Latest news with #2A
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
State Tournament preview: Eureka, Lexington, LeRoy, Notre Dame seek titles
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Four area high schools could be celebrating state championships this weekend. Eureka and Lexington are heading to the state baseball finals in Champaign. Leroy is headed to Peoria for state softball and Notre Dame to Naperville for the girls soccer state tournament. Eureka is at the state baseball tournament for the first time since 2013 when it finished fourth. The Hornets face Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in the class 2A semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday at Illinois Field on the campus of the University of Illinois. In their last 11 games, the Hornets (34-4) have posted three shutouts and have only allowed 20 total runs. Pitching and defense have been their calling card, but having the big bat of Mason Stoller in the middle of the lineup doesn't hurt either. 'He's a big dude for us,' said senior Ben Lapp. 'He gets clutch hits in big spots, big hits. And he's good at base running too.' Stoller has 49 hits and 49 RBI in 38 games. 'Every time I go up to bat, it's see ball, hit ball,' Stoller said. 'When you get up to bat, you just can't think. You just have to go.' Lexington is at the state baseball finals for the first time in 35 years. Lexington won state in 1990, its only other trip to state. 'It's been crazy but we're going to win it all,' said senior Jaxson Goodrich. 'The last team that won the sectional championship (won state). That's what we're competing with, they won it all. We've got to do it.' Lexington (19-11) plays defending state champ Ottawa Marquette in the class 1A semifinals Friday at 10 a.m. 'The baseball fields have been dead for a while (in Lexington),' coach Tanner Schieber after his team beat Salt Fork, 5-3, in the super-sectional Monday to earn a trip to state. 'To get a crowd out like this. Hope to see them all again Friday morning at 10 A.M. Bringing Lexington baseball back is huge.' Leroy is headed to the state softball tournament for the second time in three years. The Panthers (34-5) will face Dakota in Friday's 12:30 p.m. class 1A state semifinal at the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria. 'I feel a lot more comfortable going over (to Peoria) this year. Last time there were a lot of unknowns,' said LeRoy coach Doug Hageman. LeRoy finished third at state in 2023, the only previous trip to state for the program. 'Now we kind of have an idea of what to expect,' Hageman said. 'I don't know if that'll make a difference or not but we are so excited to be going back.' The Notre Dame girls soccer team is headed to state for the 12th time in school history but the Irish are still looking for their first championship. And although the team is 25-1-1, coach Ben Ralph thinks his squad still hasn't played its soccer of the season. 'We've been phenomenal defensively. We just need to figure it out offensively a little bit,' Ralph said. 'We haven't played a full 80 (minutes). Hopefully that's this weekend.' Notre Dame plays Springfield in the 2A state semifinals Friday at 2:30 at North Central College in Naperville. Junior Ava Lafollette scored three times in the second half as PND beat previously undefeated New Lenox Providence Catholic, 3-0, in the super-sectional Monday. 'There's a lot of mental toughness to stay locked in for 80 minutes. We focus on that. Especially (in the super-sectional),' said junior Abigail Chaddock. 'The first half didn't go the way we wanted. But we stayed locked in for the whole game and got three goals in the second half.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
GC Softball: Dawson reaps All-District honors
DAWSON — New Dawson softball Coach Michael Moore took over and did a terrific job leading the Lady Bulldogs to the 2A playoffs, where the won the Bi-District title. Moore's young ladies were honored for their success on the 18-2A All-District Softball team. Three Dawson girls earned First-Team honors and three took home Second-Team honors. Advertisement Freshman pitcher Chole Boatright earned First-Team honors in her first season at Dawson and senior shortstop Kaylee Payne, who has had a brilliant career on the Dawson diamond, repeated as a First-Team player. Tattum Hill, a junior, was named the 18-2A First-Team catcher. Senior Jady Miller, who had a brilliant career, made the Second-Team as the district's utility (most versatile) player, and sophomores McKenna Stoker, a third baseman, and pitcher Laney Cates both were named to the Second-Team. Sophomore Emma Guerra and senior Tamia Valenzuela were named to the district's Honorable Mention list as outfielders and Valenzuela and Tattum Hill earned All-District All-Academic honors.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Does Trump's Transgender Military Ban Conflict with 2A Values?
