Joliet Junior College associate head baseball Coach Gregg Braun will become the school’s next athletic director and head baseball coach on May 20.

Braun will take over for Hall of Famer Wayne L. King, Jr., who is retiring this spring after his 33^rd season with JJC.

 “Joliet Junior College and the Athletic Department have become such an important part of my life. I am looking forward to continuing the next chapter of my career with the Wolves. This is an absolute honor and privilege,” Braun said

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

After the Southwest Suburban Prairie Conference leaders from Joliet West fell 10-7 to Oswego East on Tuesday afternoon, the result of the game created chaos in the mighty SPC.

Four schools including Joliet West (10-7, 3-1), Oswego East (9-4, 3-1), Oswego (8-6, 3-1) and Plainfield South (14-2, 3-1), all sit atop the SPC standings after four conference games.

On a picture-perfect Tuesday afternoon in Oswego facing Oswego East ace Collin Witzke ( 6 IP, 4R, 4H, 4ER, 5K, 2BB), Joliet West stole the first run of the game.

After one out Tyler Pransky ( 3-for-3, 3R, SB, BB) laid down a bunt single. Mark Garcia, Jr., was plunked by Witzke. Tiger catcher Ty Batusich reached base on a force-out at second, for the second out of the inning. Courtesy runner Dylan Johnstone replaced Batusich on first base.

With Mason Kasprisin at the plate, Johnstone took off for second. Johnstone beat the throw to second for a steal of second. On the throw to second, the fleet-footed Pransky broke for home from third and beat the return throw to the plate, for a steal of home and the first run of the game.

Oswego East answered with a three spot against Joliet West starter Cam Seeman.

In the top of the third, trailing 3-1, the Tigers battled back against Witzke. After one out, Lucas Brady walked. Pransky followed with a rope to right for his second hit of the game. After the-red-hot Garcia Jr. planted a Witzke fastball over the 354 foot sign on the centerfield fence, the Tigers once again led 4-3.

“On the three-run homer in the third, I followed my coaches advice and hit the well but I was surprised to see it go out,” Garcia, Jr. said. “It was my third homer of the year.”

In the bottom of the third, the Wolves went back-to-back on a two-run homer from catcher Andy Petsche and a solo-blast from Witzke. The Wolves scored five times to regain the lead at  8-4.

“This  is a very small ball park,” Garcia, Jr. added. “A couple of fly balls that went out of here really hurt our pitcher.”

The Wolves extended their lead to 10-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Witzke was replaced on the mound by senior Connor Gill. Gill retired the first two Tiger batters.

The Tigers would not go easily.

Pransky ripped a single to center. Garcia,Jr. and Batusich walked to load the bases. Mason Kasprisin would drove home Pransky and Garcia with a clutch, two-out, two run single. Casey Chignoli made it 10-7 with another clutch RBI single.  Gill recovered to strike out the last Tiger of the game.

“Great intensity at the plate for us in the seventh,” Pransky said. “I kept it real simple at the plate. Stayed ahead in the count and that was the key to my success today.”

“We were just one swing, from tying this game up,” Joliet West head coach John Karczewski said. “We will not back down to anyone. We didn’t make a play and it cost us four runs and this game. We have to make the fundamental plays to be successful. Another big game tomorrow at Plainfield South.”

The Tigers will open up their crucial early-season SPC series at Plainfield South on Wednesday. The two squads will meet again on Thursday, in Joliet.

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Through games of April 16

PLAINFIELD SOUTH        14-2      3-1
OSWEGO EAST                 9-4       3-1

JOLIET WEST                    10-7      3-1
OSWEGO                           8-6       3-1

PLAINFIELD EAST            10-5       2-2
PLAINFIELD NORTH          5-7-1   2-2

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL      10-6     1-3
JOLIET CENTRAL                6-8       1-3
MINOOKA                         5-8-1     1-3
ROMOEOVILLE                4-10-1    1-3

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

Plainfield South (15-2, 4-1) and Joliet West (10-8, 3-2) entered Wednesday’s Southwest Prairie Conference first-place  showdown tied for first with Oswego East and Oswego. After the Cougars turned away the Tigers 4-1 at Plainfield South, the Cougars were the last-man standing atop the SPC.

Romeoville (5-9-1, 2-3) stunned Oswego East (9-5, 3-2) by a 3-2 score and Minooka (6-8-1, 2-3) blanked Oswego 1-0 on Wednesday. Thus, going into Thursday’s rematch with Joliet West in Joliet, the Cougars are alone in the SPC penthouse.

After Plainfield South senior lefty Austin Richardson (4-1) ended the Tiger first inning with the first of three twin-killings he would induce, the Cougars got on the board.

Cougar sophomore Tyler “Puma” Phommachanhom led off the Cougar first with a single. Senior Griffin Lapp and “Puma” executed a perfect hit-and-run, as Lapp hit behind the running Phommachanhom for a single and a first and third situation. Joliet west senior starting pitcher, Dylan Wolff (3-3), retired the next two Cougars.

Wolff lost control of his release point on the mound and walked Zach Pawlak to load the bases. Wolff plunked Tony Mosher (0-for-1, HBP, SF, 2 RBI),  forcing home Phommachanhom. Ryan Pawlak worked another base on balls, forcing home Lapp and the Cougars had a 2-0 lead.

For Richardson, Wednesday was an example of the old “Perils of Pauline” story for the Cougar lefty. The Tigers loaded the bases in the second inning, with one out.

“Lady Luck” turned on the Tigers, when Mason Kasprisin, who had singled and was on third base, slipped taking his lead off third and was picked off by Richardson, for the second out. Richardson struck out the next Tiger, to get out of the inning.

Richardson is one of the best fielding pitchers in our area and he showcased his defense in the third inning.

The Tigers once again loaded the bases with one out. Tiger senior Mark Garcia Jr. was jammed and hit a ball directly at Richardson. Being in perfect fielding position, Richardson caught the ball and fired to first baseman, Ryan Pawlak, who doubled off the Tiger runner to get out of the inning.

In the fourth, the Tigers loaded the bases again with one out. A strikeout and a roller to Pawlak and Pauline (Richardson) had escaped again.

In the fifth, he induced his third double play, to keep West off the scoreboard.

The Cougars picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Lapp hammered his second home run of the season for a 3-0 Plainfield South lead. Mosher’s sacrifice-fly plated senior Connor Blake, who singled for a 4-0 Cougar lead.

For the 4-0 Lapp on the mound for the Cougars, Griffin has yet to give up a run.

“I was ahead 2-0 on a couple of curve balls and figured I was going to get a fastball,” Lapp said. “I got the pitch I wanted and was able to hit it out of here. I have really had a great start on the mound and I hope to keep it up.”

“We have to be more aggressive at the plate but our defense was outstanding tonight, turning four double-plays,” Mosher said. “On the hit-by-pitch, we actually work on that in practice, in that situation. It worked today. 15-2 and on to 16-2 tomorrow.”

In the sixth, Austin Richardson, who threw three no-hitters in 2018, went back to throwing the baseball the way he threw it last season.

“Austin has struggled all season, throwing his fastball with the seams, “ Plainfield head coach Phil Bodine said. “After the fifth inning, Austin told me he just can’t control the fastball, throwing it that way. I told him scrap it and throw the ball the way he did last season.”

In the sixth, the 2018 “Diminutive lefty with the Big arm” re-appeared.

On three pitches, Richardson retired the first Tiger batter on a pop-foul to Cougar standout- catcher, Justin McGuigan. The final two Tiger batters were struck out on seven pitches.

Richardson allowed six hits, struck-out five and walked three in his six scoreless innings, to improve to 4-1 in 2019.

“I was better tonight and I was really happy with the way, I pitched in the sixth inning,” Richardson said. “My defense was outstanding behind me, and we turned three double-plays.”

As they did last night, in their 10-7 loss at Oswego East, the Tigers never go easily. In the bottom of the seventh against Plainfield South reliever, Brady Shelton, the Tigers went to work. Pinch-hitters, Luke Pirc walked Tyler Anderson singled and leadoff man Lucas Brady,blooped his third hit of the game to load the bases.

Tyler Pransky drove home a run on a force out at second.

For one of the best hitters in our area, Tiger senior Mark Garcia Jr, Wednesday was not his day.

Garcia hit a roller to Cougar second baseman, who fired a strike to shortstop Lapp for the force at second and Lapp’s relay to Pawlak at first completed the old 4-6-3 double play and this one was over.

For the snake-bitten Garcia, it was the third double-play, he hit into and the fourth double-play for the Tigers.

“We gave them the two runs in the first inning on a hit batsman and a walk,” Joliet West coach John Karczewski said. “It was just a freak play in the second when, Mason, slipped and fell down and was picked off with the bases loaded. Again we made mistakes on the bases as we continue to beat ourselves, in these big games. We have to bouce back tomorrow at West and get a split in the series.”

“We were really let off the hook in those first two innings,” Bodine added. “I’m really happy with the way we are playing and we beat a very good team tonight.”

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

Mother Nature once again made her appearance at another area baseball game this spring. This time, on Good Friday’s Southwest  Prairie Conference showdown between the Cougars of Plainfield South and the host Tigers of Joliet West.

With the old gal’s friend “The Hawk- Mr. Wind” blowing straight  in from center field at 35 miles-per-hour, some strange happenings occurred in Plainfield South’s 9-2 SPC victory.

Plainfield South (16-2, 5-1) was led by their sophomore left fielder, Tylor Phommachanhom.  With the wind howling straight in, both the Cougars and Tigers outfielders were positioned directly behind their infielders. The wind knocked down any fly balls to the outfielders, thus both coaches had their outfielders playing very shallow.

In the bottom of the third and fourth innings, “Puma” took away singles from Tigers’ Lucas Brady and Dylan Wolff, who ripped apparent singles to left. Phommachanhom in shallow left field, fielded the “singles”  with a pair of lasers to Cougar first baseman, Ryan Pawlak who retired Brady and Wolff on 7-3 putouts.

In the aforementioned Tiger bottom of the third, “Puma” used his glove to thwart the Tigers.

After Tiger starting pitcher Mason Kasprisin’s two-run double had pulled the Tigers within 3-2, Phommachanhom’s struck again. West’s Casey Chignolli laced a fly ball behind third base and Phommachanhom made a controversial diving catch for the out.

