‘Finally’: Blue Devils score 10 runs in first three innings to enjoy successful road trip to Hannibal

Quincy High School junior outfielder Mason Dent connects with a pitch during Saturday's baseball game against Hannibal at the Veterans Sports Complex. | Shane Hulsey

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The quality at-bats had been there. The solid contact had been there. But the results hadn’t always been there for the Quincy High School baseball team at the plate through the first dozen games of the season, which included three losses by one run, another two-run defeat and a three-run loss in…

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Raiders own worst enemy in lopsided loss to Chatham Glenwood

Quincy Notre Dame pitcher Abram Wiewel throws a pitch during Saturday's game. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — File it and forget it. That’s about all the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team could do following Saturday’s 15-2, six-inning loss to Chatham Glenwood at Ferd Niemann Memorial Field. The Raiders (6-4) proved to be their own worst enemy. “Nine walks, four errors … ,” said QND coach Rich Polak, recounting some of…

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‘I’ll remember that one forever’: Illini West baseball knocks off No. 1-ranked Pleasant Plains

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — The Illini West baseball team was up to the challenge, helping Chargers coach Zack Burling exact 15 years worth of revenge in the process.  In the first game of Saturday’s triangular, Illini West defeated Pleasant Plains, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A according to MaxPreps, 3-1. “They emailed us Tuesday…

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Photo Gallery: QHS baseball team gets standout performance from sophomore in first career start

Sophomore right-hander Nick Brown, making his first career start for Quincy High School, scattered six hits, walked two, struck out four and threw 59 of his 89 pitches for strikes. | Shane Hulsey

After surrendering a run in the first inning, sophomore Nick Brown fired six consecutive scoreless innings to help the Quincy High School baseball team roll to a 10-1 victory on Saturday afternoon over Hannibal at the Veterans Sports Complex. The sophomore right-hander, making his first career start, scattered six hits, walked two, struck out four…

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Talkin’ Turkey: Brown County’s Buss enjoys adventures as hunter and prep baseball player

Jack Buss as a catcher for the Brown County baseball team, left, and with one of his turkeys. | Submitted photos

MT. STERLING, Ill. — Perhaps no conversation better illustrates Brown County senior catcher Jack Buss’ personality than the one he had with Hornets coach Jared Hoots at practice on March 28. It was the day before youth spring turkey hunting season opened in Illinois. Buss, an avid hunter, planned to get up early the next…

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Johnson, Wiewel help Raiders storm back for victory over Hannibal before storm ends game

Abram Wiewel, right, receives a low five from Quincy Notre Dame coach Rich Polak after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of Wednesday night''s baseball game at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Aspen Gengenbacher

QUINCY – The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team provided a little thunder and lightning just before Mother Nature delivered the real thing. Eli Johnson doubled off the left-field fence to drive home the go-ahead run, and Abram Wiewel followed with a two-run homer to cap a six-run fifth inning to carry the Raiders to a…

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Blue Devils fail to hang on to one-run lead with three outs to go against Galesburg

Quincy High School junior Cameron Lawson delivers a pitch during Wednesday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg in Quincy. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Patience was the name of the game for the Galesburg baseball team when it mattered most on Wednesday. The Silver Streaks trailed Quincy High School 3-2 entering the top of the seventh inning before two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out. Three consecutive walks later, the Silver…

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‘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…

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Wiewel, Raiders lock in and lock up Crimsons to secure fourth consecutive victory

Quincy Notre Dame senior right-hander Abram Wiewel held Jacksonville scoreless the final six innings Saturday in a 3-2 victory at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The way things unfolded in the top of the first inning Saturday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield left Abram Wiewel looking for control. One swing seemed to help him find it. The No. 3 hitter in the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s lineup got a first-inning merry-go-round going with his one-out single…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, April 5

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, April 5: Prep baseball Quincy Notre Dame 3, Jacksonville 2 Prep softball Quincy Notre Dame 13, Dundee-Crown 5 Quincy Notre Dame 12, Fenton 3 Payson Seymour 11, Newark 11 Girls soccer Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 3, Quincy Notre Dame 0 College baseball Quincy University 8, Indianapolis 6…

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Area scoreboard for Thursday, April 3

