By Brian Stanley

For the Bugle

There’s a lot going on in Shorewood.

Mayor Richard Chapman presented the State of the Village to local business leaders in April.

Chapman noted 121 new homes were constructed in Shorewood last year and 1057 remodeling permits were issued for existing residences.

The village also saw 39 new businesses open in 2018 – including Will County Brewing Company, Chicken-N-Spice, Guiding Light Academy, Affordable Dentures & Implants, Perky Paws, Orange Theory Fitness, Shorewood Fitness and D.R. Horton Builders.

2019 will see the opening of Aldi Foods, The Learning Experience early education academy, LaQuinta Inns & Suites and Shoot Point Blank gun range.

Shoot Point Blank will be located within the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) created two years ago for the area centered near the village’s main intersection of routes 52 and 59. The TIF District – which provides economic incentives to developers – runs along Route 52 (Jefferson Street) to River Road and includes the part of Shorewood east of Interstate 55.

According to Mayor Chapman, plans for the TIF area include a connected system of roadways that will break up large lots into walkable blocks and allow residential use – primarily row houses – in areas where commercial development wouldn’t work. The maps shown during Chapman’s presentation includes expanding the existing “green space” on both sides of the DuPage River and putting commercial and multi-family residential development where the mobile home park sits on the northeast side of routes 52 and 59.

Another proposed Land Use Plan for the Towne Center area further west would include commercial development of retail, restaurants, hotels and four-story multi-family housing along Route 52 and three-story units for multiple-family and senior housing closer to the village hall.

2019 will also include LED streetlight upgrades within the TIF District, a right-turn lane installed on Shorewood Drive at Black Road and storm sewer repair and replacement on Birch Drive.

Negotiations and engineering are also ongoing to bring Lake Michigan water to Shorewood, Chapman said.

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

At Route 66 Stadium, the home of the defending Frontier League Champion Joliet Slammers, the Terrific Ten Area Baseball Rankings leaders from Joliet Catholic hosted St. Patrick on Friday night.

“Take a Swing at Lou Gehrig Disease” was the promotion, sponsored by Joliet Catholic Academy and the Chicago Chapter of the ALS Foundation.

The top-ranked Hilltoppers (19-5, 6-2) wasted no time in dispatching their guests from Chicago, with a four-run first inning. JCA rolled to a 10-4 East Suburban Catholic Conference crossover victory.

After suffering through a rare 0-for-3 performance against Nazareth on Tuesday, Hilltopper shortstop Jared Cushing, singled home the first Hilltopper run, scoring Nick Iannantone who walked. The Hilltoppers picked up three  unearned runs on a Shamrock miscue and an RBI single from  Mike Gurka (2-for-2, RBI walk).

“This was another great win and it was a special atmosphere here with the ALS event going on,” Cushing said. “Greg Ziegler and I both know, a dad who is battling ALS and we were playing for them.”

“We are all swing the bats so well. Zach Hise, pounded the strike-zone and helped us get this win.”

After St. Patrick (16-9, 3-6 North) picked up a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third against Hilltopper starting pitcher Zach Hise, JCA answered with a three spot for a 7-2 lead after three innings.

The red-hot Hilltopper DH, Tony Fleischauer (2-for-4, RBI) and catcher Nate Gerhke, drove home runs for the Hill.

“We jumped on them early, with the four-run, first inning,” Fleishauer said. “Jared and I, had  big nights at the plate, as well as everyone In the lineup.”

St. Pat’s pulled to within 7-4, on a two-run double,with two outs in the top pf the sixth from Luke Paolucci.  Hise was replaced by Hilltopper lefty, Josh Ragusa.

Hise allowed two earned runs and just four hits in his 5 2/3 innings of work, to improve to 4-0 on the season. Hise struck out five and walked three.

“Four runs in the first inning made it real easy for me to pitch,” Hise said. “The defense was great behind me and all I had to do was throw strikes. I did alright tonight but I couldn’t get the strikeout pitch going.”

The Hilltoppers scored three times in the bottom of the sixth. Cleanup hitter junior Dan Wuestenfeld drove home Iannantone for an 8-4 lead. Cushing, tripled home Wuestenfeld and Greg Ziegler singled home Cushin, to conclude the game’s scoring.

“Good win,” Joliet Catholic Academy head coach Jared Voss said. “We go for win No. 20 on Monday night, here against Marist. We came out and swung the bats really well. We have threats  1-9, in our order, that are all hitting the ball well. . Zach pitched another good game for us tonight on the mound.”

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
through games of April 27

Joliet Catholic          19-5       6-2

Marist                       11-7       4-2
Marian Catholic       13-9       4-2
Nazareth                   16-3       3-3

Benet                         9-13       2-5

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

 Entering Monday night’s East Suburban Catholic South Division first-place showdown, Joliet Catholic Academy had a ½ game lead over Marist.

After taking advantage of a “strange first inning”, followed by a mammoth three-run homer from left fielder Kendal Ewell and a complete-game pitching performance from senior right-hander Justin Janus, the Redhawk’s traded places with the Hilltoppers in the ESCC South.

Marist (13-7, 6-2) replaces JCA (19-6, 6-3) atop the ESCC South, after the Redhawks 7-3 win on Monday night at Route 66 Stadium in Joliet.

With JCA ace-lefty Alex Vera (4-2) on the mound, the “strange first-inning” began with a walk to Redhawk leadoffman Jack Brannigan.  Janas, hit a roller to Hilltopper second baseman, Christian Knapczyk, who fired to Hilltopper shortstop, Jared Cushing for the apparent force at second base. Safe at second was the call and the return throw by Cushing to Hilltopper first baseman Max Cullen was late and Janas had an infield hit.

The fleet-footed Jason Hodges (2-for-3, BB, 2SB),  beat out a slow roller for a base hit and Marist had the bases loaded with no outs.

Marist cleanup hitter Dane Thomas, hit a pop up beyond second base, that should have been caught for the first out of the inning. The ball dropped for an RBI single and the Redhawks led 1-0. Successive RBI groundouts gave Marist the unlikely 3-0 lead after one-half inning.

“That was a weird first inning,” Joliet Catholic Academy head coach Jared Voss said. “To Marist’s credit, they put the ball in play but picking up the three first-inning runs, in the way they did, really put us in a hole.”

In the Marist third inning, with two out, Vera walked successive Marist hitters. Ewell crushed a Vera fastball for a mammoth three-run homer over the left field fence, for a 6-0 Redhawk lead.

“No doubt about it. The three-run homer was huge.” Voss added.

In the bottom of the fourth, Knapczyk (2-for-4, R) singled Dan Wuestenfeld (1-for-2, R, BB) walked and Greg Ziegler ( 1-for-3,R) singled, to load the bases.

Hilltopper DH Tony Fleischauer‘s sac-fly scored Knapczyk for the first Hilltopper run. Mike Gurka’s,  clutch two-run triple scored Wuestenfeld and Ziegler and the Hilltoppers closed to within 6-3.

Marist  picked up an unearned run against Hilltopper relief pitcher Josh Ragusa, in the top of the sixth to complete the game’s scoring.

Weather-permitting on Tuesday, the two clubs will conclude their crucial ESCC South series in Mount Greenwood, at 4:30 p.m.

