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Unstable rotation, but pitchers keep getting it done May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Chris Sale is expected to make his next start, Tuesday vs. the Cubs, after being scratched Wednesday with shoulder tendinitis. John Danks is also headed back, but manager Robin Ventura says the White Sox won't go with a six-man starting rotation.
Scouting boys track and field / Northwest and Lake County May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Here's a look at this weekend's boys track and field state meet from the perspective of teams from the Northwest and Lake County regions.
Waubonsie Valley keeps WW South from regional crown May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
It was a happy birthday Wednesday for Waubonsie Valley boys volleyball coach Al Lagger.
Lake Park works hard to avoid elimination May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
It took a handful of innings, but that sense of urgency finally kicked in for Lake Park's baseball team. The top-seeded Lancers were pushed to the brink of playoff elimination before rallying for a 5-3 victory over Schaumburg in the Class 4A Schaumburg regional semifinals Wednesday at Boomers Stadium.
Hersey hangs on, and moves on May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
It was nervous time for regional host Hersey at Ken Carter Gymnasium in Arlington Heights. In the deciding game of the regional final Wednesday, the Huskies had run out to an virtually insurmountable 22-12 lead in their quest for a big upset victory over state-ranked Glenbrook North. Then sixth-seeded Hersey watched almost helplessly as the Spartans staged an impossible rally, scoring 11 of the next 13 points to close the gap to 24-23. And with the large crowd on its feet in a fever pitch, and North poised to tie the match, junior Mike Fuerst put down one of the biggest kills in the storied history of the Hersey program. The 6-foot-7 middle blocker's final spike, his 10th kill of the match, completed a 25-23, 18-25, 25-23 win over a team that was runner-up in state last season and ranked No. 1 earlier this year.
Swift leads Naperville North comeback May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
If Naperville North and Neuqua Valley had played first goal wins, fans would have missed a great girls soccer game. A Zoe Swift goal 44 seconds into Wednesday's Class 3A Bolingbrook sectional final only whet the appetite for an action-packed game that turned into a 4-3 Huskies victory. "I didn't expect 4-3 either, but when you sit back and you think about it, when you've got this many attacking pieces out there that both of these teams have, it's really not a surprise I guess when you think of it," Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. "Obviously, neither of us probably going into the game, Neuqua or us, wanted to say we'd give up that many goals. But I think it's obviously a testament to the attacking players that are on the field."
Pirates edge Cubs 1-0 May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night. Liriano (3-0) struck out nine and walked just one to remain unbeaten since making his season debut against the New York Mets two weeks ago. Mark Melancon survived a bumpy ninth inning for his first save of the season.
Lightning schedules softball skills camp at Judson May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Focused Huntley disposes of Larkin May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The Huntley baseball team seemed anything but distracted in Wednesday's 10-2 win over Larkin in a Class 4A DeKalb regional semifinal. Under the direction of interim coach Matt Sassi for as long as the postseason lasts, the focused Red Raiders showcased errorless defense behind winning pitcher Bryce Only and a tournament-ready offense that generated 8 unanswered runs in response to Larkin's early 1-0 lead.
Vernon Hills stops Palatine in three May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The host Cougars had a tough battle on their hands when they faced No. 5 Palatine for the Vernon Hills boys volleyball regional championship Wednesday. No. 4 seed Vernon Hills had to go three games to get the job done, but ultimately the Cougars were able to pull away from the Pirates, winning 25-19 in the deciding third game to advance to the Antioch sectional semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Friday against Buffalo Grove, which upset No. 1 seed Stevenson in the Highland Park regional.
A happy (Cary-Grove) homecoming for Barrington’s Wire May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Not very often does it come full circle for coaches like it did for Barrington baseball coach Pat Wire Wednesday afternoon. When rains forced the Class 4A Jacobs regional semifinal between No. 1 seed Cary-Grove and No. 4 Barrington to Cary-Grove's field, it set up an unprecedented scenario for the 1996 Cary-Grove graduate to beat his alma mater on a field he did pretty well on himself at one time. "He played outstanding on this field. I'm glad he's coaching and not playing. I mean, I wish he was playing for us," Trojans coach Don Sutherland said. "Pat had some great games here. He pitched for us, played short, played center, those are all the spots where you put your best players so he's won a lot of games here." Now Wire can say he's won a game at Cary-Grove as a coach. The Broncos (22-11) jumped out to a 4-run lead after two innings, only to watch it disappear and regain it with 2 runs in the fifth in a 6-5 upset of Cary-Grove, doing things Wire has preached to his team all season, something he learned from Sutherland: manufacture runs and play small ball. And the Broncos kept battling this time, something they did not do in the Mid-Suburban League championship game last Friday, a loss to Rolling Meadows.
Westminster falls in Class 1A sectional May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
It wasn't exactly the way Westminster Christian's softball team hopes its first trip to a sectional semifinal would go, but the Warriors were there nonetheless. Westminster managed just 4 hits and committed 6 errors Wednesday in a 20-2 loss to Gardner South Wilmington in the semifinals of the Class 1A Gilman Iroquois West sectional, played in downstate Onarga.
Fox Valley relay teams on center stage in Charleston May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Relays is the name of the game for local boys track state qualifiers. A total of 12 Fox Valley-area relay teams will compete in Friday's Class 2A and 3A state finals at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium in Charleston. Burlington Central and Huntley lead the way with three relay qualifiers each.
Hampshire gets past Wheaton Academy May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Hampshire junior Michael Merchut and Whip-Purs' baseball coach John Sarna each said Wednesday that the hardest playoff game is the first one. The Whip-Purs overcame a slow start by scoring four times in the fourth inning — they didn't have a hit before the inning — to defeat No. 5 seed Wheaton Academy, 4-1, in the Class 3A Burlington Central regional semifinals.
Girls track: Tri-Cities state notes May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Emma Spagnola nearly etched her name among track and field immortals. Britney Williams could not have envisioned a greater way to end her high school career at St. Charles East. Aurora Christian junior Peyton Wade had a day few could match. The second day of the girls state track and field meet produced local champions in six different events in two separate classes.
St. Charles North hopes to send coach off with a bang May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
The St. Charles North boys track team established 11 program records since indoor competitions began in February. This weekend at the boys state track finals in Charleston the North Stars aim for a couple more.
Line juggling makes sense to create scoring chances May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Q&A with Blackhawks broadcaster Troy Murray
Despite scoring drought, Toews still gets nothing but praise May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Prior to Game 3 in Detroit, captain Jonathan Toews told reporters that despite going without a goal through the Blackhawks' first seven playoff games, he wasn't going to let it affect his play. "Right now, I'm trying not to let it build up too much in my own mind," he said. "Sometimes you start squeezing the stick and the rest of your game kind of goes downhill and I'm not going to let that happen." In that game, a 3-1 Hawks loss, you can't say Toews didn't do his darndest to end the skid, finishing with a game-high 7 shots on goal — but the streak still grew to eight.
Hawks, Wings both focusing on power play units May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
When it comes to the Blackhawks' lackluster power play, Joel Quenneville has decided to spread the wealth a little bit. At Wednesday's practice working at one end of the ice was a PP unit headed by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, while at the other end was another group featuring Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. "We're just looking for more balance," Quennevile said. "And hopefully we get some production." Mike Spellman and Tim Sassone have more in today's Blackhawks notebook.
Net result: Howard in control for Wings May 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Through the first three games of the Western Conference semifinal series with the Blackhawks, nobody on the Detroit Red Wings has had a larger impact than goalie Jimmy Howard, who has stopped 96 of 101 shots. Detroit head coach Mike Babcock and Howard's teammates talk about their talented netminder.