Posts Tagged ‘Pittsfield’
Stroke of Luck: Lefringhouse’s drive bounces right way for Liberty softball team in extra-inning victory
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Lady Luck was on the Liberty softball team’s side on Tuesday. With Liberty and Pittsfield tied at 2, Anna Dietrich at first and one out in the top of the eighth, Liberty semior catcher Ally Lefringhouse launched an 0-1 pitch from Emma Henry high in the air to deep center field. The…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Liberty’s John finishes off complete game after Lefringhouse’s homer in extra innings
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Liberty senior catcher Ally Lefringhouse delivered a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, and Chandler John retired the final three batters in the bottom of the inning after surrendering a leadoff home run to Pittsfield’s Grace Henry to close out a 4-3 Liberty victory on Tuesday. John…
Read MoreWombles cousins share sister-like bond that transforms into fiery competitiveness on softball diamond
PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — Ava Wombles is like the older sister Emma Wombles never had. “Ava is probably my biggest role model,” Emma Wombles said. Ava could not be more proud to hold that distinction. “It literally means the world to me that she said that,” Ava Wombles said. “One of my goals in life…
Read MoreDieterle’s run-scoring double in eighth helps Brown County baseball team extend winning streak to seven
MT. STERLING, Ill. — On a day when offense was difficult to come by, one swing decided Wednesday’s baseball game between Pittsfield and Brown County. Collin Dieterle delivered that swing. The Hornets’ leadoff hitter ripped a double to left field with one out in the bottom of the eighth that rolled to the fence, allowing…
Read MoreSimon delivers clutch homer to put Pittsfield on top, snags line drive in seventh to seal victory
PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — It was only fitting that the Pittsfield softball team’s victory over Pleasant Hill on Tuesday ended with the ball in Lila Simon’s glove. Simon’s bat put the Saukees in position to win the game in the first place. After blasting a two-out, three-run home run off of Saint Louis University commit…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Emma outduels Ava in battle of Wombles cousins in Saukees’ road victory
Pittsfield’s Emma Wombles and Pleasant Hill’s Ava Wombles, who are distant cousins, combined for 29 strikeouts and just five walks from the pitcher’s circle in Pittsfield’s 4-3 victory over Pleasant Hill on Tuesday afternoon in Pleasant Hill. “It was a pitcher’s duel, for sure,” Wolves coach Ryan Lowe said. “Both girls did a phenomenal job.…
Read MoreFirst homer for Johnson energizes Raiders, who escape with wild 12-10 victory at Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Eli Johnson could not contain his excitement. The Quincy Notre Dame freshman is a fiery competitor, but after hitting his first career home run on Wednesday, he smacked Raiders coach Rich Polak’s hand rounding third base. Polak felt the effects of Johnson’s emotions running high. “I think he almost broke my hand,”…
Read More‘Those are the fun games’: Henry’s hit highlights rally, Stambaugh’s glove seals victory for Saukees
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield softball coach Ariana White could sense the strings tightening, so she did her best to loosen them. The Saukees led Western 7-6 entering the top of the seventh on Wednesday, but back-to-back errors put Wildcats runners on first and second with one out. White then made a trip to the pitcher’s…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Plenty of baseball, softball action in Pittsfield on Wednesday night
Sports Writer Shane Hulsey caught a different type of doubleheader on Wednesday night, capturing images of Quincy Notre Dame’s 12-10 victory over Pittsfield in baseball as well as Pittsfield’s come-from-behind 7-6 victory over Western in softball.