“We’ll get them tomorrow,” Cushing said.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH

MARIST                           13-7     6-2

JOLIET CATHOLIC           20-6     6-3

MARIAN CATHOLIC       13-9     4-2

NAZARETH                      14-3      3-3
BENET                                9-13    2-5

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

Even though Joliet West (13-7, 6-2) moved into the Southwest Prairie Conference and is no longer in the same conference as Lockport (19-5, 10-0), there is no love lost between the two teams and old rivals.

In a battle, and to proclaim bragging rights for the top team in the area, the Tigers took down the Porters in a defensive game.

Joliet West defeated Lockport in a battle of former SWSC foes. (Photo by Ryan Ostry)

“We wanted to get back at them after we faced them in the WJOL Tournament for first place and they beat us 2-0 on three hits,” said Joliet West coach Heather Suca. “The girls were definitely out to get revenge on them and they just really wanted it today.”

The Tigers got off to a pedestrian start to the season going 2-2 in their first four games, but followed that up with winning five out of their next six with the only loss coming to Lincoln-Way West.

Suca’s squad is relatively young for the success they have been having, with just four seniors, five juniors and three sophomores on the roster.

Of the four seniors, Captain and starting catcher Morgan Gersch leads the way for the Tigers as they look to keep building momentum as the season starts coming down to the end.

To go along with Gersch, Ambria May and Taylor Schwall round out the Tigers who have led not just on the field, but off of it as well.

“May has been really steady for us out there at third base and Schwall is one of our best hitters,” Suca said. “To go along with them being great players, they all get it done in the class room as well, so I couldn’t expect anything more from these seniors.” For the No. 13 state ranked Porters, Marissa Chovanec leads the way in hopes to go deep in the postseason.

Still undefeated in conference play, Chovanec said that something that can’t happen again is the large amount of walks that were issued in the Porters loss to the Tigers.

“Both pitchers did a fantastic job today with both teams only have one hit,” Chovanec said. “We gave up five walks however, and when that happens you won’t win very much so that has to be corrected.”

With their longest winning streak of the season being at eight games and not losing more than one game in a row, the Porters have a veteran team with seven seniors and 11 juniors.

Of the veterans, senior pitcher Erin Kleffman and senior catcher Lauren Johnson headline the Porters defensively, as Chovanec said will be the difference of how far they go after the regular season comes down to a close.

“In the games we have won versus the games we have not our defense has been there,” Chovanec said. “The hits will come, the runs will come but the defense has been solid in those games and it needs to continue that way if we want to make a big push here at the end of the season.”

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

We moved one step closer to an all-Voyager Media Publications inaugural East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship Game, scheduled for Saturday, May 11.

Notre Dame’s 6-foot-3 senior RHP Nick Loizzi (5-1), fired a three-hit 1-0 shutout at Benet Academy. Coupled with Joliet Catholic Academy’s thrilling 4-3 nine-inning victory over  Mundelein Carmel, the Dons (12-7, 8-2) opened up a 1 ½ game lead in the ESCC North over Carmel (11-4, 6-3). The Dons and the Corsairs square-off in Mundelein, on Monday and in Niles, on Tuesday.

JCA (20-6, 7-3), with Marist (14-7, 7-2) and Marian Catholic’s (15-9, 6-2) victories on Saturday, stay within a half-game of the Redhawks and Spartans. Chris Knapczyk’s perfect-game against Carmel, (4-for-4 at the plate with the walk-off single in bottom of ninth) saved the Hilltoppers in a must win-situation over Carmel 4-3.

Loizzi and Knapczyc’s Saturday spectaculars, garnered the duo the Pitcher and Player of the Week Awards.

TEAM OF THE WEEK NOTRE DAME

PLAYER OF THE WEEK CHRISTIAN KNAPCZYK JOLIET CATHOLIC

PITCHER OF THE WEEK NICK LOIZZI NOTRE DAME

TERRIFIC TEN BASEBALL RANKINGS

1 JOLIET CATHOLIC         20-6  Knapczyk leads Hilltopper past Carmel
2 PLAINFIELD SOUTH     20-5  McGuigan leads Cougars back into SPC tie

3 PLAINFIELD NORTH    12-7  Nine consecutive wins for defending 4A state champs

4 NOTRE DAME              12-7  Loizzi leads Dons one step closer, to ESCC North title

5 PLAINFIELD EAST        16-7  “Dancing in the Street” on Plainfield’s East Side

6 PLAINFIELD CENTRAL 17-8 Don’t count ‘Cats out just yet, SPC
7 LOCKPORT                    19-7 Jake Kampf two-hit shutout of H-F

8 MAINE SOUTH             16-9  Hawks drop out of CSL South race

9 DG SOUTH                    11-10 Willowbrook sweeps away Mustang WSC Gold dreams

10 JOLIET WEST              13-12 Tigers cling to last Terrific Ten spot

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

MAINE EAST (1-13, 1-8)

15-0 CSL North loss to Glenbrook North– The Blue Demons were no-hit by the CSL North leaders from Glenbrook North
11-0 CSL North loss to New Trier

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

MAINE SOUTH (16-9, 6-3)

4-3 CSL SOUTH loss to Evanston- Hawks took a 3-1 lead into the top of the seventh, only to see the Wildcats rally for three runs and steal the victory from the Hawks. Timmy O’Brien continued his hot-hitting with two more hits and an RBI for the Hawks. 
8-3 CSL loss to Deerfield Timmy O’Brien drove home a pair of Hawk runs in the CSL crossover loss.

NILES WEST (12-11, 2-7)

7-2 CSL loss to New Trier-Jack Lochner and Brandon Som each had a pair of hits for the Wolves.

10-4 CSL South loss to Highland Park

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC NORTH
NOTRE DAME

5-4 ESCC win over Nazareth- The Dons held off the Roadrunners in La Grange Park, to take over first-place in the ESCC North. The red-hot Nick Giamarusti had two more hits and two more RBI to lead the Dons. Bryan Broecker also drove home a pair of Don runs. Joe Buiekma won again on the mound allowing just one run, with seven strikeouts in his six solid innings on the mound.
1-0 ESCC win over Benet Academy Voyager Media Publications Week 7 Pitcher of the Week fired a three-hit shutout for the ESCC North leaders on Saturday. Loizzi struck out nine Redwing hitters. Nick Giamarusti drove home the lone run of the game.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
JOLIET CATHOLIC

7-3 loss to Marist  (See Game Story)

4-3 win over Carmel (9 innings) (See Game Story)

BENET ACADEMY

7-1 ESCC South loss to Nazareth Dylan Glasgow led the Redwings with two hits and drove home the lone Redwing run.

1-0 ESCC loss to Notre Dame Dylan Glasgow, Nick Hoeppel and Mike Wymer had the three Redwing hits.

INTERSTATE 8 NORTH
LISLE  (14-10, 4-5)

5-4 I-8 loss to Herscher– Damian Guerrero led the Lions with two hits and an RBI.

WESTMONT (18-9, 4-5)
4-1 Win over IC- Joey Dobrovolny improved to 6-0 on the mound allowing just one run and four hits in his game-winning six inning performance. Dobrovolny struck out six Knight hitter’s. Shawn Kwasny nailed down the save. Alex Marotta went 2-for-2 with a double and drove home three Sentinel runs. Troy Schlicher added an RBI single.

10-0 I-8 loss to Wilmington Matt O’Leary had one hit for the Sentinels.

