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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Nick Lambert answers call on mound as Waubonsie Valley rolls past West Aurora. Key factor? ‘Better every time out.'
Senior right-hander Nick Lambert was definitely ready to take the mound Saturday morning for Waubonsie Valley. He just wasn't sure that was going to happen before the playoffs began. After Owen Roberts pitched the Warriors to Thursday's win, however, the coaching staff was faced with a decision — start Lambert or go with Seth Gilliland? Lambert, indeed, got the call. And he had to focus in quickly. 'I found out a day or two ago, so I had to mentally prepare for that,' Lambert said. 'I had a little bit of nerves, but I knew all I had to do was throw strikes, pitch my game and it would be fine.' Fine would be an understatement. Lambert cruised through five innings for the host Warriors in a 15-0 win over West Aurora in the Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional championship game. Lambert (7-1) struck out four and scattered four hits without a walk for Waubonsie (21-12), which plays at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday against the host Porters (24-13) in a Lockport Sectional semifinal. The Warriors scored 11 runs in the fourth inning to break Saturday's game open against West Aurora (27-8), sending 17 batters to the plate. It took pressure off Lambert and the Warriors. 'We've had three guys throwing the ball well all season,' Waubonsie coach Bryan Acevedo said. 'Going down to two games and two pitchers, we felt good. Nick has gotten better every time out. 'That was kind of the deciding factor. It was definitely a tough call. Seth has been really good.' Ryan Lucas produced two hits, including a double, scored twice and drove in three in the fourth for Waubonsie. Nick Cerilli added a two-run double. Roberts, Hiroshy Wong and Seth Nielson each had two hits, while Roberts and Nielson also drove in two runs apiece. Mason Atkins, Henry Hinkle, Eliseo Liscano and Chase Yusi had hits for West Aurora. Having three solid starting pitchers is a luxury in the regular season. In the playoffs, when two can carry the load to state, difficult choices need to be made. That was the case Saturday. But Lambert delivered exactly what Acevedo was hoping. 'He commands the zone,' Acevedo said. 'He throws three pitches for a strike. He's not going to walk you, so you're going to have to beat us when he's on the mound. That's what we saw.' Still, Lambert did find himself in a two-out jam in the bottom of the third inning. An error followed by a single from Liscano had the Blackhawks threatening in a scoreless game. Lambert got a strikeout to end the threat and then Waubonsie opened the floodgates. 'I think that's what carried our momentum,' Lambert said. 'Everybody had nerves, but once we got out of that inning, everybody was more relieved.' Josh Hung led off the fourth inning with a single and Shane Torres bunted him to second. 'We were playing for one and Nick was going to keep us in it,' Acevedo said. Waubonsie had other ideas, though, and the bottom of the order got it started. Lucas, Cerilli and Nielson combined for four RBIs to get the Warriors on the board and they kept going from there. 'The fourth inning there was like the inning from hell,' West Aurora coach John Reeves said. 'We couldn't get out of the inning. Honestly, I don't even know how to describe it.' The inning went so long that Lambert had to go down to the bullpen to stay loose. He was unfazed, retiring West Aurora's final six hitters in order to end the game. 'I just knew I had to go back out there and shut them down,' Lambert said. 'You can't give them any momentum.' And now, the momentum is with Waubonsie heading into the sectional. 'We like our chances,' Acevedo said. 'If we play clean defense and score a couple of runs for (Roberts), he's going to give us a chance to win a baseball game.'
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Waubonsie Valley senior Danny McGuigan earns a new perk in his new gig. He gets to enjoy a tie and a win.