Hannibal junior left-hander Cooper Scott delivers a pitch during Thursday's game against Mexico at the Veterans Sports Complex. The Pirates won 3-1. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, April 3: Prep baseball Geneseo 5, Quincy High School 4 Quincy Notre Dame 4, Liberty 1 Monmouth United 5, Camp Point Central 4 Pittsfield 5, Riverton 4 Calhoun 9, Brown County 5 Monmouth-Roseville 5, West Hancock 3 Hannibal 3, Mexico 1 North Shelby 8, South Shelby…

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Triple threat: Arthaud’s pair of extra-base hits propel Pirates to non-conference blowout

Hannibal junior catcher Alex Arthaud legs out his second triple of Wednesday's game against Elsberry in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Konnor Asbury did not know Alex Arthaud had it in him. As Arthaud — the Hannibal baseball team’s 6-foot, 208-pound junior catcher — motored around second base and coasted into third with his second triple of Wednesday’s game against Elsberry, Asbury could not help but be impressed. “I was like, ‘OK, he’s…

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Take note for Wednesday, April 2: QND’s Maguire tosses no-no in varsity debut, McCulla ties for seventh at Memphis Intercollegiate

QUINCY — Here are some of the newsworthy moments that took place across the area sports scene on Wednesday, April 2: • Quincy Notre Dame right-hander Kolton Maquire, a sophomore, tossed a five-inning no-hitter in his varsity debut as the Raiders beat Highland 14-0 at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. Maguire struck out nine and…

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Wiewel, Klauser combine to quiet Panthers as no-hitter leads to Raiders’ victory

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore right-hander Samuel Klauser delivers a pitch during Tuesday's game against Palmyra at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The plan was in place. All Abram Wiewel and Samuel Klauser had to do was execute it. The two Quincy Notre Dame right-handed hurlers did so to near perfection as they combined to no-hit Palmyra in a 7-0 victory Tuesday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. Wiewel started and pitched the first two…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, April 1

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, April 1: Prep baseball Quincy Notre Dame 7, Palmyra 0 Quincy High School 11, Macomb 0 Liberty 13, Southeastern 3 Camp Point Central 14, Pleasant Hill 3  Beardstown 3, Mendon Unity 2 Jacksonville Routt 10, Brown County 5 Pleasant Plains 10, Pittsfield 0 Moberly 5, Hannibal…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, March 31

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, March 31: Prep baseball Geneseo 15, Quincy High School 0 Illini West 4, Liberty 1 West Hancock 9, South Fulton 2 Canton 11, Monroe City 1 Marion County 12, Bevier 1 Prep softball Camp Point Central 10, Quincy High School 6 Pittsfield 16, North Greene 1…

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Patience and persistence: Liberty’s Sims brothers share common mindset on diamond or casting lines

Liberty senior Jackson Sims, left, and his brother, sophomore Evan Sims, form a talented battery for the Eagles baseball team. | Shane Hulsey photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — For Jackson Sims, baseball and fishing go hand-in-hand. “When things aren’t going your way, you just have to cope with it and be patient,” said Sims, a senior right-handed pitcher and third baseman for the Liberty baseball team and an avid angler. Both baseball and fishing are about adjustments — finding what…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, March 29

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, March 29: Prep baseball Edwardsville 9, Illini West 0 Pittsfield 7, Lewistown 0 Pittsfield 8, Ridgewood 0 Brown County 6, Camp Point Central 4 Canton 6, Brown County 4 Canton 13, Camp Point Central 2 Hannibal 7, Wright City 1 Warrenton 14, Hannibal 1 Moberly 11,…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, March 28

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, March 28: Prep baseball Kirksville 5, Quincy High School 4 Illini West 15, Clark County 3 Liberty 12, West Hancock 2 Mendon Unity 12, Southeastern 0 Prep softball Pittsfield 2, Camp Point Central 1 Payson Seymour 10, North Greene 0 Rushville-Industry 13, Illini West 0 Girls…

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Area scoreboard for Thursday, March 27

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, March 27: Prep baseball Illini West 4, Mercer County 3 Brown County 17, Abingdon-Avon 1 Palmyra 11, Canton 1 Prep softball Camp Point Central 16, South Fulton 5 Mercer County 8, Illini West 1 Girls soccer Hannibal 6, Kirksville 0 Women’s lacrosse Culver-Stockton College 18, Midland…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, March 26

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, March 26: Prep baseball Arlington Heights Hersey 10, Quincy Notre Dame 2 Camp Point Central 18, Rushville-Industry 11 Prep softball Camp Point Central 17, Mendon Unity 2 Liberty 5, Rushville-Industry 4 Pittsfield 12, New Berlin 1 Beardstown 7, Payson Seymour 5

