Latest news with #Iowa-bound
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Natalie Muellner explains rubber toy chickens hanging from Oswego's dugout. It's a win-win. ‘They keep multiplying.'
The question had to be asked, and senior outfielder Natalie Muellner provided the answer. What's up with the rubber toy chickens hanging from the chain-link fence protecting Oswego's dugout each game, home or away? Their number seems to be growing. 'The first one has a Dave & Buster's shirt on it that's orange and blue,' Muellner said. 'I said, 'Oh my gosh, it's perfect. It's our school colors.' We found it on our (spring break trip) to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and I thought it would be kind of funny to put it up there. 'We kept on getting more of them and I was like, 'We should get one for every win we get.' And they keep multiplying.' So, it's not mystery chicken, it's victory chicken. That number hit a milestone Thursday with Oswego's 5-1 Southwest Prairie Conference win at home over Yorkville. The Panthers (29-1, 13-1) tied the program record for wins in a season set last spring when they finished third in the state in Class 4A. 'It's a big one,' Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said. 'Hopefully, there's a lot more to go.' With two regular-season games remaining — Monday at Minooka and Wednesday vs. Oswego East at home — the Panthers hold a one-game lead over Minooka (21-9 12-2) in conference. Winning pitcher Jaelynn Anthony (13-0) threw a two-hitter Thursday in hot, blustery conditions, with the wind blowing in from right field. 'That was tough,' Scaramuzzi said. 'We had at least two balls that normally would have gone out on any other day stay in. That changes the ball game because we're a long ball team. 'We had to produce at the plate in different ways.' It was an adventure for Anthony, a junior right-hander who struck out 10 but walked seven and hit two batters. Singles by senior shortstop Bella Phillips and junior third baseman Brooke Ekwinski were the only hits for the Foxes (17-10, 8-6). 'We needed that one clutch hit that would have scored a couple runs and swung momentum,' Yorkville coach Jory Regnier said. Anthony aided her cause with three singles and senior first baseman Rikka Ludvigson added a two-run single. 'I never worry when she's out there,' Scaramuzzi said of Anthony, who walked in Yorkville's lone run in the first inning without giving up a hit. 'I know she's gonna figure it out, settle in, and she did just that.' Iowa-bound senior catcher Kiyah Chavez did have an amazing streak end for Oswego, taking a called third strike from freshman reliever Isabella Rosauer in the bottom of the sixth. It's the first strikeout in nearly two full years for Chavez, the 2024 Beacon-News/Courier-News Softball Player of the Year who didn't strike out last season and had none this spring entering the game. 'Kiyah's the best hitter in the state and I'm confident in that statement,' Scaramuzzi said. But back to Muellner. The Wisconsin-Whitewater commit does much more than organize fowl play. She cracked the starting lineup midway through last season and finished hitting .327 with three home runs. The last of those provided the highlight of her career in a 2-1 state semifinal loss to St. Charles North. This spring, she's hitting .344 with three homers, four doubles and 21 RBIs. Scaramuzzi gets a kick out of the chicken collection. 'This is a silly team,' she said. 'They like to have a lot of fun, and that's kind of what just happened. This team plays its best when they're having fun.' The practice may be a little weird, Chavez agreed, but she noted there is precedence. Yorkville players took Wilbur the rally pig all the way to Peoria, earning a state runner-up finish in 2023 and still have it with them in the dugout every game. 'Oswego East had some kind of horse once, too,' Chavez said. 'It adds character to the team.'
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Using her speed, Savannah Page scores tying run as Oswego rallies to beat Lincoln-Way East. ‘It's a great rush.'
