Plano’s softball team powered past Indian Creek while the Yorkville boys indoor track and field squad delivered multiple event wins and Sandwich baseball picked up a victory, highlighting a full slate of high school varsity athletics from Friday.
In softball, Plano defeated Indian Creek 12-3 behind a five-run third inning and a four-run sixth to pull away. Cami Nunez led the Reapers with three hits — including a single, double and inside-the-park home run — while Emily Klein also recorded three hits. Annabelle Solis and Chesney Schimandle each drove in three runs. McKenzie Strausberger started in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts in one inning, while Schimandle earned the bulk of the work in relief, tossing 3 1/3 innings and giving up one unearned run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. For Indian Creek, Gretta Oziah had two hits with an RBI, Taylor Hulmes drove in a run, and Makenna Barshinger added a hit, scored twice and stole two bases. Madison Boehne also scored, and McKenzie Greer had a hit. Hulmes took the loss, pitching over 3 1/3 innings and allowing nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
Elsewhere, Oswego softball fell 8-2 to Benet Academy, where Adalynn Fugitt both drove in a run and struck out 10 batters in the circle.
In baseball, Sandwich earned an 8-5 win over Streator as Braden Behringer and Anthony Wade each collected two hits and Nick Michalek drove in two runs. Griffin Somlock started on the mound, pitching 3 1/3 innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
Newark dropped a 9-6 decision to Seneca despite a late push, scoring five runs in the seventh inning before coming up short. Eastin McBroom led the Norsemen with three hits, including a double, while Jimmy Kath delivered a key two-run hit in the rally. Kiptyn Bleuer started and pitched four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
Oswego also competed in a doubleheader at the PBR Classic, losing 11-1 to Normal University and 3-1 to Alton. Against Normal University, Luke Hernandez had two hits and drove in the team’s lone run, while against Alton, Hunter Amelio had two hits and scored the only run. Nolan Hutchings and Aiden Jaquez each struck out three Alton batters on the mound in that contest.
In boys indoor track and field, Yorkville placed second at a Southwest Prairie Conference meet, while Oswego East finished sixth and Oswego ninth. Yorkville was led by Owen Horeni, who won both the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs, while teammate Jayden Ruth captured the 200-meter title and Aiden Kolkmeyer won the high jump. Oswego East also saw strong individual performances, with Donavin Eason winning the 55-meter hurdles and Jamari McKay taking first in the long jump.