Rivermen's president cup dreams end; Thunderbolts to finals
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria Rivermen's hope for back-to-back President Cups ended after losing in the semi-finals to the Evansville Thunderbolts by a score of 3-1.
The Thunderbolts led the Rivermen 2-1 as time ran down in the third period before scoring an empty net goal to seal the game at 3-1 and take the best-of-three series with a 2-0 sweep.
The Rivermen got off to an early 1-0 lead in Evansville with their lone goal from Josh Martin with assists from Carson Baptiste and Jordan Ernst.
The Thunderbolts remained scoreless in the first period but would tie the game up 8:58 into the second period with a power play goal from Tyson Gilmour.
They would then score their second goal just 10 minutes later as Logan Vande Meerakker sank a shot with an assist from Grayson Valente.
The final dagger came when Tyson Gilmour fired in his second goal of the night on an empty net with 19 seconds remaining in the game.
The Rivemen, led by coach of the year for the SPHL Jean-Guy Trudel, finished the regular season atop the conference with a 40-10 record.
The Thunderbolts finished the regular season with a record of 24-24 and will go on to play the winner of the Knoxville Ice Bears and the Birmingham Bulls, which play at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
01-06-2025
- CBS News
Windy City Thunderbolts playing with purpose as manager Bobby Jenks battles stomach cancer
The Windy City Thunderbolts baseball team is playing with a special purpose this season. Their leader and 2005 White Sox World Series champion, Bobby Jenks, is battling cancer thousands of miles away, while his friend and former teammate tries to hold down the fort in Crestwood. Ozinga Field feels a little empty this season, with the Thunderbolts missing their manager, Bobby Jenks. "Bobby last year was one of those guys you really want to rally behind and play for," pitcher Greg Duncan said. "He was fun. He was very fun to play with, but also if you're doing something wrong, he's going to let you know," pitcher Buddie Pindel said. "It was unbelievable. I mean, he cared so much. His work ethic was unbelievable. Personally, I grew up a White Sox fan, so that was really cool for me," infielder Christian Kuzemka said. Jenks took over as manager of the Thunderbolts in the independent Frontier League last season, and was set to return for a second year until he was hit with a stage 4 stomach cancer diagnosis, news that hit this Thunderbolts team hard. "Gut-wrenching. It was really hard. I teared up when I heard about it; someone so genuine and so special, that gives you opportunities, and is there for you, not only as a colleague, but also as a friend. But I know he's not soft. That is for dang sure. He's going to fight like hell, and he's going to do his best to get back here, and I'm really looking forward to seeing him," Duncan said. "Devastated, right? But he's a fighter. My father had stomach cancer, so I'm really in tune with what that battle is like. Obviously, just heartbroken, but if anyone can beat it, it's Bobby Jenks. You saw it when he pitched with the Sox, right? He grinded every day. He threw 102 mph before everyone else did. So, heartbroken, but we know he can fight it," Kuzemka said. Toby Hall, who Jenks had hired to be his bench coach in 2025, is now tasked with trying to fill Jenks' shoes as interim manager this season. Hall was an assistant on Jenks' staff last season, but they're more than just colleagues. They're also good friends and former teammates on the White Sox in 2007 and 2008, making this an incredibly difficult circumstance to take over the interim manager duties. "It sucks. You know, because one of my best friends is going through what he's going through, and I told him I'd hold down the fort," Hall said. Do Hall and Jenks get the chance to talk at all lately? "It's via text lately," Hall said. "Last good conversation about a month ago, and that was a tough one, but he's in spirits. He's sending me players, and telling me you gotta get this guy, and that guy, but we only have so many transactions that we can do. I try to let him know, hey, everything's fine, we're good, but on the flip side it's keeping him engaged." This team has Jenks on their mind every time they take the field in Crestwood or on the road, as he clearly made quite an impact in his first and only season managing them. "Every time we step out there, we know Bobby's paying attention. We want to do it for him, because if we can make him a little more happier, we know that's going to help his fight, and when we're tired in the dog days of summer, we know we're not as tired as he is right now," Kuzemka "We had a players only meeting about it, and it was like, 'those who are new, and don't really understand the situation, here's what it is.' You're not only playing for the guys in front of you and behind you, you're playing for someone bigger than that who's going through a fight, that is killing to be here right now. It's just one day at a time, one fight at time, just like he's doing," Duncan said. Hall said he also wants all players to play for themselves as well, as they chase their baseball dreams, while keeping Jenks in their thoughts. Jenks remains in Portugal, where his wife's family is from. According to the Thunderbolts, his treatment has been going as planned with no major complications, and he is still hoping to make it back to Chicago this summer. The White Sox' 20-year World Series reunion is set for the weekend of July 11 at Rate Field.
Chicago Tribune
31-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Xavier recruit Luke Mensik shows he's no longer little brother as Lincoln-Way Central outduels Andrew. ‘Deserves it.'