Oswego's Savannah Page has an impeccable sense of timing. And she has no fear. To wit, at the same time, the junior outfielder showed off the benefits Saturday afternoon of taking up long-distance running to build up her endurance but also increase her speed and quickness. 'I'm in the moment, feeling that adrenaline rush, and it's a great rush and excitement,' she said. 'It translates into how I play and what I want to do for the team — do whatever I can to help us win.' And the wins keep coming. Page produced two crucial hits and also scored a critical run Saturday as the Panthers rallied for a 5-4 nonconference victory in nine innings over Class 4A powerhouse Lincoln-Way East. Freshman infielder Adalynn Fugitt delivered the winning RBI single for Oswego (25-1). Senior outfielder Natalie Muellner advanced to third base on Page's single before scoring the walk-off run. In a marquee showdown of elite state contenders, Page powered the Panthers' comeback from a 4-2 deficit in the seventh. She alertly scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Iowa-bound senior catcher Kiyah Chavez. 'It was a little nerve-racking on that play, knowing I had to score,' Page said. 'I translated that into nervousness, adrenaline and confidence. I heard all of my teammates cheering me on. 'That boosted my confidence. I'll do anything for my team.' Her speed is no accident. Page began distance running as part of her offseason training and workout regimen. She's set to run her second half-marathon later this fall in Chicago. 'I started doing it about two years ago,' Page said. 'I love getting through those 13 miles and then crossing the finish line. It's rewarding, just like these games. 'Struggling through it and then winning at the end is an amazing feeling.' Senior outfielder Rhiana Martinez said Page's versatility and all-around effort underscores her contributions to winning. 'She's very quick and always hustles to every ball,' Martinez said. 'She always likes to pick up her teammates, in the box or in the field. 'Off the field, she's very kind, funny, outgoing and always yelling and encouraging everybody on. How she is off the lines is reflected in how she plays on the field.' In her second year on the varsity, Page has solidified her role as a standout defensive player. Her spectacular diving catch secured the Panthers' 1-0 victory over Wheaton North in a sectional championship last season as part of their historic run to finishing third in 4A. On the bases or roaming in center field, Page is always on the go. 'Her great speed is really important in the bottom of the order to turn things around and she has become a great defensive outfielder,' Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said. 'She has worked really hard to earn her spot. She shows up to practice every day on a mission.' Page, who's now hitting .433 with 33 runs, plays for an Oswego team with multiple Division I recruits. She's content with her role, however, and finds moments to excel in the details. 'I'm the girl who does all the little things,' Page said. 'I'm a contact-type player — line drives and getting on base. We're all a family here and we trust each other. 'We know each other's roles. It's all reflected in how we play.' Page has two younger brothers who both wrestle. She took up softball at age 8. Her father, Bryan, was her first coach. She's always associated the game with family and togetherness. 'My favorite part is just the people,' Page said. 'They're great people. My friends, my family. I feel like my passion for things, running or making crafts, translates into everything I do and how I play.'
Chicago Tribune
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Freshman speedster Adalynn Fugitt brings key dimension to Oswego's batting order. ‘Get ′em started, be the spark.'
Playing instructions for Oswego newcomer Adalynn Fugitt are pretty simple, really. You go girl. Fast. A freshman speedster and self-taught bunter and slapper, the left-handed Fugitt does just that. She's a blur on the bases for a veteran team coming off the program's first appearance at state. 'She impressed us at tryouts,' Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said of Fugitt. 'We knew we were missing some speed in our lineup, especially losing a difference-maker like Kaylee LaChappell to graduation. 'We were scoring runs, but we still felt like in tough games, we'd need the small ball and we'd need speed. We knew Adalynn would bring that.' But could she handle varsity pressure? So far, so good as Fugitt demonstrated that once again in a 9-3 victory Thursday when the Panthers traveled across town for a Southwest Prairie Conference showdown at Oswego East. 'Get ′em started, be the spark,' Fugitt said, describing her role. After being hit by a pitch to open Thursday's game, Fugitt stole second, moved to third on a fielder's choice and scored on a two-out single from Northern Illinois recruit Aubriella Garza. Fugitt added an RBI bunt single in a five-run second inning, beat out a slap grounder to third base and finally was retired on a comebacker to sophomore pitcher Addyson Dunn. Garza pitched the win for Oswego (17-0, 6-0). Iowa-bound senior catcher Kiyah Chavez highlighted a 10-hit attack with a two-run homer, her fourth of the season. Junior outfielder Savannah Page added a two-run triple. Sophomore second baseman Danielle Stone, senior outfielder Lundin Cornelius and senior catcher Ryenne Sinta had two hits apiece for the Wolves (7-8, 3-2). 'We had 10 hits and need to do better pushing them across the plate,' Oswego East coach Sarah Davies-Dymanus said. 'Get the bases loaded against a team like this you need to get something.' Oswego twice stopped potential rallies for the Wolves with double plays. Fugitt, meanwhile, opened the season playing one game for the junior varsity but joined the varsity for Oswego's trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama over spring break. 'She's very fast and basically fit right in,' Chavez said. 'I wanted her to be on our team from the beginning. I think a lot of us did, but I think they wanted her to earn her spot. 'She's incredibly talented, but being a freshman on varsity can be a lot, so I'm sure they wanted to give her a second. She's a great kid — hilarious. I love her.' Coaches were quickly impressed as well. 'From her first at-bat in Gulf Shores, we knew we had just found our leadoff hitter,' Scaramuzzi said. 'She slapped and beat it out.' Fugitt, who has played both middle infield positions, can play in the outfield and also pitches. LaChappell, now a freshman at Missouri S&T, hit .405 with a .477 on-base percentage and 24 stolen bases last spring. Fugitt is hitting .478 with a .529 OBP and seven steals in 15 games. She started softball at age 8 in the Oswego Baseball and Softball Association recreation league, and within a year had joined the Oswego Liberty travel program started by coach Doug Hagerty. 'I used to bat righty because I'm a natural righty,' said Fugitt, who ran track in middle school junior high and holds three Traughber Junior High records in the 100, 200 and hurdles. 'I actually didn't hit the greatest righty, so during COVID, I ended up switching to lefty by watching YouTube videos. 'It's tricky to track a ball while you're moving your feet, but I worked hard at it. I can swing away, but with our power hitters, I want to get on and let them hit me around.' Smart move since Oswego already has hit 24 home runs this season. 'I love slapping — it challenges me,' Fugitt said. 'You can take control of the offense. 'A good time from home to first is normally around 3.0 seconds. I think my best is 2.9.'