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE
PLAINFIELD SOUTH (20-5, 9-3)
9-1 SPC win over Joliet Central (See Game Story)

6-2 SPC loss to Oswego East- Dylan Miller and Zach Pawlak drove home the two Cougar runs.
6-1 SPC win over Joliet Central- Justin McGuigan improved to  6-1 on the mound this season for the Cougars, allowing one run in his solid five innings of work. Jimmy Fitzmaurice fired two scoreless innings of relief to close out the SPC win. Tylor Phommachanhom had two hits and drove home two Cougar runs, while Griffin Lapp and Connor Blake each had two hits.

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (17-8, 4-5)

10-0 SPC win over Joliet Central- Anthony Noble improved to 3-2 on the mound with a one-hit shutout, with six strikeouts against the Steelmen. Danny Guiliano led the Wildcat attack with two hits and three RBI. Red-hot Charlie Bischoff and Ryan Daly each had two hits and two RBI for the Wildcats.
6-1 win over Richards– Dan Guiliano drove home two runs while Justin Divelbiss added a pair of hits for the ‘Cats. Sam Pileggi and Ryan Daly combined to throw a one-hitter at the Bulldogs.

PLAINFIELD NORTH (12-7, 8-2)

3-2 SPC win over Minooka  Aidan Campbell’s third walk of the game, this time with the bases loaded, gave the Tigers the walk-off win over the Indians. Greg Budig had two hits, including a double and an RBI. Cam Kissel drove home a Tiger run while Ryan Tribe had a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate.
3-2 win over Lockport- Greg Budig singled, doubled and had an RBI for the Tigers. Josh Fleming improves to 3-0 on the mound and Cam Kissel nails down save.

PLAINFIELD EAST (16-7, 5-4)

5-4 SPC win over Oswego The Bengals (15-7, 6-4) rallied from a 4-2 deficit, with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 4-4. In the bottom of the seventh, Riley Morris’ walk-off hit sent Bengal fans dancing onto Plainfield-Naperville Road, with the 5-4 Bengal victory. It was Morris’ second hit and second RBI of the game. Sean Rivera continued his hot-hitting, driving home two more Bengal runs.

10-9 win over Waubonsie Valley- For the second day in a row, Bengal fans were dancing in the street after another Bengal walk-off win. This time, Ty Watson’s sac-fly walked-off the Bengals past the Warriors. Sean Rivera went 3-for-3 at the plate and Nick Pratscher drove home three more Bengal runs.

MINOOKA (6-13, 2-8)

3-2 SPC loss to Plainfield North- Andrew Mysliwiec led the Indians with two hits, while Kyle Czarnecki drove home an Indian run.

JOLIET WEST (13-12, 4-6)
8-4 SPC loss to Romeoville  Mason Kasprisin drove home a pair of Tiger runs while Mark Garcia, Jr added a pair of Tiger hits.

JOLIET CENTRAL (9-15, 2-10)

9-1 SPC loss to Plainfield South- (See Game Story)

10-0 SPC loss to Plainfield Central– Alex Gregurich picked up one of the two Steelmen hits.

6-1 SPC loss to Plainfield South– Ethan Darley drove home the lone Steelmen run. Jared King struck out eight Cougar batters in his five innings the mound.

ROMEOVILLE (6-16, 3-7)

8-4 SPC win over Joliet West- The Spartans rallied past the Tigers behind the big bats of Julian Jiminez and Mike Bunch, who each drove home two Spartan runs. Luis Delgado and Joe Shelbyl  sparked the 10-hit Spartan attack, with three hits each.

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE
LOCKPORT (19-7, 3-3)

4-0 SWSC Blue win over H-F- The Porters ended their three-game skid behind a two-hit, 11 strikeout shutout, by junior right-hander, Jake Kampf. Kampf, outdueled H-F’s hard-throwing MLB prospect, Tyler Schlaffer (4-1) and handed the Viking ace, his first loss of the season.

Junior Jack Mladic singled home the first Porter run, in the top of the fourth. Sophomore leadoffman Ryan Moerman’s booming two-run double gave the Porters a 3-0 lead.

Collin Woulfe chipped in with two hits and Kampf shutdown the Vikings attack.

5-1 loss to Reed-Custer– Joe Fiorello had two hits to lead the Porters.
3-2 loss to Plainfield North Alex Martinez had three singles in the Porters’ loss.

BOLINGBROOK (8-16, 1-5)
7-6 SWSC Blue loss (9 innings) to Stagg- Dave Underdonk doubled home three Raider runs while Hunter Hrycyk and Jake Zito also had RBI for “The Brook”

WEST  SUBURBAN GOLD
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH (11-10, 8-3)

2-1 WSC Gold loss (8 innings) to Willowbrook (See Game Stories)

4-1 WSC Gold loss to Willowbrook (See Game Stories)

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

DOWNERS GROVE NORTH  (5-18, 4-10)

7-1 and 5-0 WSC Silver losses to Lyons Township. Dave Marshall leads the Trojan attack with three hits and an RBI in the twin-bill.

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

For Joliet Catholic’s Louisville-bound second baseman, Christian Knapczyk, Saturday’s crucial East Suburban Catholic crossover game with Carmel, was a showcase of the future Cardinals’ talents.

With the game tied at three in the Hilltopper’s bottom of the ninth, Knapczyk stepped into the batters’ box. On third base, with the winning run, stood courtesy runner Nate Bebar. On first base, senior centerfielder Greg Ziegler, with one out.

The home plate umpire became confused and sent Knapczyk to first base, apparently being intentionally walked. Chaos ensued as Carmel head coach Billy Taylor protested the intentional walk call and the baffled umpire returned Knapczyk into the batter’s box.

“It was crazy. I thought they had put me on  base with the intentional walk,” Knapczyk said. “Next thing I know, I’m being called back to hit.”

Knapczyk ripped his fourth hit of the day, as Bebar danced home with the Hilltoppers’ game-winner, for the 4-3 crucial ESCC victory.

“I knew Paquette would challenge me with the game on the line, with a fastball,” Knapczyk said. “I just slapped it out there for the game-winner.”

The large Saturday morning crowd that gathered at Gillespie Field, witnessed an exciting but strange, ESCC battle.

Carmel (11-4, 6-3 North) scored on a double-play ball off the bat of Corsair centerfielder Sean Lynch, for a 1-0 lead. With two out in the Hilltopper (20-6, 7-3 South) first, Knapczyk doubled and then scorec from second base, on a wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1.

In the third inning, both teams outfields were charitable, giving each team two unearned runs for a 3-3 tie after three innings of play. In the Hilltopper third, senior first baseman, Max Cullen’s, clutch two-out two run double tied the game at 3-3.

Knapczyc followed with a single for his second hit of the game.

“We knew Carmel was going to come in here and fight,” Cullen said. “We were struggling at the plate, swinging at bad pitches and I had to find my pitch. I was able to get one and drive it into right-center, for the big two-run double.”

“Last year Benet got us one game. We can’t overlook them or the Marist game, will not mean anything, on Thursday.”

Kudos goes out to Hilltopper relief specialist, Josh Ragusa. Ragus replaced Hillltopper starting pitcher Zach Hise with the bases loaded and two outs with the game tied in the Corsair third. Ragusa, put out the fire with a huge strikeout.

Ragusa struck out the side in the fourth and then Knapczyc and senior shortstop, Jared Cushing, came to Josh’s assistance in the fifth.

