A wild, entertaining season and one of the maddest Marches in college basketball history has reached its pinnacle.
Cards get first win of season, head to Milwaukee to open NL Central play
April 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
In the first two games of the season, the centerpiece of the Cardinals’ offseason had stirred more interest and more angst with a play he didn’t make in the field than anything he was doing at that plate.
Cubs bullpen getting plenty of work in first week of season
April 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The wave of the future washed over the Chicago Cubs quicker than anybody expected.
Cards lose season opener to Mets, Martinez struggles
March 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Carlos Martinez hit the first batter he faced, walked six others and never could settle in to a rhythm and the New York Mets handed the Cardinals a 9-4 Opening Day loss at Citi Field.
Here’s the link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/ominous-opener-for-carlos-martinez-cardinals-strikeout-riddled-offense/article_5bfe5ef8-bbb3-5b0a-94c8-eec2d9a70b20.html#tracking-source=home-trending
Heitmeyer inks national letter of intent to swim for Butler University
March 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MT. VERNON, Ill. — Isabel Heitmeyer inked her national letter of intent Thursday to swim for Butler University in the fall. Heitmeyer, a senior at Mt. Vernon Township High School, started her swimming career a decade ago with Coach Laura Johnston and the Rend Lake Aquatic Youth Otters swim team at Rend Lake College. Heitmeyer brought swimming success to RLAY from a very young age and is the program’s first product to sign with a NCAA DI school.
Johnston said Heitmeyer started swimming for RLAY at seven years old. The daughter of Troy and Trinda Heitmeyer of Mt. Vernon, Isabel finished third overall in the 2009 Candy Cane Classic (Mt Vernon, Ind.) and won the 2012 IL/MO YMCA State Championships (Joliet, Ill.) in the 200 Individual Medley. She was also a finalist in the 200 freestyle and as a member of the 200 medley relay team at that meet. Heitmeyer was a YMCA national qualifier in the 200 IM at the age of 13.
She follows in the footsteps of other former Otters who have received scholarships to swim at the collegiate level — Leagh Haeubery (McLeansboro), Aaron Holt (Mt. Vernon) and David Bunting (Christopher).
“I’m extremely proud of Isabel for her hard work in and out of the pool,” said Johnston. “It makes me so happy to see that effort recognized by Butler University. I can’t wait to watch her continue to succeed in college both in and out of the water.”
For more information about the RLAY Otters program, contact Johnston at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1207.
Final Four: Ranking each team’s chances to win the national championship
March 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Crazy tournament, huh?
Saluki Athletics’ Southern Illinois Appreciation Week starts April 2
March 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Saluki Athletics is hosting its third-annual ‘SouthernIllinois Appreciation Week’ by thanking its fans with special events on campus and throughout the community from Monday through Saturday (April 2-7). Coaches, student-athletes and administrators will visit local businesses to help serve patrons and give away prizes each day next week.
“This event is a great opportunity for us to get out and personally greet and thank our fans face-to-face,” said Director of Athletics Tommy Bell. “We’ll be giving away free gear and other prizes at all of our locations and hope to see you there.”
The Salukis will make appearances at Culvers, Buffalo Wild Wings, Fat Bottom Betty’s, Kroger and McAlister’s Deli, beginning Monday.
The week includes free admission to Tuesday’s baseball game against Austin Peay at 5 p.m. and Wednesday’s softball game against SEMO at 4 p.m. The week culminates with football’s annual Spring Game at Saluki Stadium at noon on Saturday and also features the Saluki Garage Sale of discounted athletics merchandise from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the stadium concourse.
Schedule of Events
Monday: at Culver’s, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday: at Buffalo Wild Wings, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saluki Baseball at 5 p.m. (free admission)
Wednesday: at Fat Bottom Betty’s, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Live remote on 92.7 TAO with Kritter, Saluki Softball at 4 p.m. (free admission)
Thursday: at Kroger in Carbondale, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: at McAlister’s Deli, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Live remote on 105.1 FM with Paxton Guy, Saluki Baseball at 1:00 p.m., Baseball Fish Fry, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center.