Read MoreOpportunity knocks, and freshman pinch-hitter answers to help QND softball rally at Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame freshman Cadence Smith knew her opportunity would come, and she made the most of it. The QND softball team was trailing Pittsfield 4-2 with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fourth on Monday when Smith came off the bench to hit for Ellie Miller…
Read MorePitch count limit costs Harris shot at complete game in Pittsfield’s shutout of Payson Seymour
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pitch count was the only thing that prevented Bobby Harris from finishing what he started on Monday. The Pittsfield junior right-hander tossed 6 ⅔ scoreless innings against Payson Seymour before eclipsing the maximum of 105 pitches as allowed by the IHSA. Harris gave way to Carter Frazier, who allowed a double to…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Bunte’s amazing offensive streak continues for Raiders
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Caitlin Bunte went 2 for 3 with a two-run home run in the third inning and scored three runs in Quincy Notre Dame’s 10-4 victory over Pittsfield in a prep softball game on Monday night. In the last eight games dating back to April 5, Bunte has gone 15 for 22 with…
Read More‘We just kept it rolling’: Saukees stick to basics in separating from Mustangs
MENDON, Ill. — The Pittsfield baseball team’s hitting approach was simple. “You can’t really do anything too special,” Saukees junior pitcher and infielder Bobby Harris said. “Smooth swings, don’t swing too hard.” Harris and the Saukees’ lineup used that approach to string together a six-run third inning and take control in a 12-5 victory over…
Read MoreHammerin’ Henry delivers two-run, walk-off blast as Pittsfield rallies to beat Camp Point Central
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — As dire as the situation seemed, Grace Henry believed she’d get an at-bat. The Pittsfield softball team trailed Camp Point Central 1-0 heading to the bottom of the seventh inning Friday when Panthers hurler Emma Stevens retired the first two batters, bringing Torie Stambaugh to the plate and Henry to the on-deck…
Read More‘It just lined up perfectly’: Barnes’ vision for winning matches Pittsfield football program’s desire for success
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Dalton Barnes could sympathize with what the Pittsfield community was enduring. In turn, the Saukees empathize with what Barnes and his family were going through. In the wake of the tragic auto accident that took the life of Pittsfield freshman basketball standout Reese Ramsey and hospitalized two of her teammates, Barnes and…
Read MoreAll in the family: Three Henry sisters make history by belting home runs in same game
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Piper Henry put pressure on her older sister, Grace, to come through in the clutch to make a historic moment complete. The senior delivered. With the Pittsfield softball team on the verge of finishing off its 24-7 victory over Southeastern on Tuesday, Grace Henry came to the plate with one out in…
Read MoreWombles’ first inning slam propels Saukees to run-rule victory over Blue Devils
QUINCY — Talk about a grand entrance. After the Pittsfield softball team’s first three batters of Monday’s game against Quincy High School reached base, Saukees sophomore pitcher and cleanup hitter Emma Wombles jumped on the first pitch she saw from Blue Devils hurler Carlee Gilker and hit a towering grand slam to left field. “It…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Pittsfield builds momentum, QHS looks to rekindle it following softball showdown
QUINCY — The momentum the Pittsfield softball team felt it created in a season-opening loss to tradition-rich Carrollton carried the Saukees to a 14-4 victory over Quincy High School on Monday at Avenue of Lights Field. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils, who won their season opener last week against West Hancock, have a week to rekindle…
Read MoreSaukees demonstrate character in choosing not to play in regional, focus on grieving and healing together
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pikeland Superintendent Todd Fox was in the middle of addressing the Pittsfield girls basketball team Friday morning when the door to the classroom where they had gathered cracked open. In walked Lincoln McCartney with a simple request. “I’m paraphrasing here, but she said something like, ‘Can I join this meeting?’” Fox said.…
Read More‘I’m glad we could get one for her’: Saukees grind out win in first game since Ramsey’s death
BARRY, Ill. — Taylor Graham had no doubt he got some heavenly help to allow his pivotal free throw to rattle in. “It definitely felt like it,” Graham said. “To be honest, out of the hand, I thought I missed it.” That free throw, which came with 13.6 seconds left and gave the Pittsfield boys…
Read MoreSchuckman: Sending thank you letter to Reese Ramsey for impacting our lives in positive way
Editor’s note: Tuesday night, Pittsfield freshman Reese Ramsey, the leading scorer on the Saukees girls basketball team that finished the regular season with a 24-4 record, passed away after she and two teammates were involved in a three-vehicle wreck on Highway 106. Both teammates are currently hospitalized. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman wrote this…
Read MoreSaukees stop Titans’ second-half run, extend lead back to double digits in Shootout victory
QUINCY — An 18-point halftime lead steadily dwindled to four points by the start of the fourth quarter. Yet, the Pittsfield girls basketball team never panicked. “I like how we never felt like, ‘Oh, my gosh, they’re coming back,’” senior forward Madison Frieden said. “I felt we were pretty level-headed.” A Frieden layin with four…