Wegman (1-for-2, 3BB) walked to leadoff the inning, stole second and went to third on a passed ball with no outs.

Lynch, hit a grounder to Knapczyk at second who fired a strike to catcher Nate Gerhke who put the tag on Wegman. Eventual Corsair losing pitcher, Dylan Paquette, hit a laser, that appeared ticked for left field.

Cushing snared the laser and fired to Knapczyk for the force at second. Ragusa concluded his afternoon, with his fifth strikeout of the game.

In the Hilltopper fifth, Knapczyk singled for his third hit of the day.

Mike Gurka replaced Ragusa in the sixth. With the lead run at second with two out, Gurka struck out Carmel’s Jake Adams, to preserve the tie at 3-3.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Gurka lost it walking three consecutive Corsair hitters. Enter Hilltopper ace, Alex Vera (5-2), who induced a line shot to Ziegler in center who fired a strike on the line to Gerhke, preventing the Corsair runner on third from attempting to score. Vera punched-out the final Corsair hitter.

“Big win after Monday’s poor-performance against Marist,” Vera said. “We kept fighting  the whole game and Christian was able to get the big hit for us, to win the game.”

“Before the game, Coach Voss, had told the starters, that there was a good chance that we will pitching, in relief today. That helped me to be focused on pitching in relief and pitch as well as I did.”

Vera pitched out of a jam in the Carmel eighth. In the Carmel ninth, a  Cushing to Knapczyk to Cullen twin-killing ended the Corsair ninth. In the bottom of the eighth, Knapczyk walked.

4-for-4 at the plate with a double and a pair of stolen bases. Gunning down the potential lead run in the fifth at the plate and turning a pair of 6-4-3 double-plays, including the huge one to end the Corsair ninth.

“It was one of my best games of my career, here at JCA,” Knapczyc added. “Our dugout was electric and gave me the energy to perform as I did. This was a huge win for us and we have to get Marist, on Thursday and win the ESCC South and then the ESCC Championship Game on Saturday.”

Kudos must go out to Carmel’s emergency junior starting pitcher, Mike Machamer. Not even listed as a pitcher on the Carmel roster, Machamer, shutdown everyone, but Knapczyk in his seven plus one batter in the eighth inning, performance.

Note: Gave our website address to Carmel fans asking for our story. Chance to pick up some readers in Mundelein.

For the Hilltoppers, the final week of ESCC South action. JCA is at Benet on Monday. Back home against the Redwings, on Tuesday, before traveling to Mount Greenwood and Marist (14-7, 7-2 South),on Thursday, for what could be the ESCC South Championship Game, at 4:30.

“Prom Weekend! We  are happy to get a win anyway we can,” Joliet Catholic head coach Jared Voss said. “Christian had a great day at the plate and made a huge play for us in  the fifth. I’m surprised they didn’t walk him in the ninth. Why let a  hot-hitter who was 3-for-3 beat you.”

“We just have to grind away in conference this week and hope we play well  and come-out on top.”

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
through games of May 4
Marist                       15-7       7-2

Marian Catholic      15-9       6-2

Joliet Catholic          20-6       7-3
Nazareth                   18-4       4-4

Benet                         9-15       2-7

The Bugle, Enterprise and Sentinel newspapers took home numerous awards during the annual Illinois Press Association convention and awards ceremony, held May 2 and 3 in Springfield.
The Alabama Press Association judged the more than 2,400 editorial entries.
The Illinois Press Association represents approximately 440 daily and weekly newspapers.
Overall the Voyager Media staff brought home 23 awards from the annual convention.
The editorial department took home nine awards, while advertising earned 14 awards, including eight firsts from designer Shelley Holmgren and one from the staff.
“Our formula for success is no secret. We believe in continuously improving our newspapers and placing the right people in the right places,” said Voyager Media Publications General Manager Andrew Samaan. “We are always looking to improve our product year to year and are always looking for ways to make working for the Bugle the best experience possible — and it’s working.”
Holmgren won in Division H for Real Estate Ad, Motor Vehicle Ad, Health Care Ad, Food Ad, Service/Institutional Ad, Home furnishings and Appliances Ad and Events/Entertainment Ad, while winning in Class I for Best Ad Series. The design staff won for Best Ad Series in Division H.
She also earned seconds in Apparel, Jewelry and Accessories Ad and Garden, Yard and Farm Ad, both in Division H. She rounded out the ad design awards with a third place in Food Ad Division H and a fourth in Division H Holiday ad.
Overall, for Division H, Holmgren earned second place for best ad designer.
On the editorial side, Editorial Director Mark Gregory earned a pair of firsts for Best Sports Section in Division B for the Plainfield Enterprise and Division C Sports Feature for a story on Downers Grove’s Tony Granato being tabbed as head coach of the United States men’s Olympic hockey team.
Gregory placed second in Class B Sports Feature for his story on Romeoville resident and Plainfield East graduate Tyler Lancaster signing professionally with the Green Bay Packers.
He also placed second for Division B Sports Column for his tribute to former Plainfield Central football coach John Jackson.
For that one, the judge commented it was a “very compelling and personal column.”
While still sports editor, Gregory covered the aftermath of the murder at Izzy’s bar in Crest Hill, where he spoke with the two men credited with stopping more deaths.
He placed second in Division B for News Reporting — Single Story, where the judge commented, “Glad you tracked these people down and featured them. Glad to see a sports guy stepping up for a news story also.”
Gregory also placed third for Localizing a National Story for his story on Granato and fourth for Sports Photo for a shot from the Downers Grove North girls volleyball state championship game — both in in Division C.
Freelance sports reporter Matt Le Cren placed second in Division D for sports News Story for his story on Downers Grove South’s Abby Carlson earning a state medal after coming back from an ACL injury.
The judge commented: “Good feature story on a player bouncing back from an injury.”
Staff reporter Ryan Ostry placed fourth for Division C News Reporting — Single Story for his story about rapper Drake visiting Sophia Sanchez in the hospital as she awaited a heart transplant.
The judge wrote: “You did a nice job laying out the history of this girl’s medical problems and the lead about two birthday wishes was impressive…You covered the news of a celebrity visit and the announcement the girl would receive a new heart with the dignity it deserved. Nice job incorporating the girl’s quotes into the story as well.”
“It’s an honor managing such a talented group of people,” Samaan said. “Their dedication and effort to provide the best local news coverage goes unmatched.”

This summer, 30 young women from the Chicago area will build both high-tech racecars and pathways to their futures in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Girls can apply now for the sixth-annual ComEd Icebox Derby, a competition that challenges teens from across Chicagoland to transform recycled refrigerators into electric and solar-powered racecars.

Applications are available now at www.IceboxDerby.com. The application period will close on Friday, June 7. The application is open to any girl who is an Illinois resident between the ages of 13 and 18.

Every participant will receive a $1,500 scholarship for completing the program. They will work alongside ComEd mentors to build a fridge car and learn about practical applications of STEM in daily life and STEM career options. The competition will culminate with a once-in-a-lifetime experience as participants race their electric- and solar-powered fridge cars at Daley Plaza in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 3.

We’ve got to engage and empower young women to continue their STEM studies and see opportunities available to them down the road,” said Joe Dominguez, CEO of ComEd. “Through the Icebox Derby, these young women work alongside women at ComEd who are leaders and have built their own STEM careers and learn about the paths they are taking. We hope to inspire them to come back and work for us someday.”

