of Pana in five innings winning 10-0.
Sullivan was coming off just their fifth loss of the year after falling to underdog Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Tuesday, who was then celebrating their own seniors.
“I think that woke them up,” said Rogers. “They didn’t want to have another game like that. The seniors were ready today from the start. You could tell. They came out with a different mindset. It was great.”
“We don’t like losing,” added senior Dylan Hart. “We definitely came out here to get some revenge, to come back out and get another win and to get that win/loss ratio up, but it was definitely nice coming out here and redeeming ourselves.”
The tone Thursday was set immediately with senior Levi Nadler and his trustworthy defense retiring the top of the first after just eight pitches and four batters. Read More

Defeat Arcola 11-0 Tuesday

May 13, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Okaw Valley defended their Northwest Little Okaw Valley crown on Tuesday night with a dominant 11-0 victory over Arcola. Devon Still went the distance tossing a six inning complete game shutout while punching out 10 Purple Riders.
Head coach Andrew Hagermen said his team accomplished two of their three goals with the win. “This is back-to-back, but the thing I told the team was to stay focused on the goals we had this year. We wanted to win 20 games, win our conference, and win our regional. Today was our 20th win and a conference championship so that was a double whammy. Right now we are tied with Argenta, and they have Arthur one more time so we will either tie or take the whole thing.”
Devon Still punched out four of the first five batters in a workhorse performance his coach has come to expect. Read More