Tigers’ courtesy runner Dylan Johnstone, assuming that Chignoli had a single, streaked toward home. Having not tagged up on the catch, Johnstone was ruled out for the inning- ending double play.

The Cougars got on the board in the first inning, scoring three runs on a RBI bases-loaded base on balls by Zach Pawlak and an RBI infield single by Tony Mosher ( 2-for-4, RBI) with a successful,suicide squeeze bunt from Ryan Pawlak.

After Joliet West (10-9, 3-3) had pulled to within 3-2 after three innings, Plainfield South broke the game open with a four-spot in the top of the fourth.

With the bases loaded and one out, Blake (2-for-4, 2 RBI) attempted another suicide-squeeze bunt. Dylan Miller at third, broke on the pitch for the plate and slid under Tiger sophomore catcher Tyler Batusich’s tag for a steal of home. “Puma” added a steal of third on the play and Griffin Lapp swiped second for the old triple-steal for the Cougars.

“The triple-steal is something we do work on, everyday in practice,” Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said in jest.

Blake ripped the next pitch, for a two-run single scoring “Puma” and Lapp for a 6-2 Cougar lead. Starting and winning pitcher Justin McGuigan (4-1), followed with his second hit of the day, driving in Blake and the Cougars led 7-2.

“With the wind, I knew I just had to throw strikes and take advantage of my defense,” McGuigan said. “I was able to do that and “Puma” certainly helped me out a few times today.

“We want to continue to execute in game situations and play well, each game. I am very confident we will finish the season strong.”

“Puma” would add to his amazing day, by pitching a scoreless inning, in relief, of McGuigan (2-for-4, RBI), in the sixth.

“With the high winds today, I could play very shallow and still get back on something over my head, with the wind knocking  the ball down,” Phommachanhom said. “I was in and was able to field “the singles” and still had time to make the throw to Ryan for the outs.  On the diving catch, again I was shallow and that allowed me to make the catch and get the double-play.”

“With the wind, our game-plan was to play ‘small-ball” which we did to get this big win.”

Brady Shelton finished up the game for South, with a scoreless inning of relief. Blake ended his solid game with a great catch, robbing Kasprisin of a hit for the final out of the game.

“I was up at the plate to bunt in that situation,” Blake said. “I took the pitch for a ball and we scored a run and everything worked out well. With the wind, I tried to hit the ball on the ground, for the big two-run single, to break the game open.”

“Series by series. Just continue to win and we will win the SPC.”

For the Tigers on Saturday, a non-conference game with Shepard (7-9-1) awaits before a big SPC series with Oswego (8-7, 3-2) that begins at West on Monday.

“It was tough pitching out there today and when it was a little scary when the wind blew me off the mound.” Kasprisin said. “I did the best I could today and it felt good to get the two-run double, for us. We want to get a win tomorrow over Shepard and get back on our winning-ways in the SPC, against Oswego, next week .”

“Once again we did not make the plays today,” Joliet West head coach John Karczewski said. “Plainfield South is a great team and their kids were aggressive and won this game. I have known “Puma” and his family for years and after his first 7-3 play, I yelled at him, that he will never do that again. And then he does it again, in the next inning.”

For the SPC leaders from Plainfield South, an  8:45 a.m. bus ride to Maple Park, Illinois for a Saturday morning non-conference game with Kaneland (13-7). On Monday, a trip to arch rival Plainfield Central (11-7, 2-3) to begin a big SPC series.

“Puma” is a special, little player who plays big for us,” Bodine added. “Puma” has a lot to learn still about the game. He gets better each game and it is exciting to be able to see him advance and become a very special player for us at Plainfield South.”

“I have never seen on two occasions, a left fielder throw out a base runner at first base. Puma has a cannon out there.”

“We knew we had to play “little ball” today and the kids executed the game plan. Well. What’s great about this group, is they have totally bought into what we are trying to do.”

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Through games of April 18
PLAINFIELD SOUTH       16-2            5-1
OSWEGO EAST                9-5             3-2

OSWEGO                          8-7             3-2

PLAINFIELD NOIRTH      5-7-1          3-2

PLAINFIELD EAST           11-7           3-3

JOLIET WEST                  10-9            3-3

ROMEOVILLE                   5-9-1         2-3

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL    11-7           2-4
JOLIET CENTRAL               7-9           2-4

MINOOKA                         6-9-1        2-4

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

TEAM OF THE WEEK- JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY (16-4, 4-1)– The Hilltoppers were edged out by the Joliet West Tigers for the Week 4 Voyager Media Publications Team of the Week Award. After going 4-1 with huge wins over nationally-ranked powers Cincinnati Moeller and Portage North Michigan at the Prep Baseball Report Indy Classic last week, the Hilltoppers could have been named Week 4 Team of the Week.

After disposing of St. Viator 9-3 and Notre Dame 12-3 in a pair of  East Suburban Catholic Conference crossover battles in the ultra-strong ESCC, the Hilltoppers, who have won six straight, are the Voyager Media Publications Week 5 Team of the Week.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK   Jared Cushing Joliet Catholic  Cushing, one of the best defensive shortstops in Illinois, continues to obliterate the baseball in 2019. Five more hits and five more RBI for Hilltopper shortstop. Cushing has 19 RBI in his last 11 games.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK- Griffin Lapp Plainfield South– The Plainfield South former closer who set a Cougar school record for saves (9) in 2018, fired a 67-pitch shutout at Romeoville. Lapp, who is 4-0, has two shutouts and has not allowed a run in his 21.2 innings pitched this season.

Terrific Ten Area Baseball Rankings

1 Joliet Catholic      16-4    Winners of six in a row, Week 5 Team of the Week.

2 Lockport               18-3     Fall 15-7 to Lincoln-Way East (15-3), Rematch Monday.

3 Plainfield South   16-3     SPC leaders fall at Kaneland.

4 Maine South        13-7     Bobby Rinaldi and Mike Altman lead Hawks to 4-0 week.

5.Plainfield North   6-7-1   Look out for the Class 4A defending state champs.

6.Plainfield East      12-6     Split with rival Wildcats.
7 Plainfield Central 13-7    Split with rival Bengals, Plainfield South next.

8  Joliet West           11-9    Tigers fall to Oswego East and Plainfield South.
9 Benet Academy      9-9    Redwings beat CCL Marmion and ESCC St. Pat’s.

10. Notre Dame         6-6    Dons fall to No.1 on Saturday.
    On the Bubble:  Downers Grove South (7-8), Joliet Central (8-9)

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

MAINE EAST (1-9, 1-3)

4-2 CSL North loss to Vernon Hills – Patrick Miller ha two hits for the Blue Demons, while Chris Miller and Nigo Poggas, drove home the two Maine East runs.

16-0 CSL loss to Evanston– Patrick Miller had a hit for the Blue Demons.

5-1 CSL loss to Vernon Hills–

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

NILES WEST (11-7, 1-4)

5-2 CSL South loss to Maine South- Brad Pawlow led the Wolves with two hits.

3-2 CSL loss to Deerfield
4-3 CSL South loss to Maine South- The Wolves gave up a 3-2 lead in Park Ridge, in walk-off fashion on Thursday for their third consecutive heart-breaking loss this week. Kyle Gibson and Brad Pawlow drove home Wolves’ runs, while Alex Cherian led the Wolves’ attack with three hits.

12-2 win over Von Steuben- Ethan Calderon struck out 11 in his four-hitter against the guests from Chicago. Jack Lochner led the Wolves attack with three hits and three RBI.

MAINE SOUTH (13-7, 3-1)

5-2 CSL South win over Niles West- Ysen Useni fired a four-hitter at the Wolves with six strikeouts to pick up the win on the mound. Mike Altman had a hit and 2RBI while Timmy O’Brien added two hits and an RBI, for the victorious Hawks.

16-3 CSL win over Vernon Hills- Bobby Rinaldi led the Hawks attack with three RBI. Ben Sacor and Gabe McCall added a pair of hits, each while Aiden Teahan drove home a pair of Hawk runs.
4-3 CSL South win over Niles West– The Hawks walked-off past the Wolves in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending Hawk fans pouring onto Dee Road in celebration. Zander Buchan drove home two runs, while Bobby Inserra pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh innings to pick up the win in relief. Inserra also chipped in with a pair of  hits.

8-6 win over Elk Grove  Bobby Rinaldi continued his torrid hitting with two hits and three RBI. Mike Altman also drove home three Hawk runs. Timmy O’Brien chipped in with two more hits.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC NORTH

NOTRE DAME (6-6, 3-2)

9-0 ESCC win over MCC– Nick Liozzi fired a six-hit shutout with eight punch-outs against the Hurricanes. Three Matt’s Salmonson, Tinco and Murphy led the assault on the Hurricane pitchers. Salmonson continued to crush the baseball, driving home three more Don runs.

Tinco had two hits and also had three RBI while Murphy chipped in with two hits.

12-3 ESCC crossover loss to Joliet Catholic- (See Game Story)

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
JOLIET CATHOLIC  (16-4, 4-1)
9-3 ESCC win over St. Viator– Week 4 Player of the Week SS Jared Cushing had three more hits. Red-Hot Tony Fleischauer had two hits and two RBI. Chris Knapczyk added two hits and two RBI while Greg Ziegler chipped in with a pair of ribbies.

12-3 ESCC crossover win over Notre Dame- (See Game Story)

BENET ACADEMY (9-9. 2-2 SOUTH)

T 9-4 ESCC loss to Marist– Jared Novak led the Redwings with a pair of hits.

8-1 win over Marmion  Connor Hincks led the 11-hit Redwing attack with three hits. Collin Gorz added a pair of hits and two RBI while Aaron Staehely chipped in with a pair of RBI.
12-11 ESCC crossover win over St. Pat’s Jared Wright and Ben Novak each had three hits to lead the Redwings’ 10-hit attack. Novak, drove home two runs as the Redwings scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and held on to beat the Shamrocks.

INTERSTATE 8 NORTH

LISLE (12-7, 3-2)

4-2 I-8 North loss to Coal City– Red-hot Jay McGrath had two more hits and Sam Russo drove home a Lion run.
7-0 I-8 loss to Coal City– AJ Casmer and Zach Webber each had a hit for the Lions.

TH at Streator
Lions win Lisle Invitational! 2 Lion shutouts!

