Remember When: Local Sports History on This Day, April 8

REMEMBER WHEN?

10 years ago

April 8, 2011

The Marquette baseball team improved to 9-0 on the season after blanking Decatur St. Teresa 2-0 at the Unity Showcase in Tolono. The Crusaders’ Ben Thumm accounted for the game’s only runs with a fourth-inning, 2-run homer, while also recording the complete-game victory on the hill allowing just four hits and fanning three. Curtiss Johnson also had a pair of hits for Marquette.

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The Newark softball team scored four times in the top of the seventh to earn a 7-5 win over Earlville-Leland. For Newark, winning pitcher Miranda Schmidt struck out 11, Melissa Schmidt homered, Kirstie Anderson had three hits, and Lauren Tollefson two hits. Morgan Musich, Lauren Anderson, and Ashley Kasper had E-L’s three hits.

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The Ottawa girls track and field squad received first-place marks from Alex Ortiz (100- and 200-meter runs), Rae Sakakibara (3200), and Allie Miceli (high jump) at a three-team meet hosted by Illinois Valley Central.

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25 years ago

April 8, 1996

The Woodland baseball club defeated Fieldcrest, 10-3. The Warriors’ Jeff Clift earned the complete-game win on the mound giving up just three hits with nine strikeouts. Clift (triple), David Kuntz, and Jeremy Olson all posted two hits each.

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30 years ago

April 8, 1991

The Seneca baseball team used an eight-run first inning in a 15-9 triumph over host Woodland. The Fighting Irish were led by two hits each from Guy Sulzberger, Aaron Crawford (double, three RBIs), and Steve Erickson. The Warriors were paced by a pair of hits each from Eric Sass (double), Shane Hill (double, home run, three RBIs), and Jeremy Adams.

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The Streator baseball squad plated five runs in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 6-5 victory over Mendota. In the final inning for the Bulldogs, Jeremy Kahanee and Mike Drendel had RBI doubles, Jon Coons a run-scoring single, and Tony Williamson the game-winning two-run single, to make Shane Murphy the complete-game winning pitcher.

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35 years ago

April 8, 1986

The Somonauk baseball team rolled to a 17-1 win over Seneca. Bobcats’ winning pitcher Tim Westbrook fanned six, while Dennis Swafford singled and tripled.

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40 years ago

April 8, 1981

The Streator baseball club topped Mendota, 6-1. John Kozak picked up the complete-game win on the hill for the Bulldogs with eight strikeouts. Ray Phillis collected three hits, Bill Hozie two hits, and Virgil Sibert homered for Streator.