‘All I wanted was a single’: Schreacke’s simple approach leads to game-winning three-run blast as Raiders rally to win sectional semifinal

The Quincy Notre Dame softball players celebrate their 7-5 victory over Stanford Olympia in the Class 2A QND Sectional semifinals Tuesday night at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A not-so-silent plea rang from the Quincy Notre Dame faithful stacked along the third-base line as Abbey Schreacke strolled to the plate. “C’mon, Abbey, put it over the fence,” one fan bellowed. Schreacke had something a little less dramatic in mind. With the QND softball team trailing Stanford Olympia 5-3 with one out…

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Photo gallery: QND, Auburn advance to Class 2A sectional softball championship game

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte, left, and Paige Blivens cheer on their teammates in the seventh inning of Tuesday's game against Stanford Olympia in the Class 2A QND Sectional semifinals at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — One scored early and often, the other rallied late. Now, they’ll go head-to-head for a sectional championship. The Auburn softball team scored 11 runs in the first inning and beat Macomb 16-0 in the first semifinal Tuesday in the Class 2A QND Sectional at The Backyard. Quincy Notre Dame followed by scoring four…

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Momentum-swinging plays send Raiders home with regional title and another chance to play at The Backyard

The Quincy Notre Dame softball team won the Class 2A Canton Regional championship Friday night with a 10-0 victory over Canton. | Submitted photo

CANTON, Ill. — Caitlin Bunte needed one pitch to erase a threat and one swing to start an onslaught.  It all took place in a matter of minutes. “It’s what she’s done all year long. She made great adjustments in the circle and then comes up and hits a blast,” Quincy Notre Dame softball coach…

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Bombers bomb away, hit four home runs in regional championship victory

The Macomb softball team repeated as regional champion with Friday's 11-2 victory over Rushville-Industry in the Class 2A Macomb Regional. | Submitted photo

MACOMB, Ill. — One swing is all Sarah Stufflebeam needed to set the tone. After Kaitlyn Robinson retired the Rushville-Industry softball team  in order in the top of the first inning of Friday’s Class 2A Macomb Regional championship game, Stufflebeam cracked a two-run home run in the bottom of the frame and propelled Macomb to…

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Palmyra hires SIU all-time hits leader as new softball coach, adds Hannibal product as assistant football coach

Jenny Jansen, who graduated from Southern Illinois as the career leader in hits, at-bats and RBIs, will be Palmyra's new varsity softball coach. | Photo courtesy SIU Athletics

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra coaching staff is getting an injection of youth across the board. During its May meeting, the Palmyra R-I Board of Education approved the hiring of Jenny Jansen, a 2022 graduate of Southern Illinois University, as the new varsity softball coach and two former Culver-Stockton College football players — Dalton Huffman…

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Quick as a Flachs: Center fielder’s crucial hit helps Raiders fend off challenge from Wolves

Quincy Notre Dame's Mackenzie Flachs claps while looking at the dugout after her double in the third inning of Saturday's game against Pleasant Hill at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The two-run lead vanished, and with it seemed to go with the momentum and the energy the Quincy Notre Dame softball team brought to The Backyard on Saturday. Mackenzie Flachs brought it all back. After Pleasant Hill’s Ava Wombles scored on Jade Peebles single in the top of the third inning to tie…

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Photo gallery: QND softball team collides with Pleasant Hill, Pittsfield at The Backyard

Quincy Notre Dame pitcher Carlee Gilker points to her catcher during Saturday's game against Pittsfield at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With the postseason looming, a couple of regional title hopefuls went head-to-head Saturday at The Backyard as the Quincy Notre Dame softball team upended Pleasant Hill 11-2 during the QND Slam. The Raiders also beat Pittsfield 13-5. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at The Backyard and put together this photo…

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QND softball team’s ability to battle and rally will serve it well in postseason

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Caitlin Bunte connects on one of her two home runs during Saturday's game against Tolono Unity at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne isn’t shying away from putting the Quincy Notre Dame softball team in high-leverage situations before the postseason arrives. “These are championship Saturdays for us,” the veteran skipper said after the Raiders suffered a 7-6 loss to Tolono Unity on Saturday at The Backyard. “These are the kind of teams and the…

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Photo gallery: QND softball team rallies three times against tradition-rich Tolono Unity

Quincy Notre Dame's Faith Kientzle gets off second base as the pitch is delivered during Saturday's game against Tolono Unity at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team found itself trailing three times in the first six innings of Saturday’s game against Tolono Unity at The Backyard and rallied to tie it each time. The Rockets, however, scoring in the top of the seventh to secure a 7-6 victory. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Raiders embrace challenges, produce in late-inning situations to fend off feisty Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame's Brooke Boden, left, gets a lead off third base while Quincy High School third baseman Jaylen Lubbert sets herself defensively during the sixth inning of Monday's game at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The manner in which the Quincy Notre Dame softball team ran roughshod through the first third of its schedule meant the Raiders weren’t put in many late-game situations that challenged their resolve. Then came Monday. After Caitlin Bunte laser-beamed a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning…