Lisle 6-3 win over Holy Trinity AJ Casmer and Tony Raineri each had three hits and drove home two RBI. Zach Webber and Cal Payne combined for a three-hitter.
Lisle 1-0 win over Latin Jay McGrath drove home the only run he would need in the third inning and Connor Nigro did the rest, firing a five-inning no-hitter at the Romans.
Lisle 1-0 win over Peru St. Bede Damian Guerrero did it all for the Lions against their guests from Peru, Illinois. Gurrero drove home the only run he would need in the top of the fifth and then concluded the five-inning, one hit shutout, for the Lions.

WESTMONT (13-6, 2-2)
8-2 I-8 North win over Sandwich– Joey Dobrovolney improves to 4-0 on the mound, going the distance, scattering eight hits and striking out six. Matt O’Leary continued to crush the baseball with two doubles among his three hits and an RBI. Troy Schlicher chipped in with a single and an RBI

10-0 I-8 North win over Sandwich– Zach Fischer (3-1) fired a four-hit shutout at the Indians. Caden Anderson went deep for the Sentinels with a pair of RBI. Alex Marotta doubled and drove home a run.

7-0 win over Chicago Health Institute

10-6 loss to Reed Custer- Adam O’Leary and Troy Schlicher each had two hits and an RBI in the 8-1 loss to the Comets.

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE
JOLIET WEST (11-9, 3-3)
10-7 SPC loss to Oswego East- (See Game Story)

4-1 SPC loss to Plainfield South  (See Game Story)

F PLAINFIELD SOUTH   (See Game Story)

11-0 win over Shepard- Cannon Karczewski ( 3 IP, 5K) and Brice Waller, combined on a two-hit shutout over the Astros. Lucas Brady had two hits and RBI to lead the Tiger attack. Tyler Pransky continued his torrid hitting,with two more hits.

PLAINFIELD SOUTH

7-0 SPC win over Romeoville- Griffin Lapp (4-0) extended his scoreless  innings streak to 21.2 innings after firing a one-hit shutout at the Spartans.  Lapp dispatched the Spartans on only 67 pitches. Dylan Miller blasted a three-run bomb, while Zach Pawlak plated a pair. Sophomore Tyler “Puma Phommachanhom led the Cougars’ attack with three hits.

4-1 SPC win over Joliet West (See Game Story)
14-8 loss to Kaneland– Justin McGuigan went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and drove home a Cougar run. Tony Mosher singled, doubled and drove home three Cougar runs while Griffin Lapp had a pair of singles and an RBI.

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL
8-1 SPC loss to Plainfield North- Jac Lindish had two hits and drove home the lone Wildcat run while Charlie Bischoff chipped in with two hits.
12-8 SPC loss to Plainfield East   Jake Donahue had a three-hit afternoon for the Wildcats.
Anthony Noble chipped in with a pair of RBI.

 PLAINFIELD EAST

13-3 SPC win over Plainfield East- Jac Lindish drove home five as the Wildcats scorched the Bengals on Fort Beggs Drive. Charlie Bischoff added two hits and two RBI while Sean Blanchard and Andrew Noble chipped in  with two hits each. Sam Pileggi blanked the Bengals for 4.2 innings to pick up the win on the mound.
15-1 win over Yorkville– Jake Donahue drove home four, to lead the Wildcats to the non-conference win over the Foxes. The ‘Cats scored nine times in the first inning to end this one. Ryan Dalton went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI. Alex Schoenly allowed a run in his four solid innings on the mound, to improve to 3-0 for 2019.

MINOOKA (6-9-1, 2-4)
6-0 SPC loss to Oswego
5-0 SPC win over Joliet Central Senior Dean Procarione struck out 16 and fired a one-hit shutout at the Steelmen. Pedro Martinez had two hits and drove home the only run Procarione would need. Colin Olkiewicz added a hit and an RBI for the Indians. Zach Stoner chipped in with two hits and Nate Cochran also had an Indian RBI.

2-1 SPC loss to Joliet Central Pedro Martinez drove home the lone Indian run.

PLAINFIELD EAST (12-6, 3-3)
1-1 SPC tie with Joliet Central in 11 innings (See Story) 

2-1 SPC win in 13 innings- Caden Anderson sent Bengal fans partying onto Plainfield-Naperville Road after his walk-off single won the 13-inning marathon.
12-8 SPC win over Plainfield Central Sean Rivera led the Bengals with a four-hit, two RBI day, Jack Crowder added three hits and a pair of ribbies.
13-3 SPC loss to Plainfield Central- Sean Rivera continued his hot-hitting driving home a run for the Bengals.

14-5 win over Ridgewood– A nine-run Bengal second inning put this one away. Andrew Hill went 2-for-2 with 2 ribbies while Aidan Flynn chipped in with two hits and an RBI.

PLAINFIELD NORTH (6-7-1, 3-2)
8-1 SPC win over Plainfield Central– Patrick Miller wallops grand-slam and finishes with five ribbies. Charlie Hutson goes deep again and Eben Heine (1-2) wins his first game of 2019.

1-0 SPC win over Oswego The Class 4A defending state champs were led by Dylan Szajkovics (3-0). Szajkhovics fired a six-hit shutout at the Panthers with 13 punch-outs.
10-2 win over Stagg- Josh Fleming pitched and hit the Tigers past Stagg. Fleming struck out 10 Chargers in his four shutout innings on the mound to improve to 3-0 on the season. Fleming helped himself out at the plate with a pair of doubles and three RBI. Brandon Hutson continued his hot hitting with a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate, with an RBI. Garret Cook had three more hits while Pat Miller chipped in with two hits.

JOLIET CENTRAL (8-9, 2-4)
1-1 SPC tie with Plainfield East in 11 innings (See Story)

2-1 SPC loss to Plainfield East in  13 innings.

5-0 SPC loss to Minooka– The Steelmen just had one hit.

2-1 SPC win over Minooka- Noah Riley fired a four hitter at the Indians while Carlos Lopez drove home both Steelmen runs. Alex Gregurich, Jared King and Ethan Darling, all had hits for Central.

4-2 win over Bolingbrook- Ethan Darling drove home a run for the victorious Steelmen.

ROMEOVILLE (5-10-1, 2-3)

7-0 SPC loss to Plainfield South Mike Bunch and Anthony Perez had the two Spartan hits.

3-2 SPC win over Oswego East Spartan ace Ulysses Munoz fired a three-hitter at the hard-hitting Wolves, knocking Oswego East out of first place in the SPC. Anthony Perez had two hits for the Spartans. Dylan Scafuri drove home a run as well as Julian Jimenez, who drove home the eventual Spartan game-winner in the fourth inning.

9-2 loss to Stevenson

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE

LOCKPORT (18-3, 2-1)

10-2 win over Andrew– Jake Kampf and Alex Martinez each had two hits and drove home a pair of Porter runs. Josh Bentley chipped in with a single and two RBI. Justin Gasper fired 3.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and Nolan Vicek (3-0) picked up the win.
15-7 SWSC Blue loss to Lincoln-Way East- The Porters committed seven errors in the opening game of their crucial SWSC Blue series, leading to 10 unearned Griffin runs. Nolan Weis had three hits, including a double for the Porters. Jon Weis added a single and two RBI for Lockport. The two clubs will meet once again at historic Ed Flink Field on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

BOLINGBROOK (8-14, 0-3)

16-1 loss to Nazareth

3-2 SWSC Blue loss to Sandburg– Sophomore Dave Underdonk led the Raider attack with two hits and an RBI. Matt Dinkel kept the Raiders in the game, slamming the door on the Eagles with 3.1 shutout innings of relief.

4-2 loss to Joliet Central- Erik Haislip drove home a Raider run while Jake Zito, Ben Mottow and Nick Kurras, all had hits for “The Brook”.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH (7-8, 5-1)
11-6 WSC Gold win  over Addison Trail– Kyle Vogt, Jake Pileggi and Jack Blazevich, all had two hits and drove home two Mustang runs, each to keep the Mustangs a game behind WSC Gold leader Willowbrook.

3-2 WSC loss to Lyons Township – Mike Hoes and Joe Cosenza drove home the Mustang runs. Jack Blazevich and Tony Stellato each had one hit.

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER
DOWNERS GROVE NORTH (4-14, 3-5)

15-4 WSC Silver loss to Hinsdale Central

7-3 WSC Silver loss to Hinsdale Central Scott Jakobsze drove home a Trojan run.

7-6 WSC loss to Addison Trail- Dave Marshall had two hits and two RBI to lead the Trojans.

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

The Village of Romeoville was notified by the Exchange Club of Naperville that it is their top choice for the new location of the famous Naperville Ribfest starting in 2020.

The club’s board of directors voted to approve their six-member relocation team’s recommendation that the event, a Naperville ritual for more than 30 years, be moved from Naperville’s Knoch Park to the village located southeast of Naperville.

“From the site that they’re on in Naperville, the Park District is going under reconstruction,” said John Noak, Romeoville Mayor. “Afterwards, it won’t be as conducive to this type of event anymore.”

Romeoville will be undergoing discussions with the Exchange Club on the agreement and the details for the event at a later time.

For now, Romeoville officials plan to meet with various stakeholders regarding the event.

The Village is hopeful in reaching an agreement with the Exchange Club and will work together to support the mission to fund local and regional non-profit agencies.

The annual Ribfest fundraiser hosts more than 200,000 people in a span of four days, is run by the Exchange Club of Naperville, with key resources contracted out such as the layout which is coordinated with a professional event management company.

“Both sides still need to do our due diligence by meeting with various stakeholders, community groups and all of the concerns that are real, need to be addressed,” Noak said.

Noak said in 2020 if everything gets finalized, the event will be held at the municipal grounds of Romeoville.

He also wanted to point out that the Ribfest will not be a replacement for the Romeofest, which the village still plans on having the local festival later in the season.

The municipal campus, which is held on Romeo Road just east of Weber Road, currently features a music pavilion and a recreating campus.

Noak estimated that there were more than a few dozen cites in consideration for the Ribfest to be held, but he couldn’t be more proud and excited Romeoville will get the chance to host it.

“I think it’s a great chance to showcase many of the great and wonderful things we have done in our community,” Noak said. “People are very excited and proud of our facilities in the community that are viewed as one of the top notch areas in the Chicagoland area.”