This summer, nearly 10 percent of former Icebox Derby participants will work at ComEd as summer interns.

ComEd launched the Icebox Derby six years ago to educate and empower young women to explore careers in STEM and become the innovative workforce of the future. In addition to powering homes, businesses and institutions across Illinois, ComEd continues to lead the conversation on the value of science and technology education. Women make up 49 percent of the workforce, yet only 26 percent of jobs in STEM-related fields in Illinois, according to a study by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.

Find out more about the program by visiting www.IceboxDerby.com.

Brian Stanley

Bugle Reporter

April ended with a fatal shooting outside a restaurant in northwest Joliet.

Just after 10 p.m. April 30, Gregory G. Brown, 36, was found in the parking lot outside Denny’s, 2531 Plainfield Road. The restaurant, which is close to the Louis Joliet Mall, is open 24 hours.

Brown, of Crest Hill, had been shot one time and died before emergency medical technicians arrived. He was not taken to the hospital, according to the Will County Coroner’s office.

Bobbie J. Ollom, 23, of Seneca, and Joshua T. Anderson, 20, of Chicago, have been taken into custody on charges of first degree murder, armed robbery and robbery, Joliet police said.

Investigators also worked to identify a woman who was talking with Brown in the Denny’s lobby shortly before he was shot in the parking lot. Surveillance images of the woman, who was wearing a black Nike hooded sweatshirt, were released to the public two days after the shooting. Police said May 3 the woman had been identified and questioned by detectives.

Two people have been arrested following a fatal shooting outside a Joliet Denny’s last week.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jose Martinez at (815) 724-3020 ext. 3383 or anonymously call CrimeStoppers at (800) 323-6734. CrimeStoppers offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to arrests.

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

The Joliet Junior College Community Band officially celebrated 40 years of musical excellence with its annual Spring Concert last Sunday.

Established by Mr. Jerry E. Lewis in 1979, this 90-member band is made up of residents from JJC District 525.

The Director, Charles Morgan, is a Granny nominated, award winning- music educator who is also a Professor of Music, the Music Coordinator and the Director of Bands at JJC.

For Morgan, the culmination of the many years of hard work and diligent passion for music by his performs are what he said, keeps him going.

“40 years is a very long time to have a organization in the community,” Morgan said. “We actually have a few members that were in the original band that are still playing 40 years later which makes it so fun for me to keep conducting.”

The list of handpicked pieces that were included in the matinee performance were “Block M”, “Manzoni Requiem”, “Dusk”, “Midnight on Main Street”, “Florentener”, “La Fiesta Mexicana”, “The Wizard of Oz” and “Beguine for Band”.

Other marches, transcriptions and even original compositions were also performed for the public, which Morgan said that every new venue equals a new group of spectators.

“I think that I truly have the greatest job in the world,” Morgan said. “Music is my life, it’s my hobby and not many people are fortunate enough to do what they love to do for a job and so it’s just a really wonderful thing.”

This current semester, the long-time band has 95 members that perform, with performers age ranging from 16 all the way to 90.

JJC’s community band is strictly a band that plays at the junior college, with it sometimes reaching out and performing at other college conferences and occasionally playing in downtown Chicago.

With the first song of the night being “Block M” and the finale of the songs being “Beguine for Band”, Morgan said both of those resonate more and more with him and the performers, because they were the first and last song from the original concert 40 years ago.

“It’s pretty amazing when you get to play the songs from the original performance 40 years ago and have the chance to bring that back live to 2019,” Morgan said. “I’m just so proud of the entire group and everybody that’s been involved with the performance, it’s truly an honor to be conducting all of these great people.”

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

Brian K. Taylor, 19, of the 200 block of Nicholson Street, was arrested April 27 at that location on charges of possession of a firearm by a street gang member and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Jorge Rosas, 40, of the 100 block of Baker Avenue, and George Borunda, 25, of the 500 block of Florence Avenue, were arrested April 27 at Arizona and Julia avenues on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. Borduna was also charged with possession of firearm by a street gang member.

Marcello Lopez-Sanchez, 38, of the 500 block of North Chicago Street, was arrested April 27 at Creed Street and Ward Avenue on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Ricardo Serrano, 25, of the 1700 block of Belleview Avenue in Rockdale, was arrested April 27 in the 100 block of West Jefferson Street on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs.

Leroy T. Nobles, 34, of the 700 block of Arbor Drive, was arrested April 29 at that location on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Roderick L. Hamilton, 54, of the 600 block of East Cass Street, was arrested April 30 for failing to comply with the state’s sex offender registry requirements.

Nicholas R. Bain, 29, of the 21000 block of South River Road in Shorewood, was arrested April 30 in the 200 block of North Joliet Street on charges of theft and burglary.

Daniel Verdin, 27, of the 1000 block of Silver Hill Circle, was arrested May 1 at that location on a charge of aggravated battery.

Gregory A. McGee, 21, of the first block of Winrock Road in Montgomery, was arrested May 2 in the 2400 block of West Jefferson Street on a charge of retail theft.

Allen D. Hudson, 24, of the 100 block of Wallace Avenue, was arrested May 2 at Columbia Avenue and Collins Street on charges of manufacture or delivery of cannabis and possession of cannabis.

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.

Chase B. Patton, 19, of the 1900 block of Carlton Drive in Plainfield, was arrested April 26 at Highland and Shorewood drives on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

By Brian Stanley

Bugle Reporter

One entertainment legend from 1926 still going strong will meet another in Joliet.

Tony Bennett, 92, will appear May 10 at the 92-year-old Rialto Square Theatre. As of press time, tickets were almost completely sold out for this stop on the “I Left My Heart” tour, with premium seats being offered on the resale market for $500.

Bennett, who has sold over 50 million records and received 20 Grammy Awards during his 74-year recording career, will be joined for the evening by his daughter, Antonia Bennett as the opening act.

It’s likely difficult for Miss Bennett to find quality material from The Great American Songbook her father hasn’t already claimed as his own.

“To me there is no such thing as an old song, just a great song,” Bennett wrote in 2011.

His early recordings and stage appearances were made under the name “Joe Bari.” Before Bob Hope christened Tony with a marquee-friendly last name, Bennett was “Benedetto” – which he still uses to sign the large number of paintings and sketches he’s produced when he isn’t singing.

Except for serving in Europe during World War II and performing throughout the world, Bennett has primarily lived in New York City for most of his life, yet no fan hearing the name of the tour thinks about the east coast.

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” had been around for nine years before Bennett recorded it as a B-side to his latest single. After some radio play generated more buzz with audiences than “Once Upon A Time,” Columbia Records scrapped the new album he was just about to release and used outtakes and singles to cobble together a new one based titled after his new signature song. “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” remained Bennett’s bestselling album for over three decades.

Some of Bennett’s other popular records include “Rags To Riches,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” “The Good Life,” “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” and “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” – all of which have featured in recent performances. Though Bennett has not sought to record new songs for several years, he has revisited classic material for albums with pop artist Lady Gaga, jazz performer Diana Krall and the Bill Charlap Trio.

On May 22, the Rialto will present a live performance of “The Sound of Music” and on May 30, the theater will show the 2015 film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

By Brian Stanley

Bugle Reporter

Spring weather may have just started and summer hiring season has too.

The Village of Shorewood is now accepting applications for summer employment with the Department of Public Works.

Temporary employees are needed for construction and maintenance activities. Shifts are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and wages are $11.50 per hour.