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Photo gallery: QND rallies to beat QHS in softball’s crosstown showdown at The Backyard

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte, center, celebrates with her teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning Monday against Quincy High School at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning sparked by an RBI single from Payton Stupavsky allowed the Quincy Notre Dame softball team to secure a 6-3 victory over Quincy High School on Monday at The Backyard and sweep in the city series. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the…

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Raiders continue hit parade against Indians, run winning streak to 11 straight with Titans looming

Quincy Notre Dame pitcher Brooke Boden, right, and the Raiders infielders exchange high-fives before the first inning Wednesday against Payson Seymour at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Addi Zanger understands there’s a peaceful, easy feeling knowing the Quincy Notre Dame softball players won’t let each other down. It helps they’re all on common ground. “You want to get a hit, but there’s no stress,” the senior first baseman said. “We have good at-bats all the way through. It’s a really…

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Photo gallery: QND softball team racks up 16 hits in victory over Payson Seymour

Quincy Notre Dame's Carlee Gilker reacts to reaching second base safely with a double during the fourth inning of Wednesday's victory over Payson Seymour at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The full potency of the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s lineup was on display Wednesday in a 12-4 victory over Payson Seymour at The Backyard. The Raiders racked up 16 hits, five doubles, a triple and a home run, while seven different players had at least one hit and six players drove in…

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Perfect 10s: Raiders improve to 10-0 with 10-run rout of Cyclones behind Bunte’s no-hitter

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore left-hander Caitlin Bunte delivers a pitch during Monday's game against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Caitlin Bunte didn’t expect a blustery wind blowing straight out to center field Monday afternoon to alter anything she needed to do in the pitcher’s circle. “If I’m hitting my spots, even with the wind blowing, I knew we’d be fine,” she said. Then the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s left-handed hurler saw…

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Photo gallery: QND softball team stays undefeated with five-inning victory over SHG

Quincy Notre Dame third baseman Brooke Boden connects and drives the ball during Monday's game against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Caitlin Bunte was unhittable in the circle and unstoppable at the plate. The Quincy Notre Dame sophomore tossed a five-inning no-hitter in leading the QND softball team to a 10-0 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin on Monday at The Backyard. Bunte also belted two home runs as the Raiders improved to 10-0. Muddy…

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Bunte quiets QHS bats as QND softball team rolls to victory in crosstown showdown

The Quincy Notre Dame infielders get ready to give the ball to pitcher Caitlin Bunte, second from left, before the fifth inning of Wednesday night's game against Quincy High School at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne’s assessment was equally accurate and understated. “Caitlin does a lot of things for us,” the Quincy Notre Dame softball coach said. Orne was complimenting the Raiders’ left-handed ace, Caitlin Bunte, who had just dominated rival Quincy High School with a strong effort both on the mound and at bat. Bunte pitched…

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Photo gallery: QND shuts out QHS in first of two meetings on softball diamond

Quincy Notre Dame's Carlee Gilker, left, is tagged out at second base by Quincy High School shortstop Ariana Adorno during Wednesday's game at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Caitlin Bunte was dominant in the pitcher’s circle. The Quincy Notre Dame softball team collected timely hits. And Quincy High School struggled to generate an answer offensively. The end result in the first of two crosstown showdowns this spring was a 10-0 victory for the Raiders on Wednesday night at the QHS field.…

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Bunte’s effort in circle, Raiders’ ability to play with ‘speed and power’ leads to victory over Rockets

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte struck out 10 batters during Tuesday's 10-1 victory over Rushville-Industry at The Backyard. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — Perched at first base, Addi Zanger gets a daily bird’s-eye view of Caitlin Bunte in the pitcher’s circle. Most games, it can be a little monotonous, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “I don’t really do anything,” Zanger said with a chuckle. “She rolls us a lot of ground balls which is…

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Competitive play in WB6 loss shows progress QHS softball team is making

Quincy High School catcher Kate Mettemeyer gets set for a pitch during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Sterling at the QHS field. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — From Darrell Henze’s perspective, the glass remains half full. Sure, the Quincy High softball coach watched his club drop a 15-6 Western Big 6 Conference game on a breezy Thursday afternoon to undefeated Sterling, but Henze was far from despondent.  The Blue Devils, now 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference, are working…

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Photo gallery: QHS baseball, softball teams play side-by-side with home games

Quincy High School right-hander Joe Schroeder delivers a pitch during Thursday's game against Palmyra at the QHS field. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School baseball team finally got the chance to play at home Thursday, while the QHS softball team dove into Western Big 6 Conference play in its own backyard. The baseball team improved to 2-2 with a 15-0 victory over Palmyra featuring Evan Sohn and Joe Schroeder setting the stage at…

