News Progress

McClain and Neuhauser lead the pack in state qualifying

May 20, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newprogress.com

The SOV girls finished in third place with 67 points at the 14-team Central A & M sectional last Thursday.
Amanda McClain qualified for state in all four of her events with wins in the long jump (17 feet, 11 1/2 inches) and 400 (58.80 seconds), second place in the 200 (25.74) and as part of the 4 x 200 relay.
Emily Neuhauser qualified for state in three events. Individually she placed first place in the 200  (25.69) and second place in the 100m (12.69). Read More

Beat Purple Riders and rain for win

May 20, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Okaw Valley had two opponents Friday night–the first being an Arcola squad and the second a storm front quickly approaching the pivotal contest.
With a 20-win season and a Little Okaw Valley Northwest division championship on the line the Timberwolves sprung into the rarely seen baseball version of the “two minute drill.” Timberwolves head coach Dave Benning spoke about the situation after the win.
“We knew the storm was coming in so we started early, and when we got a lead, we wanted to keep things moving. I credit our senior leadership. They were getting on people to get in and out of the dugout quickly. I mentioned to my assistant coach that I have not seen that much hustle in 20 years!”
Amanda McClain took a perfect game into the bottom of the third and did not allow a hit until the bottom of the fifth. McClain got early run support for the dominant pitching performance as the Timberwolves bats struck early and often. Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured are the Okaw Valley high school senior baseball players who were celebrated last Thursday before their contest against Meridian, which they won 7-0. From left to right: Peyton Hagerman, Tim Jones, Logan Tipsword, Devon Still, Joe Jeffers, and Jay Orris.

Hagerman tallies 15 strikeouts in win

May 20, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Last Thursday’s Okaw Valley senior night game saw masterful play on the mound by Peyton Hagerman, who had Meridian missing the ball just about all evening long as he and his fellow teammates cruised to a 7-0 victory.
The one of six seniors went all seven innings, throwing a one-hit shutout on the back of a 15-strikeout performance.
“He was really locked in,” said his father and head coach Andrew Hagerman. “He had one rough outing this year at LSA a few weeks ago, and since then has been lights-out every game. His control is better than it has ever been, and that’s important because not a lot of guys are able to square him up with his velocity and variety of pitches.”
“He pitched excellent,” added fellow senior Devon Still, who with Hagerman has become one of the most lethal pitching duos in the area.
“It was pretty cool,” said Peyton of his final game at home. “I’ve been going out there since I was eight in fourth grade. Since my dad has been coaching, I’ve probably been out there a thousand times watching other teams practice and working out by myself. It was a little emotional getting to play there one last time, but it was a happy way to go out.” Read More

Now prepare for LOVC division championship opportunity

May 15, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Okaw Valley softball team won two games this week to further improve to 19-3 on the year.
Both games were scheduled on the fly due to scheduling conflicts with original opponents’ schedules. As a result, OV, rather than facing Neoga Wednesday, traveled to play Central A&M and came away with a 4-2 win.
“A&M is a tough opponent,” said head coach Dave Benning. “They play a predominantly 2A schedule, and they’re in a tough conference.”
Amanda McClain went all seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out 10.
OV took a 2-0 lead in the first, but the Raiders cut the lead by one in the bottom frame. A&M would score their only other run in the second off of a solo home run, but OV posted a run apiece in both the fourth and fifth innings, thanks in part to a couple A&M errors.
OV did tally 10 hits on the night but also left five on base. Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured are the seven Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond seniors that were celebrated Tuesday evening before the team’s game against Sullivan. From left to right: Ross Ryan, Hunter Kamm, Avery Schrock, Tyler Schuring, Chris Crabtree, Jeremy Plank, and Christopher Davis.

Schuring and company stop red-hot Redskins

May 13, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Whether it was the three-up, three-down pitching of Tyler Schuring, the 2-run homer by Hunter Kamm, or the final out by Chris Davis, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s seniors showed up to play Tuesday night and knocked Sullivan off 8-5.
“We put the ball in play, got some guys on, and that got contagious,” said head coach Craig Moffett. “The guys are very energetic in the dugout and ran the bases hard, and backed up throws. We played pretty clean defense, too.”
Things certainly appeared at first to go in Sullivan’s way, however. Dylan Hart got the scoring started with a solo-bomb over the left-field wall in the first. After Nick Frerichs’ single down the third-base line, Levi Nadler doubled to deep center field to put Sullivan up 2-0.
On the mound for Sullivan was Zach Hrvol who helped retire the side in the bottom frame after just 10 pitches.
Sullivan then scored again in the bottom of the second thanks to one of just two Tyler Schuring walks on the day. Read More