Information on recent arrests is provided by the Joliet Police Department. Persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Katie M. Nitz, 27, of the 800 block of Mackinaw Avenue in Calumet City, was arrested April 12 at Larkin and Ingalls avenues on a charge of motor vehicle theft.

Lovell D. Houston, 20, of the 3500 block of Grass Lake Drive, was arrested April 13 at that location on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a lookalike controlled substance and driving with a suspended license.

Alexander M. Perez, 27, of the 800 block of East Jackson Street, was arrested April 13 in the 200 block of Maple Street on charges of burglary to a motor vehicle and criminal damage to property.

Jennifer L. Foschi, 46, of the 300 block of Shady Lane in Shorewood, was arrested April 13 in the 300 block of Madison Street on a charge of aggravated battery.

Delores M. Morrow, 40, of the 700 block of Mason Avenue, was arrested April 13 in the 2300 block of West Jefferson Street on a charge of aggravated domestic battery.

Jose L. Diaz-Lara, 48, of the first block of Clay Street, was arrested April 14 at Jefferson and Ottawa streets on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol.

Seneca Brown, 18, of the 1200 block of Morgan Street, was arrested April 15 in the 300 block of South Park Road on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm by a gang member and possession of a stolen firearm.

Devontae R. Fox, 25, of the 100 block of Iowa Avenue, was arrested April 15 at Eastern Avenue and Clinton Street on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm by a gang member.

Kiana M. Green, 20, of the 1700 block of McDonough Street, was arrested April 15 at that location on charges of domestic battery, resisting arrest and aggravated battery to a police officer.

Troy Wiles, 47, of Foley, Alabama, was arrested April 16 at Mason and Raynor avenues on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm and driving with a suspended license.

Jose L. Mascote, 24, of the 100 block of Hobbs Avenue, was arrested April 17 at that location on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to delivery and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Alvaro Ambriz, 28, of the 500 block of Landau Avenue, Cristian Ambriz, 18, of the 600 block of Third Avenue, and a 16-year-old juvenile were arrested April 17 at Jackson and Ottawa streets on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Alvaro Ambriz was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm by a gang member.

A 17-year-old juvenile was arrested April 18 in the 200 block of North Center Street on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.

SHOREWOOD

Information on recent arrests is provided by the Shorewood Police Department. Persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Luis A. Loera, 18, of the 700 block of Apollo Drive in Joliet, was arrested April 12 at Black and Bronx roads on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis.

By Kelly Rappaport, Copy Editor for Tiger Tales

Their work is on newsstands, shown in advisories, and purchased to encapsulate fond memories.

They are awake at odd hours to meet deadlines, attend every school event, and constantly ask for quotes.  The students behind Joliet West’s Tiger News Network, Tiger Tales newspaper, and Alpha Omega yearbook came home IHSA Journalism Sectional Champions from the competition at Homewood-Flossmoor High School on April 13, in addition to state final qualifications in 11 of 18 categories.

While it is lesser known, the IHSA Journalism competition is extremely stiff, with high schools’ best reporters, photographers, and editors present.  Under the leadership of teacher and advisor Jenn Galloy, the students spend all year preparing while simultaneously producing the yearbook, as well as unbiased news about sports, popular culture, campus happenings, and social issues.  In the past, West has had several students qualify for the state competition, but 2019 marks the first year since 2009 that Joliet West walks away as sectional champions.

Twelve students who call the Publications Office home qualified for the state competition to be held at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois.  West students placed in the top six for 16 different categories.

The journalism competition features categories in newspaper writing and design, yearbook writing and design, editing, illustrations, photography, and video news, and audio news.  From an outsider’s perspective, it may seem simple, but the judges follow elaborate criteria set to IHSA standards, and each category has its own set of rules. However, West’s finest journalists accepted the challenge and cleaned up at the sectional.

West took home four first-place wins, five second-place finishes, two third-place finishes, three fourth-place finishes, and two fifth-place finishes.  The top three of each category advance to the state finals.

Several category champions came from West, including sophomore Louie Mendoza and junior Daniela Jimenez for Yearbook Theme Development, senior Alita Stukel for Review Writing, and junior Val Villaflor for Broadcast News.

“I’m so glad everyone’s hard work helped us to win the sectional,” said Villaflor.  Her event involves recording herself speaking in a format similar to radio. “My speech experience definitely helped, but it was mostly lots of practice and looking at winning entries from the past.”

Sectional runners-up advancing to the April 26 state competition include sophomore Lawson Sizemore for Sports Writing, sophomore Kiersten Jordan for Editorial Cartooning, senior Geraldine Jimenez for Infographics, and a Video News team featuring junior Ian Duda and sophomores Trevor Gould and Kailey Staniszewski.

Gould said, “Sectionals was chaotic, as it was my first journalism competition. I feel as if my group could have had better teamwork, but I am very proud of how it turned out and I’m excited for state.”

Two students even qualified to compete at the state level in two events; junior Aileen Carranza took third in both Newspaper Design and Headline Writing, and sophomore Kelly Rappaport won first in Copy Editing and second in Feature Writing.

“Finding out I qualified for state was one of the happiest moments of my life considering how close I was at the last sectionals. Qualifying in not only one but both of my categories felt better than I had ever imagined, all the work I put into journalism finally showed when I qualified for state,” said Carranza.

The Tigers will be headed to the state competition in Normal, Illinois, on April 25 to compete on April 26.

Considering such a successful sectional, the future certainly looks bright.

Galloy said, “I’m so proud of our group as a whole.  It’s been a long time since we’ve been sectional champions, and our program has changed and improved so much since then.  I can’t wait to see what my kids do next.”

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

Some 13-year-olds are celebrated for making a team, getting good grades in school, or doing a good deed for someone else.

Others, are named Bonaparte Moutima.

An eighth grade student at Dirksen Middle School has not only has been fighting a life-threatening blood disorder most of his life, but he also is fighting villains on the silver screen as he starred in a film called, “The Serum”.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently assisted in helping the talented teenager co-write and film the short movie that was produced last year.

On April 17, the Rialto Square Theatre welcomed the community for a free preview of the film.

When Bonaparte was three-years-old, he was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, the medical team at Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago referred him to Make-A-Wish Illinois.

Through the generous donations of individual, corporate and foundation supporters and hundreds of dedicated local volunteers, Make-A-Wish creates life-changing experiences to help build resilience and restore optimism for seriously ill children like Bonaparte.

“It’s really overwhelming all of the support we have received,” said Stella Matingou, Bonaparte’s mom. “With everyone coming here and all of the help, it’s all been great.”

A crowd of hundreds of screaming and chanting spectators stood outside anxiously awaiting the arrival of Bonaparte and his family in a limousine, followed by the 13-year-old walking on a red carpet with his mother and brother.

Before his movie premiered, the jubilant audience lined up for pictures, autographs and to congratulate the hard working young man on his efforts.

“It’s a little overwhelming but I feel really good,” Bonaparte said.

For Bonaparte’s wish, dozens of professionals from Chicago’s film community volunteered their time and talent to craft his remarkable experience.

In the film, Bonaparte played a superhero, where his character is a doctor who had superpowers after ingesting a secret formula.

As most people know, with every hero, there is a villain.

Bonaparte’s villain was a jealous colleague who stole his serum to use for evil.

When asked why this was his wish he wanted, he replied that he “always wanted to know what it would be like to be a doctor”.

Overall, the film took 14 hours to write, and was filmed in Chicago at the famous McCormick Place.

Even through the generosity instilled by all of the doctors, family and friends, Bonaparte still is undergoing treatment for his disease.

According to his mother, the disease is treatable, but unfortunately the disease can never be 100 percent cured.

For Bonaparte, he said that he is very fortunate for all of the advice and help he has gotten along the way, and he also shared some helpful hints for anyone that is going through the same thing he did, or any other crippling disease.

“I would just tell people to keep fighting, you will make it and to always stay strong,” he said.

The University of St. Francis men’s bowling team rounded out its successful 2018-19 campaign with a 1-2 record in bracket play at the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships this week.

Prior to the team event getting underway, Robert Kicmal (La Grange, Ill./Lyons) took home a pair of honors from the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association. He earned the NCBCA Rookie of the Year award and honorable mention All-America status.

(Photo Courtesy of USF athletics)

St. Francis sat in 10th place after the first 12 games of qualifying but used a strong second block to claim the No. 7 seed heading into bracket play.

Earlier in the week, USF junior Mike Pruchnik (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) represented the Saints in the Intercollegiate Singles Championships.

He finished 17th out of 24 bowlers in qualifying and fell in the first round of single-elimination bracket play to Logan Williams of Chicagoland rival Robert Morris University Illinois.
The Saints posted top-10 performances in nine of its final 10 events, including a program-best third-place showing at the NAIA Invitational, and qualified for the Intercollegiate Team Championships for the second consecutive year.

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
www.buglenewspapers.com

In a possible preview of the inaugural East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship Game, to be played on May 11, the South Division leaders from Joliet Catholic squared off with the North Division leaders from Notre Dame Saturday morning in windy Niles.

Unlike the Good Friday wind in Joliet, that was howling in at 35 miles per hour., Saturday’s wind in Niles was blowing straight out at the same.

Aided by a crucial Notre Dame miscue and a few wind-aided hits Joliet Catholic rolled to the 12-3 ESCC crossover victory.

Notre Dame (6-6, 3-2 North) junior Matt Salmonson (3-for-4, HR, RBI) led off the Dons’ first inning with a solo blast to left, for a 1-0 ND lead.

In the top of the second, consecutive Hilltopper singles from clean-up hitter Dan Weustenfeld (3-for-4, 3 RBI), Jared Cushing ( 2-for-5, RBI) and Greg Ziegler, loaded the bases against Dons’ starting pitcher Pat Ambrose.

After one out, Hilltopper right fielder, Mike Gurka, tied the game at 1, with an RBI single. A ground ball off the bat of Hilltopper No. 9 hitter Nate Gehrke (1-for-4), was misplayed by the Dons and two Hilltopper runs scored, for a 3-1 lead.

Leadofff man Nick Iannantone, got a ball up in the wind for an RBI triple. Max Cullen (2-for-5, RBI), would single home Iannantone and the Hill led 5-1.

Weustenfeld and Cushing, would each pick up their second hits of the inning, with a little help from Mr. Wind.

Weustenfeld’s RBI single made it 6-1 Hilltoppers and then Cushing plated two more, with a double for an 8-1 lead.

