BACK

Top of 1st - Plano Reapers
Kevin Tuskey pitching:
-- Matt Priesman: Strike Looking, Foul, Matt Priesman flied out to the pitcher .
-- Brent Day: Strike Swinging, Foul, Foul, Brent Day doubled .
-- Brook Bott: Brook Bott singled , Brent Day scored .
-- Will Brown: Strike Swinging, Ball, Strike Looking, Brook Bott caught stealing going to second , Will Brown flied out to second .
End of Inning (1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
Bottom of 1st - 06 Coal City
Nick Preston pitching:
-- Austin McDowell: Ball, Strike Looking, Foul, Austin McDowell grounded out to short .
-- Brian Naiden: Strike Looking, Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Foul, Foul, Foul, Foul, Brian Naiden struck out swinging .
-- Ryne Rende: Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Ryne Rende flied out to third .
End of Inning (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)

Top of 2nd - Plano Reapers
Kevin Tuskey pitching:
-- Nick Preston: Nick Preston singled .
-- Jared Ferguson: Jared Ferguson on base by fielder's choice , Nick Preston to second .
-- Josh O'Hara: Strike Looking, Josh O'Hara hit into double play to short , Nick Preston to third , Jared Ferguson forced out at second .
-- Josh Wright: Strike Looking, Ball, Ball, Josh Wright grounded out to short .
End of Inning (0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors)
Bottom of 2nd - 06 Coal City
Nick Preston pitching:
-- Ben Rouse: Strike Looking, Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Foul, Ben Rouse walked .
-- JT Blaine: Strike Swinging, Ball, Ben Rouse to second on passed ball , Foul, JT Blaine struck out swinging .
-- David Skubic: Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, David Skubic walked .
-- Brett Smith: Brett Smith safe at first on shortstop Brook Bott's fielding error , Ben Rouse scored , David Skubic to second .
-- Zach Smith: Ball, Ball, Zach Smith singled , David Skubic to third , Brett Smith to second .
-- Brian Goff: Ball, Strike Looking, Strike Looking, Brian Goff struck out swinging .
-- Austin McDowell: Foul, Ball, Ball, Austin McDowell singled , David Skubic scored , Brett Smith scored , Zach Smith to second .
-- Brian Naiden: Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Strike Looking, Foul, Ball, Zach Smith to third on balk , Austin McDowell to second on existing error , Foul, Foul, Brian Naiden walked .
-- Ryne Rende: Foul, Foul, Ball, Ryne Rende flied out to first .
End of Inning (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors)

Top of 3rd - Plano Reapers
Kevin Tuskey pitching:
-- Alex Jensen: Ball, Foul, Strike Looking, Ball, Ball, Alex Jensen tripled .
-- Matt Priesman: Strike Swinging, Ball, Strike Swinging, Matt Priesman struck out swinging .
-- Brent Day: Strike Looking, Ball, Brent Day singled , Alex Jensen scored .
-- Brook Bott: Ball, Foul, Strike Looking, Brook Bott singled , Brent Day to second .
-- Will Brown: Will Brown singled , Brent Day scored , Brook Bott to second .
-- Nick Preston: Strike Looking, Ball, Nick Preston flied out to center .
-- Jared Ferguson: Ball, Strike Swinging, Jared Ferguson safe at first on shortstop Austin McDowell's fielding error , Brook Bott to third , Will Brown to second .
-- Josh O'Hara: Strike Looking, Josh O'Hara grounded out to second .
End of Inning (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Errors)
Bottom of 3rd - 06 Coal City
Nick Preston pitching:
-- Ben Rouse: Strike Looking, Ball, Ben Rouse homered .
-- JT Blaine: Strike Looking, Strike Looking, JT Blaine lined out to third .
-- David Skubic: Ball, David Skubic safe at first on third baseman Robbie LeMaster's throwing error , David Skubic to second on existing error , David Skubic to third on wild pitch .
-- Brett Smith: Ball, Ball, Brett Smith homered , David Skubic scored .
-- Zach Smith: Ball, Strike Looking, Zach Smith hit by pitch .
-- Brian Goff: Strike Looking, Zach Smith stole second , Brian Goff doubled , Zach Smith scored .
-- Austin McDowell: Alex Jensen relieved Nick Preston , Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Strike Looking, Brian Goff stole third , Austin McDowell walked .
-- Brian Naiden: Ball, Austin McDowell stole second , Brian Goff caught stealing going home , Austin McDowell stole third , Ball, Ball, Austin McDowell scored on passed ball , Strike Looking, Strike Looking, Brian Naiden walked .
-- Ryne Rende: Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Brian Naiden stole second , Ball, Brian Naiden to third on wild pitch , Ryne Rende walked , Ryne Rende caught stealing going to second .
End of Inning (5 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Errors)