Duties will include assisting with maintenance on streets and bike paths, brush chipping, litter pickup, parkway restoration, sign maintenance, shop maintenance, grass mowing and assisting other village departments.

Applicants must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED and be able to follow verbal and written instructions. Applicants also are required to have a valid driver’s license and must be able to use various hand tools, stand and walk for extended periods of time, occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and work outside in summer temperatures.

Applications are available at Village Hall and will be kept on file for six months.

The hiring process consists of an application review, employability assessment, interviews, reference checks and other verifications.

Candidates are subject to background and criminal history investigations and a pre-employment medical examination and drug screening.

Applications can be returned to Village Hall or submitted via e-mail to Executive Assistant Toni Dulny. Anyone with questions can contact Dulny at (815) 741-7713 or tdulny@vil.shorewood.il.us

Troy School District 30-C Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl this month showed a scaled-down working model of the district’s recently-installed solar panels to Illinois Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Representative Natalie Manley.

Koehl explained how the panels were installed on the rooftops of six of the district’s seven schools last spring, and Troy School Board President Mark Griglione said the energy generated from them has already resulted in tremendous cost savings, in addition to being a green and sustainable way to power the schools.

The panels are expected to provide 48 percent of the district’s electricity, with cost savings of an estimated $3.8 million over the next 20-30 years.

Each of the Troy elementary schools: Troy Craughwell, Troy Cronin, Troy Heritage Trail and Troy Hofer, and William B. Orenic Intermediate and Troy Middle Schools – has approximately 1,000 solar panels.

Troy Middle School SciCap Exploratory teacher and Science Club sponsor Dr. Barbara Will-Henn, with two of her Science Club students Trenton Marski and Tori Tverdek, told the legislators how electricity is generated from the panels and how the smaller panel will be used to teach Troy students about the subject. Will-Henn said she plans on incorporating the topic into her classrooms next school year.

Troy schools are located in Joliet, Shorewood and Plainfield.

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

If someone were to tell you that Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet was going to host a national 5-on-5 soccer tournament, it would make sense — the track has a huge grass infield area.

It does, but that is not where the games will be held.

The speedway will host the inaugural Ultimate 5v5 Street Soccer tournament August 17-18 using the paved areas on pit road. The playing fields will be 30-by-15-feet.

“The type of soccer called foot sol is soccer played on pavement and basketball-type services,” “It is a very popular game played all around the world. You don’t need much — just a ball and a couple makeshift goals,” said Ultimate 5v5 Soccer tournament director Jordan Arias.

“Street soccer is becoming more popular in urban areas and it challenges the kids from technical standpoint. We were looking to do a street soccer event that was a unique experience where you aren’t just doing it in the parking lot of a shopping center. This is an experience like no other.”

The event will feature 9-to-18-year-old players, capitalizing on the current urban trend known as soccer in the street. The mission of the event is to have families, friends and teams come together for a fun weekend of soccer in a non-traditional setting.

“Hosting the inaugural Ultimate 5v5 Soccer event at Chicagoland Speedway illustrates the broad and diverse nature of our multi-purpose facility,” said Chicagoland Speed way President Scott Paddock. “On June 30, the world’s greatest stock car racers will make pit stops on the home of the Ultimate 5v5 Soccer fields; that’s pretty incredible.”

Each team will be allowed 11 players. Every team will be guaranteed three games with some playing as many as five if they make it to the finals. Every game will consist of three periods, each lasting 11 minutes, with a two-minute break between periods.

“We are working with Chicago Rush Soccer Club as our co-hosts, so we will get a lot of club teams that may split themselves into two teams and come have a fun weekend,” Arias said. “So, while teams may come from organized soccer, they will not be street soccer teams. We will also get teams that are friends playing for different club or different high schools and they come together, make some jerseys and play a great weekend.”

While the soccer will be the main attraction for the weekend, it will not be the only entertainment, as teams have the opportunity to roll right out of bed and play their games as families can camp inside Chicagoland Speedway.

“You will be in the infield, so you can leave your camping spot and walk over and play,” Arias said.

The Ultimate 5v5 Soccer event is just another way to grow the game of soccer in the United States and the tournament has partnered with professional women’s soccer player Kelly Fitzgerald.

“I think it is a really awesome event that can really boom, especially being in the NASCAR facilities. I think that will draw a lot of attention,” Fitzgerald said. “As a kid, I wish I had this growing up. It sounds like a fun event and it will help the technical game with quick touches and skills and will help kids develop that. It is huge for expanding soccer in the U.S. You have it on the grass and in the sand, now in the street and it is huge for boys and girls.”

The tournament will not only be for kids, as there are open adult brackets for the parents as well.

“A lot of times you will get the kids in the tournament and then the parents will enter a co-ed team themselves,” Arias said. “That isn’t uncommon at all.”

The tournament will have youth and adult brackets.

For more information on Ultimate 5v6 soccer, visit https://www.ultimate5v5soccer.com/.

Joliet Central High School Girls Badminton team members Daisy Catalan and Lauryn Luangsomkham will compete in the IHSA Badminton State Championship on Friday, May 9, 2019, at Eastern Illinois University. The Joliet Central Girls Badminton team is coached by Lisa Luangsomkham, Shana Sanchez, and Maisa Abu-Mallouh.

Daisy Catalan (left) and Lauryn Luangsomkham advanced to the state badminton tournament. (Photo Submitted)

After competing in the Sectional Competition, Lauryn qualified for state as the Singles Sectional Champ and Daisy qualified after finishing in third place individually. The Joliet Central High School Badminton team tied 2nd overall at the Sectional Competition.

“I am very proud of Daisy and Lauryn. They went into the season eyeing state and they did it,” coach Luangsomkham said. “No matter what happens at state, they are already winners in my eyes, because they are amazing Steelmen on and off the courts.”

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

“ I was really nervous out there on the mound. Down two runs. East had the bases loaded and the heart of their lineup coming up to the plate”- Brady Shelton Plainfield South junior pitcher.

 Just a little mess, the side-winding junior southpaw came into in Wednesday’s crucial,Southwest Prairie Conference game at South. After rallying past South on Monday 4-3, Plainfield East (17-8, 7-5) had a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh.

Shelton, who came in relief of Cougar Jimmy Fitzmaurice, who loaded the bases on a single to East’s Ryan Skiba a double from leadoff man Sean Rivera and plunked the red-hot Nick Pratscher (1-for-2, BB, 2RBI). Enter the Cougar junior side-winder.

“We were really up against it, being down two runs and I brought Brady into the game, because I knew he could get us some ground balls,” Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said.

The ever-dangerous Sean Blanchard hit a ground ball to Cougar shortstop Griffin Lapp, who fired a strike to catcher Justin McGuigan for the force at the plate and the first out of the inning. Bengal cleanup-hitter Jack Crowder hit a topper in front of the plate that McGuigan pounced on and tagged home plate for the second out of the inning.

Riley Morris, stole home plate to tie the game in the fourth inning at 2-2, hit a roller to Lapp who tagged second base for the third out of the inning.

“I had to bear down and keep us in the game,” Shelton said. “I did my best and I was able to pitch out of the jam and then we get three runs to get me the win. I was really, really nervous, though”

“Huge win for us and Ryan and Tony, hit big home runs, too.”