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Nothing foul about Bruns’ game-winning single as Chargers earn statement victory over Tigers

Illini West senior first baseman Nick Bruns and his teammates celebrate Bruns' his walk-off single that gave the Chargers a 2-1 win over Sherrard in eight innings Tuesday in Carthage, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Nick Bruns did not think his first career walk-off hit was meant to be. “I thought it was foul off the bat,” Bruns said. Stephen Sparks initially believed the same thing. “I thought it was definitely foul,” Sparks said. Thankfully for Bruns, Sparks and the Illini West baseball team, those inclinations were…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, March 25

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, March 25: Prep baseball Quincy High School 7, Belleville West 4 Pleasant Plains 9, Quincy Notre Dame 8 Illini West 2, Sherrard 1 Mendon Unity 28, Payson Seymour 9 Brown County 16, Pleasant Hill 1 Francis Howell North 3, Hannibal 1 Palmyra 10, Elsberry 0 Monroe…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, March 24

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, March 24: Prep baseball Liberty 6, Payson Seymour 0 Mendon Unity 15, Monroe City 3 Brown County 5, Macomb 3 Beardstown 6, Camp Point Central 3 Rushville-Industry 17, West Hancock 7 Brookfield 8, South Shelby 5 Scotland County 15, Highland 0 Prep softball Pittsfield 14, Quincy…

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Wiewel finishes what he starts, makes defensive play to end Raiders’ one-run win over Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame senior second baseman Abram Wiewel hauls in a pop up for the final out of Saturday's game against Quincy High School at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Bradi Lahr had no doubt Abram Wiewel would make the play. “It’s Abram Wiewel,” said Lahr, a junior right-handed pitcher for the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team. “He’s the best ballplayer I’ve been on a team with. I had trust in him the whole time.” With the Raiders leading Quincy High School 5-4,…

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Photo gallery: QND, QHS baseball teams open season Saturday at QU Stadium

Quincy Notre Dame infielders Bradi Lahr and Kaden Marth celebrate turning a double play during Saturday's game against Quincy High School at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Opening day for the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame baseball teams showed what fans have come to expect from both programs — grit, tenacity and tight games in the city series. After both teams dropped their season openers to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, QND took the upper hand in the city rivalry…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, March 22

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, March 22: Prep baseball Quincy Notre Dame 5, Quincy High School 4 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 12, Quincy Notre Dame 4 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 7, Quincy High School 5 Pittsfield 13, Havana 3 Pittsfield 14, Havana 12 Payson Seymour 6, North Greene 5 Southern Boone 15, Palmyra…

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

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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Area scoreboard for Friday, March 21

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, March 21: Prep baseball Illini West 14, Bushnell-Prairie City 0 Liberty 12, Winchester West Central 4 Peoria Heights 8, Mendon Unity 5 Mendon Unity 5, Macomb 3 Camp Point Central 9, Payson Seymour 3 Monroe City 5, Sliex 3 Marion County 8, Mark Twain 7 Fort…

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Finding balance between youthful exuberance, veteran leadership will define QND’s spring success

Senior right-hander Abram Wiewel will anchor the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team's pitching staff this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A mix of young talent and veteran leadership will shape the success of Quincy Notre Dame’s collection of teams this spring. Baseball A young, speedy QND baseball team will take the field for the first time at the QHS Slam on Saturday against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin and Quincy High School at QU Stadium.…

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Parkhill completes long way back, ready to help Blue Devils after recovering from shoulder injury

Quincy High School junior second baseman Kade Parkhill is back in the lineup a year after tearing his right shoulder and undergoing surgery to repair it. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — As mangled as his right shoulder was, Kade Parkhill’s determination to get back on the baseball field far outweighed the pain. “I’ve grown up in baseball,” Parkhill said. “It’s filled up all my summers growing up. It’s filled up my past five years of spring and fall with junior high. It’s the game…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, March 18

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, March 18: Prep baseball Liberty 3, Brown County 0 Pittsfield 15, West Hancock 0 Prep softball Liberty 22, Brown County 0 College baseball John Wood Community College 10, Spoon River 0 Spoon River 5, John Wood Community College 4 College softball Columbia College 12, Culver-Stockton College…

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Pirates look to continue trend of spring success across all sports