Top of 4th - Plano Reapers
Kevin Tuskey pitching:
-- Josh Wright: Josh Wright safe at first on third baseman JT Blaine's throwing error .
-- Alex Jensen: Foul, Alex Jensen singled , Josh Wright to third .
-- Matt Priesman: Strike Looking, Ball, Matt Priesman on base by fielder's choice , Josh Wright scored , Alex Jensen forced out at second .
-- Brent Day: Foul, Foul, Foul, Foul, Brent Day on base by fielder's choice , Matt Priesman forced out at second .
-- Brook Bott: Strike Swinging, Ball, Ball, Brook Bott homered , Brent Day scored .
-- Will Brown: Strike Looking, Will Brown grounded out to second .
End of Inning (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors)
Bottom of 4th - 06 Coal City
Alex Jensen pitching:
-- Ben Rouse: Ball, Ben Rouse flied out to the pitcher .
-- JT Blaine: Ball, JT Blaine homered .
-- David Skubic: Ball, David Skubic flied out to second .
-- Brett Smith: Strike Looking, Ball, Foul, Ball, Ball, Brett Smith walked .
-- Zach Smith: Zach Smith doubled , Brett Smith scored .
-- Brian Goff: Ball, Ball, Ball, Brian Goff walked .
-- Austin McDowell: Josh Wright relieved Alex Jensen , Ball, Zach Smith to third on passed ball , Brian Goff to second on existing error , Strike Looking, Ball, Ball, Austin McDowell intentional walked .
-- Brian Naiden: Strike Looking, Strike Looking, Ball, Foul, Brian Naiden flied out to the pitcher .
End of Inning (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)

Top of 5th - Plano Reapers
Kevin Tuskey pitching:
-- Nick Preston: Nick Preston grounded out to short .
-- Jared Ferguson: Strike Swinging, Ball, Strike Swinging, Foul, Jared Ferguson struck out swinging .
-- Josh O'Hara: Strike Looking, Foul, Ball, Ball, Ball, Josh O'Hara grounded out to second .
End of Inning (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
Bottom of 5th - 06 Coal City
Josh Wright pitching:
-- Kyle Nowicki: Strike Looking, Strike Looking, Foul, Kyle Nowicki singled .
-- Ben Rouse: Strike Looking, Ben Rouse on base by fielder's choice , Kyle Nowicki forced out at second , Ben Rouse stole second , Ben Rouse to third on catcher Josh O'Hara's throwing error .
-- JT Blaine: Ball, Ball, Ball, JT Blaine hit by pitch .
-- Josh Nugent: Ball, Ball, Strike Swinging, JT Blaine stole second , Ball, Josh Nugent walked .
-- Brett Smith: Strike Looking, Foul, Foul, Ball, Brett Smith hit sacrifice fly to left , Ben Rouse scored .
-- Zach Smith: Strike Swinging, Ball, Zach Smith safe at first on shortstop Brook Bott's fielding error , JT Blaine scored , Josh Nugent to third , Zach Smith to second on throw .
-- Wes Davidson: Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Ball, Wes Davidson walked .
-- Austin McDowell: Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Strike Looking, Austin McDowell struck out swinging .
End of Inning (2 Runs, 1 Hits, 2 Errors)