Seven of the eight Hilltopper runs were unearned against Ambrose.

That’s 19 RBI for Cushing in his last 11 games.

“Everyone was hitting the ball hard and a great win,” Cushing said. “I try to win each pitch, in each individual at bat. Nothing magical about my approach. I have been able to do that and the big hits are falling.”
In the top of the third inning, Iannantone (2-for-5, 3B, HR, 3RBI) launched his fourth round-tripper of the season with DH Tony Fleischauer aboard for a 10-1 Hilltopper lead.
“We were a little rusty having not played since Tuesday, but played well and got the win,” Iannantone said. “It felt good to hit well to get out of a little slump, I had been, as of late. No days off in the ESCC South. Another great team in Nazareth, next.”

Weustenfeld picked up his third RBI of the game with a single to make it 11-3 and the Hillltoppers would pick up another unearned run in the seventh to conclude the scoring.

“Great ESCC win for us,” Weustenfeld said. “Zach Hise, gave up the leadoff homer but came back and pitched a good game. I just stay relaxed at the plate and hunt the fastball. I love the cleanup spot in the lineup where I can relax and drive in big runs for us.”

Joliet Catholic starting and winning pitcher, Zach Hise, improved to 3-0 on the mound, scattering eight hits and striking out eight and not walking a batter.

All nine hitters in the Hilltopper batting order, all contributed to the 15-hit Hilltopper attack.

“We played well at the plate and in the field, for another big win,” Hise said. “I expect more from me on the mound. I wasn’t great but I battled through, to get the win. That 8-run second inning, my teammates gave me, sure helped.”

The ESCC South leaders from Joliet Catholic, will travel to La Grange Park and take on Nazareth (13-2-1, 2-2).

“An overall good win for us today,” Joliet Catholic coach Jared Voss said. “Zach pitched well for us and it’s early for him, coming back from his injury. Having Dan and Jared in the middle of the order, hitting the way they have been, is a big plus for us. Looking forward to the series with Nazareth. It’s always a lot of fun, playing our big rivals.”

After being courted by St. John’s University to fill a position recently vacated by Chris Mullin, Loyola men’s basketball coach Porter Moser is staying put.

The Ramblers’ head man turned down a reported eight-year deal worth nearly $17 million.

Loyola Men’s Basketball vs. Alcorn State

The Benet Academy and Creighton University graduated opted to stay in the Midwest as opposed to heading to New York for a hefty pay raise.

Moser has coached eight seasons with the Ramblers and has won back-to-back conference titles and has three 20-win seasons in five years.

In 2017-18, Moser led Loyola to a school-record 32 wins and their first Final Four appearance since winning the NCAA championship in 1963, along with a No. 7 ranking in the final 2017-18 USA Today Coaches Poll.

“People in business say I’m crazy for passing up opportunities and the money,” Moser said in a statement. “But what they don’t know is the amazing young men I coach and the culture we have built. What they don’t know are the amazing young men who are committed to come to Loyola and wear the Maroon and Gold. What they don’t know are the people and friends that make up the Loyola community. And what they don’t know is what makes me tick.
“So what I do say to Rambler nation is — let’s keep building this culture and making a difference. Let’s keep chasing championships. Let’s do things better than we have ever done before. With that said — I’m all in.”
Moser was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year this year and also was selected as the National Association of Basketball Coaches District 16 Coach of the Year.
“We couldn’t be more excited to continue to have Porter Moser lead our men’s basketball program and have said all along that he is a perfect fit at Loyola,” said Loyola Director of Athletics Steve Watson in a statement. “Porter’s accomplishments here, especially over the last five years, speak for themselves, and most importantly, he has achieved success by doing things the right way with high-character student-athletes.”

The Naperville native was a three-year varsity starter for Benet Academy and was named the conference player of the year as a senior. Moser was a key factor in Benet’s state record 102-game home winning streak, was an all-state selection and in 2017 was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a player.
At Creighton, Moser was a two-year starter and helped the Bluejays to the 1989 Missouri Valley Conference title and a NCAA Tournament berth.

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

After Joliet Catholic Academy’s “Christmas in April” performance in La Grange Park on Monday leading to JCA’s 4-3 East Suburban Catholic South Division loss to Nazareth, Hilltopper senior right-hander Mike Gurka was JCA’ s savior on Tuesday.

On Monday, leading the host Roadrunners 3-1 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Hilltoppers handed Nazareth a gift-wrapped 4-3 win.

On Tuesday, at Gillespie Field in Joliet, Gurka pitched and hit the Hilltoppers past the Roadrunners 2-0, and their MLB prospect, senior lefty Mike Prosecky. MLB scouts were in Joliet to see the Roadrunner southpaw, who’s fastball has been clocked at 93 m.p.h.

On the mound, Gurka (4-0) allowed a bad-hop single to Roadrunner left fielder, Teddy Olander, which was only hit he would allow in his six shutout innings. Gurka, fanned nine Roadrunner hitters and walk three.

Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth,  Gurka’s (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) booming RBI double, drove home Hilltopper centerfielder Greg Ziegler, with a huge insurance run and a 2-0 Hilltopper lead.

Hilltopper head coach Jared Voss replaced Gurka with Hilltopper closer Josh Ragusa to start the bottom of the seventh. Gurka, threw 98 pitches through six innings, and with the 105 IHSA maximum pitch rule, Voss selected Ragusa to finish up the game.

Ragusa, put the tying runs on base with one out but dispatch a pair of Roadrunner pinch-hitters, to nail down the save for Gurka.

“We really gave them a victory last night and we really came into this game, with a chip on our shoulder,” Gurka said. ”We really played together as a team. We played great defense and picked up a big win, against a great pitcher, Mike Prosecky and Nazareth.”

“I battled my best friend growing up (Nazareth relief pitcher, Alex Krug), for the big RBI double. We talked about the possibility of facing each other and I was fortunate to get him, this time.”

“I really like to go at hitters,” Gurka added. “I don’t mess around on the mound. Against a great team like Nazareth, you can’t give them any chance.”

The Hilltoppers scored their first in the second inning, when Ziegler walked, stole second base, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a grounder to second off the bat of the red-hot DH Tony Fleischauer (1-for-3, 2B RBI).

“Crazy ending to last night’s game and we knew we had to bounce back today,” Fleischauer said. “Facing Prosecky, who brings out MLB scouts, we knew we had to battle a great pitcher.

On the big RBI ground out in the first inning, I was looking for a fastball that I could hit to the right side and drive home, the very important first run of the game.”

Although the Voyager Media Publications Week 4 and 5 Player of the Week, senior shortstop Jared Cushing, had a rare 0-for-3 day at the plate, Cushing continued to shine on the field.

Making four difficult plays at short look easy, Cushing and the Hilltoppers were flawless in the field behind Gurka and Ragusa.

“We knew we had to bounce back from last night’s loss, “Cushing said. “Mike Gurka was outstanding and we all played great defense behind him. Big win to get us back in first place in the ESCC South.”

With the win, JCA (17-5, 5-2) once again claims sole possession of first place in the rugged ESCC South. The Hilltoppers have a ½ game lead over Marist (9-5, 4-2) and Marian Catholic (12-8, 4-2), after today’s action. Nazareth falls to 14-3-1 overall and 3-3 in the ESCC South.

“Mike had  a great game tonight but it was great to see the entire team, bounce back from that tough loss last night,” Voss said. “That was a long, tough, bus ride home last night. Tony is a veteran player for us and knew what to do to get us the important run of the game. It was also great to see Mike get the big double, to give us the 2-0 lead.”

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC STANDINGS
through games of April 23
JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY   17-5     5-2
MARIST                                       10-5      4-2
MARIAN CATHOLIC                   13-8      4-2
NAZARETH  ACADEMY             14-3      3-3
BENET ACADEMY                       9-11     2-4

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

In 2018, Plainfield Central’s varsity baseball team won 25 games and finished in the Top 25, in the state of Illinois. In 2019, the Wildcats returned almost everyone for head coach John Rosner, from the state-ranked 2018 Wildcats.

The Wildcats opened up their 2019 campaign with nine consecutive victories, before losing to Lockport in the 2019 WJOL/Don Ladas Memorial Baseball Tournament Championship Game.

The dreaded injury bug struck the Wildcats during the WJOL tourney and has continued to decimate the once almost unbeatable Wildcats. Losers of seven of their last 11 games, Plainfield Central (14-8, 3-5) headed to Joliet to take on the Southwest Prairie Conference leaders from Plainfield South (17-4, 6-2) on Wednesday.

Zach Rana — to say the 6-foot senior right-handed pitcher Rana (3-4) pounded the strike zone against Plainfield South, would be an understatement. Rana fired 97 pitches at the Cougars, 70 of them for strikes and went on to fire a six-hitter at the SPC leaders. Rana struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

“It was nice to beat South after they beat us on Monday,” Rana said. “I was throwing the ball harder than I normally do. A great mound here to pitch on and we had a lot of fans here today and I had a lot of fun.”

The Wildcats picked up an unearned run in the first inning against Plainfield South starting pitcher Austin Richardson (4-2). With two outs, the red-hot Jac Lindish (2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI) ripped a booming double to left. Right fielder Anthony Noble walked and shortstop Charlie Bischoff ripped a single to center. When the Cougar centerfielder booted the ball, Lindish streaked home with the first run of the game.

In the Plainfield South second inning, Cougar third baseman Zach Pawlak (2-for-3, 2B), doubled and scored on an RBI single from Tony Mosher (2-for-3, 2B, RBI), tying the game at one.

“We just have to tip our hat to Rana, “ Mosher said. “He pounded the strike zone all day on us and was  very difficult to hit. I have been struggling as of late and I was happy to hit the ball hard all day.”

Two Cougar errors in the Plainfield Central top of the third, led to a pair of unearned runs for the victorious Wildcats. Lindish ripped his second double of the game, driving home leadoffman Jake Donahue who had reached on an error. Lindish scored to make it 3-1 Cats, when Bischoff wreached on another Cougar miscue.

“We really came out today with a lot of energy,” Lindish said. “Zach’s performance on the mound was outstanding. He really pounded the strike zone. I have been really squaring the ball up and hitting it at people, for outs. After my hot start to the season, things have been evening out for me. That’s a lesson in life though. I just went out today and tried to hit the ball hard to all to all parts on the field. I’m confident that the hits will start falling again.”