Hannibal junior Cooper Scott will be on the returning mainstays for the Pirates baseball team looking to duplicate last spring's 20-win season. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — New standards for spring success were reached last year throughout the Hannibal High School athletic department with the baseball team winning the most single-season games in program history and Quinn Thomas winning his second state golf championship. What’s in store this spring? The chance for more history exists. Here’s a look at…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, March 17

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, March 17: Prep baseball Illini West 16, Triopia 2 Jacksonville Routt 10, Quincy High School 6 Mercer County 10, West Hancock 0 Prep softball Triopia 2, Illini West 1 College baseball Davenport 18, Quincy University 7 Davenport 9, Quincy University 7 Central Methodist 11, Culver-Stockton College…

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Photo gallery: Hannibal baseball team hosts jamboree at Veterans Sports Complex

Hannibal's Cooper Scott connects for a line drive during Saturday's prep baseball jamboree at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Prep spring sports are ready to kick off with the first scheduled competitions coming this week. To be prepped, area Missouri baseball teams took part in jamborees Saturday with Hannibal playing host to Palmyra and Bowling Green at the Veterans Sports Complex. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent time at the diamond and put…

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Plan to replace lights at QHS baseball, softball fields began with independent inspection

This is a view of the rot that has taken place on the inside of one of the light poles recently taken down at the Quincy High School baseball field. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — A visual inspection of facilities and a phone call from a concerned neighbor put the process in motion that resulted in the lights coming down at both the Quincy High School baseball and softball fields. Neither facility will have lights for the spring season, news that became public last week as the light…

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‘We just did that’: Pair of inside-the-park home runs leads Illinois past Missouri in all-star game

Quincy High Schol product Jansen Lawson, center, gets congratulated after hitting an inside-the-park home run during Saturday's Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Jansen Lawson couldn’t possibly do it, too, could he? Yes, he could. And he did. After Quincy High School graduate Brady Lowe hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the top of the first inning of Saturday’s Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex, Lawson, also a former Blue Devil,…

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South Shelby’s Rich becomes first to play and coach in Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game

South Shelby coach Jacob Rich, right, peers out of the dugout during Saturday's Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game, while his assistant coach, North Shelby's Scott Gaines, looks on. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — It felt different for Jacob Rich this time around. But at the same time, it all felt familiar. The South Shelby baseball coach took the reins of the Missouri team for Saturday’s 10th annual Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex. By doing so, he became the first person…

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Photo gallery: All-Stars enjoy time to shine during Missouri vs. Illinois baseball game

Hannibal's Ryan Ross goes through the line during introductions prior to Saturday's 10th annual Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A number of the top prep baseball players from this region were able to represent their high school and their community one final time Saturday night during the 10th annual Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and…

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Seeing through Rose-colored glasses: QND baseball product overcomes freak accident to thrive playing game he loves

A year after nearly losing the sight in his right eye permanently, Quincy Notre Dame product Ethan Rose earned All-West Central Conference honors as a first baseman and will play in Saturday's Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The afternoon sun hung high in a cloudless sky above an empty parking lot, making it impossible to escape just how luminous it can be. Ethan Rose didn’t shy away from it, even when brightness is his nemesis. “There’s nothing like having your eyesight,” he said. “It’s something you take for granted. Like…

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Schuck on a Truck: Baseball Player of the Year Wesley Robertson discusses record-setting season at Illini West

CARTHAGE, Ill. — If the best is yet to come, Wesley Robertson will rewrite the Illini West baseball program’s entire record book. What he did during his sophomore campaign was pretty impressive as a starting point. The third baseman set the Chargers’ single-season record for RBIs, driving in 50 runs as Illini West went 28-5…

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2024 all-area baseball team: League leaders and record-setting numbers define success

Hannibal shortstop Kane Wilson connects for a hit against Moberly during a North Central Missouri Conference game at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — League-leading hitters, dominant pitching performances and record-setting run producers helped define success throughout the prep baseball season. Here is a look at the 2024 Muddy River Sports all-area baseball team: Owen Rigg, Catcher, Senior, Southeastern Rigg was selected to play in the 47th annual Illinois Coaches Association All-Star Baseball Game at Hornberger Field…

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Chargers’ Robertson receives Class 2A all-state honors after record-setting baseball season

