Rockets’ Kessler mows down Eagles, ending Liberty’s pursuit of regional crown

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | May 23, 2025
Rushville-Industry senior right-hander Macon Kessler delivers a pitch during Thursday's Class 1A Bluffs Regional semifinal game against Liberty in Winchester, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WINCHESTER, Ill. — A career day dashed the Liberty baseball team’s dreams of playing for a regional title, and it came courtesy of a familiar foe. Rushville-Industry senior right-hander Macon Kessler struck out a career-high 16 batters and tossed a complete-game shutout as the sixth-seeded Rockets ended the fourth-seeded Eagles’ season with an 8-0 victory…

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‘I just felt in a groove’: Sparrow commands zone, strikes out 14 in leading Eagles to victory

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | March 22, 2025
Liberty senior right-hander Jack Sparrow delivers a pitch during Friday's game against Winchester West Central at Liberty, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — Luckily for Liberty senior right-handed pitcher Jack Sparrow, his bullpen session before Friday’s start against Winchester West Central was not a harbinger of things to come. “My warmups weren’t very good,” Sparrow said. “With the wind, it was knocking me everywhere. (Liberty catcher Evan Sims) had to go run after one that…

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Countdown to tipoff: Captain Jack ready to lead Liberty boys basketball team to more success

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 21, 2024
Liberty senior forward Jack Sparrow will be asked to be a sizable presence both in the front court and as a leader for the Eagles. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Liberty boys basketball team brought to you by: LIBERTY, Ill. — Even though the first film in the series had already been out for three years and the second was released the year before, Dan Sparrow had not seen any of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies before choosing a name for…

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