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Raiders capitalize on opportunities, hold opposing bats at bay in sweeping season-opening twinbill

Quincy Notre Dame first baseman Addi Zanger snares a throw from catcher Payton Stupavsky on a pickoff attempt during Saturday's game against Calhoun at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Strong pitching, clutch hitting and solid defense. Put those three together and you end up with the results the Quincy Notre Dame softball team enjoyed Saturday during its season-opening games at The Backyard. The Raiders saw Carly Gilker and Caitlin Bunte combine to throw a one-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Calhoun and…

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Photo gallery: QND softball team opens season by sweeping pair of games at The Backyard

The Quincy Notre Dame softball team opened its season Saturday with a pair of victories, beating Calhoun 5-0 and Illini West 13-2 at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team put together strong pitching performances and opportunistic at-bats to beat Calhoun 5-0 and Illini West 13-2 on Saturday in its season-opening games at The Backyard. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured some of the action for this photo gallery:

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Optimism is high as QHS softball team returns bevy of offensive weapons

Quincy High School softball coach Darrell Henze, left, talks to his team between innings during a game last season. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School softball coach Darrell Henze says his approach to the game has changed as the years have passed. “I’ve tried to mellow out and adapt to each team, dealing with the different personalities and what motivates each of the players,” he said. That kind of outlook may come in especially handy…

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QND softball team ready to chase another regional title with potent lineup still intact

Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne, right, is entering his 26th season at the helm, and he will have an experienced senior class featuring Laela Hernandez-Jones, left. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne says the Quincy Notre Dame softball team is more interested in the long haul, rather than immediate dividends. “We hope to be playing our best ball in May,” said Orne, beginning his 26th campaign as QND’s head coach. “We’ve got a strong schedule designed to help us get ready for the…

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JWCC Prairie State Profile: Brown County softball team looks for experience to lead to more postseason success

Brown County's Cyrah Dunlap, right, is one of four seniors the Hornets will rely on heavily in their pursuit of a third consecutive Class 1A regional championship. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Graduation hit the Brown County softball team relatively hard, taking away eight players who contributed to back-to-back Class 1A regional championships. By no means should that suggest the cupboard is bare. Buoyed by the return of starting pitcher Taryn Moorman, the twin tandem of Katey and Klare Flynn and versatile Cyrah…

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Prize of the Tigers: Canton shows moxie in upending Polo and winning Class 1 state softball championship

The Canton softball team celebrates after receiving its Class 1 state championship trophy following the 4-2 victory over Polo at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mary Chiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — An ominous beginning couldn’t darken the Canton softball team’s mood. It certainly didn’t ruin the Tigers’ mojo either. Under cloudy skies and dealing with windy conditions Saturday afternoon, Canton was forced to wait through an epic Class 3 state championship game in which Fatima defeated Chillicothe 16-14 and not start the Class…

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Photo gallery: Canton softball team wins Class 1 state championship, beating Polo 4-2

The Canton softball team celebrates after recording the final out against Polo in the Class 1 state championship game Saturday in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mary Chiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Canton softball team is back to being the undisputed best. The Tigers defeated previously undefeated Polo 4-2 Saturday in the Class 1 state championship at the Killian Softball Complex, capturing the second state title in program history. The Tigers won the state title in 2017 and have six state trophies in…

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Don’t stop believing: Canton softball team rallies to earn spot in state championship game

The Canton softball players celebrate with Tigers coach Kristyn Arens, center, after winning the Class 1 state semifinal against Marion C. Early on Friday in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mary Chiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Even when trailing Marion C. Early by two runs in the fifth inning of Friday’s Class 1 state semifinal, the Canton softball players showed confidence. “I thought we were gonna win it from the beginning,” sophomore shortstop Kadee Guilfoyle said.                                                                                    That faith was rewarded with a 3-2 victory at the Killian Softball…

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Photo gallery: Canton softball team wins Class 1 state semifinal against Marion C. Early

The Canton softball players celebrate their 3-2 victory over Marion C. Early in the Class 1 state semifinals Friday at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Christoper Parker

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Canton softball team is one victory away from winning the second state championship in program history after beating Marion C. Early 3-2 on Friday in the Class 1 state semifinals at the Killian Softball Complex. Check out this gallery of images from the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory:

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Final four bound: Hultz, Canton keep Braymer off-balance in state quarterfinal victory

The Canton softball team celebrates following its 10-0 victory over Braymer on Saturday in the Class 1 state quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Canton, Mo. | Submitted photo

