Area Roundup: Diamond Dogs blank Lisle as Streator baseball wins opener

LISLE — Mason Telford pitched six shutout innings, Sean McGurk doubled, drove in a run and scored two more, and the Streator Diamond Dogs baseball club opened the 2021 season with a 5-0, Illinois Central Eight Conference victory Wednesday at Lisle.

Telford (6 IP, 0 R, 12 K) surrendered only four hits and two walks before handing the ball to freshman reliever Christian Benning, who struck out two in a scoreless seven to close things down. In addition to McGurk, Brady Grabowski and Parker Phillis also drove home Streator runs.

The teams meet Thursday in Streator to close the IC8 series.

Softball

Newark 8, Morris 2: At Newark, the host Norsemen (2-0) scored in each of the first four innings on their way to victory, with leadoff batter Emily Schofield homering, scoring twice and driving in three runs.

Skyler Chavoen singled, doubled and drove in a run, with Danica Peshia, Kaitlyn Schofield and Taylor Kruser also adding RBIs. Kaitlyn Schofield (6 IP, 0 ER, 5K) pitched the win.

Yorkville Christian 10, Earlville 0: On Tuesday, Jake Pickert provided the Red Raiders their lone hit in the season-opening loss.

Girls soccer

Streator 3, Rochelle 1: At Rochelle, the Bulldogs moved to 2-0 on the young season with the road win over their old NCIC rival.

Anna Jaworski (from Lydia Huey and Sydney Donahue), Ellie Isermann from (Neidelin Tapia) and Emma Graves (unassisted) provided the Bulldogs offense, with Donahue making five saves with a penalty kick stop.

Girls volleyball

Woodland def. Lowpoint-Washburn, 25-20, 25-17: At the Warrior Dome, the Warriors rescheduled a season finale to the schedule and won it in straight sets to finish the year 12-5 overall (9-3 Tri-County Conference).

“What an amazing end to the season,” said first-year WHS coach Michelle Pitte, “We can’t wait until next season!”

Clara Downey (11 kills ), Ella Sibert (six kills), Kaiden Connor (eight digs), Shae Simons (10 assists, eight service points), Kaleigh Benner (seven points) and Jena Easton (seven assists) led the Woodland attack.

Boys basketball

Cusac-McKay earns AP honor: Fieldcrest senior point guard Jaxon Cusac-McKay was The Times area’s lone honoree Wednesday to the Associated Press Class 2A Boys Basketball All-State Team, earning Honorable Mention after averaging 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Knights.

In Class 1A, Roanoke-Benson’s Luke Braman was named First Team AP All-State, with Indian Creek’s Drew Gaston on the Second Team. IC’s Cameron Russell and Dwight’s Brandon Ceylor earned Honorable Mention.

The Class 3A and 4A AP All-State Teams are expected to be released Thursday.