Top of 6th - Plano Reapers
Kevin Tuskey pitching:
-- Josh Wright: Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Foul, Josh Wright struck out swinging .
-- Alex Jensen: Alex Jensen flied out to right .
-- Matt Priesman: Ball, Matt Priesman singled .
-- Brent Day: Ball, Matt Priesman to second on passed ball , Ball, Strike Looking, Matt Priesman stole third , Strike Looking, Brent Day singled , Matt Priesman scored .
-- Brook Bott: Jory Darling relieved Kevin Tuskey , Ball, Ball, Brook Bott singled , Brent Day to second .
-- Will Brown: Will Brown grounded out to short .
End of Inning (1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
Bottom of 6th - 06 Coal City
Jared Ferguson pitching:
-- Brian Naiden: Ball, Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Strike Looking, Brian Naiden safe at first on third baseman Nick Preston's fielding error .
-- Mike Kettman: Foul, Mike Kettman singled , Brian Naiden to second .
-- Ben Rouse: Ball, Ben Rouse safe at first on third baseman Nick Preston's throwing error , Brian Naiden to third , Mike Kettman to second .
-- Jory Darling: Foul, Jory Darling hit sacrifice fly to center , Brian Naiden scored , Mike Kettman to third .
-- Josh Nugent: Strike Looking, Josh Nugent singled , Mike Kettman scored , Ben Rouse to second .
-- Brett Smith: Ball, Strike Looking, Ball, Strike Looking, Brett Smith doubled , Ben Rouse scored , Josh Nugent to third .
-- Kevin Tuskey: Ball, Kevin Tuskey homered , Josh Nugent scored , Brett Smith scored .
End of Inning (6 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 Errors)

Plano Rallying Toward Regionals
Reapers Nab Three Straight Before Falling To Coal City


By Bill Lidinsky

In what has proven to be a very topsy turvey 2006 season for the Plano High School varsity baseball team, this past week of contests showed why the Reapers have been unpredictable at best.


After losing two Interstate Eight Conference games against Lisle on May 2 and May 3, Plano rebounded with three straight victories before getting clobbered by Coal City on Monday.


On Thursday May 4 Plano downed I-8 foe Dwight 16-6, then once again beat the Trojans on the road the very next day by the score of 5-0. The Reapers then followed the two straight wins with a third on Saturday May 6 at home against Genoa-Kingston holding on for a 4-3 victory during only their second straight three game win streak on the year.


“After losing two games in a row to Lisle we knew we had to rebound against Dwight and Genoa. We got some timely hitting and pitching and were able to string a few wins together that got us back on the winning track,” said Plano head baseball coach Jim Schmidt.


During the 10 run win versus Dwight, Reaper junior Brook Bott capped a five-run first inning with a three-run homer to give Plano a 5-2 lead after one inning of play. It was Bott’s sixth round tripper of the season and 18th as a varsity player. Bott’s homer eclipsed the former record of 17 career shots set by Plano’s Cilo Corral back in the season of 2001.


“It felt great to break the school record. I got a hold of one and set it sailing. I was able to get the record with 18 home runs just being a junior,” Bott said. “I’ve just got to keep going and hopefully get 30 homers total by this time next season.’


In the win versus Dwight, Bott also continued another record breaking streak as he moved his consecutive game hitting mark to 18 straight games overtaking the previous record of 16 set by Gregory Gould in 2005. Bott also had five RBIs on the day as senior Nick Preston (3-5) got the win o the hill for the Reapers.
The very next afternoon at Dwight, Bott went three-for-four extending his hit streak to 19 games as Plano got a four hit, seven strikeout pitching performance from junior Ben Heller and the Reapers won by five. It was Heller’s fifth win of the season against only one loss as Plano notched their second straight win in as many days.