Illini West sophomore Wesley Robertson was named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state team. | Matt Schuckman photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — A record-setting season earned Wesley Robertson an all-state accolade. The Illini West sophomore third baseman/pitcher was one of 24 players named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state team and one of just two sophomores to make the list. The IHSBCA names only one all-state team per class.…

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Irish right-hander takes steam out of Chargers’ attack in Class 2A sectional championship

Illini West right-hander Ethan Carlisle allowed only two hits over six innings in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Peoria Notre Dame in the Class 2A Chillicothe IVC Sectional championship in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Jack Livengood did what no one else could. The Peoria Notre Dame junior right-hander quieted the Illini West baseball team’s attack. Livengood retired the Chargers in order the first time through the lineup, didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and authored a three-hit shutout in Saturday’s Class 2A Chillicothe IVC…

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Redbirds capitalize on free bases in knocking Blue Devils out in regional semifinals

Quincy High School left fielder Tykell Hammers had three hits and drove in two runs in the Blue Devils' 11-7 loss to Alton on Thursday in the semifinals of the Class 4A Alton Regional. | Matt Schuckman photo

ALTON, Ill. — The Quincy High School baseball team erased a three-run deficit once. Doing it twice was asking too much, especially when giving away free bases. Trailing Alton 3-0 after two innings in Thursday’s Class 4A Alton Regional semifinal, the Blue Devils rallied to take a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the…

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Chargers apply pressure to Rockets’ defense, create sectional title game showdown with Irish

Illini West's Wesley Robertson threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 11-2 victory over Rockridge in the Class 2A Chillicothe IVC Sectional semifinals, while also going 2 for 5 with two runs scored. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Sometimes putting the ball in play is enough to get the job done. The Illini West baseball players took that approach to heart. The Chargers continually applied pressure to Rockridge’s defense during Wednesday’s Class 2A Chillicothe IVC Sectional semifinal, using a mix of hard ground balls, solid liners and strategically timed bunts…

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‘I wasn’t really nervous’: Carlisle’s strong outing helps Chargers win regional title

The Illini West baseball team celebrates winning the Class 2A regional championship Saturday with a 5-0 victory over Macomb at Jake Burling Field in Carthage, Ill. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Ethan Carlisle is only a sophomore, but he had the composure of a veteran on Saturday. Carlisle tossed six shutout innings as the Illini West baseball team defeated Macomb 5-0 to capture the Class 2A Illini West Regional title at Jake Burling Field. Carlisle’s poise was put to the test in the…

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One for the road: Cougars beat Mustangs for regional title, send seniors on class trip in style

Winchester West Central right-hander Anthony Hance gets the signal from catcher Mason Berry during the seventh inning of Saturday's Class 1A Liberty Regional championship game against Mendon Unity in Liberty, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — A freshman pitcher’s poise and presence is going to allow the seniors on the Winchester West Central baseball team to thoroughly enjoy the road trip that lies ahead. It should enable Grant DeWitt to have a more casual drive, too. Right-hander Anthony Hance wriggled out of a sixth-inning with a five-run lead…

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Cyclones 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.…

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Bruns finishes what he starts, guiding Chargers to regional semifinal victory in eight innings

Illini West's Nick Bruns drove in two insurance runs in the top of the eighth inning Thursday and then finished off a complete-game pitching effort in the Chargers' 4-1 victory over Eureka in the Class 2A Illini West Regional in Carthage, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Illini West baseball coach Zack Burling told left-handed starter Nick Bruns he was only going to face Eureka’s leadoff hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday before the Chargers went to the bullpen. “I just begged him to let me try to finish this game,” Bruns said. “And he did.…

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Mustangs manufacture five-inning victory over Eagles to reach Class 1A regional title game

Mendon Unity senior Cody Shaffer collected two hits and threw four innings with seven strikeouts in Wednesday's 11-1 victory over Liberty in the Class 1A regional semifinals at Liberty, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — Patience, persistence and pitching have put the Mendon Unity baseball team on the verge of both a 20-win season and the program’s first regional title in more than 30 years. The second-seeded Mustangs took advantage of 10 free bases, broke through to take the lead in the third inning and finished off…

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Pitchers’ duel ends with Cyclones ending Raiders’ season in Class 2A regional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame junior right-hander Abram Wiewel took a no-hitter into the fifth inning of Wednesday's Class 2A regional semifinal loss to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — One swing changed everything. Quincy Notre Dame right-hander Abram Wiewel held the second-seeded Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin baseball team hitless for a 4 ⅓ innings Wednesday in the semifinals of the Class 2A Pittsfield Regional. Then SHG designated hitter Gage Luttrell blasted a one-ball, one-strike pitch to center field for a solo home…

