Joshua Welge – Page 18

Neuqua Valley product Nick Blackburn collected 11 saves for Illinois as the team's top closer.

Nick Blackburn feels more relaxed than first time sitting through draft

June 10, 2018 at 12:41 p.m.

Nick Blackburn doesn't know his next stop. The Illinois senior right-hander, though, started his week in a nice place. Blackburn, a 2012 Neuqua Valley graduate, threw a bullpen session on...

Metea Valley’s Jade Eriksen-Russo, Beacon-News Girls Soccer Player of Year

June 10, 2018 at 12:40 p.m.

Jade Eriksen-Russo can't stay in one place. Meshing the speed of a natural athlete and the creativity of her inner artist, Metea Valley's junior forward glides freely around the soccer...

St. Edward's Kate Davidson (5) is greeted in the dugout by Devyn Ernst (4) after Davidson scored during the third inning.

New day, new lineup as St. Edward softball takes fourth in Class 2A

June 10, 2018 at 12:25 p.m.

EAST PEORIA — Kate Davidson's job description this season for St. Edward was a narrow one. The freshman waited for Lindsay Zdroik to reach base, and then she ran like...

Somonauk's Clint Rader (9) is greeted by the bench after scoring during the first inning of Saturday's Class 1A championship game against Goreville.

Clint Rader stars for Somonauk, but Goreville puts on show for state title

June 10, 2018 at 1:40 p.m.

By all accounts, Somonauk's Clint Rader should have looked stunned. Why, then, was he smiling from ear to ear? It was that kind of year for the senior outfielder, his...

St. Edward pitcher Lindsay Zdroik and catcher Allison Stratman, right, celebrate after shutting down a Lisle threat with a strikeout for the third out. Stratman led the Green Wave with two hits in the state semifinals Friday.

Allison Stratman leads with two hits, but Dupo’s bunts derail St. Edward

June 10, 2018 at 11:57 a.m.

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — St. Edward's Lindsay Zdroik wore a plastic wrap as postgame protection for a sore back muscle. The senior pitcher batted away an injury question. A grimace...

Somonauk's Johnny Johnson delivers a pitch against Aquin during the supersectional. Johnson pitched his fifth win of the playoffs Friday in the state semifinals.

Johnny Johnson, Somonauk stretch playoff run into state championship game

June 10, 2018 at 11:55 a.m.

PEORIA — Somonauk's Johnny Johnson swears by pitching from the stretch. The junior right-hander works exclusively out of the motion most pitchers reserve for when runners are on base. He...

James Kulak key in first inning as Neuqua routs Plainfield East in sectional

June 11, 2018 at 10:18 p.m.

Already in uncharted waters, Neuqua Valley's James Kulak was suddenly in a world of trouble. The sophomore pitcher, starting his first sectional game, loaded the bases with none out in...

Fabian Kratz commits to Oregon State before leaving Naperville Central

June 10, 2018 at 12:37 p.m.

Fabian Kratz's tour of the U.S. will take him to Oregon. It's been quite a trip. An exchange student from Germany, Kratz arrived last August in Naperville from Cologne. Kratz,...

Benet grad Maeve McGuire helps Georgia reach Women’s College World Series

June 11, 2018 at 10:11 p.m.

Georgia junior Maeve McGuire won't soon forget the moment. McGuire, a Benet graduate, was on first base when pinch-hitter Kaylee Puailoa stepped up with two outs in the seventh inning...

Ricky Castro bears down as Neuqua Valley holds off Naperville Central

June 10, 2018 at 2:06 p.m.

Neuqua Valley sophomore Ricky Castro laughed as he repeated his nickname. "We're the rookies," Castro said. "That's what the guys call us." Castro and classmate James Kulak are close friends...

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