Waubonsie Valley senior Danny McGuigan didn't see a lot of playing time until late in the regular season. He was used mainly as a pitcher out of the bullpen. But Waubonsie Valley coach Bryan Acevedo saw something in the Aurora University commit and decided to try him as the designated hitter. 'On Saturdays, when he got some opportunities, he hit some baseballs hard, and we liked his approach,' Acevedo said. 'We gave him some opportunities a couple weeks ago as the DH, and he hasn't left the lineup.' McGuigan left the bench only four times on Thursday, but he took advantage of his chances. He went 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBIs to lead the 10th-seeded Warriors to a 7-1 victory over sixth-seeded Naperville Central in the Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional semifinals. McGuigan's two-out, bases-loaded double in the top of the first inning plated the first three runs of the game. He blooped the hit into a perfect spot about a foot inside the right-field line. 'I was lucky on that one,' he said. 'I think it was a change-up away, and I tried to foul it off, but it stayed fair. 'That felt great. It set the tone for the rest of the game, and it really hyped me up as well as the team, so I was really pumped up by that.' The three runs were more than enough for senior right-hander Owen Roberts. The Indiana State commit pitched a three-hitter with two walks and 10 strikeouts and also went 2-for-5 with an RBI for the Warriors (20-12), who advance to play third-seeded West Aurora in the regional final at 11 a.m. Saturday. Roberts improved to 7-2. Junior infielder Casey Cooperkawa scored an unearned run in the sixth for the Redhawks (20-16). By that time, Waubonsie Valley was comfortably ahead, and it all started with McGuigan's big hit. 'That helped us to wake up because the energy was low,' Waubonsie Valley senior third baseman Hiroshy Wong said. 'When we scored that three runs, we got excited, we got happy.' Wong is happy to see McGuigan succeed. 'Being a DH is really tough because your only job is hitting, as you know,' Wong said. 'He had a slow start, but he never gave up. 'As they say, the game always comes back to you. So he's been working really hard in the cages, and it's paying off right now.' McGuigan got hits off three pitchers. He had an RBI double and scored in the fifth inning and singled in the seventh. 'I've got to stay locked in on the other pitcher, taking it at-bat by at-bat,' McGuigan said. 'So before my first at-bat, l just really try to zone in and figure out how I'm going hit him and see what he's throwing.' McGuigan's hitting prowess isn't the only new wrinkle for the Warriors. He was seen wearing a striped tie in the dugout after each of his hits. 'Our manager, Matthew Choi, used to dress up in a shirt and tie for big games, and today he just brought the tie and used it as kind of like the celebration chain type of thing you see in the NFL or Major League Baseball,' Acevedo said. Just like that, a new tradition appears to have begun. 'It started out of nowhere,' McGuigan said. 'Matthew just brought it out and put it on one of the poles and started putting it on everybody who hit.' Expect McGuigan to continue as the DH. 'He's got a really good mentality for it,' Acevedo said. 'He's kind of a goofy kid, but he's able to lock in in spurts. 'We talk about team mystique in our program and for guys to take the next step as a senior, and he's definitely done that for us this year.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Danone brings Oikos into the $7 billion protein shake market
This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. Danone is entering the $7 billion protein shake market for the first time as the CPG giant aims to bring its yogurt brands into new food categories. The Paris-based company is introducing an Oikos protein shake that taps into consumer demand for functional, on-the-go nutrition. The Oikos Protein Shakes are the first non-refrigerated option on the market for one of Danone's yogurt brands. Nearly three-quarters of Americans want to consume more protein, Danone noted, but finding that in a convenient and nutrient-packed option to fit their busy lifestyles isn't always easy. 'The heart of the [Oikos] brand is in yogurt, but the brand stands for more than that,' Rafael Acevedo, president of yogurt for Danone North America, said in an interview. It 'has the potential to expand beyond yogurt, to bring these benefits to other places in the store.' The protein shake brings Oikos, already known for its high protein content, from the refrigerated section to the center of the store. A shelf-stable option can be a selling point for protein shake drinkers, who are more likely to purchase multi-packs and consume the beverage on a more frequent basis as a meal replacement. Each 12-ounce bottle of Oikos Protein contains 30 grams of the muscle-building attribute. The drink also includes 5 grams of prebiotic fiber to support digestive health, 1 gram of sugar and vitamins A and D for immune system support. The broader better-for-you ingredient list makes the shake more nutritionally dense, Acevedo said, and separates it from other shakes that typically only prioritize protein. The shakes will be available in three flavors: vanilla, chocolate and salted caramel. They are currently rolling out on shelves and will first be available at select retailers including Amazon, Kroger and CVS, before appearing at Walmart, Costco, Target and other large chains in the summer. Retail sales of Oikos surged 40% in 2024, topping $1 billion in annual sales for the first time, as it benefited from consumer interest in healthier foods with nutritional benefits. The nearly 20-year-old Oikos brand also has been a major beneficiary of an uptick in the use of GLP-1 medications, with the yogurt offering high protein levels and portion-controlled containers. Despite the recent strength in yogurt, Acevedo said protein shakes are growing faster, with sales increasing 15% last year. A protein shake 'is a very important innovation for the brand,' he added. 'We're super excited about the opportunity to continue to move into these high-growth segments.' Acevedo said it could eventually bring Oikos into bars or other food segments as part of Danone's 'long-range innovation pipeline." The CPG manufacturer also is considering whether to bring additional yogurt brands into new categories, he said. Recommended Reading Danone's yogurt sales surge among US consumers using GLP-1 drugs 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
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘I really thought she was safe,' Aunt of dead North Shore girl speaks out