CANTON, Mo. — Canton catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff said Emma Hultz has one pitch in particular that stands out in her nasty repertoire of off-speed offerings. “It’s her changeup,” Biggerstaff said matter-of-factly. And Hultz, a junior right-hander, doesn’t disagree with her battery mate’s assessment. “The change is my No. 1 pitch,” she said with absolutely no…

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Tigers exact their revenge, overwhelm Bulldogs with extra-base hits to reach state quarterfinals

The Canton softball team celebrates with its fans following a 12-0 victory over La Plata on Wednesday in the Class 1 sectional in La Plata, Mo. | Submitted photo

LA PLATA, Mo. — Redemption and revenge came with a full-fledged offensive assault. Now, the Canton softball team sits just one victory away from a return to the final four. The Tigers capitalized on a bounty of scoring opportunities in the first three innings of Wednesday’s Class 1 sectional, building an insurmountable 11-run lead and…

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Canton softball team carries confidence, belief in itself into matchup with postseason nemesis

CANTON, Mo. — The circumstances suggested the Canton softball team was doomed. The Tigers never believed that. And when they escaped a controversial, fingernail-biting seventh inning in last Saturday’s Class 1 District 9 championship game unscathed, they embraced the belief nothing was going to stand in their way. “We definitely felt that in our huddle,”…

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Canton escapes tenuous seventh-inning jam, captures fourth straight district championship

The Canton softball team outlasted North Shelby 3-2 in nine innings to win the Class 1 District 9 championship Saturday in Shelbyville, Mo. | Submitted photo

SHELBYVILLE, Mo. — Some confusion about the rules regarding pitching circle visits put the Canton softball team in a precarious position with the season on the brink Saturday afternoon. Yet, the Tigers never flinched. With the Class 1 District 9 championship game tied at 2 in the bottom of the seventh and North Shelby having…

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The Rundown: Hannibal soccer coach hits career milestone, QND settles for draw, Ritterbusch with four hits for Highland

Plenty of action across the board Thursday. Here is a look at some of the things that happened: • Hannibal boys soccer coach Eric Hill reached a milestone with the Pirates’ 3-0 North Central Missouri Conference victory at Fulton. It was his 300th career victory. Drew Porter, Colton Dryden and DaeShon Glasgow each scored for…

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JWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Pressure to perform brings out best in Canton’s Gorrell

Canton senior right fielder Madison Gorrell has helped the Tigers to a 7-1 start to this season. | Photo courtesy KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr

CANTON, Mo. — Freddie Mercury and David Bowie sang about it. Madison Gorrell embraces it. The pressure of being under pressure brings out the best in the Canton two-sport athlete, who excels at both softball and soccer. It is what is guiding her post-high school path. Gorrell plans to attend Central Methodist University to study…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Monroe City’s Audri Youngblood

Monroe City's Audri Youngblood connects for a triple during a game against Hannibal in the Monroe City Tournament last Saturday at Lions Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Audri Youngblood’s ability to keep the Monroe City softball team’s offense humming didn’t end with Saturday’s final game of the Monroe City Tournament at Lions Field. It carried over into Clarence Cannon Conference play. Youngblood went 2 for 3 with two doubles and two RBIs in Tuesday’s 8-2 victory over Clark…

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Monroe City fends off Canton’s seventh-inning rally to snare title of own tournament

Monroe City's Lucy Pratt delivers a pitch during the Panthers' opening game of the Monroe City Tournament against Hannibal on Saturday at Lions Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Audri Youngblood kept her composure and the Monroe City softball team made certain the championship of its own tournament didn’t leave the city limits. Leading Canton 6-0 in the seventh inning of the championship game Saturday night at Lions Field, the Panthers allowed a rally to be extended when an infield…

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ICYMI: Arch commits to NIU, Knuffman wins playoff, Clay hits grand slam and QU makes history

Palmyra wrestler Collin Arch, a three-time defending state champion who is undefeated in his high school career, verbally committed to Northern Illinois University and announced his decision via Twitter on Saturday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The first full weekend of the fall sports season was filled with highlights — from verbal commitments to grand slams, from playoff victories to historic sweeps. Here is a look at what made us take notice … • Wrestling has always been a family affair for the Arches. It will continue to be…

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QND’s Cornwell earns first-team all-state, six area softball players receive second-team honors

Quincy Notre Dame senior third baseman/pitcher Eryn Cornwell was named to the Class 2A all-state first team by the Illinois Coaches Association. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Despite a shoulder injury that now has her prepping for surgery, Eryn Cornwell remained a force in the middle of the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s lineup. Her production resulted in receiving Class 2A first-team all-state honors from the Illinois Coaches Association. QND freshman Caitlin Bunte was a second-team selection, while five area…

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Success on pitch, baseball diamond leads to All-WB6 honors for Blue Devils