Read More‘It was time to get up and go to work’: Miller, Panthers fight through sickness to upend Saukees
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Lauren Miller did not make any excuses, even after she vomited at halftime of the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s game against Pittsfield on Monday. “It was just from all the hacking and coughing,” she said. “It seems like that’s just going around.” Miller, like several of her teammates, felt under the…
Read MoreSweet 16: Kassing scores 30 on her birthday as Hornets gain measure of revenge with win over Saukees
MT. STERLING, Ill. — Brown County sophomore Kenzie Kassing could have gotten her driver’s license on Thursday, but she chose to wait until Friday. She wanted as few distractions as possible from what awaited her Thursday night — a third crack at Pittsfield. “I had to lock in for the game today,” Kassing said. On…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Brown County girls basketball team upends Pittsfield by building early lead
MT. STERLING, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team gained a measure of revenge Thursday night, beating Pittsfield 65-54. The Saukees won two previous meetings with the Hornets this season. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was on hand and put together this photo gallery:
Read MorePittsfield wrestlers deliver pair of pins on cue to complete sweep of duals at Central quadrangular
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Tucker Cook and Bodine Marable heard Pittsfield wrestling coach Johnathon Peterson’s plea loud and clear. Nearing the end of the final dual Monday night at the Camp Point Central quadrangular, the Saukees needed to rack up as many team points as they did individual victories to make a clean sweep. So…
Read MoreHome, sweet home: Raiders return to The Pit for first time in nearly four weeks, steamroll Saukees
QUINCY — The fact the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team hadn’t played on its home floor in nearly a month wasn’t lost on the Raiders. “It’s been a while,” QND senior guard Alex Dance said. It had been 26 days as a matter of fact. “Felt good to be back,” Dance said. Playing at…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND plays with high level of energy in comfy confines of its home court
QUINCY — Playing at home for the first time since Dec. 20, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team looked comfortable in familiar surroundings, running away from Pittsfield in a 69-40 victory Wednesday night at The Pit. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was courtside and put together this photo gallery.
Read MoreRaiders fend off pesky Saukees, escape with road win in battle of state-ranked teams
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Ari Buehler knew the Pittsfield girls basketball team would not go away. “They’ll fight,” said Buehler, Quincy Notre Dame’s junior point guard. “They’ll keep coming back.” So will the Raiders. “We’re not going to step down when things get hard,” Buehler said. So when the Saukees erased an 11-point third quarter deficit…
Read More‘We got up and kept working’: Even in loss, Saukees prove they belong in conversation among state’s best
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield girls basketball coach Noah Mendenhall knows one result does not define a season. But in the Saukees’ case, one game could provide a snapshot of a team’s potential. On Monday, the state-ranked Saukees rallied from a 41-30 third quarter deficit against Quincy Notre Dame, the No. 2 team Class 3A, to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Raiders, Saukees engage in one of top showdowns of season
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A matchup of state-ranked teams turned out to be a nail-biter for the second week in a row. And the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team found a way to come out on a top again. One week after beating fifth-ranked Central-Southeastern by a point, the Raiders knocked off Pittsfield, ranked ninth…
Read MoreSaukees keep undefeated record intact after historic title run at Lady Tiger Classic
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — For the first 41 years of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, the Pittsfield girls basketball team had never so much as reached the championship game. Now, in the 42nd edition, the Saukees have a tournament title to their name, and they will ring in the new year with a zero still in…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic closes with Pittsfield winning championship
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Pittsfield girls basketball team won the championship of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic for the first time in the 42-year history of the event, beating West Hancock 53-40 Monday night to complete a four-game run through the tourney field. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was on site for the title…
Read MoreTitans take out another top seed, set up title game showdown with undefeated Saukees
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Pittsfield girls basketball team better be aware of what West Hancock is doing. The Titans are chopping seeded opponents down to size. West Hancock, seeded 10th in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, upended a higher seeded opponent for the third straight game Saturday night, knocking off sixth-seeded Carrollton 48-47 in overtime…
Read MoreSaukees, Hornets to collide in semifinals at Beardstown, while Titans stay in title chase
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Some of the area’s top underclass talent will go head-to-head Saturday with a berth in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic championship game on the line. But don’t count out the old guard from having a say in which team advances. The top-seeded Pittsfield girls basketball team reached the semifinals with a 58-45…
