Baseball: Cousin Pitchers Duel as Marist Tops Providence

Marist took down the state runners-up 9-5 in the sectional semifinals. Redhawks pitcher Mike Hearne settled down to win against his cousin, David Hearne of Providence Catholic.

The sports-crazed fans of Marist and Providence Catholic flooded the first- and third-base lines Wednesday for a thrilling Class 4A sectional semifinal, and in the middle of it all was Jean Hearne. She was there to see two of her grandsons play: Providence pitcher David Hearne on the mound opposite Marist pitcher Mike Hearne. "I'm just rooting for the pitchers," she said at the start of the game. "I just hope they both have a good game. One of them's got to lose." That one was David and his Providence Celtics, which finished second in the state tournament last year. After four innings of great throwing, David and the Providence bullpen lost control of their pitches and the game, ultimately losing 9-5.  Mike Hearne saw the opposite fate on …

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Girls Basketball: Marist Motors to No. 1 in Rankings

High-energy RedHawks improved to 10-0 Wednesday night and claimed the top spot in the Patch Power Rankings.

1. Marist (10-0): The pass-happy RedHawks followed up Monday’s 67-33 demolition of Lockport with a 61-20 rout of Bishop McNamara on Wednesday night. 2. Lincoln-Way East (4-0): Griffins will end a long layoff when they make the trip to Joliet tonight. 3. Marian Catholic (5-2): Six-foot-1 junior Megan Walsh is asserting herself as an inside force. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (7-3): Senior guard Danielle Woolfolk scored 23 points in H-F’s 56-40 win over Rich Central on Monday and proved once again she can take over games down the stretch. 5. Rich Central (8-3): Olympians were without starting guard Alex Stanford, post player Layne Murphy and coach Bryan Craig in Monday’s loss to H-F. The three were serving IHSA suspensions after being ejected from …

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Athlete of the Week: Hart Does It All for Griffins

Lincoln-Way East keeps rolling, as Kaycee Hart delivers big with her pitching and her hitting.

Lincoln-Way East’s girls softball team continues to bulldoze teams this spring, and pitcher Kaycee Hart is one of the key reasons why. The Griffins remained unbeaten, despite a busy schedule that saw them play four games in as many days. They improved to 8-0 with a 10-0 pasting of Thornwood on Thursday. East encountered a much tougher challenge from Marist on Wednesday, finally holding on for a 5-3 victory. Hart picked up her sixth win of the season on the mound, and took the game into her own hands at the plate as she clubbed a home run and drove in four runs. For her efforts, Hart is the Patch Athlete of the Week. 

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A Fab Four of Locals Playing in the Major Leagues

A new baseball season begins with four Southland products on big league rosters: Tim Byrdak, Jason Frasor, Tom Gorzelanny and Garrett Jones.

Another major league baseball season begins today in Chicago. The Cubs play host to the Pirates at Wrigley Field. Meanwhile, the White Sox are set to open in Cleveland. And, while all eyes will be on the two Chicago ballclubs, don’t forget about some of the homegrown talent playing elsewhere in the majors. Namely: Byrdak, a 5-foot-11, 190-pounder, is a left-handed relief specialist. His job is to come in and retire left-handed hitters. And he has been very effective doing just that throughout a career that has spanned parts of nine major league seasons. Byrdak has limited left-handed hitters to a .202 batting average during stints with the Astros, Tigers, Orioles and Royals. He won a spot in the Mets’ bullpen this spring. Byrdak went 2-2 …

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PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: TIF Tiffs, Idol Interview and Volleyball Victory

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

UPDATED: Village to State: Leave TIFs to Us Continuing Care 'Idol' Effect Continues to Resonate with Medina, Ramos Game of the Week: Defending Boys Volleyball Champ Marist Opens with Win over Providence

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PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Scams, School Cuts and Basketball

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

Elderly Woman Swindled in Walt's Parking Lot D229 to Start Cutting Coaches and Club Advisors Trolley Barn Moves Into Second Century of Business District Officials: Despite Empty Space in Cherry Hill, Consolidating Not… Extra Points: Marian Catholic Benches Homewood-Flossmoor Marist Subdues L-Way East Attack

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Girls Basketball: Marist Subdues L-Way East Attack

Marist 55, L-W East 38. RedHawks use dominant rebounding to cinch sectional semifinal win over Griffins.

