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Prep Sports

Remember When: Local Sports History on This Day, April 7

Ottawa baseball edges Plano in 2011; Ottawa boys tennis defeats Streator in 1981; Woodland baseball slips past Cornell in 1961

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REMEMBER WHEN?

10 years ago

April 7, 2011

The Ottawa baseball team slipped past host Plano, 3-2. Neil Hanley had a 2-run homer for the Pirates while Jordan Jansen recorded what proved to be the game-winning RBI single in the top of the fourth. Fielding Lockas finished 3-for-3 with a double with winning pitcher Jonah Morris striking out nine.

15 years ago

April 7, 2006

The Ottawa softball team rolled past host Oswego East, 13-1. Stacey Kinzer had two singles, a double, and two RBIs for Ottawa, while Mandy Towne had a 3-run home run, and Lauren Gerdovich and Jessica Sharpe two RBIs each.

35 years ago

April 7, 1986

The Ottawa softball squad scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to edge past DeKalb, 5-4. Winning pitcher B.J. Angell doubled for Ottawa.

40 years ago

April 7, 1981

The Ottawa boys tennis team defeated host Streator, 6-3. Winning singles matches for the Pirates were Dave Rosler, Brian Price, Paul Yocum, and Scott Soltis, while the duos of Rosler/Rice and Don Gura/Greg Weber posted wins. The Bulldogs’ Mike Dzurisin and Bob Stortz won in singles and teamed up for a doubles victory.

45 years ago

April 7, 1976

The Woodland baseball team — behind a no-hitter with nine strikeouts from Dave Wampler — topped Minonk-Dana-Rutland, 7-1. Phil Spaniol had a two-run double and Dan Fialko two hits for the Warriors.

50 years ago

April 7, 1971

The Streator boys track and field squad defeated Morris 88-39 in a dual meet. Double winners for the Bulldogs were Austin Eckstein (one- and two-mile runs), Steve Vissering (100- and 200-yard dash), and Gary Swital (120 high hurdles, 440 dash), while capturing single events were Dave Scott (880 run) and Phil Emm (high jump).

60 years ago

April 7, 1961

The Woodland baseball club topped Cornell, 9-6. Three Warriors’ pitchers — Ron Hillier, Larry Milam, and winner Denny Raske — combined efforts on the mound, while at the plate Hillier had three hits, including a homer, Raske two RBIs, Jack Leonard a trio of hits, and Wayne McBride a 3-run homer. Ken Mills and Don Wayman shared time on the hill, while Jim Willis had two singles, a double, and two RBIs.

Brian Hoxsey

Brian Hoxsey

I worked for 25 years as a CNC operator and in 2005 answered an ad in The Times for a freelance sports writer position. I became a full-time sports writer/columnist for The Times in February of 2016. I enjoy researching high school athletics history, and in my spare time like to do the same, but also play video games and watch Twitch.