No-hitter highlights Cougars' perfect 7-0 start to '08 season
Through the first week of the 2008 Midwest League season, there has been nothing -- other than Mother Nature -- which has interfered with the Kane County Cougars and their unblemished start to the 2008 campaign.
Wednesday night's doubleheader sweep of the Burlington Bees at Elfstrom Stadium stretched the Cougars' mark to a perfect 7-0 -- the lone Midwest League team without a loss. The seven consecutive wins to open the season has set and continues to build on a franchise record.
Inclement weather in the Midwest area has forced the Cougars, like most teams in the league, to deal with several game postponements -- including Thursday's game -- and ensuing doubleheaders.
Numerous Cougars players are leading the charge, including right-handed pitcher Craig Italiano who along with fellow pitcher Branden Dewing, combined for a seven-inning no-hitter in the second game of Wednesday night's doubleheader against Burlington.
A second round compensation pick in the 2005 draft, Italiano retired the first 16 hitters he faced, including a dominant stretch of six consecutive strikeouts. The no-hitter was the sixth in Cougars history and the first since a May 2006 gem by former Cougar Jared Lansford.
As a staff, Cougars pitchers lead the league in team ERA (1.40), and have tossed two shutouts and one complete game through the season's first week.
Offensively, Cougars manager Aaron Nieckula is seeing contributions from several spots in the lineup. Infielder Greg Dowling is batting a robust .480 with 8 RBI, including a home run in Monday's home opener. Outfielder Todd Johnson is batting at a .400 clip with 2 homers and 9 RBI to lead the team.
The Cougars hit the road Friday and travel downstate for a weekend series against the Peoria Chiefs, who are managed by former Cub Ryne Sandberg. The Cougars return to Geneva Monday for a three-game set against the South Bend Silver Hawks, an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate.
Girls soccer
Wheaton Academy 3, Larkin 0:ŒThe rain, the wind, the cold, the Larkin defense. Nothing could slow down Wheaton Academy's Leah Fortune on Thursday night.
The junior scored twice and added an assist in the Warriors' 3-0 victory in Pepsi Showdown action at Streamwood's Millenium Field.
"It definitely was a challenge," Fortune said. "With the turf the ball moves so fast and with the rain it is a different speed of play.
"It's a lot of fun playing in the rain."
The first half was played in a constant rain and wind, making for the artificial grass slick and fast. That only played into the hands of Fortune and Wheaton Academy (5-1).
In the 14th minute, Fortune gave the Warriors the lead with a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that beat Royals goalkeeper Anna Goodlove low to the right corner.
Wheaton Academy's speed created numerous other first-half chances, but the Warriors could not find the net again.
The opportunities kept coming in the second half as the rain finally stopped. Goodlove made 10 saves in the second half, and 14 for the game, keeping the Royals in striking distance for most of the second half.
Tatum Teevans made it 2-0 in the 69th minute, taking a Fortune pass inside Larkin's penalty area and scoring. Fortune added another goal in the 77th minute, dribbling past several defenders before putting the ball past Goodlove.
"We had a lot of chances, particularly in the first half, that I thought we didn't capitalize on that we could have," Warriors coach David Underwood said. "But we cleaned some things up in the second half. We were creating some more dangerous chances."
A minute after the Warriors' second goal, the Royals (3-5-1) had a chance to cut the deficit to 2-1, but failed to convert on a penalty kick. Larkin's Jacqulin Goodlove was taken down in the penalty area, setting up the penalty kick. Goodlove took the penalty, but Wheaton Academy goalkeeper Emily Mulder made a diving save to maintain the Warriors' two-goal lead.
"The save on the PK was huge," Underwood said. "They could have had the momentum. Who knows what happens then."
Larkin only had 3 shots on goal and struggled to created any good scoring chances most of the game. Royals coach Ken Hall hopes that is something that can change once his team can get some practice time outside.
"We're really out of sync offensively," Hall said. "We're just kicking the ball right now. There's no purpose to our play. Hopefully, we can get a little more practice and work a bit on that."
-- Brian Schaumburg
Boys lacrosse
Youth clinic:ŒThe St. Charles boys lacrosse team will hold a youth clinic today for grades 4-5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and for grades 6-8 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Sportsplex of St. Charles.
The cost is $20 at the door. Space is limited to the first 75 participants
The participants will work on skill development and learn to understand team concepts. The emphasis will be on fundamentals and fun and will be directed by the coaching staff and varsity players from the 2007 state semifinalists and conference champion St. Charles boys high school team.
Players should bring helmet, stick, mouth guard, shoulder pads, arm guards, gloves and shoes (turf field).
You can contact Gary Campana at gary.campana@stclax.net with any questions or to be placed on the registration list.
Geneva fund-raiser
Boosters auction/dinner:ŒThe 2008 Geneva All Sports Boosters auction/dinner will be held on from 6-11 p.m. today at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
The event ticket includes dinner, a silent auction with themes baskets, as well as a live auction with items including vacation condos, prom packages and many sporting event tickets. Tickets are $20 per person in advance, and $25 at the door. Registration is available on line at: ghsallsportsboosters.com or call Amanda Conlon at (630) 845-0622.
All proceeds go to Geneva sport teams and coaches will be in attendance. Seats are limited this year.
Wrestling
Classes offered:ŒMarmion wrestling is presenting Martinez Elite Wrestling Classes on Tuesdays and Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Marmion wrestling room.
Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco wrestling will be taught. Instruction will be provided by Jose and Nathan Martinez.
Wrestlers will need a current copy of a USA wrestling card. For more information call Gary Fritz at (630) 267-4506 or Bruno Gacek at (630) 761-8871. Classes go until May 31.
Girls soccer
Roberts honored:ŒAugustana senior Tessa Roberts (St. Charles North) was named to the Central Region All-Region second team for women's soccer by D3kicks.com.
Roberts finished her illustrious career as the second leading point scorer in Augustana history with 113 points. She also finished her career second in career goals scored with 51. Roberts is tied for eighth on the all-time list with 11 career assists.
The senior forward led Augustana with 15 goals and 34 points in her final season for the Vikings. Her 15 goals scored tied for fourth on the all-time single season scoring list.
She was named to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin All-Conference squad as a first team selection for the third straight year and shared MVP honors for the Vikings with sophomore defender Deanna Recchia (Glenbard North).
Men's basketball
Lancaster top coach again:ŒAurora University men's basketball coach James Lancaster has been named the 2007-2008 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III Co-Coach of the Year.
With the IBCA honor, Lancaster continues to add to his coaching legacy at AU. Following the Spartans' 22-7 overall record and 16-2 record in the Northern Athletics Conference, Lancaster has been named the IBCA Coach of the Year four times.
The 20-win season was AU's first time in school history with 20 win seasons in back-to-back years. The Spartans advanced to the NCAA Division III championship for the second consecutive season and third time in four years but fell to Augustana College 72-61 at Augustana.
In his 14 seasons at the helm of the men's program, Lancaster is 262-109 overall (.706). The NAC Coach of the Year award is Lancaster's seventh in his 14 years as men's basketball coach.
Lancaster will be honored at the 36th annual Hall of Fame induction dinner April 26 at Illinois State University.