Read MorePittsfield overwhelmed by 23 first-half turnovers as Riverton cruises to easy victory in Voshall Gym
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The final score was deceiving. The Pittsfield boys basketball team suffered a 57-36 loss to Riverton on Friday night in Voshall Gym, but the Saukees had to outscore the Hawks 14-2 in the final quarter to make the score look less like the blowout than it actually was. Pittsfield (4-3) turned the…
Read MoreAllen’s display of ‘bully ball’ sparks Mustangs’ comeback, carries them to victory over Saukees
MENDON, Ill. — Sawyer Allen will never be labeled as a finesse type of basketball player. Never, ever. The 6-foot junior, who served as the quarterback of the Unity football team, more resembles a bull in a china shop when on a basketball court. A bull with moves, that is. Allen feels he owns the…
Read MoreResilient effort from Saukees leads to strong second half, tournament championship
MT. STERLING, Ill. — When his team’s 10-point lead evaporated, Pittsfield girls basketball Noah Mendenhall was able to see what kind of character his team has. It’s a resilient one. The Saukees limited Brown County to two field goals in the third quarter Saturday night, regaining the lead and then getting points from five different…
Read MoreSaukees rely on defense to carry them to title of their own Thanksgiving tournament
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Keep shooting. Eventually, the ball goes in. That’s the mentality the Pittsfield boys basketball players needed Friday night. The Saukees missed their first nine 3-point attempts, but once the ball started going through the hoop, everything changed. Taylor Graham hit a 3-pointer as the third quarter ended to give Pittsfield a one-point…
Read MoreSecond-half dominance defensively carries Saukees to tourney-opening victory
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Junior guard Hayden Gratton and his Pittsfield basketball teammates want to instill fear in their opponents with their defense. “We want them to be really scared,” Gratton said. “Get them going fast and turn the ball over.” The Saukees did exactly that on Monday. Pittsfield’s full-court, high-pressure defense forced 15 Western turnovers…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Liberty, Pittsfield win on opening night of Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A 3-point shootout, a lockdown defensive effort and a raucous crowd highlighted the opening night of the Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament at Voshall Gym on Monday. The Liberty boys basketball team outlasted Payson Seymour 56-47, while Pittsfield upended Western 49-36. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent his evening in Pike County and…
Read MoreQND cross country teams both finish second at regional, Liberty’s Obert in top five in boys race
RUSHVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys and girls cross country teams each finished second Saturday in the Class 1A Rushville-Industry Regional at Scripps Park. On the boys side, in a race dominated by runners from Pleasant Plains, four area runners finished in the top 10 individually. Liberty junior Lane Obert was sixth in…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, August 17
Chargers win Pittsfield Invitational PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Illini West boys golf team won the Pittsfield Invitational on Saturday by shooting a 325 at Old Orchard Country Club. Pittsfield took second with a 327. Rushville-Industry was third at 332. Chargers senior Nick Bruns finished second individually with a 76, while freshman Bryson Grotts took sixth…
Read MoreYoung guns: Underclassmen lead pack during season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational
QUINCY — If the scores from Thursday’s season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational are any indication, the area boys golf scene is going to be highly competitive for years to come. Three sophomores and a freshman claimed four of the top five individual spots and a pair of freshmen posted scores that helped Illini West capture the…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Golfers open season in D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course
QUINCY — The flag officially dropped Thursday on the start of the high school sports season. The traditional boys golf lidlifter — the D.A. Weibring Invitational — took place at Westview Golf Course with Illini West winning the team title with a 322 total and Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen taking individual medalist honors with an…
Read MoreCountdown to kickoff: Saukees believe physical play, run game can lead to playoff pursuit
Coverage of the Pittsfield football program is brought to you by: PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield football program’s playoff drought is long enough that senior linebacker Draven Puterbaugh doesn’t remember seeing one. “It hasn’t happened in quite some time,” he said. Fifteen years in fact. Yet, there’s a distinct hope and strong belief this could…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Pittsfield lineman Jaron White discusses Saukees’ depth, experience
Coverage of the Pittsfield football program is brought to you by: PITTSFIELD, Ill. — With nine starters returning on defense and the biggest offensive line its enjoyed in quite some time, the Pittsfield football program has the makings of what could be a run at ending a 15-year playoff drought. Senior lineman Jaron White joined…
Read More‘We got lucky’: Pittsfield, Jacksonville to lock horns in Week One after both teams’ opponents cancel