Saturday: Saluki Football Spring Game at 12 noon, Saluki Baseball at 2 p.m., Saluki Spring Tailgate, 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Garage Sale at stadium, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cardinals Spring Training superlatives
March 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Columnist Ben Frederickson closes the book on spring training with camp superlatives. No participation trophies here.
Saluki Football spring scrimmage — offense establishes the run, while defense limits the pass
March 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In a crisp, 58-play scrimmage on Saturday at Saluki Stadium, the Southern Illinois offense had success running the football, while the defense had the upper hand versus the pass and also forced two turnovers.
The running back duo of Daquan Isom and Nate Strong averaged just over five yards per carry today and neither player was stopped for negative yardage. Isom rushed 12 times for 60 yards and scored the only touchdown of the scrimmage when he broke two tackles and scampered into the end zone from 12 yards out on the final play.
“As the scrimmage went on, I realized there were some holes I could make happen if I hit them and made the right move,” said Isom, a 5-foot-8 senior, who led the team in rushing last season with 491 yards.
A transfer from Missouri, Strong carried five times for 26 yards and showed flashes of why he originally signed with a Southeastern Conference power.
“He’s looked better every single day,” said head coach Nick Hill. “He’s just learning the plays and getting in football shape. He didn’t play last season and he tweaked a muscle in winter conditioning so he didn’t get a full winter conditioning. You can see him starting to grasp it and what he could be.”
The field general for the offense this season will be senior quarterback Sam Straub, who completed 7-of-17 passes for 71 yards, but made several impressive throws on a cold, rainy day that showed he’s fully recovered from a wrist injury that prematurely ended his 2017 season. Hill called Straub his “assistant offensive coordinator.”
“He has great control of the offense,” Hill said. “Now, it’s got to be the fine details. He’s a really intelligent quarterback and can even take it a step further of seeing things and getting us in the right plays.”
Straub’s best pass was a 41-yard completion to wide receiver Raphael Leonard, a perfectly thrown deep ball down the right sideline. He later threw an interception in the end zone, though the ball was on target and bounced off the helmet of receiver Matt Quarells into the hands of safety Michael Elbert.
Southern’s four quarterbacks combined to complete 14-of-27 passes and five catches were made by sophomore E’Mare Hogan. He hauled in a 27-yarder over the middle on a pass from Stone Labanowitz.
“He’s an entirely different E’mare from the fall to the spring,” Hill said. “You can see what he can be. He’s an elite-level athlete and probably the fastest player on our team.”
The defense was stingy in the passing game, though, allowing eight yards per catch and few yards after the catch. Junior cornerback Tory Lewis had two pass break-ups, and the secondary, in general, kept separation to a minimum.
“Tory is playing at the best level he’s played since he’s been here,” Hill said. “We’re letting (the corners) do a little more pressing, getting their hands on receivers. All of them are so physical, none of them are small, they’re all big, long arms. That can cause problems when you come up and challenge receivers. It’s been a good battle.”
In addition to the interception, Elbert led the defense with seven tackles. The unit had 11 tackles for loss in the scrimmage, including four sacks. Linebacker Bryce Notree had a strip-sack of Labanowitz.
“The defense has come out every single day with an intensity that I like,” Hill said. “They fly around, play with a lot of energy, they’re physical and they can run.”
The scrimmage was the first of three, full-contact scrimmages during spring ball, in which college teams can practice 15 times. SIU completed its seventh practice today and has another scrimmage scheduled next Saturday at 10 a.m., plus the annual Spring Game at 2 p.m. on April 7.