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Wiewel drives in seven runs in first three innings, powers QND to victory in regional opener

Quincy Notre Dame third baseman Abram Wiewel went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a triple and seven RBIs in Monday's 10-4 victory over Beardstown in the Class 2A Pittsfield Regional opener. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Abram Wiewel, Evan Kenning and the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team are trying to rekindle some postseason magic. Monday was a good start. The Raiders used seven RBIs from Wiewel and five solid innings from Kenning to dispatch Beardstown 10-4 at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield and advance to Wednesday’s semifinals of the…

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‘It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it’: Ertz on verge of breaking Payson hits record

Payson Seymour center fielder Ashton Ertz has tied the program's career hits record held by former professional ballplayer Josh Cook. | Shane Hulsey photo

PAYSON, Ill. — Ashton Ertz and Josh Cook share more than just a record. Ertz, a senior center fielder for the Payson Seymour baseball team, has 86 career hits. This mark puts him in a tie with Cook, a 1993 Payson Seymour graduate who spent time in the Houston Astros and New York Mets farm…

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Missed opportunities cost Pirates in extra-inning loss to Hawks

Hannibal's Waylon Anders connects for a hit during Friday's game against Hillsboro at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — No baseball team in Hannibal High School history has ever won 20 games in a season. That will remain the case for at least one more day. The Pirates had a chance to become the first team to reach the 20-victory plateau Friday, but Hillsboro edged out them 2-1 in eight innings…

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Four-run frame enables Mustangs to build some momentum ahead of regional play

Mendon Unity's Ben McClelland lets a high pitch go by during Thursday's game against Camp Point Central. The Mustangs won a 6-2, rain-shortened game in Camp Point, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Carter Reeves did exactly what Mendon Unity baseball coach Tyler McAllister has wanted him to do with an outside pitch. Simply punch it into right-center field. With two outs in the top of the fifth inning Thursday, Reeves smacked the first pitch he saw from Camp Point Central reliever Garrett Neisen…

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‘The ball is going to find you’: Hendrian’s play off bench gives Raiders needed lift

Quincy Notre Dame first baseman Noah Lunt stretches to catch a throw to force out West Hancock's Gage Scott in the top of the first inning Monday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Elliott Hendrian might as well have taken a flashing neon sign screaming “Hit it here” with him to second base. The baseball gods were well aware he was there. Quincy Notre Dame coach Rich Polak made an abrupt switch in the top of the fourth inning Monday, pulling starting second baseman Oliver Triplett…

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Photo gallery: QND, West Hancock square off in WCC baseball battle

West Hancock pitcher Gage Scott tags out Quincy Notre Dame's Abram Wiewel on a groundout in the fifth inning that allowed a run to score in the Raiders' 3-1 victory at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pitcher’s duel turned in the favor of the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team when the Raiders were able to manufacture a pair of runs in the fifth inning of Monday’s 3-1 victory over West Hancock in West Central Conference action at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Taylor dazzles in 12-strikeout effort to lead Blue Devils to WB6 split

Quincy High School right-hander Kyle Taylor struck out 12 in Monday's 7-0 victory at Sterling in Western Big 6 Conference action. | Matt Schuckman photo

STERLING, Ill. — Kyle Taylor’s final Western Big 6 Conference start will go down as his best. The senior right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout Monday in leading the Quincy High School baseball team to a 7-0 victory over Sterling and a split of the conference doubleheader. The Golden Warriors won the opener 15-0. Taylor struck…

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Around the area: Chargers walk off with victory, Titans’ Larson plates winning run, Panthers thrive on pair of homers

CARTHAGE, Ill — Wesley Robertson’s walk-off single was the exclamation point on the Illini West baseball team’s 6-5 victory over Lewistown-Valley-Cuba on Monday. With the game tied at 5 and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Carter Chapin reached on an error, and Colby Robertson singled to move the winning run to…

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Around the area: Hlubek belts three homers to lead Blue Devils past Chargers

Quincy High School's Avary Hlubek belted three home runs Friday against Illini West at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Avary Hlubek could not and would not be denied. The sophomore center fielder hit home runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings of the Quincy High School softball team’s 12-4 victory over Illini West on Friday. Her second inning home run came just three batters after Carlee Gilker hit a two-run home…

