QUINCY — Brad Gyorkos called it. With the Quincy Gems’ Logan Voth on third base and Hayden Moore on second with one out in the sixth inning Sunday night, the Normal CornBelters summoned left-hander Ryan Weaver from the bullpen before Andrew Fay came to the plate. While Weaver warmed up, Voth … ...Read Full Article about Fay delivers on cue, blasts three-run homer to send Gems into conference title game
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Sports Spotlight
Latham’s pinch-hit grand slam in sixth helps Gems close regular season with victory
QUINCY — Quincy Gems manager Brad Gyorkos made the right move at the right time. The Gems had just taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a solo home run by Luke Napleton and a wild pitch that allowed Lucas Loos to score. Quincy went on to load the bases, and Gyorkos pulled … ...Read Full Article about Latham’s pinch-hit grand slam in sixth helps Gems close regular season with victory
From sea to shining sea: Quincy native tackling TransAmerica Bicycle Trail
QUINCY — Michael Longo kept searching for an edge he couldn’t find. Having played soccer the majority of his life — the former Quincy High School all-stater enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Lewis & Clark Community College and Millikin University — he found himself missing the drive it … ...Read Full Article about From sea to shining sea: Quincy native tackling TransAmerica Bicycle Trail
O’Connor dominates Bees, Loos hits pair of home runs as Gems cruise to home victory
QUINCY — The only thing that kept Tim O’Connor from completely dominating the Burlington Bees on Friday night was a pitch count. O’Connor limited the Bees to one hit through 6 2/3 innings, but Prospect League rules forced him to be taken out of the game after 97 pitches. Stefan Stockwell came in … ...Read Full Article about O’Connor dominates Bees, Loos hits pair of home runs as Gems cruise to home victory
Racing notebook: Diving into leaderboards with four feature nights remaining in points race
QUINCY — Adams County Speedway returns to action Sunday night following last week's scheduled break before the home stretch of points racing begins. There are just four Sunday nights remaining prior to track champs being crowned August 28. Here's all you need to know, numerically speaking, … ...Read Full Article about Racing notebook: Diving into leaderboards with four feature nights remaining in points race
Pressbox
Muddy River Breakdown with Schuck and DOB: Episode 1
QUINCY — Reunited and it feels so good. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and the newest addition to the Muddy River Sports team, Don O'Brien, spent 13 years working side-by-side in the sports department of the Quincy Herald-Whig and sharing the studio for shows such as "The Sports Writers … ...Read Full Article about Muddy River Breakdown with Schuck and DOB: Episode 1
Brimming with confidence, Illinois squad proves it belongs on softball’s biggest stage
ROXANA, Del. — A glimmer of hope is all that was needed. When the Illinois District 17 softball team headed to the Central Regional in Michigan, advancing to the Senior League Softball World Series was still a pipedream, even if a spot in the 10-team field was only four victories away. “I … ...Read Full Article about Brimming with confidence, Illinois squad proves it belongs on softball’s biggest stage
Schuckman: Summer job allows Liberty’s Klingele to give new life to floor in gym he’s called home
LIBERTY, Ill. — The signs taped to the front doors of Liberty High School saying “Gym Closed” were a clear indication the administration didn’t want anyone coming around. Even if such warnings were ignored, no one was getting in the gym anyhow. Chains and padlocks on the doors ensured … ...Read Full Article about Schuckman: Summer job allows Liberty’s Klingele to give new life to floor in gym he’s called home
Quincy
Croes extends hitting streak to 15 games but Gems fail to hang on to five-run lead in loss to Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — After scoring seven runs in the second inning to take a 7-2 lead, the Quincy Gems didn’t score in the final seven innings and lost 12-7 to the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes on Thursday night in a Prospect League game at Robin Roberts Field. The Gems used seven hits to score all … ...Read Full Article about Croes extends hitting streak to 15 games but Gems fail to hang on to five-run lead in loss to Springfield
Croes has four hits, Napleton has four RBIs as Gems snap four-game losing streak
QUINCY — The Normal Cornbelters were just a few feet away from tying the score in the eighth inning on Wednesday night. However, Zach Goodman’s fly ball with two runners on base and two outs was caught up against the right-field wall, and the Quincy Gems added a run in the bottom of the eighth … ...Read Full Article about Croes has four hits, Napleton has four RBIs as Gems snap four-game losing streak
Gems limited to six hits, one run as they are officially out of second-half race for division title