Chicago Tribune
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Alivia Lathen, daughter of legendary East Aurora basketball star, hits home run for Yorkville. How? ‘I just did.'
Yorkville's Alivia Lathen might want to keep visualizing good things happening for her when she steps into the batter's box. The sophomore second baseman was already 3-for-3 in a breakout performance Tuesday afternoon when she came to the plate in the top of the sixth inning at Kaneland. 'I was like thinking, 'Oh, I feel like I'm gonna hit a home run,'' Lathen said. 'And I just did.' See it, believe it. If it works, why not? Lathen's line-drive, two-run homer was a legitimate frozen rope, gaining little altitude while rocketing over the left field fence to complete the scoring in Yorkville's 10-2 nonconference win. 'My hitting has been a little iffy, but I've been getting in some extra work this week to get back to consistency,' Lathen said. 'I've been in my head a lot, swinging at pitches that aren't my pitches. 'This game, I was swinging at my pitches and waiting for my strength.' It started benignly enough for the Foxes (5-2) and Lathen, with a sacrifice bunt attempt in the second inning that was so well-placed it went for a single with no throw on the play. Lathen then added a double and single, boosting a 13-hit attack on Kaneland (7-2) that included three from Iowa-bound junior catcher Kayla Kersting in support of winning pitcher Ellie Fox. Fox, a junior right-hander, struck out eight in going the distance. She allowed six hits and a walk. 'I think we allowed her to get in a good rhythm and she was mixing (pitches) well and she kept us guessing a little bit more than what we should have,' Kaneland coach Mike Kuefler said of Fox. 'Ellie took advantage of the outside corner, and we just didn't make any adjustments for it.' Freshman first baseman Addison Coulter had two doubles and sophomore outfielder Ansley Ruh added a two-run single for the Knights. Junior righty Brynn Woods struck out seven in four innings. Kaneland was coming off a spring trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, winning four games and losing one in extra innings. 'We started out the season pretty strong and really haven't faced much adversity,' Kuefler said. 'Our girls are still learning and we learned (Tuesday).' That's true as well for Lathen, a second-year varsity player. 'I was happy to make varsity freshman year and start because I was playing a lot,' she said. 'I realized, though, I had to keep working hard just to keep playing. 'I felt a little nervous at first with the older girls, but they were very welcoming.' The daughter of Darius and Crystal Lathen, Alivia started playing softball when she was 9. She plays travel ball with the Crystal Lake-based Crush Tidal Waves Premier 16U. Her father is legendary in Aurora basketball circles, having made the game-winning shot for East Aurora in overtime of the 1999 sectional final win over West Aurora. Captured in a Beacon-News photograph, it's one of the most talked about moments in the long history of the East-West rivalry. Alivia's grandfather Craig 'Cubby' Lathen also starred in basketball at East Aurora, playing for the legendary coach Ernie Kivisto. She played basketball and volleyball but gave them up in junior high and after freshman year, respectively, to focus on softball. 'I don't want to say she struggled, but the last couple games, we faced some challenging pitchers,' Yorkville coach Jory Regnier said of losses to Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way Central. 'We just talked about her approach, approach, approach. 'She put in the extra reps and she's feeling good, had a great game. She's crazy athletic and is great on the bases. If the third baseman is playing back, she has the green light to bunt or drive the ball. She's a pretty dynamic player.'
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews fight brush blaze along Interstate 280
Crews continue to fight a brush fire that started Monday afternoon in the area of Interstate 280 and Utah Avenue, Davenport. The brush fire apparently jumped from the eastbound, or Illinois-bound, side of I-280 to the west side, or Iowa-bound, area of the interstate. Initial calls for firefighters at about 2 p.m. in an area near I-280 and River Drive. Crews still remained on the scene at 5 p.m. Fire departments at the scene included Blue Grass, Buffalo, Davenport and Eldridge. Our Quad Cities News will stay in contact with firefighters to provide details when they become available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
