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Chicago Tribune
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Post-Tribune Baseball All-Area Team
Three players from Crown Point and three players from Boone Grove highlight the first team. Alex Barr, Kankakee Valley, senior, pitcher: Went 3-2 with 0.57 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Also hit .452 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and 19 runs scored. North All-Star, conference pitcher of the year. Committed to Indiana. Mason Barth, Andrean, senior, shortstop: Batted .505 with three home runs, 27 RBIs, 51 runs scored and 44 steals for Class 3A state champion and Northwest Crossroads Conference champion. Also went 5-0 with title-clinching save, 1.50 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 28 innings. North All-Star, conference offensive player of the year. Committed to Notre Dame. Dylan Bowen, Hanover Central, junior, shortstop: Batted .390 with five home runs, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored. All-conference. Committed to Oklahoma State. Braden Branigan, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 0.62 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. Committed to Lindenwood. Davian Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, first baseman: Batted .466 with 47 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 11 steals for 2A state champion and Porter County Conference round-robin and tournament champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Xavier Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .436 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 10 steals for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also went 6-3 with 2.28 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Linus Chariton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-0 with 0.62 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 innings for 4A sectional champion and Duneland Athletic Conference co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Olive Harvey. Billy Chidsey, Crown Point, senior, shortstop: Batted .487 with one home run, 28 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 17 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. North All-Star, conference most valuable position player. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Caden Crowell, Valparaiso, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 9-0 with 0.25 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 55 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .375 with three home runs, 24 RBIs and 32 runs scored. North All-Star, conference most valuable pitcher. Committed to Notre Dame. Sean Dunlap, Crown Point, junior, catcher/outfielder: Batted .429 with six home runs, 35 RBIs, 36 runs scored and 15 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Tennessee. Billy Miller, Kouts, freshman, pitcher/shortstop: Went 8-1 with 0.61 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 57 innings for 1A state runner-up. Also hit .514 with five home runs, 45 RBIs, 54 runs scored and 20 steals. All-conference. Seth Pitcock, Boone Grove, senior, pitcher/shortstop: Went 9-1 with 0.74 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 66 innings for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also hit .484 with two home runs, 29 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 33 steals. North All-Star, conference MVP. Committed to Valparaiso. Troy Barrett, Chesterton, junior, pitcher/outfielder: Went 7-1 with 1.11 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. Also hit .368 with 20 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference. Gabe Bush, Valparaiso, senior, outfielder: Batted .352 with 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 27 steals for 4A state champion. All-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Matt Cook, Hanover Central, junior, pitcher: Went 3-3 with 2.16 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Evansville. Logan Cotton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 1.59 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 53 innings for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Trevor Fenters, Valparaiso, senior, infielder/pitcher: Batted .373 with one home run, 28 RBIs and 27 runs scored for 4A state champion. Also went 6-1 with 0.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana State. Josh Flores, Lake Central, senior, pitcher: Went 7-1 with 2.76 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 38 innings for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Kentucky. Mason Jarrett, Munster, senior, outfielder: Batted .398 with 36 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 14 steals. All-conference. Committed to Triton. Drew Kosteba, Lake Central, senior, outfielder: Batted .404 with three home runs, 38 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 12 steals for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Blake Kouder, Andrean, senior, catcher: Batted .386 with 20 RBIs and 34 runs scored for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. DJ Malloy, Valparaiso, junior, second baseman: Batted .408 with 22 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference. Ivan Mastalski, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 1.69 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. Committed to Indiana. Caiden Verrett, Hanover Central, senior, catcher: Batted .395 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 19 steals. North All-Star. Indianapolis recruit in baseball and football.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 News-Sun Baseball All-Area Team