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Sometimes when it feels like all hope is lost, the stars align perfectly. The Pittsfield and Jacksonville football teams can thank their lucky stars having found a Week One game after both schools’ originally scheduled opponents announced they weren’t going to play. “I wasn’t too sure we’d find a game,” Pittsfield coach…
Read MorePittsfield may be forced to take forfeit victory in football opener with Riverton not fielding team
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Sangamo Conference football coaches are scrambling, and it could result in Pittsfield being without a season-opening game. Monday, Riverton officials announced publicly it will not field a varsity football team for the upcoming season due to low participation numbers. The statement released by the school said it will field a junior…
Read MoreCyclones walk off with victory over Saukees after scoring twice in seventh of regional title game
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The start was nearly perfect. The ending proved imperfect. After Pittsfield senior first baseman Brennan Tomhave launched a one-out home run to center field in the top of the first inning Saturday, Saukees right-hander Konner Allen retired Sacred Heart-Griffin without trouble in the bottom of the frame. However, the lead didn’t last.…
Read MoreAround the area: Blue Devils share WB6 tennis title, Pirates fall in districts, Wolves win one-run marathon
GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team made its lead last at the Western Big 6 Conference championships despite the continued dominance of Rock Island Alleman junior Nick Patrick. The Blue Devils placed two singles players in top four and the doubles tandem of Anderson Knapp and Jason Derian finished third, giving…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Competitive games highlight QND softball slam at The Backyard
QUINCY — The rain stayed away Saturday, which led to a competitive day of softball at The Backyard as four area teams took part in the Quincy Notre Dame softball slam. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent time at The Backyard and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreStellar pitching helps Saukees regain their footing, end Mustangs’ win streak
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Mired in a midseason slump, the Pittsfield baseball team needed a turn-things-around moment. Ending Mendon Unity’s 13-game win streak may be it. Two Saukees combined to limit the Mustangs to two hits, and a five-run fifth inning helped propel Pittsfield to a 9-0 victory Saturday. The Saukees had lost three of their…
Read MoreFreshman hurler tosses second straight one-hitter as Pittsfield softball team posts shutout victory
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Emma Wombles has been virtually unhittable of late. The Pittsfield softball team’s freshman right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout of Beardstown in Wednesday night’s 13-0 victory, giving her back-to-back one-hitters as part of the Saukees’ three-game win streak. Wombles has allowed only seven hits in her last 20 innings pitched. Against the Tigers,…
Read MoreShake it off, shake it off: Lahr’s ability to push everything aside and focus on pitching allows Raiders to take down Saukees
QUINCY — Just gotta shake it. Sophomore pitcher Bradi Lahr uttered those words — quite loudly — dozens of times during the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s game against Pittsfield on Wednesday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. What exactly does this phrase mean? “Whatever you want to take it as,” Lahr said. Whatever it…
Read MoreZanger first to wear home run chain as her solo shot sets stage for Raiders’ victory over Saukees
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s new home run chain didn’t quite fit over Morgan Zanger’s helmet after her solo shot in the first inning of Monday’s game against Pittsfield. “We did not think that part through,” Zanger said. She also didn’t know the ball had cleared The Backyard’s left-field fence. “Whenever they…
Read MoreThree-run first inning gives Saukees control in victory over Blue Devils
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield baseball team wasted no time taking control. Run-scoring doubles by Brennan Tomhave, Konner Allen and Hayden Gratton in the bottom of the first inning Monday led to a three-run frame and catapulted the Saukees to a 5-3 victory over Quincy High School. The Saukees’ Luke Archer led off the fourth…
Read MorePennock tosses no-hitter as Saukees sweep doubleheader from Warriors
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Justin Pennock wasn’t overly confident he have unhittable control as he warmed up Saturday morning. “Honestly, not really,” said Pennock, a senior right-hander on the Pittsfield baseball team. “I was still a little bit sore. I thought if I hit spots I’d be all right.” He hardly missed one. Pennock faced just…
Read MoreAround the diamond: Mustangs rally in seventh, Blue Devils scored 11 in first, Saukees suffer first loss
MENDON, Ill. — Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, the Mendon Unity baseball team needed baserunners to even think about a rally. Six consecutive batters safely reaching did the trick. Ben McClelland and Sawyer Allen started the rally with back-to-back singles before the Mustangs’ patience kicked in. Three…
Read MoreAround the diamond: Saukees stay perfect, Raiders back sophomore righty, Shaffer mows down Tigers
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Three Pittsfield pitchers limited the Brown County baseball team to two hits and the Saukees used a four-run third inning to catapult themselves to a 7-1 victory to improve to 5-0 and highlight Wednesday’s action across the area. Pittsfield’s Draven Puterbaugh allowed one unearned run and two hits over the first four…