The Quincy High School girls soccer team won the Western Big 6 Conference championship with a 7-0 record and placed 10 players on the All-WB6 teams. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — To the winner go the spoils. So it’s only fitting the Quincy High School girls soccer team landed the most players of any program on the All-Western Big 6 Conference teams. The Blue Devils placed three on the first team, two on the second team and five on honorable mention after they went…

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Fifth-inning outburst enables Ducks to fly past Hornets and into sectional championship game

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Karsyn Moorman waited, then delivered.  The Brown County softball team’s left-handed-hitting first baseman drilled a two-run single after Havana made a pitching change in the second inning to give the Hornets a 5-0 lead in Wednesday’s Class 1A Jacksonville Routt Sectional semifinal. The Hornets were in a position to avenge their lone…

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Liberty softball team runs out of magic in sectional semifinal loss to state’s No. 1-ranked team

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — For a fleeting few minutes, the Liberty softball team had everyone thinking its magical run might continue. With two outs in the top of the first inning Tuesday against the state’s No. 1-ranked team, the Eagles made a little noise. Larissa Neisen and Natalie Hildebrand collected back-to-back singles before a strikeout ended…

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First-inning onslaught propels QND softball team to Class 2A regional championship

The Quincy Notre Dame softball team celebrates winning the Class 2A Petersburg PORTA Regional championship following a 10-3 victory over Pleasant Plains on Friday. Ron Kinscherf photo

PETERSBURG, Ill. — Heading into her first regional championship, Quincy Notre Dame freshman pitcher Caitlin Bunte admittedly was jittery. “I was really nervous,” Bunte said. “I felt pretty confident, but there were some nerves.” After recording the first two outs of the top of the first inning — the first on an amazing catch by…

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Moorman, Hornets keep magical season moving forward with regional championship

Brown County pitcher Taryn Moorman allowed just six singles in a 10-0 victory over Western on Friday in the Class 1A regional championship in Mount Sterling, Ill. Submitted photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — As usual, Taryn Moorman was in complete control. That should not have come as a surprise, considering what she had already accomplished during her junior season as the ace of the Brown County softball team. “Taryn throws strikes,” Brown County coach David Woodruff said. “She also works quickly and never gets…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, May 18

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Class 2A QND Regional Quincy Notre Dame 13, Athens 3. Click here for the story and photo gallery. At Maroa, Ill. Class 2A Maroa-Forsyth Regional Williamsville 6, Pittsfield 4: A five-run third inning by the Bullets put the Saukees in a bind, and they couldn’t complete…

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Lucky 13: Mustangs knock Wolves out in regional semifinals by surviving 13-inning marathon

Unity's Taylor Goudschaal, left, hugs teammate Kylee Barry in the center of the infield after the Mustangs upset second-seeded Pleasant Hill 4-0 in a 13-inning marathon in the Class 1A Central Regional semifinals Wednesday in Camp Point, Ill. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Don’t worry about Brooklynn Howell being ready to pitch come Saturday. Fortunately, the Unity sophomore right-hander will have a couple of days to recover from what was a marvelous — albeit taxing — effort Wednesday afternoon at Central High School. Howell pitched the seventh-seeded Unity softball team to a 4-0, 13-inning…

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Eagles fend off Panthers’ late-inning rally, earn spot in regional championship game

The Liberty softball team celebrates its 5-4 victory over Central in Wednesday night's semifinals of the Class 1A Central Regional in Camp Point, Ill. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Jade Blair’s hair was a bit frazzled, and her eyes carried a look that her check-engine light was probably blinking. Still, the Liberty right-hander was able to gather her wits, weather a couple of late-inning storms and pitch the Eagles past Central 5-4 in the Class 1A Central Regional softball semifinals…

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Photo gallery: Pritchard captures softball action from Class 1A Central Regional

The Liberty softball players celebrate their 5-4 victory over Central in Wednesday's semifinals of the Class 1A Central Regional in Camp Point, Ill. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Photographer Mike Pritchard found himself behind the lens of his camera for two epic softball games Wednesday in the Class 1A Central Regional with seventh-seeded Unity upsetting second-seeded Pleasant Hill 4-0 in a 13-inning marathon and fifth-seeded Liberty outlasting third-seeded Central 5-4. Here is a gallery of images Pritchard captured from…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, May 17

Girls soccer At Advance Physical Therapy Field, Quincy Class 1A QND Sectional Quincy Notre Dame 6, Piasa Southwestern 0. Click here for the story. At Kahok Stadium, Collinsville, Ill. Class 3A Collinsville Regional Edwardsville 1, Quincy High School 0. Click here for the story. At St. Peters, Mo. Class 3 District 4 Duchesne 3, Hannibal…

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Scoreboard for Monday, May 16

Prep baseball At Wentzville, Mo. Class 5 District 4 Hannibal 6, North Point 1: Pirates right-hander Aaris Stolte fashioned a five-hitter, allowing just one unearned run as fourth-seeded Hannibal advanced to the district semifinals. The Pirates (19-11) will face top-seeded Fort Zumwalt East at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Stolte struck out three and walked three. He…