Luke Mensik has always been the little brother in a dynamic baseball duo he's formed with his brother, Landon. Landon, who graduated last year from Lincoln-Way Central, is now playing at Xavier. Luke is set to join him there next year. For now, however, Luke is enjoying the perspective that has developed in his one season without his sibling by his side. 'It's 100% a different feeling,' Mensik said. 'I always grew up playing on Landon's teams. I was always in his shadow a little bit. I was always with his friends and stuff like that. 'I love playing with him and that's why I'm going to play with him next year, but having this year without him, it's also cool to have the spotlight to myself a little bit.' That spotlight has never shined brighter on Luke than it did Saturday. The senior right-hander was brilliant, tossing a one-hitter and striking out eight to lift the Knights to a 1-0 win over the host Thunderbolts in the Class 4A Andrew Regional championship game in Tinley Park. Luke Tingley went 3-for-3 for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (21-10). Conor McCabe singled and scored the lone run, while Toledo recruit Liam Arsich added a single and a walk. The Knights, who won their second straight regional title, will take on top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (27-10) at 4 p.m. Wednesday in a Lincoln-Way West Sectional semifinal in New Lenox. Caden Kendall threw six strong innings for fifth-seeded Andrew (25-12), striking out five and allowing only an unearned run on six hits. 'I used to work out with him a little bit,' Mensik said of Kendall. 'I'm really just happy for him to be a junior and throw that great of a game at this time of the year. He's going places. 'It's fun being in a pitching battle like that. I'm always just trying to outduel the other guy, and in the end, that's what I did.' Caden Kendall's twin brother, Nolan, had the only hit for the Thunderbolts on a bunt single. Mensik faced the minimum 21 batters. Nolan Kendall's single was followed by a double play. Andrew's only other base runner came on an error and was erased by a caught stealing. Senior catcher Cade Andrews saw Mensik in total control all day. 'It was awesome,' Andrews said. 'Everything I called, he was able to put it in the zone. When you do that, you're going to give your defense opportunities or just strike them out. He was unreal.' The Knights got the only run they would need in the fourth inning. Tingley came up with runners at first and second and two outs and produced an infield single. An error on the play allowed McCabe to come home. 'I was just sticking with my approach and trying to drive it to the opposite field,' Tingley said. 'I was just trying to do whatever I can to get the run in, do my job and help the team.' Mensik did the rest, improving to 3-2 with a 0.66 ERA. He's allowed only four runs over 42 1/3 innings. Lincoln-Way Central coach Ryan Kutt always has faith in his ace. 'Luke's been a leader for us for quite some time now,' Kutt said. 'We leaned on him last year. We even leaned on him as a sophomore. But for him to have the ability to come out there in the seventh inning, up 1-0 in a game like this and be lights out says everything about him. 'He deserves it and I'm just happy for him.' Mensik has taken that leadership role more seriously this year. And he feels his biggest improvement has been in attitude. 'In past years, I let emotions get the best of me,' Mensik said. 'This year, I just hunkered down on throwing strikes, letting my defense help me and staying even keeled the whole time instead of riding the highs and lows.'
Chicago Tribune
30-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Ryan Burns, who plans to study business at Indiana, goes to work as Andrew stymies Shepard. ‘Want to savor it.'
After four years of playing football and baseball at Andrew, senior outfielder Ryan Burns is preparing for the end of his athletic career. Burns plans to study business at Indiana, where he will give up sports and focus on academics. So, he certainly wants to make his final run on the baseball field a special one. 'These games mean everything to me,' Burns said. 'I'll remember them forever. Every game, I want to just do my best and have fun. I have nothing else to get ready for anymore. 'This is it. I definitely want to savor it.' Burns created some major memories Thursday, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run to help the host Thunderbolts roll to a 10-0 win over Shepard in six innings in a Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal in Tinley Park. Jason Rediger also chipped in with a pair of doubles, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run for fifth-seeded Andrew (25-11), which will take on fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (20-10) at 11 a.m. Saturday in the regional final. JT Iles went 2-for-4 with a run and Drew Alexander added two RBIs for the Thunderbolts. Ben Reilly, making just his second start of the season after typically pitching out of the bullpen, threw six shutout innings, striking out nine and allowing just two hits and no walks. 'I was really excited,' Reilly said. 'It's my first year on varsity and I worked really hard all year to get this opportunity. I prepared myself well (Wednesday) night. I got some good rest, ate some good food today and my whole body felt great. 'I was ready for the game. I was hyped.' TJ Georgis and Steve Magana each had a double for 11th-seeded Shepard (13-17-2). Burns, meanwhile, sparked a six-run third inning for Andrew with a two-run double to the gap in right-center field. 'The guy before me got hit by a pitch so I thought he would throw me a first-pitch fastball,' Burns said. 'He did, I was ready for it and I put my best swing on it. 'It really fired up me and a lot of the guys in the dugout.' Hitting in the fifth spot in the order, Burns has been a consistent run producer for the Thunderbolts. Andrew coach Dave DeHaan knows he can count on Burns to deliver in big situations. 'Between football and baseball, he's played in a lot of big games,' DeHaan said. 'Guys like Ryan and TJ Burke have been through it all with football and baseball and have worked hard. ' I just want them to enjoy it because it's going fast.' That reality is something Burns has done his best to block out. 'I'm trying to ignore it for now,' Burns said. 'Once the last game happens then I'll embrace that. 'Last year, we won a regional and it was one of the best experiences playing baseball in my life, so I'm just very excited for this chance to try to make another run.' Andrew won its first 10 regular-season games and 15 of its first 17 this spring before struggling a bit in late April and early May. Thursday's win was the Thunderbolts' fifth in a row, and Reilly is confident things are back on track. 'We're flowing,' Reilly said. 'We're working as one team right now, which is what we need. We were a little off for a stretch, but we've found our groove and we're going with the flow.' Burns is one of the seniors setting the tone. His football experience certainly helps with that. 'Playing football taught me a lot of leadership, which I carried on to baseball,' Burns said. 'Playing two sports taught me a lot of hard work and time management, being able to control two sports at a time, especially over the summer. 'I think playing both sports is the best decision that I've made.'