Read MoreFive-minute drought in second quarter too much for Pittsfield to overcome in Class 2A regional setback
WARSAW, Ill. — Too many empty possessions. It was a recurring theme for the Pittsfield boys basketball team this season. The Saukees failed to score during the final five minutes of the first half and were unable to keep pace with Pleasant Plains after closing within four points early in the fourth quarter Wednesday night…
Read MorePanthers see room for improvement before Thursday’s regional championship game
CAMP POINT, Ill. — From Matt Long’s perspective, Monday night was a borderline disappointment — except for the final score. From the way Lauren Miller saw things, there’s room for improvement but a win’s still a win. The bottom line? The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s 18th straight victory was a little rough around the edges,…
Read MoreStratton reaches 1,000 career points as Notre Dame girls rebound after rare loss
QUINCY — When Sage Stratton dropped through a second-quarter field goal Wednesday night, the game came to an immediate halt. Public address announcer Frank Cash then informed the crowd at The Pit that Stratton, a junior guard for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, had become the 17th player in the long and storied…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Raiders bounce back after loss to QHS by overwhelming Pittsfield
The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team earned a much-needed victory Wednesday night with a 55-37 decision over Pittsfield at the Pit. The Raiders rebounded 24 hours after getting thumped by crosstown rival Quincy High School 47-24. Notre Dame led 34-10 halftime and 43-19 after three quarters. Pittsfield (10-11) rebounded with a strong fourth quarter,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Area wrestlers rack up medals in Quincy Invitational
QUINCY — Winter weather may have impacted the number of teams that traveled here to participate in the Quincy Invitational, but it couldn’t diminish the ability of area wrestlers to showcase their talents. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday at matside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreRaiders pull away in fourth quarter to win defensive slugfest against Saukees
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield boys basketball coach Brad Tomhave and Quincy Notre Dame coach Kevin Meyer shared a common assessment of their respective team’s defensive effort in Friday night’s game at Voshall Gym. Both were encouraged by the engagement. Offensively, however, their critiques were polar opposites. Meyer liked how the Raiders worked the ball from…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Pittsfield boys basketball teams renew rivalry at Voshall Gym
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield and Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball teams collided in their 2024 openers Friday night at Voshall Gym. The Raiders built a double-digit lead, saw the Saukees whittle it to eight points on two separate occasions in the second half and then pulled away for a 50-31 victory. Muddy River Sports…
Read MoreIron sharpens iron: QHS’s Newbold, QND’s Darnell, Pittsfield’s Cook benefit from head-to-head competition
QUINCY — Tucker Cook understands it may be a while before he can get a tattoo, especially one of any significant size, but he already has a plan for what he wants it to look like and say. The words “iron sharpens iron” will be prominent. “I believe in that,” the Pittsfield junior wrestler said.…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, QND, Pittsfield wrestlers square off at The Pit
QUINCY — Wrestling took center stage Wednesday night at The Pit as the Quincy High School, Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield squad engaged in a series of duals. The Blue Devils beat the Raiders 67-0 and the Saukees 54-6, while Pittsfield scored a 35-33 victory over QND. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat matside…
Read MorePittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team wins IESA Class 3A state championship
GERMANTOWN HILLS, Ill. — The Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team is coming home with a state championship. Pittsfield outscored Germantown Hills 12-2 in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Illinois Elementary School Association Class 3A title game, setting the tone for a 39-20 victory at Germantown Hills Middle School. The Lady Braves finished their…
Read MoreFree throws help Saukees hand Tornadoes first loss of season
GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — The battle for Pike County supremacy came down to free throws. The Pittsfield boys basketball team made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 53 seconds of regulation Tuesday night to hold off Griggsville-Perry for a 46-44 victory, handing the Tornadoes their first loss of the season while alloowing the Saukees…
Read MoreSaukees’ second-half rally secures 300th victory of Tomhave’s coaching career
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The manner in which the Pittsfield boys basketball team secured the 300th victory of Brad Tomhave’s coaching career might not be so memorable. The milestone certainly is. The Saukees overcame making just one of their first 18 field goals and a 15-point third-quarter deficit to take the lead for the first time…
Read MoreMatch-play mentality on back nine carries QND boys golf team to sectional championship
AUBURN, Ill. — As the Quincy Notre Dame boys golfers made the turn Monday, the situation seemed pretty cut and dry. Beat Bloomington Central Catholic head-to-head and win a sectional championship. Raiders coach Brian Hendrian didn’t shy away from telling his golfers that. “We went out there and played it like a Ryder Cup format…