In the top of the fifth, Bischoff ( 2-for-4, 2B, RBI) drove home a huge insurance run, with a double scoring Noble for a 4-1 Wildcat lead.

“We made a couple of mistakes that cost us against South on Monday,” Bischoff said. “Rana threw a gem for us and I was fortunate to come through with some clutch two out hits. Jac’s double in the first inning, after the first two batters of the game struck out, turned the momentum of the game in our favor. I was able to follow with the clutch hit.”

In the bottom of the seventh with one out,  Mosher ripped a double off Rana and Zach Pawlak who walked bringing the tying run to the plate for the Cougars. Rana, picked up the second out of the inning on a force out at second and then finished off his masterpiece in style with his seventh punch-out of the game.

For Plainfield South, the Cougars will host the second-place Wolves of Oswego East (12-5, 5-2) on Thursday.

“We are not good enough to win, when we give them three runs, in the first three innings, as we did today,“ Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said. “Zach Rana was outstanding for Plainfield Central today  and we were hoping we could get him out, due the pitch-count rule. We would have liked to get one batter, against their bullpen, with the tying run at the plate, in the bottom of the seventh.”

Plainfield Central will travel to Joliet Central (8-11, 2-6) in SPC action on Thursday.

“Zach Rana was something else for us tonight,” Rosner said. “70 strikes among his 97 pitches tonight. for a much-needed win for us. Very happy how aggressive we came, out both offensively and on defense today. We came up with some great clutch hits from Charlie and Jac.”

“We have lost our top two pitchers to injury and that made Zach’s performance extra-special, for us tonight. Don’t write us off just yet. We have a lot of baseball yet to be played and we will be alright.”

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE STANDINGS through games of 4/24

Plainfield South        17-5        6-2
Oswego East             12-5        5-2
Oswego                      11-7        5-2

Plainfield North        8-7-1       5-2

Plainfield East           14-6        5-3

Joliet West               11-10       3-4
Plainfield Central     14-8        3-5
Romeoville                 5-14-1   2-5
Joliet Central              8-11      2-6

Minooka                     6-11-1   2-6

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

For the last three seasons, the residents of Plainfield, Illinois have had the enjoyment of watching two of the best defensive catchers in all of Illinois. On the “North Side”, senior Greg Budig has been a defensive force and handler of the “arms factory” at Plainfield North High School. Last season, Budig along with centerfielder Cam Kissel and right fielder, Garret Cook, helped bring the IHSA Class 4A State Baseball Championship to Plainfield’s “North Side”.

On ”The South Side”, ever since he was a freshman and helped lead his Cougars to the 2016 IHSBCA Summer State Championship, Justin McGuigan has been a defensive stalwart behind the plate for Plainfield South.

On “The South Side” on Thursday, McGuigan showed  Plainfield that he can do more than catch. After Monday night’s Southwest Prairie Conference debacle, a 4-1 loss to Plainfield Central, the Cougars were in dire need of a victory over the second-place Wolves of Oswego East.

McGuigan (5-1) was masterful on the mound, firing a one-hit shutout as the Cougars routed the Wolves 10-0 in five innings.

With the Cougars up 8-0, McGuigan took a no-hitter into the top of the fifth. With two outs, Oswego East’s Ed Borwick used “Hawk” Harrelson’s famous euphemism, hit a “duck snort” to right that fell in for the only Wolves’ hit. McGuigan picked up his eighth punch-out to finish out the Wolves’ final inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Griffin Lapp (2-for-4, RBI) singled to lead off the inning. After one out, McGuigan ( 0-for-1, 3BB, 2SB) walked for the third time in the game. Zach Pawlak (1-for-2, BB, SF, 2RBI) singled home Lapp, for a 9-0 Cougar lead. Tony Mosher (1-for-2, 2BB, RBI) walked to load the bases and Ryan Pawlak (2-for-3, RBI) ripped the game-ending single to right, to score McGuigan for a 10-0 Cougar win.

“This was big for us to bounce back, after last night’s bad loss and pick up a big SPC win,” Pawlak said. “It was important for our confidence to get this win to keep us in first place, heading into this weekend.”

Behind the plate for the Cougars, with McGuigan on the mound, was sophomore Jonny Hernandez. Hernandez was McGuigan-like behind the plate. In the six-run Cougar fourth inning, Hernandez had not one but two hits in the Cougar fourth-inning explosion.

The big hit of the six-run Cougar fourth inning, was provided by sophomore left fielder, Tylor Puma” Phommachanhom.

“Puma” led off the Cougar first with a double and scored on a McGuigan RBI groundout, for a  1-0 Cougar lead. With the Cougars up 2-0 in the fourth, Phommachanhom took an inside pitch and ripped it down the right field line scoring Hernandez, who had singled for a 3-0 Cougar lead. Game Over.

For McGuigan, the shutout victory improves his record to 5-1. McGuigan now leads the Cougar staff with five wins.

“Yesterday’s loss really left a bad taste in our mouth’s,” McGuigan said. “We really bounced back big time today. We played well and proved that yesterday was a fluke. We executed our game plan and the great thing about baseball is, the very next day, you can redeem yourself.”

“On the mound, I just threw strikes and let my defense make the plays, which they did.”

“At the plate, I try to get on base anyway I can,” McGuigan added. “When I get on base, I’m always ready to run.”

“Justin was on point and threw strikes today,” Hernandez said. “Justin feeds off his success and becomes unhittable. We work very well together and are great batterymates. It was a lot of fun for me to be part of Justin’s, one-hitter today.”

“At the plate, I listened to my hitting coach and had great at bats and did my job.”

Plainfield South (18-4, 7-2) and Oswego East (12-6, 5-3) will meet again on Oswego’s “East Side” on Monday, in the conclusion of their SPC series.

“Justin pitched outstanding for us today and we hit the ball well, against a very good Oswego East pitcher,’ Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said. “The great thing about baseball is, one day you may think you are not very good and then the very next day, you think that you are good again.”

“Jonny Hernandez did a great job behind the plate and with the way he hit, he will be rewarded with more opportunities, at the plate, in the future. This was a huge win for us heading into what we call “Our All-Star Break” (Prom Weekend).”

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE through games of April 25

Plainfield South        18-4        7-2
Oswego                      12-7        6-2

Plainfield North        8-7-1       5-2
Oswego East             12-6        5-3

Plainfield East           14-7        5-4
Plainfield Central     15-8        4-5
Joliet West                12-10     4-5
Romeoville                 5-15-1   2-6
Joliet Central              8-12      2-7

Minooka                     6-12-1   2-7

Friday

Oswego at Plainfield North
Romeoville at Oswego East

By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com

The Lewis University women’s basketball team is less than a month away from the trip of a lifetime for its players.
The team will travel to Paris, France for a 10-day experience that will feature a pair of basketball games, exposure to a different culture and class credit.The student-athletes will learn about Lewis University and its founder, John Baptist De La Salle.
“It is academically centered and they get to learn about Lewis, a place they are spending every day of their lives,” said Lewis coach Sam Quigley Smith. “This is truly a once in a lifetime experience for our student athletes in which they are learning about the mission of Lewis University.”
The academic side of the trip in part is thanks in part to Lewis University’s Study Abroad and Dr. Dennis Cremin, who has worked with the Flyers in numerous in class sessions and online discussions and will travel with the team.
In efforts to not have the players responsible for any cost associated with the trip, the program has been working on several fundraisers over the past year and have raised a significant dollar amount to date — but there is still more needed.
Saturday, May 4 at Lewis University, the program is hosting what it hopes to become an annual 5K walk/run on campus
The “Fly for the Roses” 5K begins at 8 a.m. and costs $30 for adults and $15 for children 14 years old or younger.
All participants get a T-Shirt at registration and walk-ups will be accepted.
The trip will also serve as the final games for graduating seniors, such as Jessica Kelliher — one of the top players in the history of NCAA Division-II.
She was named the D2CCA Women’s Basketball Ron Lenz National Player of the Year in March. This season she averaged 24.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, leading the Flyers to a 27-5 record. She led the country in field goal percentage (65.9 percent). She finished her career having scored the fifth-most points in DII history with 2,764 and also surpassed the 1,000-rebound milestone during the season. Kelliher is the 33rd player in Division II history to surpass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her 1,093 career field goals made are second-most in Division II history. Kelliher’s 2,764 points is currently second among active players in Division I, II and III while her career field goal percentage of 64.8 percent is fifth among active players in all three Divisions
“There is a new NCAA rule that lets seniors go on overseas trips,” Quigley Smith said. “The seniors that graduate in a couple weeks are able to play — they get one last game and its under the Eiffel Tower.”

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
Voyager Media Publications Week 6 Team of the Week- Maine South Hawks (16-7, 6-1)

The Central Suburban South co-leaders from Maine South, went 4-0 this week and have won seven consecutive games, for head coach Brian Lorenz. What wrapped up the Week 6 award for the Hawks was a Wednesday pounding of the mighty Chicago Catholic League  Blue’s Brother Rice Crusaders (16-8, 6-2). Led by red-hot duo of Bobby Rinaldi and Timmy O’Brien, the Hawks, took apart the Crusaders 12-6.

Hawk ace pitcher Ysen Useni fired a three-hitter at Niles North with 12 strikeouts in Tuesday’s 4-1 CSL South win.

Tied with Glenbrook South (12-8, 6-1) atop the CSL South, the Hawks will take on Evanston (7-9, 2-3) in a pair of CSL South games Tuesday and Thursday. On Saturday, the Hawks will host Deerfield (12-5, 4-3 North), in a CSL crossover.

Voyager Media Publications Player of the Week –  Kyle Vogt  Downers Grove South
Vogt used his bat, going 6-for-7 to help lead the  Mustangs to a pair of huge West Suburban Conference Gold Division victories over Leyden Monday (12-0) and Tuesday (6-5). On Thursday, Vogt, allowed just one run and one hit, in five innings on the mound, leading the Mustangs to an 8-2, WSC Gold sweep of the Eagles. Vogt fired 15 first-pitch strikes in his masterpiece on the mound.

Downers Grove South (11-8, 8-1) will host Willowbrook (17-3, 12-0), in the opener of a crucial WSC Gold, three-game series on Monday. The two clubs will play in Villa Park, on Tuesday and return to Downers Grove, for the series finale on Thursday.