On Saturday morning at home versus Genoa, Bott ran his mark to 20 straight games with a hit as he led off the fourth inning with a single that sparked a two-run Reaper rally.


Then in the sixth, Plano added two more runs to break a two all tie and hung on in the seventh for the one run victory and their third win in a row.
Senior Alex Jensen (1-2) recorded his first victory of the season in relief of senior starter Shawn Gwilt. Reaper senior Kevin Klingberg pitched the seventh inning to record the save.


With the three straight victories Plano moved their overall record to within one game of the 500 mark at 14-15 and 5-6 in the I-8.


The Reapers hoped to continue the winning ways on Monday along with Bott’s hit parade. But Plano’s mini streak would end at three and Bott’s run of hits was halted at 20 as the Reapers were pounded at home by Coal City 15-0. Coaler senior starting pitcher Austin McDowell allowed only one Plano hit which came on a Gwilt single to center in the fourth inning. Otherwise McDowell was near perfect facing only three batters over the minimum of 21 for a seven inning contest.
Junior Eric Nelson took the loss on the hill for the Reapers. His record is now 4-3.


“It was a nice little three game run we had but we got down early to Coal City and then they put an end to it,” Schmidt said. “We just couldn’t hit McDowell and Brook’s hitting streak unfortunately came to and end also. Now he’s got two big Plano records with the consecutive game hitting streak and the homers. He’s not too far away from setting the single season record for RBIs. He’s at 40 and I think the record is 46. He’s just a great hitter. Hopefully he can carry us through next week and into the playoffs.”


Plano traveled to Coal City on Tuesday before hosting Amboy in a non-conference game on Wednesday. The Reapers wrap up the I-8 season on Friday at Reed-Custer. They’ll then travel to Ottawa-Marquette on Saturday for a four team mini tournament that includes the Crusaders, Sandwich, and Sterling-Newman Catholic.


The Reapers will face Marquette at 9a.m. with Sandwich taking on Newman at 11a.m. The losers of the first two games will then do battle at 1p.m. followed by the championship game at 3p.m.


“We’ve got a lot of games this week and I’m not sure how much pitching we’ll have left on Saturday at Marquette. But we need to gain some momentum as we approach the regional playoffs next week. We did it last season, hopefully we can recapture that magic again this year,” Schmidt said

Sandwich Breaks Mini Skid
Indians Shine Versus Dwight On Senior Night


By Bill Lidinsky

The Sandwich High School varsity baseball team has certainly seen their share of ups and downs in 2006.


On Monday May 1, the Indians were coming off their highest point in the season with three straight wins including a double-header victory versus Yorkville and a single game win at Coal City.


But fortunes would turn against Sandwich over the next five games as they dropped four contests including three in a row entering Monday’s home game against Dwight.


Once again however the resilient Indian squad pulled themselves up by their boot straps with a 9-2 win over the Trojans Monday on Senior Night thus ending their mini three game slide.


Sandwich seniors T.C. Blanford, Dan Gray, Luke Thompson, Rich McDowell. Ryan Ivemeyer, and Jon Kolka were all honored before the game versus Dwight for their four strong years of service to the Indian program. And it was Kolka along with sophomore starting pitcher Matt Cervantes who provided the key performances that put Sandwich back in the win column.


Dwight jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning off Cervantes. But the Indians countered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. With one out Kolka singled and junior Alan Ritchie doubled putting men on second and third. Junior Lance Futrell then followed with a two-run double to tie the score. Sandwich never would be headed from there.