Read MoreBeau knows: Up-and-down for par on No. 18 caps impressive regional round by QND sophomore
QUINCY — The number of strokes Beau Eftink needed to get up and down from behind the 18th green was going to determine just how pleased he would be with his final score. The moment he hit his chip shot from above the green’s collar, the Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer felt a twinge of…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Westview Golf Course plays host to Class 1A Quincy Notre Dame boys regional
QUINCY — Beau Eftink went low, the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course and three teams that had been in the mix all season advanced to the Class 1A Auburn Sectional at Edgewood Golf Course. It turned out to be a remarkable day at Westview Golf Course.…
Read MorePrairie State Profile: Saukees’ Tomhave embraces traditions, bonds born from playing sports
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Brennan Tomhave is a Saukee through and through. It would be difficult not to be when you grow up sitting on the bench. Tomhave had a front-row seat to one of the best seasons in Pittsfield boys basketball history in 2011, riding the bus and hanging out in the locker room as…
Read MoreRaiders’ resiliency put to test in regional title game, Kindhart’s sac fly helps knock off Saukees
QUINCY — Each time the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team seemed poised for a big inning Saturday, something went haywire. Pittsfield right-hander Brennan Tomhave played a role in that. The Raiders’ overaggressiveness did, too. It finally took a simple approach in consecutive at-bats to generate enough offense to survive and advance. After the Raiders loaded…
Read MoreLike Schis and like that: QND right-hander refuses to give in, strikes out 13 in regional title victory
QUINCY — Given the lead for a second time in Saturday’s Class 2A regional championship game, Quincy Notre Dame right-hander Jake Schisler vowed he was not giving it up. “I think those might have been my exact words,” Schisler said. He had no plans to do it alone either. “I said to myself that I…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND baseball team survives regional title tussle with Pittsfield
QUINCY — Another chapter to the Quincy Notre Dame-Pittsfield rivalry was written Saturday as the Raiders survived the Saukees’ upset bid to win the Class 2A QND Regional championship with a 2-1 victory at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. QND’s Jake Schisler outdueled Pittsfield’s Brennan Tomhave, striking out 13 and setting down the side in…
Read MoreMotivated Saukees ride Allen’s bulldogged pitching into regional title game
QUINCY — The Pittsfield baseball players didn’t understand it, nor did they appreciate it. A year ago, toting a 21-5 regular-season record, the Saukees were the No. 4 seed in their sub-sectional. This season, with a 25-4 regular-season record, they were relegated to being the No. 5 seed heading to the Class 2A Quincy Notre…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Pittsfield to renew longstanding rivalry in regional title game
QUINCY — A West Central Illinois rivalry gets a postseason chapter added to it Saturday. The Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield baseball teams advanced to the championship game of the Class 2A QND Regional by winning Wednesday’s semifinals and will square off at 11 a.m. Saturday in the title game at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial…
Read MoreRaiders rack up hits in six-inning victory over Saukees
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team just keeps hitting. The Raiders collected 12 hits, scored in four of the six innings played Wednesday and rolled to a 14-4 victory over Pittsfield. The Raiders have scored 10 or more runs in eight of their 12 games this season and have collected 10 or…
Read MoreSaukees capitalize on new life in seventh, score three times to upend Blue Devils
QUINCY — An overturned call gave the Pittsfield baseball team new life, and the Saukees took advantage of it. With the game tied and two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Pittsfield’s Justin Pennock was called out at first base after hitting a ground ball to Quincy High School shortstop Blake Bunch. However,…
Read MoreRaiders continue to zero in on letting defense dictate success, quiet Saukees’ offense
QUINCY — The scoreboard lacked the zero the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players yearned to see. A goose egg in the scorebook sufficed. The Raiders held Pittsfield without a field goal in the first quarter Friday night at The Pit, allowing only a single Adam Musgrave free throw while building a 13-1 advantage. The…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND boys basketball team faces Pittsfield at The Pit
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team won its fourth straight game Friday night, beating Pittsfield 52-30 after allowing the Saukees just 15 points through the first three quarters. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the action through his camera lens. Check out his photo gallery:
Read MoreDetermined to dominate: QHS wrestlers lose only one match in sweeping duals from QND, Pittsfield
QUINCY — Owen Uppinghouse understands most of the Quincy High School wrestling team’s duals can’t compare to a crosstown showdown when it comes to energy and enthusiasm. “When you’re wrestling people from down the street, it tends to be different,” he said. Wednesday night was different, except in one regard. The Blue Devils’ determination for…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, QND, Pittsfield grapple at QHS gym