Voyager Media Publications- Pitcher of the Week- Zach Rana Plainfield Central- The Cougars of Plainfield South (18-5, 7-2), the Southwest Prairie Conference co-leaders, will be the first to tell you that Rana should win this week’s award. After Rana fired 70 strikes in his 97-pitch, six hitter in Wednesday’s, 4-1 Plainfield Central’s  (15-8, 4-5) SPC win over South, the Cougars were impressed.

Rana, struck out seven and did not walk a batter, giving the injury-decimated Wildcats, a much needed SPC win.

Terrific Ten Baseball Rankings
1 Joliet Catholic      19-5  Cushing, Fleischauer, lead ESCC South leaders
2 Plainfield South   18-5  McGuigan, throws one-hitter at Oswego East
3 Maine South        16-7  Seven in a row for WEEK 6 TEAM OF THE WEEK
4 Plainfield North   10-7 Seven in a row for defending 4A State Champs
5 Lockport               18-5 Porters swept by Lincoln-Way East
6 Notre Dame           9-6 ESCC North leaders led by Bryan Broecker
7 Plainfield Central 15-8 Lindish, Bischoff crushing the baseball for ‘Cats
8 Plainfield East      14-7 Jack Crowder has big week for Bengals
9 DG South              11-8 Red-hot Mustangs have won 7 in a row
10 Joliet West         13-11 Cannon Karczewski pitches Tigers past The ‘Ville

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
MAINE EAST (1-11, 1-6)

5-1 CSL North loss to Highland Park- Ashton Schwab drove home the lone Demon run.

4-0 CSL North loss to Highland Park–

CENTRAL SUBUBURBAN SOUTH
MAINE SOUTH (16-7, 6-1)

4-1 CSL South win over Niles North- Hawks win for the fifth consecutive time and move into first place in the CSL South. Ysen Useni fired a three-hitter, with 12 strikeouts. Timmy O’Brien drove home two more runs while Zach Buchan and the red-hot Bobby Rinaldi, picked up an RBI.
12-6 win  over Brother Rice- Red-hot Hawks win for the sixth consecutive game, in style. Led by the red-hot Bobby Rinaldi, the Hawks crushed Chicago Catholic League Blue power, Brother Rice. Rianaldi, drove home three more Hawk runs, while sophomore Zac Buchan. added two hits and plated a pair.  Timmy O’Brien, continued his assault on the baseball with three more hits, while Bobby Inserrra chipped in with two hits.

18-2 CSL South win over Niles North- Hawks route the Vikings for their seventh consecutive victory. Aiden Teahan, Bobby Inserra and Ethan Quinn all drove home three runs for the rampaging Hawks. Timmy O’Brien continued his assault on the baseball with two more hits, while Zander Buchan chipped in with two hits.

NILES WEST (11-7, 1-4) Did not play

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC NORTH

NOTRE DAME (9-6, 6-2)
4-1 ESCC North win over St. Viator Joe Buikema scattered seven hits and allowed just one run in six innings leading the Dons past the Lions. Nick Loizzi, Matt Salmonson and Bryan Broecker, all drove home Don runs. 
3-1 ESCC North win over St. Viator- Nick Liozzi fired a three-hitter at the Lions and pitches the Dons back atop the ESCC North with Carmel (9-3-1, 5-2). Kyle Schuster drove in two Don runs, while Bryan Broecker, Matt Murphy and Cole Manley all get two hits for the ESCC North co-leaders.

10-0 ESCC North win over MCC –Nick Giamarusti had two hits and drove home three runs, in the five-inning romp past the Hurricanes. Dylan Coleman, also had three RBI, while Bryan Boecker and Mike Jakot, combined on a two-hit shutout, on the mound.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH

JOLIET CATHOLIC (19-5, 6-2)

4-3 ESCC loss to Nazareth– Alex Vera struck out 10 and allowed just one run in six innings as the Hilltopper defense imploded as the Roadrunners walked-off with the ESCC win in the bottom of the seventh. Tony Fleischauser continued his hot hitting with two hits and an RBI. Greg Ziegler chipped in with two more hits

9-5 win over Lincoln-Way Central- Hilltopper first baseman Max Cullen, drove home three JCA runs, while Nate Gehrke had two hits for the Hilltoppers.

10-4 ESCC win over St. Patrick  (See Game Story)

BENET ACADEMY (9-13, 2-5)

9-3 ESCC South loss to Marian Catholic- Charlie Romenesko drove home a pair of Redwing runs
4-1 ESCC South loss to Marian Catholic– Charlie Romenesko picked up  a pair of hits, while Ben Wright drove home the lone Redwing run.
6-2 loss to Naperville North  The Red-Hot Charlie Romenesko, had two more hits and Collin Gorz and Jared Novak, drove home the Redwing runs.
8-3 ESCC loss to Carmel-Collin Gorz led the Redwings with three hits.

INTERSTATE 8 NORTH

LISLE (14-8, 3-4)

5-2 I-8 North win over Sandwich- AJ Casmer fires a seven hitter at the Indians, with eight strikeouts for the win. Tony Raineri had three more hits and an RBI for the Lions. Connor Nigro led the Lion attack with two hits and three RBI. Jay McGrath chipped in with two hits. 
16-1 I-8 North loss to Sandwich

10-8 win over Somonauk– Damian Guerrero led the 13-hit Lion onslaught with four hits and three RBI. Cal Payne also had four hits and drove home two Lion runs. Connor Nigro chipped in with two hits.

8-0 I-8 loss to Manteno

WESTMONT (16-8, 4-3)
16-6 I-8 North win over Plano– Matt O’Leary, continued his assault on the baseball, driving in three more Sentinel runs placing him among the area’s batting  average and RBI leaders. Nick Machcek, drove home four runs in the win over the Reapers.
2-1 I-8 North loss to Plano-Alex Marotta drove home the lone Sentinel run.

14-1 win over Intrinsic  Caden Anderson hit a home run for the Sentinels
5-2 loss to Beecher  Matt O’Leary singled home a Sentinel run and picked up two stolen bases. 
10-4 I-8 win over Herscher Matt O’Leary had two more hits, (Ho-Hum) including a triple, and drove home two more Sentinel runs. Alex Marotta hit a two-run bomb, while Shawn Kwasny, drove home three runs with a single and a double.

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE

PLAINFIELD SOUTH (18-4, 7-2)
5-1 SPC win over Plainfield Central Griffin Lapp improved to 4-0 with six-hitter. Lapp’s scoreless streak of 23.2 innings came to an end in  the third, when Plainfield Central’s hit a home run. Justin McGuigan drove home two Cougar runs.

4-1 SPC loss to Plainfield Central 

10-0 SPC win (FIVE INNINGS)  

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (15-8, 4-5)

5-1 SPC  loss to Plainfield South– Anthony Noble, went the distance for the Wildcats, allowing just five hits. Brandon Micetich homered for the lone Wildcat run.

4-1 SPC win over Plainfield South

13-8 SPC win over Joliet Central Brandon Micetich and the red-hot Charlie Bischoff each had three hits and drove home three Wildcat runs, in  the slugfest win over the Steelmen. Jac Lindish had a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate with another double and a RBI. Anthony Noble, for the second straight game had two hits and an RBI.

PLAINFIELD  EAST (14-7, 5-4)
5-4 SPC win over Minooka – Nick Pratscher continued his all out assault on the baseball, driving home three more, Bengal runs. Jack Crowder chipped in with two hits.
5-3 SPC win over Minooka – Jack Crowder fired a seven-hitter with seven strikeouts, to get the win on the mound. Nick Pratscher continued his torrid hitting with three more Bengal RBI. 
10-6 SPC loss to Oswego-Andrew Hill and Riley Morris each drove home a pair of Bengal runs, while Jack Crowder, continued his big week with three more hits.

JOLIET WEST
11-1 SPC loss to Oswego
11-1 SPC loss to Oswego  Mason Kasprisin drove home the lone Tiger run.
5-3 SPC win over Romeoville Cannon Karczewski fired a six-hitter at the Spartans to pick up the win on the mound. Mason Kasprisin drove home another Tiger run.

6-3 win over TF South- Tylor Anderson drove home two Tiger runs, to lead West past the Rebels.

MINOOKA (6-12, 2-7)

5-4 SPC loss to Plainfield East– Pedro Martinez had two hits and an RBI for the Indians. Collin Olkiewicz drove home a pair of Indian runs while Scott Harper chipped in with two hits.

5-3 SPC loss to Plainfield East- Nate Cochran led the Indian attack with two hits and driving home all three Indian runs.

5-1 SPC loss to Plainfield North-Nate Cochran, continued to lead the Indian attack with two hits and Nick Groh, drove home the lone Indian run. 
PLAINFIELD NORTH (10-7, 7-2)
9-4 SPC win over Romeoville Cam Kissel, Greg Budig and Garret Cook, all had three hits, as the Tigers won their fourth game in a row. Kissel had three RBI while Budig drove home one run. Noah Massa chipped in with a single, double and an RBI. 
2-1 SPC win over Romeoville  Dylan Szajkovics, improved to 4-0, on the season and Sammy Valdez, struck out the final two Spartan hitters to nail down the save at Route 66 Stadium. Patrick Miller had a hit and an RBI while Garret Cook continued his hot-hitting with a 1-for-2 night at the plate. 
5-1 SPC win over Minooka- The Tigers win for the sixth game in a row, behind the red-hot Cam Kissel. Kissel, had two doubles and drove home two Tiger runs. Josh Fleming (2-0) picked up the win on the mound for the Tigers, while Brandon Hutson nailed down the save, slamming the door on the Indians, with three hitless innings of relief. 
12-11 SPC win over Oswego  (See Game Story)

JOLIET CENTRAL (8-12, 2-7)

4-0 SPC loss to Oswego East– Ethan Darling and Sebastian Pantoja, had the two Steelmen hits.

6-5 SPC loss to Oswego East– Jim Zdanwic, led the Steelmen with two hits.

13-8 SPC loss to Plainfield Central Jalen Green and Osvaldo Lopez led the Steelmen attack with three hits each. Nate Coombs drove home a pair of Steelmen runs.