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Fischer’s limitless amount of energy provides QND softball team with injection of life

Quincy Notre Dame senior catcher Lindsey Fischer provides the Raiders with a jolt of energy and exuberance every time she takes the field. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eryn Cornwell’s focus and concentration when she’s in the pitcher’s circle often robs her of the chance to appreciate Lindsey Fischer’s exuberance. Playing third base provides Cornwell an entirely different view of the show. “I kind of like playing third because I can sit there and watch Lindsey do her thing,” Cornwell said.…

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Feeling rejuvenated: QND softball team plays with energy, better execution heading into postseason

The Quincy Notre Dame softball players slap Eryn Cornwell on top of the helmet as she crosses home plater after hitting a solo home run Saturday during a 10-5 victory over Pearl City at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Fifteen hours didn’t change much. Friday night at the Backyard, the Pearl City softball team jumped on Quincy Notre Dame by scoring twice in the top of the first inning in what became a 7-2 victory. Saturday morning, the Wolves struck for two runs in the top of the first again. “There’s a…

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Raiders unable to put together two comebacks, fall to Wolves to start competitive weekend

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Lindsey Fischer, right, tags out Pearl City's Kylie Campbell for the second out in the first inning Friday night at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The first comeback showcased the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s resiliency. The second rally never materialized. Facing Pearl City on Friday night at the Backyard, the Raiders answered the Wolves’ two-run top of the first inning with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. They couldn’t do the same when…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, May 11

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 12, Gateway Legacy Christian Academy 2. Click here for the story. At QHS field, Quincy Quincy High School 9, Unity 0: Junior right-hander Joe Schroeder fashioned a one-hitter, while striking out nine and walking one. The Mustangs loaded the bases in the second…

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Raiders capitalize on scoring opportunities in fifth inning to capture WCC championship

Quincy Notre Dame's Eryn Cornwell had two hits, including driving in the winning run with a double, in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Central at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman file photo

QUINCY — A pitchers’ duel with the West Central Conference softball championship on the line tilted in Quincy Notre Dame’s favor in the fifth inning Wednesday. The first five batters in the bottom of the frame reached base safely, leading to a three-run outburst that carried the Raiders to a 4-0 victory over Central at…

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‘Major League’ speed: Hernandez-Jones’ journey around bases in seventh inning allows Raiders to beat Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Lindsey Fischer sets up to receive a pitch during Monday night's matchup with Quincy High School at The Backyard. Photo courtesy Max Bennett

QUINCY — Eric Orne’s knowledge of sports films came in handy Monday evening. The veteran Quincy Notre Dame softball coach matter-of-factly referenced Raiders left fielder Laela Hernandez-Jones to the fictional Willie Mays Hayes in the classic 1989 baseball movie “Major League.” “Laela is our fastest player, just like Willie Mays Hayes,” Orne said. “She got…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, May 7

Girls soccer At Jefferson City, Mo. Quincy High School 5, Jefferson City Helias 0: Sophomore forward Taylor Routh and freshman midfielder Sydney Welsh each scored two goals as the Blue Devils closed the regular season with a victory. Mariah Crist also scored a goal for QHS, which is 12-6-1 overall heading into the Class 3A…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, May 3

Girls soccer At Rock Island, Ill. Quincy High School 4, Rock Island 1:  The Blue Devils snared the lead on Rian Moore’s goal with 11 minutes remaining in the first half and built a four-goal advantage in the second half to finish the Western Big 6 Conference season with a 7-0 record. Taylor Routh, who…

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Scoreboard for Monday, May 2

Girls soccer At Springfield, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 1, Springfield 0: The Raiders rebounded from a pair of losses in a tournament in Burlington, Iowa, last Saturday with a stingy defensive effort against the Senators. QND grabbed the lead with less than eight minutes remaining in the first half as freshman Makalya Patton ran onto…

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Marquette quiets QND’s offense, leaves Raiders looking to find momentum before postseason

Quincy Notre Dame's Haley Schertel safely steals second base during Saturday's game against Alton Marquette at The Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — All the distractions that come with the calendar rolling over from April to May — things like prom, graduation and college commitments — are being magnified by the fact the weather is making it difficult for prep baseball and softball teams to find their rhythm. The opportunity to build postseason momentum is dwindling,…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, April 28

Girls soccer At Burlington, Iowa Quincy High School 1, Olathe (Kan.) North 1: Blue Devils goalkeeper Taylor Fohey saved a penalty kick in the first half to help QHS forge a tie in the first of three games in the tournament. Bri Lannerd scored off a Rian Moore assist for the Blue Devils’ goal. Quincy…

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Cornwell’s milestone home run puts cap on Raiders’ five-inning victory over Titans