QUINCY — The Quincy High School wrestling team showcased the strength of its lineup from top to bottom during Wednesday night’s triangular with Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield at the QHS gym. The Blue Devils beat the Saukees 83-0 and the Raiders 68-6, while QND upended Pittsfield 54-24. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured…
Read MoreCrim: Shields’ impact felt in area athletic circles for decades
NEW SALEM, Ill. — Jim Shields retold the story of a reporter once asking him about the difference between coaching boys and coaching girls in high school basketball. “I said the boys never gave me a state championship,” Shields laughed. It was a vintage answer by a career coach, a straight shooter, a man who…
Read MoreQJHS, Brown County to play for eighth grade girls basketball state titles, Pittsfield to vie for third
Two area eighth grade girls basketball teams will play for Illinois Elementary School Association state titles, while a third will battle for third place. Quincy Junior High School and Brown County advanced to their respective championship games by winning twice Saturday, while Pittsfield suffered a five-point loss in the semifinals. QJHS opened with a 39-10…
Read MorePittsfield seventh grade girls win IESA state championship, Liberty takes second
AUBURN, Ill. — By the end of the first quarter of the Illinois Elementary School Association seventh grade Class 3A girls basketball state championship, the intrigue was mostly gone. The Pittsfield Lady Braves saw to that. Pittsfield overwhelmed Paris Mayo 19-2 in the first quarter, went on another 12-2 run in the third quarter and…
Read MoreLiberty, Pittsfield seventh grade girls basketball teams to play for state championships
The Liberty seventh grade girls basketball team will play for a state championship. So will the Pittsfield seventh graders. The Brown County and Quincy Junior High School eighth grade teams may, too. Liberty reached the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 2A title game by beating Altamont 31-19 in the quarterfinals and Nokomis 36-19 in the…
Read MoreThe Rundown: Solid debut for Hannibal girls, Pittsfield boys win opener, WIU women earn first victory
QUINCY — Kicking off Thanksgiving week with a flurry of activity as the Illinois boys basketball season got underway Monday night and the Missouri teams joined in the fun. Oh, college basketball season is in full swing, too. Here are some of Monday’s highlights … • The Hannibal girls basketball team won Shawn Gaines’ debut…
Read MoreEaton guides power-hitting QND to quick victory over Pittsfield in regional semifinals
QUINCY — Annie Eaton’s smile is infectious, but don’t let that nice-girl persona fool you. She’s the quiet assassin of the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team. And she relishes that role. “I like to control things out there,” Eaton said. “I like to run the offense.” The Raiders’ floor general was at her directorial best…
Read MoreCollege football notebook: Brock hits 100-yard mark, Personett and Boyer contribute to Scots’ blowout, Griffith scores TD for Bulldogs
QUINCY — For the first time since Jirehl Brock stepped on the Iowa State University campus and the first time in Matt Campbell’s coaching tenure, the Iowa State football team took the Cy-Hawk Trophy back to Ames. Saturday’s 10-7 victory over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, ended the Hawkeyes’ six-game win streak…
Read MoreGolf roundup: Saukees win own invitational, Blue Devils third in loaded field, Bombers take second
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course Saturday, posting three scores in the 80s to capture the team championship of the Pittsfield Invitational at Old Orchard Country Club. The Saukees shot a 345, followed by Illini West at 351 and Rushville-Industry at 381. Illini West’s Nolan…
Read MoreCrim: Signing with WWE’s ‘Next In Line’ program helps Pittsfield’s Hayden conquer more stereotypes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Chandler Hayden has always defied stereotypes. “Doing things out of the norm builds confidence,” she explained. The 2019 graduate of Pittsfield High School is anything but typical. And perhaps her boldest move yet came last month when Hayden, a University of Tennessee track and field thrower, was one of 15 college athletes…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase: Scranton helps Saukees add another layer to Pittsfield’s rich tradition
The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…
Read MoreJWCC Prairie State Profile: Pittsfield’s Cox carries on family tradition with integrity and confidence
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Steve Smith became known throughout West-Central Illinois as one of the region’s most influential and impartial basketball referees. For Katie Cox, he was simply grandpa. “He truly always wanted me to be the best,” said Cox, a senior three-sport athlete at Pittsfield High School. “With everything I did, he was pushing me.…
Read MoreRaiders strike first knowing potential regional rematch with Saukees looms
QUINCY — The gamesmanship is officially underway. There’s a good chance Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield could meet again in the Class 2A baseball postseason. That’s what made Monday’s matchup between the longtime rivals that much more interesting. QND pulled out a 1-0 victory on a crisp April afternoon at wind-swept Ferd Niemann Memorial Ballfield,…
Read MoreJWCC Prairie State Profile: Saukees’ Davis keeps focus on task at hand in pursuit of state wrestling berth
The Prairie State Profile will appear each week to highlight an Illinois area student-athlete. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Mason Davis refuses to get caught daydreaming. Sure, his goal is clear cut: Become a state wrestling qualifier. After that, there’s the hope of wrestling well enough to earn a medal and a spot on the podium at…
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