ROMEOVILLE (5-16, 2-7)

9-4 SPC loss to Plainfield North Griffin Springer, drove home two runs for the Spartans. 
2-1 SPC loss to Plainfield North Spartan ace Ulysses Munoz, went the distance allowing just five hits and two first-inning runs, to suffer the heart-breaking loss. Kevin Murphy, Dylan Scafuri and Luis Delgado, all had hits for the Spartans 
8-7 loss to Naperville North- Joe Selby drove home a pair of Spartan runs.

5-2 SPC loss to Joliet West- Luis Delgado, had a hit and an RBI to lead the Spartans. Mike Bunch and Dylan Scafuri, each picked up a hit for the Spartans.

8-3 SPC loss to Oswego East 

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE

LOCKPORT (18-5, 2-3)
7-3 SWSC Blue loss to Lincoln-Way East- (See Game Story)
6-5 SWSC Blue loss to H-F  (8-innings)- Jackson Mladic highlighted the big five-run Porter sixth that tied the game with a three-run bomb.

BOLINGBROOK (8-15, 1-4)
9-8 SWSC Blue loss to Sandburg- Josh Madsen led the Raiders with two hits and three RBI,while Dave Underdonk drove home two, more Raider runs.
2-1 SCSC Blue win over Stagg- Matt Dinkel, was magnificent on the mound for the Raiders, throwing a one-hitter at the Chargers. Dave Underdonk continued to crush the baseball with a pair of hits and an RBI. 

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH (11-8, 8-1)
12-0 WSC Gold win over Leyden- Chris Gory fired a one-hitter with 10 punch-outs to keep the Mustangs within a game of WSC Gold leader Willowbrook. Gory helped himself at the plate with a hit and two RBI, while Kyle Vogt and Charlie Kulhman each had three hits. Jack Blazevich also drove home a pair of Mustang runs.

6-5 WSC Gold win over Leyden– Kyle Vogt, had three more hits for the Mustangs and Jack Blazevich picked up two more RBI as the Mustangs kept pace with Willowbrook in the WSC Gold. Gino Cozzi struck out seven in his six innings on the mound to pick up the win.
8-2 WSC Gold win over Leyden- Kyle Vogt fired a four-hitter at the Eagles with six strike outs, while Chris Gory had two hits and two RBI. Blair Thilbault drove home a pair of Mustang runs.

Jake Pillegi and Joe Consenza each, chipped in with two hits. WSC Gold leader Willowbrook (16-3-1, 11-0) .

8-3 WSC win over Glenbard West  Jake Pileggi and Jack Blazevich led the Mustangs to their fourth straight win. Mitch Hoes allowed a run in his game-winning performance on the mound. 

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

DOWNERS GROVE NORTH  (5-16, 4-7)

6-1 WSC Silver win over York– Cam Demos fired a five-hitter at the Dukes with seven strikeouts. Demos helped himself at the plate with two hits and two RBI. Lucas Nielson also had two hits and two RBI while Scott Jakobscz chipped in with two ribbies. 
10-2 WSC Silver loss to York Dave Marshall, had a pair of hits for the Trojans
12-0 WSC Silver loss to York-

By Brian Stanley

For the Bugle

Two men were arrested April 23 after allegedly leading police on a dangerous chase through Joliet.

The incident began at 7:33 p.m. when officers spotted a vehicle speeding north on Raynor Avenue near Jefferson Street.

(Treshon L. Holland)

According to reports, police stopped the vehicle near Richmond Street, but once the officers got out of their unit, the driver sped off again. Police pursued the fleeing vehicle through side streets in the Cathedral, Broadway and St. Pats neighborhoods.

The driver committed numerous traffic violations, at one point cutting off a squad car and striking into it. No injuries resulted from the collision and the pursuit continued.

“The vehicle eventually got onto eastbound I-80 from Rockdale,” Sgt. Christopher Botzum said. “While the vehicle was over the I-80 bridge, pursuing officers observed the driver throw a handgun out the window, striking a beam on the bridge.”

Police cars were able to box their quarry in near the Chicago Street exit, but the two men inside had locked the doors and refused to open them. Officers were forced to break the windows and had to pull the driver, Treshon L. Holland, 23, and passenger Herbert K. Bew, 27, from the vehicle to place them in handcuffs, Botzum said.

“Officers backtracked where they saw Holland throw the firearm (and) located a handgun magazine with live rounds in it,” Botzum said. “The firearm itself was not located on the bridge and it appears it possibly fell into the Des Plaines River.”

Police did find cocaine inside the vehicle, according to reports.

Holland, 23, of the 10 South 400 block of Naperville, was arrested on charges of aggravated fleeing from police, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, reckless driving, reckless conduct, obstructing justice, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition and aggravated assault. He was also charged with many traffic violations.

Bew, of Joliet, was charged with resisting arrest and released on bond.

Will County jail records show Holland is being held on 43 different charges, including an unrelated matter filed by Aurora police, and would have to post at least $500,000 bond to be released from custody.

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

Over 120 Joliet Junior College employees were recognized for their service and eight were presented with awards at the annual Spring Employee Recognition and Core Values Reception.

Faculty and staff, whose collective experience spans 1,375 years, were honored with from five years of service to more than 30 at the college.

Awards were also presented to employees who’ve exemplified JJC’s seven core values.

Respect & Inclusion, Integrity Collaboration, Humor & Well Being, Innovation, Quality and Sustainability were all displayed according to Amy Stevens, who is the co-chair of the Core Values Committee, which presents the awards annually.

“The core value Jo award is our yearly award where we also have core value awards throughout the year,” Stevens said.

The award Jo Award winners that represents and are chosen resulting in a year’s span, are the best of the best for each department or section.

Those that took home the prestigious award were: Mindy Diaz, Alex Ferconio, Sandra Wordlaw, Stephanie Braun, Judy Connelly, Tim Solley, Jeremy Cassan and Dr. Judy Mitchell.

Respect and Inclusion: Mindy Diaz – Disability Services manager

For Diaz, it is not uncommon for her to go above and beyond for JJC Students.  She often stays late on testing weeks in the Testing Center to finish proctoring exams. This ensures all students, including evening students, have the same amount of study and preparation time before their high stakes final exams. Her service fosters a positive environment for the well-being of JJC students.

Collaboration: Alex Ferconio, General Maintenance

Ferconio is part of a team that is responsible for the installation of key safety items such as cameras, door access and locks. The process can be both mentally and physically challenging, and requires a great deal of work and talent. Not only does Ferconio complete these projects in a timely manner, it is not uncommon for him to work on a weekend or holiday to fix issues that arise. His services have made JJC a safe place to work and learn.

Integrity: Sandra Wordlaw, Counseling secretary

Wordlaw’s dedication to her job, displays of responsibility and accountability, are model of integrity. It is not uncommon for her to come in early to set up before the college opens and then stay late to finish tasks, as needed.  She works with students and parents who are needing assistance with any problems they’ve encountered.  She’s also been known to step up to help other departments in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Humor and Well Being: Stephanie Braun, Academic Intervention and Support dean

Braun is currently juggling several different duties and responsibilities both here and at JJC’s extended campuses. She keeps her staff motivated and takes time to recognize their successes.  Recently, Braun assisted a fellow coworker who was walking with a cane and juggling their breakfast trying to get back to their office. Although it was in the opposite direction of where she was going, she took the time to assist the coworker.

Sustainability: Judy Connelly, Human Resources assistant director

Connelly inherited handling the process for the SURS fees. She has done a remarkable job in setting up and managing this process, which included creating a way to track, manage and pay assessed penalties.  However, this person goes above and beyond by appealing many of these charges and checks for errors or opportunities to appeal and reduce fines.  Connelly’s knowledge and attention to detail in the appeal process has saved the college over $800,000 in penalties and fees.

Quality: Tim Solley, Custodial assistant lead

Solley has been a staple at JJC for quite some time. He is responsible for many of the behind the scenes coordination and execution of events.  Solley has been responsible for coordinating a significant amount of large, high profile events.  In addition, he’s also responsible for ensuring that countless smaller department events, meetings, external events, office moves and other needs are met accurately and in a timely manner.

Innovation: Jeremy Cassan, Information Technology application developer

One of JJC’s institutional priority projects is gainful employment. Cassan’s role in this area requires a heavy tie to compliance and creative thinking in order to provide a timely solutions.  This person also took on the responsibility for implementation duties as well. He utilized a current system which saved the college money.  Cassan has gone above and beyond by attending meetings to explain his solution and provide input and insight into best practices, as well as guides his colleagues to the correct solution. He’s executed these services with a positive attitude.

ALL-Core: Dr. Judy Mitchell, JJC president

Presented for the first time in the history of the Core Values awards, All-Core went to JJC President Dr. Judy Mitchell. As the person who helped revive the process, she represents all the core values every day. This includes her continuous respect for others, collaboration with every department, commitment to sustainability, and innovative ideas.  Mitchell’s support has allowed the Core Values Committee to grow and become an integral part of JJC.

These specific individuals that go above and beyond for JJC, are not taken lightly according to Stevens.

“They are all exemplary core value winners who are the top of the top which is what we as a college try to always achieve,” Stevens said.

By Brian Stanley

For the Bugle

A second suspect was arrested recently in connection with an armed carjacking that occurred last fall in Joliet.

Jordan M. Peete, 21, of the first block of East Zarley Boulevard, was arrested April 23 at his residence on charges of armed robbery, aggravated vehicular hijacking and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

(Jordan Peete)

About 10 p.m. on Nov. 1, a man called police to Briggs Street and Maple Road and said he’d been robbed and his car had been stolen.

The victim told investigators he’d been parked in his black Jeep Wrangler at the dead end of Sherman Street waiting to provide a ride to a friend. As the man was sitting there, he was approached by two people, one of whom held a silver revolver to his head, according to police reports.

The victim was forced to drive off and stop at an ATM to withdraw cash. After driving around more, the man was kicked out of the Jeep at Briggs and Maple while his assailants drove away.

While speaking with the victim, police learned his vehicle had been found at Center and Bridge streets. Alliyah Thomas, 18, of Plainfield, had been detained at the scene.

According to police, the victim identified Thomas as one of the robbers and she was arrested on a charge of armed robbery. Thomas is still awaiting trial and is being held in the Will County jail.

“During the course of the Investigation officers were able to determine that Peete was the other person with Thomas (and) were able to get a warrant for Peete,” police said in a statement.

According to court records, Peete pleaded guilty in 2016 to burglarizing a house in the 500 block of North Bluff Street. He was released on parole from a four-year prison sentence in July.