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The aunt of a North Shore girl who died after authorities said she was severely abused told KHON2 she thought the girl's adoptive parents were the perfect fit and the girl would be safe. Instead, she's left with so many questions. Relatives of 11-year-old Azaeliyah Pili Ah You can't believe she's gone and wish they had done more. Judge denies bail for woman accused of beating adopted daughter to death 'We weren't in the best place to take her at the time, like she could have struggled with us and still been alive,' said Hai Acevedo, Azaeliyah's aunt. 'You know, like we would have been able to make it happen.' Azaeliyah died in December 2023. Her adoptive mother, Sina Pili, is charged with manslaughter, accused of beating her to death. 'I really thought that she was safe,' said Acevedo. 'I never would have thought any of this would have happened.' Hai Acevedo is Azaeliyah's aunt. Cousins with her biological mom, who passed away a few years ago. She's also related to Pili's husband, Davis Pili, who has not been arrested or charged in connection with this case. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Even Acevedo admits that on paper, the Pilis were the perfect fit. Davis Pili is a bailiff whose family is well-known in the community. Sina Pili was a teacher in the DOE and was working on her PhD while raising Azaeliyah and four other adopted children. During her bail hearing, Pili's attorney, Miles Breiner, asked the court-appointed guardian about Pili's relationship with her four other adopted children. 'Is there any evidence whatsoever that the children have ever been abused? None,' replied Sheri Ritter, attorney/guardian ad Litem. 'Any evidence that the children have ever been malnourished? None. Tortured? No. Are the kids, based on you being the GAL, would you describe them as thriving? Absolutely.' 'If you couldn't handle her after you took her in, why adopt her?' asked Acevedo. 'Why even take those steps to keep her if you couldn't handle it, like, I just don't. She would have been better off waiting for us in the system until somebody was ready to take her.' Acevedo currently lives on the Big Island, but lived near Azaeliyah for years. She said her oldest daughter and Azaeliyah were like two peas in a pod growing up. Now, she has to explain why her cousin is gone.'It's just so sad because kids are so innocent, and you try to preserve the innocence in them, you know, and having to tell them that their cousin died like that was the hardest thing that I had to do,' said Acevedo. Pili's trial is scheduled for May. 'What do you hope the outcome is? I hope she goes to jail,' said Acevedo. 'I hope she gets stuck in jail. I do, I hope justice is served.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
If it's only one at-bat, Peyton Globke knows his role for Lincoln-Way West. Big hits. Clutch hits. ‘All the time.'
Junior outfielder Peyton Globke has emerged as Lincoln-Way West's go-to guy off the bench. Warriors coach Jake Zajc will often save him for the right moment, bringing him in to pinch hit in a big situation. Globke does everything he can to be prepared for the moment, staying focused mentally and making sure to remain in gear physically — especially on cold early season days. 'Coach always tells me to be ready for those moments,' Globke said. 'I'm just running up and down to keep my body warm, swinging in between innings, just staying loose. 'Just got to stay ready for it all the time.' Globke answered the call Friday, delivering a go-ahead two-run double in his lone at-bat to spark the host Warriors to an 8-2 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Lincoln-Way East in New Lenox. Illinois-Chicago recruit Lucas Acevedo threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win for Lincoln-Way West (10-0, 2-0). He struck out five and allowed just two hits while also contributing an RBI and a run offensively. Carson Paulas also went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for the Warriors. Kentucky recruit Conor Essenburg finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Rocco Triolo went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Lewis recruit Jaden Henry doubled and scored for Lincoln-Way East (9-2, 2-1). Starting pitcher Jack Tamer allowed just one run and struck out five over three-plus innings. The Griffins held a 2-0 lead until the Warriors put up six runs in the fourth. After Paulas' RBI double got Lincoln-Way West on the board, Globke came up with runners on second and third and one out. Since Globke's chances to hit often occur in key moments, he's got his approach down pat. 'Just taking a deep breath in during each pitch, not letting the moment get to me and just staying calm,' Globke said. Globke ripped a two-run double down the left field line to give the Warriors the lead. Just what Zajc was looking for. 'We rely on Peyton for that,' Globke said. 'He's one of our offensive players who's been in the mix and we told him to stay ready any time (Friday). I was really happy for him and happy for us that he came through. That was a good two-strike hit and kind of broke it open for us.' Globke is happy to play his role, whatever that may be, on a team loaded with talent. 'You've got to always support the team, no matter whether you're sitting or not,' he said. 'Then when you get a chance in a big moment like that, obviously you've got to take advantage of it every time. 'It felt really good to come through. Carson got us started us off pretty well and then my hit definitely kept us going.' Acevedo took care of the rest, shutting down the Griffins late. Starting the game at shortstop, Acevedo was sure to develop a scouting report in his head in case he was needed on the mound. 'When I'm in relief, whether we're down or up, I'm attacking everybody,' he said. 'I've seen in the field what the hitters can do, what they can handle, what they're looking for, and I come in with a plan to attack. 'As a starter, you don't really get all of that.' The Warriors have thrived with their depth, having both a high number of arms they can rely on as well as a plethora of hitters capable of being the hero on any given day. This time, it was Globke who delivered the biggest hit. Whether he's starting or coming off the bench, Globke is always having a blast. 'Eight years ago, I quit soccer and started playing baseball and I've been all baseball since,' he said. 'I love it. It's fun. I like to think I'm decent at it and I just have fun all the time.' Originally Published: April 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM CDT