The Hot Read: Marist defense was dominant in a 55-38 girls basketball victory over Lincoln-Way East in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way North Sectional on Monday night. The RedHawks held the Griffins to no field goals over a span of a quarter and a half, outscoring East 24-5 in that stretch. The Marist scoring spurt silenced a decidedly Griffin-friendly crowd. The RedHawk defense forced 16 turnovers and controlled the boards all night. Patch’s MVP: Marist's Asiana Bey finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Key Stats:  The Griffins may have been 17-of-25 from the freethrow line, but just 10-of-45 from the floor. The Redhawks pulled down 38 rebounds, 19 of which came on the offensive end. Marist also went 5-of-12 from the three-…

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Hoops: Give These Girls a High Five

Sports Editor Ron Kremer ranks the region's top girls basketball team's from 1-5, plus the five knocking on the door.

1. Marian Catholic (27-4): Four players scored in double figures in the Spartans’ 95-34 victory over Lincoln-Way Central, led by Jasmine Matthews’ 19 points. Next: Tonight vs. Providence in Class 4A Providence Catholic Regional final. 2. Lincoln-Way East (24-5): Griffins take care of business in 60-29 victory over Crete-Monee, but won’t get to battle vs. Sister School in regional final as Lincoln-Way North falls. Next: Tonight vs. T.F. South in Class 4A Crete-Monee Regional final. 3. Marist (25-5): RedHawks dispatch of Shepard 62-24 behind 13 points from Asiana Bey. Next: Tonight vs. Sandburg in Class 4A Shepard Regional final. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (21-7): Charnelle Reed, Danielle Woolfolk and Sydni Johnson advance in Three-Point Showdwon…

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Hoops: Give These Girls a High Five

Sports Editor Ron Kremer ranks the top area girls basketball teams from 1-5, plus the five knocking on the door.

1. Marian Catholic (25-4): Spartans take down Trinity 57-49 behind a game-high 19 points from Simone Law. And that was just the week’s appetizer. Next: Friday vs. Fenwick. 2. Lincoln-Way East (20-5): Taylor Johnson lights up Homewood-Flossmoor with 33-point performance as the Griffins notch a 62-51 victory. And now some are wondering, "Kelly who?" Next: Tonight vs. Lockport. 3. Marist (24-4): Randyll Butler's 8-footer at the buzzer boosted the RedHawks to a thrilling 65-63 victory over Fenwick. No better way to prepare for playoffs. Next: Tonight at Trinity. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (19-6): Charnelle Reed scored 22 points in the Vikings' loss to Lincoln-Way East. She had 13 points and three rebounds earlier as H-F rallied from 10-0 deficit to…

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Hoops: Give These Girls a High Five

Sports Editor Ron Kremer ranks the top area girls basketball teams from 1-5, plus the five knocking on the door.

1. Marian Catholic (22-4): Spartans score sweep at Sweet 16 tourney, but blizzard puts ESCC title tilt vs. Fenwick on hold until Friday, Feb. 11. Next: Saturday at St. Viator. 2. Lincoln-Way East (19-5): Kelly McGovern (injury) is missed. But Caitlin McMahon and Taylor Johnson have picked up the slack for the Griffins. 3. Marist (22-4): Life is good. RedHawks dominate in win at Loyola. JeTaun Rouse scores 30 points in 80-43 victory over Johnsburg. Next: Saturday vs. Carmel. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (18-5): Vikings’ guard Charnelle Reed (17 points) shines in 54-45 victory over Lockport. Amena Brent (10 rebounds) makes an impact on the boards. 5. Andrew (19-2): Molly Franson continues to play more like a senior than a freshman. T-Bolts will …

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