Five players from Class 4A state champion Libertyville highlight the first and second teams, which also include three players each from Antioch, Lake Zurich and Mundelein. Ryne Dzierzynski, Grant, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .387 with .500 on-base percentage, 1.102 OPS, three home runs, 24 RBIs, 30 runs scored, 17 walks and six strikeouts. Also went 6-0 with 1.96 ERA, 56 strikeouts and eight walks in 55 innings. All-conference. Committed to Wisconsin-Parkside. Caden Earing, Mundelein, senior, first baseman: Batted .433 with .545 on-base percentage, 1.295 OPS, program-record 18 doubles, three home runs, 31 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 10 steals. All-conference and Class 4A all-state honorable mention. Committed to Saint Louis. Ryan Fostiak, Wauconda, senior, outfielder: Batted .443 with .514 on-base percentage, 1.227 OPS and 24 extra-base hits. All-conference and 3A all-state first team. Committed to Illinois Tech. Joshua Holst, Libertyville, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 13-0 with 1.34 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 118 strikeouts and 25 walks in 73 1/3 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .361 with five home runs and 44 RBIs. Conference pitcher of the year and 4A all-state first team. Committed to Air Force. Cash Kaczmarek, Lake Zurich, senior, first baseman: Batted .417 with .500 on-base percentage, 1.196 OPS, five home runs, 37 RBIs and 42 runs scored for 4A sectional finalist. All-conference and 4A all-state honorable mention. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Owen Klosinski, Lakes, senior, outfielder: Batted .471 with .532 on-base percentage, 1.208 OPS, 18 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference and 3A all-state. Committed to Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Chase Lockwood, Libertyville, junior, pitcher: Went 10-0 with 0.82 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 14 walks in 59 2/3 innings for 4A state champion. All-conference and 4A all-state. Cole Lockwood, Libertyville, senior, shortstop: Batted .421 with three home runs, 16 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 38 steals in 40 attempts for 4A state champion. All-conference and 4A all-state. Committed to Valparaiso. Quinn Schambow, Libertyville, senior, catcher: Batted .449 with 18 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 47 RBIs and 32 runs scored for 4A state champion. Conference player of the year and 4A all-state. Committed to Oklahoma State. Evan Schmidt, Antioch, senior, first baseman: Batted .446 with .513 on-base percentage, 1.275 OPS, 17 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 10 steals. Conference player of the year. Committed to Wisconsin-La Crosse. Baris Brua, Mundelein, senior, pitcher: Went 5-3 with 1.40 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 54 innings. All-conference. Committed to Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Colin Chung, Lake Zurich, junior, pitcher/second baseman: Went 4-4 with 1.45 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 21 walks in 48 1/3 innings for 4A sectional finalist. Cal Hanson, Grayslake Central, senior, first baseman/pitcher: Batted .395 with 13 doubles and 32 RBIs. Also went 4-3 with 1.40 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 39 innings. All-conference. Committed to Parkland. Carson Holmes, Libertyville, junior, outfielder: Batted .419 with .536 on-base percentage, 1.252 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference. Joey Kafka, Mundelein, senior, pitcher: Went 5-1 with 1.50 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 10 walks in 41 2/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Valparaiso. Ben Lichtenfeld, Highland Park, senior, pitcher/infielder: Went 7-2 with 2.86 ERA in 49 innings. Also hit .378 with 20 RBIs and 12 steals. Conference player of the year. Josh Marzec, Lake Zurich, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 2.42 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings for 4A sectional finalist. All-conference. Committed to McHenry County College. Javier Rolon, Round Lake, senior, shortstop: Batted .393 with .494 on-base percentage, 1.297 OPS, six triples, four home runs and 12 steals. All-conference. Committed to College of Lake County. Nathan Yeager, Antioch, senior, outfielder: Batted .466 with .593 on-base percentage, 1.218 OPS, 44 runs scored, 24 walks and 23 steals. All-conference. Committed to College of Lake County. Carson Young, Antioch, senior, pitcher: Went 8-1 with 1.94 ERA, 72 strikeouts and 27 walks in 54 innings. All-conference. Committed to Bethel University.
Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Valparaiso vs Evansville North in Class 4A baseball state championship
HIGH SCHOOL Grace Smith/IndyStar Grace Smith/IndyStar Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso fans cheer Saturday, June 21, 2025, after winning the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Nathan Simpson (6) celebrates Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the team won the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Grace Smith/IndyStar Evansville North holds the second plate trophy Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Fans lose a shoe on the field Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso and Evansville North face off Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Valparaiso Trent Gill (2) dives into home plate Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Caden Crowell (7) hoists the trophy Saturday, June 21, 2025, after winning the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Fans watch the action Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Evansville North infielder Jake Wilke (11) throws the ball Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar A fan celebrates grabbing a foul ball Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Matthew Civanich (8) runs toward first as Evansville North Conner Watson (17) attempts to catch the ball Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Evansville North infielder Gideon Rice (12) smiles toward the crowd Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar A bird sits on the netting rope Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Dennis Malloy (10) celebrates Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Trent Gill (2) celebrates in the dugout Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso and Evansville North face off Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Trevor Fenters (12) smiles in the dugout Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar A Valparaiso fan cheers Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso infielder Drayden Wilcox (9) hits the ball Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso celebrates Saturday, June 21, 2025, after winning the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso Caden Crowell (7) hoists the trophy Saturday, June 21, 2025, after winning the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Evansville North Tyler Land (2) throws the ball Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Fans watch the action Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Grace Smith/IndyStar Valparaiso cheers on their teammate Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar Evansville North AJ Baggett (27) catches the ball Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the Class 4A state championship game between Valparaiso and Evansville North at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Valparaiso defeated Evansville North, 5-0. Grace Smith/IndyStar
Chicago Tribune
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Maddie Misch stares down pressure for St. Laurence. ‘Gives me some adrenaline.' Plus, area state softball notes.
Time after time, Montini had a runner in scoring position with two outs against St. Laurence pitcher Maddie Misch. And then, moments later, a zero went up on the scoreboard. It happened in each of the final four innings as the Vikings crept closer and closer to making softball history. Finally, they won to advance to state in Class 3A for the first time ever. When the going got tough, Misch got going Monday for St. Laurence in a 6-2 victory in the Class 3A Benedictine Supersectional. The junior right-hander dodged disaster like a pro. 'I actually feel like the pressure sometimes gives me some adrenaline,' Misch said. 'I feel I've always kind of performed well under pressure. It never really has gotten to me. 'I have trust in my defense. I know that I don't have to worry about those situations because I know my defense has my back. I have confidence we can get out of any situation we get into.' Misch has been — if not an unhittable force — certainly a clutch performer for St. Laurence (23-7), which will play Providence (25-11) at 10 a.m. Friday in a state semifinal game at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. During the regular season, Misch and fellow junior right-hander Breanna Cahue were a one-two pitching punch. St. Laurence coach Teagan Walsh could very well use both against Providence. But Misch has come up big in her playoff performances. 'With Maddie, just the growth we've seen from sophomore to junior season is tremendous,' Walsh said. 'She holds herself accountable, she holds her teammates accountable, and she's a great voice even when she's not in the lineup.' When Providence plays at state for the first time since 2018, junior second baseman Bella Olszta will be doing some catching up to her older brother. Last season, Eddie Olszta was a starting infielder in baseball for the Celtics, who won the Class 4A state championship. Little sister wasn't jealous. Far from it. 'I think of my older brother as someone I look up to,' Bella said. 