When the weather turned south in northern Illinois, two area teams headed south.

The St. Bede baseball and LaSalle-Peru softball teams are making spring flings this week to warmer climates in the South. The Bruins are playing in Tennessee while the L-P girls are off enjoying the sun in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

St. Bede coach Bill Booker reported in from Tennessee Wednesday morning that the Bruins were enjoying a sunny, 80-degree day.

The Bruins lost to Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.) 16-1 on Tuesday.

L-P senior Taylor Vescogni said the girls are having a good time.

“It’s so nice. The weather is perfect,” she said. “We played two really competitive games yesterday and we have won all of our games so far with our last one being (Thursday). This trip is always good for our team bonding.”

Part of that bonding include a session of yoga on the beach.

The Cavaliers defeated Cicero North Syracuse (N.Y.) 6-0 and Jackson, Ohio 3-0 on complete-game shutouts by Vescogni and Claire Boudreau.

Return to Foley Field

The Hall baseball team anxiously awaits its anticipated debut on Thursday, April 9 on its newly renovated home field at Foley Field at Kirby Park in Spring Valley.

A new fence was put all around, along with a new back stop and warning track. The infield was scraped, graded and new sod was laid last fall, which they are allowing more time for the roots to take all the way before playing on it. The mound and plate area were also rebuilt along with an irrigation system.

“We had great support from both the city and school officials and we are anxious to get on it for practices and games,” Hall coach Tom Keegan said.

The Red Devils have been practicing in the gym and getting in the cage and go to the outfield to throw.

Back at Schweickert

When the Bruins return home, they will be facing the rival Red Devils from Hall High School back at Schweickert Field in Peru on Wednesday. The teams played there last year with the Bruins winning on a crazy, game ending, 3-run play.

Booker said he’d never seen a game end like that in 37 years coaching.

Schweickert has bee the summer home of the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp since 2021. They will play first home game on Wednesday, May 27.