ALTON, Ill. — The Quincy Gems were officially eliminated from any chance of winning the second half title in the Prospect League’s Great River Division with a 3-1 loss to the Alton River Dragons on Wednesday night. The Gems (9-15 second half, 28-28 overall) are six games behind first-place Normal … ...Read Full Article about Gems limited to six hits, one run as they are officially out of second-half race for division title
Illinois
Illinois District 17’s pursuit of World Series title ends in quarterfinals
ROXANA, Del. — An incredible run came to an abrupt end late Friday night. A nearly unhittable pitcher is why. The Illinois District 17 softball team, which finished atop its pool at the Senior League Softball World Series, was limited to one hit by Curacao right-hander J’Dah Girigorie in a 2-0 … ...Read Full Article about Illinois District 17’s pursuit of World Series title ends in quarterfinals
Illinois suffers first loss at Senior League Softball World Series, remains top seed coming out of pool
ROXANA, Del. — The comeback kids nearly made it two rallies in a row. One day after a walk-off single in the eighth inning kept the Illinois District 17 softball undefeated in pool play at the Senior League Softball World Series, the Land of Lincolners found themselves in a late-inning hole again … ...Read Full Article about Illinois suffers first loss at Senior League Softball World Series, remains top seed coming out of pool
Another strong start offensively sends Illinois District 17 to second straight victory at World Series
ROXANA, Del. — Emma Henry couldn’t let her twin sister have all the fun. One day after Grace Henry jacked a grand slam as part of a nine-run inning that propelled the Illinois District 17 team to a victory in its opening game of the Senior League Softball World Series, Emma Henry followed suit … ...Read Full Article about Another strong start offensively sends Illinois District 17 to second straight victory at World Series
Missouri
Buoyed by staff and administrative support, Mark Twain’s Leake resigns to become college coach
CENTER, Mo. — Austin Leake understood the opportunity to chase his dream of coaching football at the college level came at a rather inopportune time. He wasn’t going to pursue it if anyone within his family, the Mark Twain coaching staff or the Mark Twain administration had serious … ...Read Full Article about Buoyed by staff and administrative support, Mark Twain’s Leake resigns to become college coach
Photo gallery: Missouri beats Illinois 7-4 in all-star baseball game at Clemens Field
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday night at Clemens Field as the eighth Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star baseball game unfolded. Here is a gallery of the images he collected both on the field and in the stands: … ...Read Full Article about Photo gallery: Missouri beats Illinois 7-4 in all-star baseball game at Clemens Field
Return of Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game comes with bevy of talent from both sides of Mississippi
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Like nearly every other big event during the summer of 2020, the Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star baseball game fell victim to a global pandemic. But Kevin and Aaron Peters, the Monroe City father-son duo who are the braintrust and the legs behind this event, never lost faith the … ...Read Full Article about Return of Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game comes with bevy of talent from both sides of Mississippi
College
Culver-Stockton College lands at No. 22 in NAIA preseason football poll
CANTON, Mo. — Upon arriving on the Culver-Stockton College campus, Jase Orndorff heard the stories of the bleak days of the football team. He doesn’t want the Wildcats to ever experience that again. “Now it’s my job as the quarterback and one of the captains to keep us playing at a high … ...Read Full Article about Culver-Stockton College lands at No. 22 in NAIA preseason football poll
GLVC coaches pick QU football team to finish sixth in preseason poll
LEBANON, Ill. — There is excitement bubbling around the prospects of the Quincy University football team trotting out an offense that could challenge some of the single-season records the Hawks established last season. At the same time, there is concern about a defense that was one of the worst … ...Read Full Article about GLVC coaches pick QU football team to finish sixth in preseason poll
C-SC picked to finish second in Heart’s North Division in preseason football coaches’ poll
CANTON, Mo. — With success has come respect for the Culver-Stockton College football program. That is obvious with how the Heart of America Athletic Conference coaches voted in the league’s annual preseason poll. The Wildcats, coming off an historic 8-3 season last fall, were picked second in … ...Read Full Article about C-SC picked to finish second in Heart’s North Division in preseason football coaches’ poll
