Eagles Win Opener
By TERRY LIDY
Behind the two hit pitching of Zak Snearley, the NCHS Eagles successfully opened their 2010 campaign at Boys and Girls Park last Friday with a 6-1 victory over Red Hill. Snearley went the distance allowing only a seventh inning run to spoil the shutout. The junior righthander fanned 11 Salukis.
The Eagles scored once in the first and tacked on four more in the second to give Snearley a cushion. A.J. Hyatt led the attack with a single and a double along with three RBI's. Jared Woodard had an RBI double, while Scott Jansen added an RBI single. Zak Snearley also helped his own cause with a single.
Eagles Sweep Pana
By TERRY LIDY
The NCHS Eagles are 3-0 for the season after sweeping the Pana Panthers at Pana last Saturday 8-4 and 22-3. In the opener, the Eagles used a 10 hit attack and steady pitching behind Jared Woodard and Dylan Casey to post the 8-4 victory. Up 2-1 going into the fourth, the Eagles scored four times to open a 6-1 lead. They added two more scores in the sixth and held off the Panthers.
Kelby McCoy led the offense with two singles and a double plating two runners. Alex Frohning added a pair of singles, while Jared Woodard doubled and Peyton Wyatt, Scott Jansen, Mark Fehrenbacher, and A.J. Hyatt all singled. Connor Walters and Mark Mammoser each drove in a run. Pana collected 7 hits off Jared Woodard, who got the win and Dylaln Casey who earned the save.
In the nightcap, the Eagles banged out 15 hits and used an 11 run third inning to belt the Panthers 22-3 in five innings. Marc Brandenburg picked up the win with relief help from Dylan Casey, who combined on a two hitter.
Leading 2-1, the Eagles more than batted around in the third with an eleven spot. They continued the barrage with a nine run fourth frame to put the outcome of this game away.
The stars were many for Coach Jason Fulton's Eagles as seven Eagles hit safely. Junior Scott Jansen led with four singles and eight RBIs. Sophomore Austin Blair was close behind with five RBIs on a pair of singles and a double. Connor Walters also had two singles and a double driving in a pair of runs. Mark Mammoser added two RBIs with two singles. Kelby McCoy banged out an RBI triple, while Jared Woodard and A.J. Hyatt each had RBI singles.
The Eagles open Apollo play this Saturday hosting Mt. Zion at 11:00 a.m. after traveling to Altamont on Thursday for non-conference action.
Boys' track have speed
By TERRY LIDY
With strengths in the sprints, middle distance and field events, Ryan Ervin starts his third year as NCHS boys' track coach.
"Our 100 and 200 sprinters will be strong along with the 800 and our field events especially the pole vault. The 100 and 200 sprinters include Ross Johnson, our senior captain and junior Dalton Pickens." Johnson, who recently signed to run for Olivet Nazarene next year, has been a huge asset for his entire track career according to Ervin who will count on Johnson for leadership and points at meets.
Pickens, who along with Johnson was a part of the sprint relay team that went to the state the past two years, is expected to really step up this year and get some points in the 100 and 200.
Junior James Blievernicht returns to lead the team in the 800. "James has consistently run the 800 in 2:01 and 2:02," added Ervin.
"We are expecting James to continue to improve on his times. He is without a doubt a leader on this team, especially for the younger kids. He leads by example and his hard work ethic says a lot about the kind of athlete and person he is."
In the field events, Ervin is counting on sophomore Mitch Mammoser in the pole vault. "I look for Mitch to improve from last year and also try to fill his brother, Scott's shoes a little." Scott, who won the state last year is vaulting now for Eastern Illinois University.
"We have several up and coming non-lettermen who should help the team," added Ervin. "Those include Dylan Johnson, Marcus Pilman, Evan Brooks, Ridge Finn, Blake Ebeling and Jesse Kinder, just to name a few.
"I would say that untested areas include the 1600 and 3200. I see promise in our young distance runners who have impressed me in practice thus far. We lost some key members of our sprint relays, but we're still a fast team with a lot of athleticism. Our entire 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams are returning, but I still would like to change those members around a little and see what works best once the outdoor season begins, especially with the talent of our freshmen."
Ervin's coaching philosophy stresses setting short and long range goals, both as a team and individual, which will help keep athletes on the right track and encourage them to reach their goals. "Maximum effort all of the time and maximum participation, whenever possible are essential. Performing well at meets requires putting in the time and effort during practice. Before anything productive or worthwhile takes place on the track, student-athletes need to make the grade in the classroom," said Ervin who teaches American and World History and current events at NCHS.
Team goals for the Eagles include placing in the top three in the Apollo, placing first or second in the sectional and taking some boys to the state finals as the team improves from meet to meet.
Ervin will have Beth Probst back as assistant coach also in her third year for the Eagles. After the indoor season at Charleston and Bloomington, the Eagles open with a quadrangular on Thursday at Salem. Their home opener will be next Thursday, April 1st with Altamont, Marshall, Neoga and Robinson.
