Around the area: QHS tennis team with strong showing on first day of WB6 championships

GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team positioned itself to claim the Western Big 6 Conference championship with a strong showing Friday.

The Blue Devils lead the field with 12 team points, advancing two singles players and their No. 1 doubles team to Saturday’s semifinals.

In singles play, third-seeded Trevor Nelson lost just three games in advancing. He beat Moline’s Lakshya Damade 6-0, 6-1 and Rock Island’s Nathaniel Cruz 6-0, 6-2. Fourth-seeded Ethan Stark beat Geneseo’s Dru Curcuru 6-1, 6-0 and Moline’s Christian Heim 6-1, 6-1.

The QHS doubles team of Anderson Knapp and Jason Derian won their first two matches, beating a team from United Township 6-0, 6-0 and getting past Geneseo’s No. 2 doubles squad 6-1, 6-2.

Macomb advances to regional final

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Kylie Robinson and Valentina Perez each scored a goal as the Macomb girls soccer team beat Stanford Olympia 2-0 on Friday night in the semifinals of the Class 1A Chillicothe IVC Regional. The Bombers will face top-seeded Athens for the regional title at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

John, Eagles outduel Suns

BOWEN, Ill. — Chandler John never gave the Southeastern softball team a chance to rally. Liberty’s freshman pitcher tossed a one-hitter in Friday’s 2-0 victory to end the regular season. She struck out nine, walked none, hit a batter and didn’t allow a runner past second base. 

In the fourth inning, the Eagles took the lead when Tiffanie Will led off with a triple and scored on Camdyn Ormond’s ground ball. In the sixth, Liberty’s Claire Obert walked, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored with two outs on a passed ball. The Eagles finish the regular season with a 17-11 record.

Saukees’ Henry continues hot streak

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Grace Henry belted two home runs and drove in six runs as the Pittsfield softball team beat Western 13-1 Friday in the regular-season finale. The Saukees have won four of their last five games with Henry going 8 of 13 with 15 RBIs in that stretch. Kelsey Freesmeyer allowed one run and three hits over four innings with two strikeouts for Pittsfield (17-7).

Mustangs end regular season by thumping Wolves

MENDON, Ill. — Cody Shaffer and Miles Mouton combined on a one-hitter as the Mendon Unity baseball team finished the regular season with a 15-0, four-inning victory over Pleasant Hill. Shaffer struck out nine in three innings of work. Avery Frese went 3 for 3, while Skylor Goudschaal drove in two runs for the Mustangs (18-5).

Saukees’ offense explodes in blowout

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Hayden Gratton went 4 for 4 with two doubles and a home run and Lane Foster went 3 for 3 as the Pittsfield baseball team beat Triopia 15-0 on Friday. Brennan Tomhave and Luke Saxe had two hits apiece for the Saukees (19-7), while Draven Puterbaugh tossed a two-hitter with three strikeouts.

Panthers unable to complete rally

WINCHESTER, Ill. — Back-to-back two-run innings gave the Camp Point Central baseball team new life, but the Panthers couldn’t fully erase a four-run deficit in suffering an 8-5 loss to Winchester West Central on Friday. Conner Griffin went 2 for 3 with a double, a home run and two RBIs, while Mason Miller went 2 for 3 with a triple and Mason Meier homered for the Panthers (10-15).