BY JOHN D. HOMAN

 

CARTERVILLE – The John A. Logan College baseball team is the undisputed Great Rivers Athletic Conference champion after the Vols notched a 7-1 win over Southeastern Illinois Friday and Lake Land rallied past Southwestern Illinois, 14-13.

The Vols wrap up conference play with a 16-8 record. They are now 22-14 overall. The league title is Logan’s 11^th in Coach Jerry Halstead’s 32 years as head coach.

Against the Falcons, Logan scored two runs in the first inning; two in the fourth; two in the seventh; and one in the eighth.

Leading the charge offensively were Kyle Schneider, Jake Carpenter and Tyler Robertson with two hits each. Both of Schneider’s hits were doubles. One of Carpenter’s hits was a double and he also drove in two runs. Robertson and Schneider each scored two runs.

Also collecting hits were Nate Tholl, Culver Plant and Jeff Hahs. Doug Parks contributed an RBI.

Winning pitcher was freshman Bobby Pennington (4-1). He worked seven innings, allowing one run on six hits. He also struck out six and walked only one. Freshman Matthias Dietz worked two scoreless innings to finish out the game and struck out two in the process.

“I thought our pitching both today and in the series was very good,” Halstead said. “Anytime you only give up one run in three games you have to be pleased. Our pitchers did a great job of pounding the strike zone these last two days.”

Once 6-10 overall, Logan has now won 16 of its last 20 games, including eight of the last 10 and six in a row.

“I think we’re definitely peaking at the right time,” Halstead said. “it’s quite a tip of the hat to our players to bounce back like they have. I wouldn’t say we were dead in the water a while back, but we were definitely struggling and were having to deal with some injuries to key players. Now that we’re getting healthy, things have started to fall into place like we had hoped.”

Logan hosts a non-conference game with Three Rivers, Mo. Tuesday and will then host the opening round of the Region 24 tournament Saturday. Time and opponent has yet to be determined.

 

 

 

 

BY JOHN D. HOMAN

CENTRALIA – The John A. Logan College softball season came to an abrupt end Friday as Kaskaskia swept the Volunteers, 6-1 and 1-0, in quarterfinal round play of the Region 24 tournament.

Logan finishes the spring 18-21 and had nine conference games cancelled due to inclement weather. On Friday, the Vols simply couldn’t hit either of the Blue Angels’ pitchers, Jordan Lodge or Brianna Anderson.

Lodge checked the Vols on five hits in the opener, while striking out nine. Freshman third baseman Kelsey Rogers had a pair of doubles to pace the offense. Briah Winchester, Kaylyn Winders and Amanda Evinger had the other hits.

Logan’s only run in Game 1 came in the sixth inning when Rogers doubled, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a groundout to second off the bat of Jen Bailey. It was the freshman, Bailey, who took the loss. She allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits. Six of those hits, however, never made it out of the infield. She struck out eight and walked two.

In Game 2, the Vols were completely out of sorts at the plate, managing just one hit – a fourth-inning single by Bailey. Anderson struck out nine Logan batters.

Tough-luck loser, sophomore Jolyn Lake, deserved a better fate. She gave up the one run on five hits, struck out two and walked one.

“We had some opportunities,” said Vols head coach Bruce Jilek. “We had some hitters up with runners in scoring position and couldn’t come up with the big hit. Defensively, we bobbled the ball three or four times in that first game, which led to some runs for Kaskaskia. They’re a good ballclub. They have speed, power and good pitching. It wouldn’t surprise me if they worked themselves into the national tournament.”

 

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”  —-Mother Teresa

CARTERVILLE – It’s hard to imagine a student-athlete more cheerful and pleasant to be around than John A. Logan College’s Madison “Maddie” Craig.

Ever smiling whether she drives in the game-winning run or strikes out, the Murphysboro native quite simply enjoys life.

“I’ve had teammates and opposing players ask me why I’m smiling when I’m batting or in the field,” Craig said. “I don’t really know. I have always been like this. It’s just how I feel about everything, I guess. If I don’t get a hit, I just take the approach that I will do better the next time. I’ve enjoyed my two years here at Logan and I suppose it shows because I smile.”

 

Although she played only sporadically as a freshman, Craig was penciled into the leadoff spot of the batting order from the get-go this spring and has made the most of the opportunity.

She is batting a respectable .277; leads the team in runs scored with 21; is tied for most at bats with 94; and is second in doubles with six. Additionally, she has played a solid centerfield.

“Things have gone a lot better for me this season,” Craig said. “When I am at the plate, I am looking to see the ball and hit it solid somewhere. Defensively, I am more comfortable in center than playing one of the corner spots as I did last year. Not playing every day last year really opened my eyes and made me realize that I had to play hard all the time to have a chance at playing every day.”

Craig said she is hopeful the Volunteers (18-19 overall) can finish on a positive note by winning the Region 24 tournament. The regular season, which ended Saturday, resembled a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs.

“I feel as though there is more team camaraderie this year. And we have talent. We just need to show that talent more consistently than what we have.”

Craig said she treats each at bat like it could be her last.

“I’m certainly open to playing at a four-year school somewhere next year, but I don’t know if I’ll get that opportunity, which is why I want to play to my fullest potential each and every time out. Playing college softball has been a good experience for me. I have made many good friends and have learned from our coaches.”

Outstanding in the classroom, as well, Craig said she plans to study pre-optometry.

“It’s four more years of school after I finish my bachelor’s degree,” she said. “I have liked the idea of becoming an optometrist ever since I dissected an eyeball in science class in high school. I have job shadowed a doctor in my home town and hope to do something similar again this summer.”

Veteran Logan head coach Bruce Jilek said Craig has been an asset to the softball program.

“Maddie has become a better outfielder since graduating high school,” he said. “She has made some great catches and accurate throws to cut down runners. I like the fact that she brings a lot of energy to the field and works hard. She also runs the bases well and has really hit the ball well the last few weeks.”

One offensive highlight was a walk-off game-winning single against Olney. She also had a five-hit game

“More important, Maddie is a strong student and a very good person,” Jilek said. “I know she wants to become an optometrist someday. I’m confident she will be a good one.”

 

 

 

PHOTO CAPTION:

 

JALC sophomore centerfielder Maddie Craig prepares to attack a fastball in game action. (Logan Media Services photo by John D. Homan)