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Take it to the limit: Wiewel holds Blue Devils at bay as Raiders win latest crosstown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame junior right-hander Abram Wiewel delivers a pitch during Tuesday's game against Quincy High School at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Abram Wiewel understands the need for a pitch count, but it doesn’t dampen the disappointment of being pulled one out away from a complete game. “I wanted to finish it really bad,” said Wiewel, the Quincy Notre Dame junior right-hander who left Tuesday’s game against the Quincy High School baseball team with a…

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Photo gallery: Raiders, Blue Devils tussle in round two of their three-part city series

Quincy High School's Evan Sohn rounds second base during the first inning of Tuesday's game against Quincy Notre Dame at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It all comes down to the rubber match. The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame baseball teams split their first two meetings this season, with the Raiders evening the series with a 5-1 victory Tuesday night at the QHS field. The third meeting comes next Monday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield.…

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Pitching, defense shine as Pirates clinch North Central Missouri Conference title

Hannibal pitcher Colton Dryden is met by his coaches as he comes off the field following a scoreless inning against Mexico in Monday's 3-0 victory at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Kane Wilson’s diving stop in the fifth inning of the Hannibal baseball team’s 3-0 victory over Mexico at the Veterans Sports Complex on Monday did not result in an out, but the Pirates shortstop made arguably the most important play of the game. With a runner on second, no outs and the…

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Photo gallery: Dryden’s effort, insurance runs secure another NCMC crown for Pirates

Hannibal's Kane Wilson, left, is congratulated by teammate Alex Arthaud after scoring on Ryan Ross' hit in the sixth inning of Monday's 3-0 victory over Mexico at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal baseball team is at the top of the heap once again, having defeated Mexico 3-0 on Monday at the Veterans Sports Complex to win the North Central Missouri Conference title. It is the Pirates’ second NCMC crown in the past three seasons. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent Monday…

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Raiders fend off Hornets, pick up victory with ninth-inning rally

Quincy Notre Dame's Nolan Robb struck out six in four innings of relief to earn the victory in the Raiders' 7-5, nine-rinning victory Monday at Brown County in Mt. Sterling, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MT. STERLING, Ill. — A catcher’s interference call on a bunt attempt in the top of the ninth allowed the go-ahead run to score and the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team tacked on another to pull out a 7-5 victory over Brown County on Monday. After each team scored a run in the eighth inning,…

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Around the area: Dance, Trail Blazers sweep twinbill; Pirates, Eagles split doubleheader

John Wood Community College right-hander Tyler Dance won his third consecutive game with Saturday's 8-0 victory over Vincennes University in Vincennes, Ind. | Matt Schuckman photo

VINCENNES, Ind. — Tyler Dance found his footing. The John Wood Community College freshman right-hander threw six scoreless innings Saturday, striking out eight and walking one as the Trail Blazers opened a four-game Mid-West Athletic Conference series with an 8-0 victory over Vincennes University. JWCC also won the nightcap of the doubleheader 14-4. Dance, a…

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I am Iron Man: Camp Point Central’s Petersen toughs out streak of consecutive games catching

Camp Point Central catcher Cole Petersen has played every inning of every game in his high school career as the Panthers' starting backstop. | Shane Hulsey photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — It takes a certain toughness to play catcher. As Camp Point Central freshman infielder Caleb Petersen put it, “There’s no such thing as a good sissy catcher.” His older brother is as tough as they come and has an iron man streak to prove it. Cole Petersen, a senior, has caught…

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Kenning, Robb come up clutch for Raiders in pivotal inning against Tigers

Quincy Notre Dame's Evan Kenning led off the fourth inning Wednesday against Beardstown with a single, setting the stage for a three-run inning in the Raiders' 5-2 victory. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The heart of the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s lineup got the ball rolling when the Raiders needed to pad their lead. Evan Kenning and Nolan Robb opened the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday with back-to-back singles, which led to a three-run rally and catapulted the Raiders to a 5-2 victory over…

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Around the area: Canton wins golf invite, Saukees’ Simon tosses one-hitter, Blue Devils belt four homers

The Canton boys golf team won the Schuyler County Invitational on Wednesday in Lancaster, Mo. | Submitted photo