RUSHING
Daquan Isom: 12-60, 1 TD
Nate Strong: 5-26
Chris Perkins: 4-9
Brandon George: 4-9
Stone Labanowitz: 2-6
Matt DeSomer: 1-4
D.J. Hampton: 1-0
PASSING
Sam Straub: 7-17, 71 yards, 1 INT
Stone Labanowitz: 3-4, 40 yards
Brandon George: 4-6, 9 yards
RECEIVING
E’Mare Hogan: 5-45
Raphael Leonard: 2-44
Sam Bonansinga: 2-0
Sam Thompson: 1-15
Landon Lenoir: 1-10
Matt Quarells: 1-6
Hunter Milligan: 1-0
DEFENSE
Michael Elbert: 7 T, 1 INT
Bryce Notree: 5 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble
Jaylen Waters: 5 T
Raquan Lindsey: 4 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
Withney Simon: 4 T, 1 TFL
Jeremy Chinn: 3 T, 1 TFL
Tory Lewis: 3 T, 2 PBU
Qua Brown: 3 T, 1 TFL
Bryson Strong: 3 T
Titus Booker: 3 T
ZeVeyon Furcron: 2 T
Airan Reed: 2 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
Anthony Knighton: 2 T, 1 TFL
James Ceasar: 2 T
Travis Pickert: 2 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 PBU
Luke Giegling: 1 T
Jaylin Wilson: 1 T
Coleton Jeralds: 1 T
Nick Raby: 1 T
The running back duo of Daquan Isom and Nate Strong averaged just over five yards per carry today and neither player was stopped for negative yardage. Isom rushed 12 times for 60 yards and scored the only touchdown of the scrimmage when he broke two tackles and scampered into the end zone from 12 yards out on the final play.
“As the scrimmage went on, I realized there were some holes I could make happen if I hit them and made the right move,” said Isom, a 5-foot-8 senior, who led the team in rushing last season with 491 yards.
A transfer from Missouri, Strong carried five times for 26 yards and showed flashes of why he originally signed with a Southeastern Conference power.
“He’s looked better every single day,” said head coach Nick Hill. “He’s just learning the plays and getting in football shape. He didn’t play last season and he tweaked a muscle in winter conditioning so he didn’t get a full winter conditioning. You can see him starting to grasp it and what he could be.”
The field general for the offense this season will be senior quarterback Sam Straub, who completed 7-of-17 passes for 71 yards, but made several impressive throws on a cold, rainy day that showed he’s fully recovered from a wrist injury that prematurely ended his 2017 season. Hill called Straub his “assistant offensive coordinator.”
“He has great control of the offense,” Hill said. “Now, it’s got to be the fine details. He’s a really intelligent quarterback and can even take it a step further of seeing things and getting us in the right plays.”
Straub’s best pass was a 41-yard completion to wide receiver Raphael Leonard, a perfectly thrown deep ball down the right sideline. He later threw an interception in the end zone, though the ball was on target and bounced off the helmet of receiver Matt Quarells into the hands of safety Michael Elbert.
Southern’s four quarterbacks combined to complete 14-of-27 passes and five catches were made by sophomore E’Mare Hogan. He hauled in a 27-yarder over the middle on a pass from Stone Labanowitz.
“He’s an entirely different E’mare from the fall to the spring,” Hill said. “You can see what he can be. He’s an elite-level athlete and probably the fastest player on our team.”
The defense was stingy in the passing game, though, allowing eight yards per catch and few yards after the catch. Junior cornerback Tory Lewis had two pass break-ups, and the secondary, in general, kept separation to a minimum.
“Tory is playing at the best level he’s played since he’s been here,” Hill said. “We’re letting (the corners) do a little more pressing, getting their hands on receivers. All of them are so physical, none of them are small, they’re all big, long arms. That can cause problems when you come up and challenge receivers. It’s been a good battle.”
In addition to the interception, Elbert led the defense with seven tackles. The unit had 11 tackles for loss in the scrimmage, including four sacks. Linebacker Bryce Notree had a strip-sack of Labanowitz.
“The defense has come out every single day with an intensity that I like,” Hill said. “They fly around, play with a lot of energy, they’re physical and they can run.”