'I do compete with him a little bit, but I more look up to him. When he went to state, I said, 'I really want to do this. It seems super cool.'' She will get her chance in Friday's semifinal against St. Laurence. Olszta has been one of the standouts this season for Providence. She's a .333 hitter with seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 12 RBIs. During her three years on varsity, Olszta has been one of the Celtics' most versatile players, Although she was a natural middle infielder, Providence coach Jim Holba played her at third base and first base during her freshman and sophomore years. 'We had a need at those positions the past two seasons,' Holba said. 'We had an older girl (Sophia Thormeyer) playing at second base. Bella is a good athlete, so we put her in the fire pretty quick. She was willing to step in and get it done. 'Bella has progressed every year, putting extra points on her average. And she has been a quiet leader for us.' Junior first baseman Alexis Vander Tuuk thinks that Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec is a pretty cool aunt. But playing for her is even cooler. 'She is definitely one of the stricter coaches I've had,' VanderTuuk said. 'But I like how she's able to joke with us still. We have a lot of serious moments at practice, but we're also allowed to have fun while working hard. 'For me, personally, playing for my aunt is very similar to playing for my mom (Ali), who coached me on my travel team. They are very similar people with very similar coaching tactics. It's a crazy experience, but I'm blessed to get to play for her every day because she is an amazing coach.' VanderTuuk will be in the starting lineup at 3 p.m. Friday when Lockport (31-9) plays Barrington (34-3-1) in a Class 4A state semifinal. After two seasons on the junior varsity, VanderTuuk has emerged as a solid player this spring for the Porters. She's batting .301 with 12 doubles and 13 RBIs. Aunt Marissa is pretty proud. 'Alexis is a ballplayer, and it's fun for our family,' Chovanec said. 'She has done a great job at first base for us with her glove and her flexibility and she's consistent hitting in the 5-7 hole. 'It's exciting that she has stepped up. She earned her spot.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Simone Biles apologizes to Riley Gaines, argues for 'competitive equity and inclusivity' in women's sports
In a post Tuesday, Biles apologized for not showing "empathy and respect" in a tweet where she ripped Gaines for the former swimmer's stance on transgender athletes. In her post, Biles said she believed "competitive equity and inclusivity" are essential in sport. She said she did not want to advocate for policies that "compromise fairness in women's sports." Biles added that she took issue with Gaines singling out a child in her post. Advertisement Biles ended her post by saying: "Individual athletes — especially kids — should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over. I believe sports organizations have a responsibility to come up with rules supporting inclusion while maintaining fair competition. We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful." Biles and Gaines engaged in a verbal back-and-forth on X on Friday after Gaines attacked Minnesota's high school interscholastic governing body for allowing a transgender girl to compete in the girl's state softball tournament. Champlin Park, with the transgender girl on the mound, won the state 4A championship 6-0. Biles responded to that tweet, calling Gaines a "sore loser" and a "bully." Gaines — a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky — became a public figure in 2022, when she argued against the inclusion of transgender women participating in women's sports after she tied for fifth with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at a meet. Gaines has continued to lobby for that cause, and appeared in a video on the United States Department of Health and Human Services website in February which argued against allowing transgender women to participate in women's sports. Advertisement Gaines responded to Biles' post Friday, calling it "disappointing." Over the weekend, Gaines tweeted or shared at least 15 tweets mentioning Biles. Shortly after Biles' post, Gaines responded to Biles' post. "I accept Simone's apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She's still the greatest female gymnast of all time. "A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play sports. Competition, on the other hand and by definition, is exclusive. So the idea of "competitive equity" is nonsensical. "Secondly, the boys are publicly humiliating the girls. To suggest that women and girls must be silent or ignore a boy who is PUBLICLY hurting or humiliating them is wrong. You can't have any empathy and compassion for the girls if you're ignoring when young men are harming or abusing them. I am not ashamed to be a voice for the voiceless. "Lastly, I agree with you that the blame is on the lawmakers and leaders at the top. Precisely why I'm suing the NCAA and support candidates who vow to stand with women. That's why I joined @realDonaldTrump at the signing of his Executive Order. I didn't see you there or championing this effort with your platform. "Women's sports can't be used as an excuse for girl's to center the feelings and validation of men and boys.