Quincy Notre Dame's Eryn Cornwell hit a walk-off, two-run home run Wednesday against West Hancock which happened also to be her 100th career hit. Matt Schuckman file photo

QUINCY — A walk-off and a milestone. Not a bad way for Eryn Cornwell to end her day.  The Quincy Notre Dame senior softball standout followed Caitlin Bunte’s leadoff single in the fifth inning Wednesday with a two-run home run to left field at the Backyard, finishing off a 12-1 victory over West Hancock and…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, April

Prep softball At QHS field, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 14, Quincy High School 2. Click here for the story and photos. At Greenfield, Ill. Brown County 14, Greenfield 0: Taryn Moorman tossed a three-hit shutout as the Hornets rolled to another Western Illinois Valley Conference victory. She struck out nine and walked none. The Hornets…

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Slap happy: Schertel’s ability to get on base gives Raiders edge in victory over Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame's Laela Hernandez-Jones puts the ball in play during Monday's game against Quincy High School. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

QUINCY — Haley Schertel was not always a slapper. “In eighth grade, (the Quincy Notre Dame softball coaching staff) switched me from being a right-handed hitter to a (left-handed) slapper,” Schertel said. The rest, as they say, is history. Schertel’s development as a slapper was in full view Monday evening at Quincy High School when…

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Prep scoreboard for Saturday, April 23

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 7, Quincy High School 0. Click here for the story. At Dozer Park, Peoria, Ill. Brown County 3, Streator Woodland 1: Sam Carr allowed one unearned run and two hits as the Hornets made an early lead last. Will Groesch had an RBI…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, April 21

Girls soccer At Jacksonville, Ill. Chatham Glenwood 3, Quincy High School 0: The Titans scored three second-half goals to win the non-conference game at Illinois College. A ball bouncing off the far post ricocheted directly to Glenwood attacker, leading to the first goal with 25 minutes remaining. The Titans scored all three goals in a…

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Prep scoreboard for Tuesday, April 19

Girls soccer At Flinn Stadium, Quincy Quincy High School 2, Geneseo 1. Click here for the story and photo gallery. At Canton, Mo. Canton 5, Keokuk 3: Macie Fisher and Emilee Gorrell each scored twice and Kielyn Ott added the other goal for the Tigers. Prep baseball At Concord, Ill. Brown County 14, Triopia 4:…

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Scoreboard for Monday, April 18

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 1, Pittsfield 0. Click here for the story. At Dozer Park, Peoria, Ill. Southeastern 7, Central 2: The Suns scored twice in the first inning, then plated two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to snare the victory. Owen Rigg scored…

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Prep roundup for Saturday, April 16

Prep baseball At East Moline, Ill. United Township 2, Quincy High School 1: A one-out single and a hit batter gave the Panthers the opportunity to score in the bottom of the seventh, and a ground ball the Blue Devils couldn’t turn into a double play saddled them with the loss in the opener of…

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Scoreboard for Friday, April 15

Prep baseball At Mendon, Ill. Unity 7, Southeastern 6: The Mustangs’ Aidan Obert belted a three-run walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Unity trailed 5-1 heading into the sixth when it put together a three-run rally, featuring a two-run single from Maynard. After the Suns scored once in…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, April 12

Girls soccer At Sterling, Ill. Quincy High School 10, Sterling 0: The Blue Devils stayed undefeated in the Western Big 6 Conference with the whitewashing of the Golden Warriors. Bri Lannerd scored two goals and added three assists for the Blue Devils, while Taylor Routh had two goals and Rian Moore added three assists. Freshman…

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Scoreboard for Monday, April 11

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 14, Rushville-Industry 4: The Raiders used back-to-back four-run innings to break a 3-3 tie and secure the six-inning victory. After allowing the Rockets to tie the game in the top of the third, the Raiders loaded the bases with two outs in the…

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Prep scoreboard for Saturday, April 9

Prep track At Soule Bowl, East Moline, Ill. Kiwanis Invitational: Jettason Rose and the Quincy High School boys showcased their speed in an event featuring all of the Western Big 6 Conference teams. Rose set a personal record and broke the school record in the 100-meter dash in 10.74 seconds, which tied the meet record…

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JWCC Prairie State Profile: Mustangs’ Schaffnit puts heart and soul into community service

Unity senior Annabelle Schaffnit, who plays catcher and outfield for the Mustangs, has paved a path to college with her extracurricular activities. Submitted photo

MENDON, Ill. — Annabelle Schaffnit started to be apologetic for her answer. What the Unity senior softball player didn’t realize in the moment was how much her answer resonated. After chatting a little about the Mustangs and their ongoing season, Schaffnit was asked about how much her life revolves around sports. “I’ll be honest,” she…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, April 7