The scrimmage was the first of three, full-contact scrimmages during spring ball, in which college teams can practice 15 times. SIU completed its seventh practice today and has another scrimmage scheduled next Saturday at 10 a.m., plus the annual Spring Game at 2 p.m. on April 7.
RUSHING
Daquan Isom: 12-60, 1 TD
Nate Strong: 5-26
Chris Perkins: 4-9
Brandon George: 4-9
Stone Labanowitz: 2-6
Matt DeSomer: 1-4
D.J. Hampton: 1-0
PASSING
Sam Straub: 7-17, 71 yards, 1 INT
Stone Labanowitz: 3-4, 40 yards
Brandon George: 4-6, 9 yards
RECEIVING
E’Mare Hogan: 5-45
Raphael Leonard: 2-44
Sam Bonansinga: 2-0
Sam Thompson: 1-15
Landon Lenoir: 1-10
Matt Quarells: 1-6
Hunter Milligan: 1-0
DEFENSE
Michael Elbert: 7 T, 1 INT
Bryce Notree: 5 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble
Jaylen Waters: 5 T
Raquan Lindsey: 4 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
Withney Simon: 4 T, 1 TFL
Jeremy Chinn: 3 T, 1 TFL
Tory Lewis: 3 T, 2 PBU
Qua Brown: 3 T, 1 TFL
Bryson Strong: 3 T
Titus Booker: 3 T
ZeVeyon Furcron: 2 T
Airan Reed: 2 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
Anthony Knighton: 2 T, 1 TFL
James Ceasar: 2 T
Travis Pickert: 2 T, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 PBU
Luke Giegling: 1 T
Jaylin Wilson: 1 T
Coleton Jeralds: 1 T
Nick Raby: 1 T
Bateman takes the helm of RLC volleyball
March 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment
INA, Ill. – Reggie Batman has officially be named Rend Lake College’s new Lady Warriors Volleyball Head Coach. He comes to RLC after spending four years coaching at Marion High School and five years coaching the club volleyball squad.
Bateman was first approached about the opening by a few of his former players who are currently playing for the Warriors.
Reggie Bateman, new head volleyball coach for the RLC Lady Warriors
“A lot of people in and around local volleyball know of me, so I had a few people reach out to me and say they felt like I was a good fit. At first, I was a little hesitant, but I always preach to my girls that you never know something until you try it. So, I decided to give it a shot. Don’t ever doubt yourself,” Bateman said.
He said once the cat was out of the bag, word spread like a wildfire. During his club coaching duties, other coaches were approaching him to congratulate him on the new position. Bateman also said many of his former players have also reached out to express congratulations.
In addition to his RLC responsibilities, Bateman will still coach club volleyball in Marion. But, due to NJCAA restrictions, he will be moving to a lower age bracket to ensure not recruiting violations take place.
On the court, Bateman says his coaching style is just pushing his players to give 110-percent.
“That’s my philosophy on life though. The minute you wake up, you need to be giving it 110-percent. You don’t want to go to bed thinking that you could have done more or you missed an opportunity. That’s what I want my team to bring to the court. You just have to lay it all out there. You don’t want to end a game with regrets,” expressed Bateman.
The newest RLC head coach has already begun the recruiting process for next season’s team. He excited for the coming season, but is tempering that excitement with cautious optimism. He said he understands there might be bumps in the road and anticipates it being a bit of a rebuilding process while he gets his system established, but he is looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish at this level.
He feels confident in the recruiting network he has built over the years coaching club ball. Already, he is having colleges reaching out to share potential prospect leads.
Bateman grew up in Chicago before transferring to SIU to earn his degree. While in Carbondale, he played on their club volleyball team.
“Southern Illinois kept brining me back. I’d leave and go home to Chicago for a few years and just end up wanting to come back to Southern Illinois. I’d leave again and then want to come back. Something just kept pulling me back here,” Bateman explained.