Mosher led off the bottom of the seventh, by depositing the Bengal’s  hard-luck losing pitcher Reid Erickson’s fast ball over the left field fence. The solo shot was the third of the season for Mosher and pulled the Cougars within 4-3.

“Brady Shelton. Brady’s performance in the seventh really hyped us,” Mosher said. “And then when I powered one out of here to make it 4-3, we really were lit up”.

Ryan Pawlak, who’s two-run bomb to left-center in the second inning gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead, singled.  Cougar pinch-hitter Alex Lekovish singled and end the day for Erickson. Dylan Sullivan came into the game for the Bengals.

Sullivan struck out the first Cougar he faced. A crucial Bengal error off the bat of McGuigan, allowed “little bro” pinch-runner Jeremy McGuigan to score the tying run. Griffin Lapp was plunked by Sullivan to load the bases with one out.

Connor Blake (1-for-3) hit a slow roller to Bengal second baseman, Morris, who fired a strike to shortstop Rivera for the force at second. Blake beat the relay as Lekovish happily scored the winning run.

“We have had a rough stretch the last third of the season,” Ryan Pawlak said. “It felt good to come out on top, today. Our big junior (Shelton) came up with great pitching in the seventh, to give us a chance. I’ve been struggling at the plate and it felt good but I just hit it and happily it went over the fence.”

“Single to single. Pass the bats,” Lekovish said. “I went up there to get on base. It felt great to come away with the big win.”

“Brady Shelton. Brady’s performance in the seventh really hyped us,” Mosher said. “And then when I powered one out of here to make it 4-3, we really were lit up”.

After two Cougar errors in the fifth, the red-hot Pratscher ripped a two-run single to right that scored Skiba and Rivera, who reached on errors for a 4-2 Bengal lead.

All four Bengal runs against Plainfield South starting pitcher Austin Richardson (5IP, 4R, 2H, 0ER, 5K, 5BB) were unearned.  The Cougars committed an uncharacteristic four errors in the game.

“We have been on the positive side of games like this all season,” Plainfield East coach Adam O’Reel said. “We are now 7-1 in one-run games this year. It will be interesting to see how the kids respond, from losing a one-run game.”

“Reid pitched outstanding for us tonight. We couldn’t add on to our lead in the seventh, which eventually cost us the game.”

For Plainfield South (21-6, 10-4) another edition of “The Plainfield Civil War”, beings tomorrow on the “North Side.” The defending Class 4A Tigers (15-7, 10-2), who have won 12 in a row,  have a 1 ½ game lead over the Cougars heading into Thursday’s showdown. The two clubs will return to the South Side on Monday at 4:30.

“We played like crap!,” Bodine added. “We were lifeless out there today for six innings. Brady’s outstanding pitching in the top of the seventh, woke them up. Tony’s blast got us going and Ryan Pawlak and Alex Lekovish, had great at bats. We can’t continue to play like this or we will win nothing.”

“North has been beating everybody the last two years,” Mosher added. “I think it’s our turn to turn the tables on them this year. This great win today, really will give us the confidence, going into the huge series with North.”

“One game at a time. God-willing we will get where, we want to be.”

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE
Plainfield North        15-7     11-2
Plainfield South        21-6     10-4

Oswego East             15-8       8-5

Plainfield East           17-8      7-5
Oswego                     14-11     8-6
Plainfield Central     19-9       7-6

Romeoville                 8-17      5-8
Joliet West                13-14     4-8

Minooka                    7-14       3-9

Joliet Central            8-18       2-12

THURSDAY
Plainfield South at Plainfield North 4:30
Plainfield Central at Oswego East  4:30
Romeoville at Plainfield East 4:30

FRIDAY

Plainfield East at Joliet West (2) 2 p.m.

On Thursday April 25, 2019, the Will County’s Circuit Clerk’ Office swore in
thirty two cadet clerks as part of their annual participation in the national Take Your
Daughters and Sons to Work Day. This year’s theme was “Workforce Development for
All”. Ms. Chasteen said, “This office has supported Take your Daughters and Sons to
Work Day for at least fourteen years. By inviting our daughters, sons and grandchildren
into their parents work environment, it is our hope they learn the importance of their
education and how that impacts and prepares them for their futures”.

This year’s theme asked the question, “How do we develop the workforce of the future”?
The children get a chance to learn to build a strong work ethic that will empower them to
effect positive change in their lives, schools and homes. “Being part of a team in the
workplace, teaches how each department relies on the other to help make the office
and the courtroom run smoothly. When each member of the team works with each
other, it promotes a healthy working environment, provides good work product and
invites us to closer connections by working together. Each year these children get a
better understanding of what their parent/grandparent does for the Circuit Clerk’s Office,
in and out of the courtroom. Every child spends time with their parent/grandparent,
where they are shown the everyday functions of the Circuit Clerk’s Office”, said
Chasteen.

The children were able to speak with Judge R.D. Rickmon, who explained courtroom
procedures. Some of the things he described were, the protocol of the courtroom and
how it is important to be quiet and listen. He also described the role of a jury, the
witness and the difference between a circuit judge and an associate judge. The cadet
clerks were able to ask him questions and sit in the courtroom. He also stressed the
importance of staying in school and studying hard.

Chasteen continued, “It is always such a good thing when the kids all gather at the end
of the day for their certificates and have a positive attitude at what they learned from the
event experience, their parent/grandparent and their dedication to this office. Hopefully,
this opportunity gives them a chance to think about their future and all they can
become”.

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

Junior Conor Wright. Junior Henry Schuler. Junior Jack Wiers. Junior Luc Melnick and senior, Josh Bolek.

In Joliet Catholic Academy’s non-conference affair on Saturday night with Lincoln-Way West, Hilltopper head coach Jared Voss reached out to the seldom-used members of his pitching staff.

“The seldom-used five” held Lincoln-Way West (17-8) to one run on a wild pitch, four hits and struck out a combined eight Warrior hitters in their combined seven innings of work.

On a more-like late-February Saturday night weather-wise, the  Joliet “seldom-used five” were magnificent in the Hilltoppers’ 2-1 win in eight innings over the Warriors.

Chris Knapczyk’s walk-off single drove home Greg Ziegler, who had tripled with the game-winning run, all after two outs for the 23^rd Hilltopper win of the season.

Last Saturday, Knapczyk’s walk-off single beat Carmel 4-3 in eight innings. In a must win ESCC South game at Marist, on Thursday, Zieglers’ two-out singl, in the seventh tied the game at two.

In the ninth, Ziegler singled home the eventual game-winning run of Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Redhawks.

So, the late-inning heroics were just treated as a common occurrence, at about 10 o’clock at Route 66 Stadium.

Wright fired two shutout innings for the Hilltoppers, striking out three and walking three, all in the second inning.

The Hilltoppers (23-7) scored the first run of the game on a double-play ball off the bat of Mike Gurka.

Shuler replaced Wright in the third and was lights out for JCA. Schuler allowed one hit and struck out four Warrior batters.

“A really good win for us and “Knap” walked it off for us,” Schuler said. “All of us who haven’t seen a lot of action this season, really pitched well for us, tonight.”

Wiers fired a scoreless fifth inning. Melnick allowed the Warriors to tie the game at one on a wild pitch with Mike Kennedy at the plate, scoring Bob Jackson who singled.

With Brock Berry at third base who also singled, Kennedy crushed a rocket at Gurka in deep right field. Gurka snared the rocket waist- high and fired an equally high-velocity throw to Hilltopper catcher, Nate Gerhke.

