One year has significantly transformed the performance of junior catcher Alex Abraham and his team, Geneva. Last year, as a sophomore, Abraham excelled defensively but faced challenges with his batting. Reflecting on the past season, he admitted with a smile, “I had 15 hits and I batted .180.” During the offseason, he healed from arm...
In the spring of last year, Ian Tosi of Mount Carmel faced a turning point. What seemed to be a routine surgery evolved into a Tommy John procedure. A demanding rehabilitation followed. Roughly 15 months later, Tosi, a senior and Miami signee, returned to pitch for the Caravan. His performance proved that his effort to...
Understanding the Difference Between Regular and Postseason Hanover Central sophomore pitcher Jillian DeYoung is keenly aware that the postseason presents a different challenge compared to the regular season. This distinction is recognized by her, and her preparations are tailored accordingly. Her senior catcher, Sienna Stilley, who is headed to Jacksonville State, helps keep her grounded....
Jackson Mansker of Lincoln-Way West was nearly denied a home run by an impressive catch, remarkable enough to captivate even seasoned players. Known for his calm demeanor, Mansker showed frustration by punching the bench, leading to bloodied knuckles. He mentioned, “I’ve been hitting wall balls all season, which is quite frustrating.” Later, that frustration fueled...
St. Charles East’s Hannah Wulf recently delivered a striking performance in the Class 4A Bartlett Sectional championship. Despite throwing a no-hitter through five innings, the game felt challenging for her. Wulf recalled, “I didn’t know I was pitching a no-hitter until they got that one hit and someone mentioned it.” Superstitions often keep pitchers from...
St. Laurence High School’s Jimmy Benson, standing tall at 6-foot-8, began playing golf around 18 months ago and joined the school’s golf team last fall. Although golf didn’t come naturally to Benson, his competitive spirit shone through, much like his pitching in baseball. ‘I’m not very good at golf,’ Benson admitted. ‘But I just like...
Junior left-hander Cadyn Kummer started on the mound for Evergreen Park on Saturday, aiming for the team’s first regional championship since 2017. Beyond the championship, there were family bragging rights at play. Cadyn’s opponent, starting pitcher for Oak Forest, was his cousin, Jake Kummer. “We were texting and Jake said, ‘I’m pitching,’” Cadyn shared. “I...
Libertyville’s Carson Holmes has navigated a challenging path. As a senior left fielder and a key player for the defending Class 4A state champion Wildcats, his experience is invaluable to his less seasoned teammates. Holmes takes on this role with enthusiasm. “You want to be that person when the moment calls,” he stated. “We’ll face...
St. Charles North’s Ben Auer took on the role of lead pitcher due to unexpected team changes this spring. The North Stars lost two key pitchers: Keaton Reinke graduated early to join Northwestern football, and Matt Ritchie was sidelined by an injury. This left Auer to step in as the main pitcher. As the season...
Strong Start for Freshman Addy Mikolanis Freshman pitcher Addy Mikolanis of Lake Central made an impressive entrance in varsity softball, featuring in two games against Crown Point this season. These include her appearance in the Class 4A Lake Central Sectional championship match. Mikolanis expressed satisfaction with the competitive environment, stating, “It felt really nice just...