Prep baseball At Winchester, Ill. Brown County 20, Winchester West Central 0: Twice the Hornets hit back-to-back home runs as they steamrolled the Cougars in Western Illinois Valley Conference action. Brown County scored 16 runs in the first inning as the first eight batters reached safely. Gabe Blakeley hit a two-run home run and Mason…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, April 6

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 6, Hannibal 2: A change in venue didn’t slow the Raiders. Field conditions forced the game, which was to played at the Pirates’ Veterans Field, to be moved to the Illinois side of the river and Hannibal took advantage by scoring twice in…

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Liquor Booth Shot of the Game: Cornwell’s two-run home run grounds Bombers

The Quincy Notre Dame softball players celebrate with Eryn Cornwell after she hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning Friday against Macomb at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Something had to give. Last Friday, when the undefeated Macomb softball team visited the Backyard to face undefeated Quincy Notre Dame, neither starting pitchers had allowed a run this season. That changed when the Raiders tagged Bombers starter Kaitlyn Robinson for three runs in the bottom of the first. QND ace Eryn Cornwell…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, April 5

Quincy Notre Dame freshman midfielder Sage Stratton, center, and her teammates celebrate the first of her two goals in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Hannibal at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Matt Schuckman photo

Girls soccer At Advance Physical Therapy Field, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 2, Hannibal 0: Freshman midfielder Sage Stratton scored goals two minutes apart in the first half to extend the Raiders’ unbeaten streak to eight straight games. With 12:20 remaining in the first half, Stratton hit a shot from roughly 35 yards that carried over…

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Scoreboard for Monday, April 4

Girls soccer At Flinn Stadium, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 1, Quincy High School 0. Click here for the story and photo gallery. At Mexico, Mo. Hannibal 8, Mexico 0: Katie Greening and Bella Falconer each had two goals and an assist as the Pirates earned a North Central Missouri Conference victory. Hannibal is 6-2 overall…

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Scoreboard for Friday, April 1

Prep baseball At Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 14, Highland 0: The Raiders erupted for 11 runs in the first inning and cruised to their seventh straight victory. Dalton Miller jacked a three-run home run to right field and Tucker Tollerton had a three-run, inside-the-park home run to highlight the opening…

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Scoring early and often enables QND softball team to pass test against Macomb

The Quincy Notre Dame softball players celebrate with Eryn Cornwell after she hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning Friday against Macomb at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Asked if he’d found a new leadoff hitter, Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne chuckled and shook his head. “No,” he said. “We’ll get healed up and back to normal.” But should he consider leaving Abbey Schreacke in the leadoff spot, it creates a potent starting point as Macomb witnessed Friday at…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, March 29

Girls soccer At the Panther Pitch, East Moline, Ill. Quincy High School 5, United Township 0: Bri Lannerd scored three goals and assists on the other two as the Blue Devils picked up their second consecutive Western Big 6 Conference road victory. Rian Moore had two goals and two assists, while Emma Obert added an…

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Scoreboard for Monday, March 28

Prep baseball At Payson, Ill. Brown County 7, Payson Seymour 1: With two outs in the fifth inning, the Hornets had seven consecutive runners reach base and scored four runs to gain the upper hand. The Hornets’ Gabe Blakeley allowed four hits and one earned run over seven innings with seven strikeouts and one walk.…

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Scoreboard for Monday, March 21

Prep baseball At Pittsfield, Ill. Pittsfield 10, Carrollton 0: The Saukees’ Nate Scranton allowed four hits over six innings and earned his first victory of the season with the shutout. He struck out six. Pittsfield’s Caden Casto went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple and two RBIs, while Cole Walston went 2 for…

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Early offense, Cornwell’s pitching carry QND softball team to shutout victory in season opener

From left to right, Quincy Notre Dame third baseman Payton Stupavsky, shortstop Abbey Schreacke and pitcher Eryn Cornwell exchange high-fives prior to the start of an inning Monday in the season opener against Biggsville West Central at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Brooke Boden’s ability to play either corner infield position or pitch gives the Quincy Notre Dame softball coaching staff some flexibility when it comes to setting a lineup. If she hits the way she did Monday, the coaches will need to find a spot for her wherever it may be. Boden, a sophomore…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, March 17

Girls soccer At Advance Physical Therapy Field, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 8, Williamsville 0: The Raiders scored six goals in the first half and invoked the mercy rule in the second half. Freshman forward Annie Eaton recorded her first career hat trick, scoring the first three QND goals. Junior forward Lia Quintero scored the next…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, October 20

Girls Softball At the Cotton Bowl, Canton, Mo. La Plata 1, Canton 0: A pitchers’ duel wasn’t decided until the seventh inning when the Bulldogs scored in the top of the frame to win the Class 1 sectional showdown. The Tigers’ Kenzie Guilfoyle struck out 16, walked none and allowed just four hits — three…

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