With two out in the second, Cervantes homered to give the Indians a 3-2 advantage. They’d add a single run in the third on Futrell’s RBI ground out that scored Kolka who had singled to lead off the inning. Up 4-2, Sandwich added two more in the fifth on RBI base hits by Futrell and Gray to build the lead to 6-2. Then in the sixth after leadoff singles by Thompson and Cervantes, Kolka clobbered a three-run homer for his first round tripper of the year to give the Indians the seven run victory. For Kolka it was a special hit on Senior Night considering it served as the only homer he’s ever had playing baseball on any level.


“It was my first homer ever in any league I’ve been a part of. I’ve never even hit the fence to tell the truth,” Kolka said. “The pitch was belt high on the outside of the plate. I had a couple of soft hits before and it felt good to make contact and get a meaningful at bat. I didn’t think it was going out but it did. I feel good to join the home run club on this team this season.”


Kolka led the way for Sandwich offensively going three-for-four with three RBIs and four runs scored. Futrell was also a key player on offense knocking in four runs on two hits.


On Senior Night as a sophomore, Cervantes (1-4) served notice that he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the future on the mound for the Indians. After allowing the two first inning runs to Dwight he settled down to record his first win on the mound for Sandwich in 2006 going the distance for the complete game victory while striking out 10 Trojans batters.


“It felt good getting 10 strikeouts. It also felt good not to give up a grand slam which I’ve done in all of my last three starts,” Cervantes said. “As the games have gone on this year, I’ve felt more and more comfortable on the mound. I’m just glad I was able to contribute and get a win for all six of the seniors who deserve to go out winners on Senior Night.”


With the victory Sandwich raised their overall record to 9-18 and 6-7 during the Interstate Eight Conference play.


“It was nice to pull away at the end versus Dwight and end our three game skid. I’m happy for all our seniors that we could get a victory on Senior Night,” said Sandwich head baseball coach Derek Avery. “I’m really glad for Jon. He’s a guy who’s been around all four years and hasn’t played a lot. But today he was three-for-four with a homer to boot. It was also a great performance on the mound by Cervantes. As a sophomore he really stepped up big for us in capturing a conference victory.”


Sandwich traveled to Dwight on Tuesday to conclude their I-8 schedule for 2006. Next up will be a tough mini tournament at Ottawa Marquette on Saturday. The Indians will be one of four teams competing along with the host Crusaders in the annual event. At 9a.m. Marquette will take on Plano followed by an 11a.m. contest in which the Indians will battle Sterling-Newman Catholic. The losers of the two opening games will do battle at 1p.m. followed by the championship matchup at 3p.m.


“We’ve drawn Sterling in the first game and hopefully we can get a victory and play against either Marquette or Plano in the championship game,” Avery said. “Despite losing four-of-five last week I believe we are improving every day. We battled Wilmington hard winning 11-7 and losing 2-0 against Dillon Roarke who’s one of the best pitchers in the area. Then we lost a double-header against a very good double A team at home last Saturday versus Sycamore. But we’re playing better baseball now. If you look at us compared to where we were a month ago, we’re definitely improved. Hopefully we can show that at Marquette on Saturday. We want to peak going into the regionals in two weeks.”


The IHSA Class AA pairings were announced on Friday May 5. Sandwich was seeded No. 16 in the 19-team Nequa Valley Sectional. The Indians will take part in the Oswego High School regional that will get under way on Tuesday May 23. Sandwich will host the play in game on the 23rd versus 17 seed Yorkville whom the Indians have defeated twice so far in 2006. The winner of that contest will battle the No. 4 seeded host Panthers on Wednesday May 24 in the regional semifinals. No. 5 seed Batavia will face No. 10 seeded Kaneland in the other regional semifinal on Thursday May 25. The regional championship game is scheduled for a 10a.m. first pitch Saturday May 27.


“We won’t take Yorkville for granted even though we beat them twice this year. When we played them in the double-header I’m sure we didn’t see their best pitching,” Avery said. “So we’ll have to be ready to go. It’s nice to have a home playoff game but we’ll have to concentrate on improving while moving forward over the next two weeks if we’re to have a shot at winning any regional playoff games.”