Gerhke put the tag on Berry, trying to score for the 9-2 double-play to end the Warrior sixth and preserve the 1-1 tie.

“Having caught the ball waist-high, made it more difficult to get off a great throw,” Gurka said. “I was able to get off a good throw and Nate Gerhke, is such a great athlete, who made the catch and was able to put the tag on Berry, for the double-play.”

Bolek pitched out of a mess in the Warrior seventh.

Senior Zak Gould knocked the Warriors down 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth and picked up the win for the Hilltoppers.

Having just two hits, with singles by junior Dan Wuestenfeld and Knapczyk, the first two Hilltoppers were retired in the bottom of the eighth.

With two outs, Ziegler ripped a shot to the left field wall and raced to third for a two-out triple.

“Once again, I just try to slow everything down at the plate,” Ziegler said. “Paymaster got one up and I was able to hit one in the gap. It all started for us with our pitchers tonight, who all threw strikes and were the key to our win.”

“Monday is against Benet, who is our next competition. We have to get that one, next.”

Knapczyk followed with a blast over the Warrior’s right fielders’ head, as Ziegler waltzed home with the game-winner.

“Our pitching was amazing! One run!,” Knapczyk said. “it wasn’t a good night to hit with the wind blowing in. I just went up to the plate with hopes of putting the ball in play. Henry Shuler was lights out for us tonight. He was getting his curve ball over and was great.”

“On Monday against Benet,  we just have to play well and hopefully things go our way.”

Up next for the Hilltoppers is a 4:30 p.m. ESCC South contest on Monday with Benet (9-19, 2-10). A win for the Hilltoppers (23-7, 9-3) would give them a share of the ESCC  South championship, with Marist (18-8, 10-3).

The Hilltoppers have all of the conference tie-breakers over Marist and thus would face ESCC North Championship winner Notre Dame (13-8, 10-3 North) on Tuesday. The Championship Game  will be played at a site to be determined on Monday night.

“It was just awesome to see all our pitcher’s compete, the way they did tonight,” Voss said. “None of them have pitched a lot of innings for us, so it’s even more credit to them, for how well they pitched.”

“Greg and Chris came up and did it, when it counted. A triple and a walk-off single. That was really nice! We have good momentum heading into next week. We just have to keep grinding and things will work out.”

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

With their East Suburban Catholic Conference South Division championship dreams on the line, Joliet Catholic Academy senior centerfielder Greg Ziegler stood in the batter’s box.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the seventh in a must-win ESCC South game at Marist, the Hilltoppers’ proverbial backs were up against the wall on Thursday.

“In a pressure situation like that, it is best to not to think but just try to hit the ball,” Ziegler said.

Ziegler hit the ball lining a fastball into right field, scoring pinch-runner Owen Rosel with the tying run. Rosel, was pinch running for Hilltopper DH Tony Fleischauer who had
walked.

“The at bat of the game for us, was Tony Fleischauer’s, great base on balls, to get the seventh started for us,” Joliet Catholic Academy head coach Jared Voss said.

The game went to extra innings and Ziegler struck out again in the top of the ninth.

With Mike Gurka at second, who walked and Nate Gerhrke, who reached on a fielder’s choice on first, Ziegler ripped a first-pitch single to center, scoring Gurka with the lead run for a 3-2 lead. The Hilltoppers picked up an insurance run on a bunt single by Chris Knapczyk and an errant Redhawk throw scoring Gerhke for a 4-2 lead.

Hilltoppper ace lefty Alex Vera ( WP, 3IP, 0R, 2H, 0ER, 2K, 1 BB), knocked down the Redhawks in the bottom of the ninth. The last out of the game was hauled in by Ziegler in centerfield on an outstanding running catch. Vera (6-2) and the Hilltoppers had another 4-2 ESCC victory.

“I hit a fastball well in the seventh inning to get the tying run home,” Ziegler added. “I was looking first pitch, curve ball in the ninth and drilled it to center, to get the lead run home. I was just doing my job and this was a great win for us.”

“We can’t overlook Benet. They showed us the other day, they can swing the bats.”

“We all battled the whole game and Greg came through with huge hits, to win the game for us.”, Vera said. “Once again I was told by our coaches, that there would be a strong possibility, that I would be used in relief.”

“It would have been a long summer for me, if Marist would have beat me, tonight. I play summer travel ball with a number of the Marist players. I’m sure glad we won!

The contest started very poorly for the victorious Hilltoppers. Hilltoppers starting pitcher Mike Gurka (4IP, 2R,2H,2ER, 3K, 6BB) walked four Redhawk batters and Marist jumped out on top 2-0. The Redhawks scored their runs on an errant pickoff attempt and a wild pitch.

Hilltopper junior third baseman Dan Wuestenfeld stole the first Hilltopper run of the game. Wuestenfeld walked, stole second and went to third on senior Nick Iannantone’s single.

With two outs,Voss went to his legendary bag of tricks.

Iannantone ran the “old walk-off play” to perfection. With Gehrke at the plate, Iannantone intentionally walked off first base. Marist starting pitcher Jack Brannigan (6.1 IP, 2R, 2H, 1ER,6K, 5B) fired to first base, believing he had the fox Inannantone picked off for the final out of the inning.

Wuestenfeld broke for the plate and beat the return throw from Marist first baseman Ryan Doubek for the first Hilltopper run and a steal of home.

Ragusa (2IP, 0R, 2H. 0ER, 2K, 0BB) entered in the fifth inning and fired two scoreless innings in relief of Gurka. In the bottom of the sixth, Ragusa loaded the bases full of Redhawks with one out, only to fan the last two Redhawk hitters and set up Greg Ziegler’s heroics in the seventh.

“I had to keep us in the game and it felt great to strike out the last two batters in the sixth,” Ragusa said. “Great win for us today.”

Vera entered in the bottom of the seventh and pitched out of a jam to send the game to extra innings.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Redhawk right fielder Jason Hodges (2-for-4, 2B) crushed a Vera fastball over the head of Ziegler at the 380 foot sign in center.

Ziegler fired a laser to Hilltopper shortstop Jared Cushing, who fired another laser to Wuestenfeld at third, who put the tag on the befuddled Hodges for the second out of the inning.

The Hilltopper defense threw out five Redhawk baserunners in the game. Gurka picked off a pair of Redhawk runners. Gerhke threw out one base stealer and with Cushing and first baseman Max Cullen picked off another.

“What a great game played between two great teams,” Voss said “Kevin (Sefcik) is a class act and runs an outstanding program, here at Marist.”

“We battled all game and this was a big win for us. Greg, has been hitting down in the lower part of the order for us and really came through for us, in the leadoff spot tonight. Looking forward to our game with Benet, Monday.”

With the win the Hilltoppers (22-6, 9-3) pull into a tie with Marist (17-8, 9-3) atop the ESCC South. On Monday, the Hilltoppers will host Benet (9-19, 2-10) at 4:30 at Gillespie Field.  On Saturday in Chicago Heights at 10 a.m., Marist will take on Marian Catholic (16-10, 7-3). Marian Catholic will take on ESCC North leader Notre Dame (12-7, 9-2) also on Saturday.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
Joliet Catholic          22-6       9-3
Marist                       17-8       9-3

Marian Catholic      16-10     7-3
Nazareth                   22-5       7-5

Benet                         9-19       2-10