DALLAS, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court recently allowed the Trump-era ban on transgender service members to go into effect, reigniting debates about personal freedoms, trust in public institutions, and the role of gun rights advocates in social issues. This ruling permits the discharge or barring of individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria from military service, prompting discussions about what this means for LGBTQ Americans and those who defend constitutional freedoms. Wes Siler, an outdoorsman, prominent 2A advocate, and Montana Senate candidate known for bridging communities, weighed in on the controversy in an exclusive correspondence with GunsAmerica: "If a person is dedicated to protecting the freedoms promised to all Americans, and can pass the requirements necessary, why shouldn't they be allowed to serve their country?" Siler asked pointedly. Siler's experiences with marginalized communities, especially LGBTQ youth, have shaped his understanding. Working directly with homeless youth—many of whom were transgender—he emphasized a truth: "Trans people are people, just like everyone else. If there's anything that makes them different, it's the challenges they face." Many believe those challenges are substantial. Trans individuals face a suicide risk 19 times greater than the general population, and government-targeted discrimination can exacerbate this risk dramatically—by as much as 72 percent, according to Siler. Addressing whether Trump's transgender military ban erodes trust between LGBTQ Americans and public institutions, Siler remarked: "It's a remarkable testament to strength of character that people from a community targeted for hatred and discrimination would dedicate themselves to serve the very people who discriminate against them. That's exactly the kind of person who has the capacity to lead." But should gun-rights organizations speak out more forcefully about such issues, or would that be outside their scope? According to Siler, it aligns squarely with their mission: "The purpose of the Second Amendment is to give Americans the ability to defend their other rights. Any organization claiming to stand for 2A must also acknowledge the importance of the rights it was written to protect." For Siler, there's no contradiction between robust 2A advocacy and pushing back against policies that marginalize LGBTQ individuals. In fact, he views self-defense as fundamental for those facing the highest risks: "Trans people are four times more likely to be victims of violent crime, with risks compounded for women and people of color. A Black trans woman faces a greater threat of violence than virtually any other American. If anyone embodies the necessity of the Second Amendment for self-defense, it's the trans community." Reflecting broadly on the issue, Siler highlights a historical pattern that should be considered: "History's villains have always risen to power by dividing cultures against themselves, persecuting those least able to defend themselves. The persecutions faced by Christians in ancient Rome or Jews in 1930s Germany are reminders playing out today with trans people and immigrants. History's lessons are clear; it is our responsibility to learn from them." This intersection between LGBTQ rights and Second Amendment advocacy isn't new, but maybe now, in light of recent developments, it demands renewed focus. See the original article on GunsAmerica Digest. Media Contact:Seth Larneymedia@ About GunsAmerica Founded in 1997, is one of the oldest and most trusted online firearms marketplaces in the United States. Connecting millions of gun buyers and sellers, GunsAmerica is committed to promoting responsible gun ownership and protecting Second Amendment rights. With a robust editorial platform, secure listing infrastructure, and partnerships with leading firearm brands and organizations, GunsAmerica remains at the forefront of the digital gun community. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE GunsAmerica Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vote now for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week (May 19 to 24)
Vote now for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between May 19-24. Voting will remain open until noon Thursday. The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below. Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted. Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley ( or Tyler Wicke (twicke@ or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete's first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday. Ella Ferguson, Tumwater softball — Senior threw a complete-game one-hitter with 14 strikeouts in Friday's 2A state quarterfinals (0 ER, 1 BB) and went 1-for-3 with a double at the plate to silence Lynden, 6-0. In Friday's state-opening 17-1 win over Nathan Hale, Ferguson threw three perfect innings (7 K) and doubled at the plate (1-for-4, RBI). Carly Ikei, Gig Harbor golf — Shot a two-day 149 (75-74), finishing in third place at the 3A girls state golf tournament at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane. Jessika Jennings, Graham-Kapowsin softball — Senior pitcher struck out 11 and homered at the plate in Friday's 8-5 state win over Glacier Peak, then threw a five-inning one-hitter (0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) in Saturday's 8-0 state win over North Creek. The Eagles raced to a third-place finish at the 4A state tournament in Richland. Paige Jones, Peninsula softball — Seahawks shortstop went 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBI in Thursday's state-opening win over Southridge, 11-10. Leila Kennach, Franklin Pierce softball — Senior SS/P homered in Friday's 9-4 state win over Nathan Hale, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs, and three RBI. In the circle, threw a pair of shutout relief innings (2 H) with no walks and four strikeouts. Ella Lee, Charles Wright golf — Shot a two-day 159 (81-78), finishing in fifth place at the 1A state girls golf tournament at Liberty Lake Golf Course. Sierra Murray, Rogers softball — Rams freshman carried Rogers to the 4A state championship with consistently-dominant pitching, going 3-1 in four combined tournament starts (27 IP) with a 1.00 ERA (3 ER), 32 strikeouts and 11 walks. At the plate, went a combined 4-for-12 (.333 AVG) with a home run and two RBI. Sofia Nguyen, Fife golf — Shot a two-day 154 (77-77), finishing in second place at the 2A state girls golf tournament at the Tumwater Valley Golf Club. Avery Peterson, Kentwood golf — Shot a two-day 155 (80-75), tying for third place at the 4A girls state golf tournament at Eagles Pride Golf Course in DuPont. Brooklyn Pettit, Graham-Kapowsin softball — Freshman P/OF homered in Friday's 15-2 state win over Tahoma and threw a shutout relief inning (2 K), finishing 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Sarah Stevens, Tumwater softball — T-Birds 1B/P homered in Friday's 17-1 state win over Nathan Hale and threw two relief innings (1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) to shut the door. Kenzie Stolmeier, Emerald Ridge softball — Senior catcher homered twice in Saturday's 9-8 state win over Skyline, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk, two homers, and four RBI. Alanna Wirtala, Emerald Ridge softball — Senior ace defused one of the area's strongest lineups in Friday's 3-1 state win over Tahoma, throwing a complete-game two-hitter with one run (0 ER), no walks, and 15 strikeouts. In Emerald Ridge's 7-1 win over Glacier Peak later Friday, Wirtala threw a complete game (6 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) and went 3-for-4 at the plate with a walk, home run, two doubles, and three RBI.
Indianapolis Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Defense has carried Lapel softball. And the gloves were on point again Monday.
ELWOOD — Lapel softball has preached defense all season. It's part of the team's foundation and there's not one position that does not have coach AJ Balser's full confidence. There are no weak spots, he said Monday afternoon, and with that dependability comes versatility, allowing him to move pieces around based on their pitcher (they have nine) and specific matchups. With sophomore Addie Bodenhorn in the circle — a pitcher who prefers pitching for flyouts to racking up the strikeouts — the Bulldogs delivered another masterpiece in the Class 2A Sectional 39 opener vs. Frankton. Bodenhorn faced 22 batters Monday. She struck out two of them and of the 20 who put the ball in play, 19 were retired (14 via fly out or pop out). The one exception: A single to left with two outs in the first. Bodenhorn was excellent. The defense was perfect. And defending 2A state runner-up Lapel advanced to the sectional semifinals with a 6-0 win over its county rival. "Our defense has really carried our team this season," said infielder Paige Stires, who has two errors on 74 chances (.973 fielding percentage). "Our bats have been pretty slow, so having a great defense that is helping us win these games and keeping teams off the scoreboard has been a huge help." The defense displayed at Elwood High School was nothing new for the Bulldogs (20-6), who boast a team fielding percentage of .949 with 34 errors on 668 chances. They've gone error-free in 10 games this season — zero errors in three of their past five games — and been charged with one or fewer in 18. That makes life exponentially less stressful for their pitchers, obviously, and fits perfectly with an arm like Bodenhorn, who's allowed just two earned runs (four total) on 22 hits and struck out 31 in her 41 innings since spring break (she did not pitch the first leg of the season due to injury). If Bodenhorn's not hitting her spots, not getting those fly outs she wants, she knows her defense will be there to pick her up. "We know that we have to have her back," said senior middle infielder Tatum Harper, who converted her three chances in the field Monday. "She's working really hard on the mound to give us those opportunities to get those outs, so it's really just working with her." "We're all pretty confident in Addie when she's on the mound because we know she's confident in us to make the plays," Stires added. "It gives us a boost of energy when our pitcher knows we have her back." Lapel's dependable defense has also helped it weather an inconsistent season offensively. They're batting .337 as a team with 250 hits and were shutout on only three hits in their penultimate regular-season game vs. Shenandoah. The Bulldogs were putting the ball in play vs. Frankton, and capitalized on their opponent's four fielding errors, generating a couple runs through the first five innings before the bottom half of the lineup initiated a four-run rally in the sixth. Of Lapel's 10 hits, four came from their 7-8-9 hitters (Delaney Balser, Ella Reed and Jama Everman), with Everman collecting two hits and two runs. The team's 1-2 hitters, Harper and Stires, posted two hits and two RBIs, respectively. "We have to be able to put bunts in play and make the other team make plays. Knowing situations and things like that has been a challenge for us, but we're catching on at the right time," Balser said. "We've worked on those situational things quite a bit and I think it's starting to stick." Lapel will face Taylor (0-19) in the sectional semifinals Tuesday at 5 p.m.