LANCASTER, Mo. — One day after playing in a hail storm, Trevor Biggerstaff and the Canton boys golf team enjoyed teeing it up under a sun-splashed sky. The Tigers’ play mirrored the weather. Biggerstaff earned individual medalist honors by shooting a 1-under 71 and Canton won the team title with a 328 total Wednesday in…

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Indians notch shutout in program’s first win over Raiders

Quincy Notre Dame's Elliott Hendrian is tagged out by Clark County catcher Gracyn Holsted on a failed squeeze bunt attempt during Tuesday's game at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — There’s a first time for everything. Clark County baseball coach Shaun Parker delivered that message to his team before Tuesday’s game against Quincy Notre Dame.  The Indians listened and believed in what Parker said. Clark County scored a 4-0 victory at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield for the program’s first victory against QND.…

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Photo gallery: Split decision for QND teams at home as girls soccer wins, baseball falls

Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton attempts to settle the ball during Tuesday's game against Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Playing side by side on the Quincy Notre Dame campus Tuesday evening, the QND girls soccer and baseball teams came away with mixed results. The soccer team scored three second-half goals in a 3-1 victory over Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame, while the baseball team left 12 runners on base during a 4-0 loss…

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Oh, so close: Wiewel carries no-hitter into seventh inning as Raiders down Mustangs

Quincy Notre Dame junior right-hander Abram Wiewel delivers a pitch during Monday's game against Mendon Unity at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Off the field, Quincy Notre Dame junior Abram Wiewel is a light-hearted jokester. On the field, he turns into a junkyard dog. “When I’m pitching, I get into a completely different mindset,” Wiewel said. “I want to hunt you down and destroy you.” Monday, Wiewel annihilated the Mendon Unity baseball team’s offense, throwing…

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Stellar pitching helps Saukees regain their footing, end Mustangs’ win streak

Pittsfield baseball coach Zach Ferguson talks to his players on the mound during Saturday's game against Mendon Unity in Pittsfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Rose in full bloom: QND senior belts first home run at The Ferd to power Raiders past Chargers

Quincy Notre Dame first baseman Ethan Rose catches a pickoff attempt during Friday's game against Illini West at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — On the first pitch Ethan Rose saw, he knew he shouldn’t swing. On the second pitch, he knew he couldn’t pass. He made the right call on both. With one out in the bottom of the second inning Friday and runners on second and third after Gavin Doellman’s double, Rose jumped on a…

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Photo gallery: Runs difficult to come by as QND, Illini West square off

Illini West's Carter Chapin slides safely across home plate as he scores on a wild pitch in the first inning of Friday's game against Quincy Notre Dame at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Four pitchers — two each from the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West baseball teams — combine to strike out 14 batters and allow just five hits during Friday night’s showdown at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. The Raiders won 4-2 on the strength of Ethan Rose’s three-run home run and Evan Kenning’s…

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Photo gallery: Twice is nice for Pirates as baseball, girls soccer teams pick up NCMC victories

Hannibal right fielder Konnor Asbury reacts to a solid defensive inning during Wednesday's 8-1 victory over Moberly at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal fans who made it to the Veterans Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon were treated to a two-for-two. Two Pirates teams playing and two victories. The Hannibal girls soccer team continued its dominance of the North Central Missouri Conference, picking up an 8-0 victory over Kirksville. Malia Stolte scored four goals, Ashley…

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Epic rally allows Mustangs to keep win streak alive with extra-inning victory

Mendon Unity right-hander Sawyer Allen threw three innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory in Wednesday night's 15-12 come-from-behind victory over Bushnell-Prairie City. | Matt Schuckman photo

BUSHNELL, Ill. — With two runners on base and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bushnell-Prairie City baseball team was one run away from a 10-run rule victory. The Spartans didn’t get it, and that gave Mendon Unity new life. The Mustangs scored five times in the top of the sixth,…

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Around the area: South Shelby golfers win invite, Liberty rallies, QND collects 17 hits, Lowe homers twice for Blue Devils

The South Shelby boys golf team posted a 310 team score to win its own invitational Wednesday at Lakeside Golf Course in Shelbine, Mo. | Submitted photo

SHELBINA, Mo — Jaaron Durbin and Noah Wilt took advantage of their home course knowledge and shared medalist honors Wednesday as the South Shelby boys golf team won its own invitational at Lakeside Golf Course. The Cardinals shot a 310, while Palmyra was second at 333 and Canton third at 344. Durbin and Wilt each…

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