The Sentinel: 05/15/25

Spartans big bats blank Mt. Zion in 11-0 rout, Pruemer polishes another gem

Houchens and Earley combine for 10 RBIs as St. Joseph-Ogden shuts out Mt. Zion 11-0 in five innings.

ST. JOSEPH - Bryson Houchens and Nolan Earley each drove in five runs as St. Joseph-Ogden overwhelmed Mt. Zion 11-0 in five innings on Wednesday in a dominant all-around home performance.

The Spartans struck early and never let up, scoring in every inning and ending the game via the mercy rule after a two-run blast from Houchens in the fifth. Houchens finished 3-for-3 with two singles and a home run to left, while Earley’s three-run shot in the fourth broke the game open at 9-0.

Pruemer, a right-hander, silenced Mt. Zion’s bats over five efficient innings, allowing just one hit, striking out eight and walking one. He faced only two batters over the minimum and got plenty of run support as SJO piled up 11 hits and stole four bases.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Nolan Earley hits an in-field fly during SJO's home game against Westfield. The senior collected 5 RBIs at Meier Field against visiting Mt. Zion.

The tone was set in the first inning when Houchens drove in two runs with a single and Earley followed with a run-scoring double. A bases-loaded walk to Will Haley in the second extended the lead, and Earley’s sac fly in the third made it 5-0.

SJO tacked on four more in the fourth behind a string of hits, including an RBI single by Houchens and Earley’s towering three-run homer. Houchens capped his big day with a no-doubt shot over the left field fence in the fifth.

Haley, Jared Altenbaumer and Earley each recorded two hits for the Spartans. On the bases, Haley, Kody McKinney, Logan Rosenthal and Coy Taylor all swiped extra bags. Defensively, the Spartans played a clean game, committing no errors. Haley led the way in the field with eight chances at his position.

Mt. Zion’s lone hit came from Jackson Beiler, who went 1-for-2. Starting pitcher Andrew Tay took the loss, yielding eight runs on seven hits over 3-1/3 innings with four walks and three strikeouts.

St. Joseph-Ogden improves to 31-2 and will travel to Mattoon on Thursday as they continue their push through the regular season.

Back tracking: A glimpse back to 2024 girls' state track

Many of last year's state qualifiers will once again run, jump, and throw for a chance at becoming a state champion. Here is a look at some of the Class 1A track and field athletes who will make their way to state again, and a few who made their final journey to Charleston.

As The Sentinel prepares to cover this year's IHSA Girls State Track & Field Finals, we’re diving into our archives to celebrate the athletes and moments from last year's state championships. Here's a look of state qualifiers and finalists from 2024 and how they fared.

Tuscola's Lia Patterson running the 100m Hurdles — Despite a midday drizzle, Tuscola superstar **Lia Patterson** clears a hurdle in the 100m distance event in last year's 2024 prelims. After finishing first in her heat at 14.50 on Thursday, Patterson went on to win the Class 1A title on Saturday, turning in a 14.51.

Walking on air

Villa Grove's Baylee Martin sails down the runway during the Class 1A Long Jump prelims. Martin went on finish 12th in the finals with her best attempt for 5.09 meters or 16' 8.5". The sophomore will compete tonight in the Tuscola Sectional to advance to next week state meet in Charleston.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Carrollton's Calie Field races against Shelby Thorson and Cassidy Fosen — Carrollton's **Calie Field** stays ahead of Nashville's Shelby Thorson and Seneca's Cassidy Fosen while running in Heat 4 of the 100m dash. Field, a junior in 2024, finished second in the heat at 12.71, missing the cut to the finals by 0.17 of a second. She will be back on the big blue oval at O'Brien Field, having qualified for this year's state meet yesterday by taking third in the race at the Rushville Sectional.

Alexis Bowman runs the anchor leg for the North Mac 4x200 relay team

Senior Moment

North Mac senior Alexis Bowman tries to stop after crossing the finish line in first place in heat 3 of the Class 1A 200m Relay. Bowman along with teammates Kaelyn Swift, Emma Crawford, Addison Earley turned in a time of 1:45.71. After qualifying for the finals, the squad ran again on Saturday to win the bronze medal with an even better time of 1:42.91.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Grace Gillespie focuses on her next pole vault attempt — Mercer County's **Grace Gillespie** focuses on her next run to the pit in the pole division. She was one of five athletes to advance to state in 2024 for the Golden Eagles.

Teutopolis' **Halle Bushue** reaches back for the baton from teammate **Adi Davidson** while running in the 4x100 relay. The squad failed to make the finals with their 53.34 last year. Davidson will be heading back for another shot at a spot on the podium with three new squad members Adrienne Koester, Ella Neihls, and Emma Isley, who advanced with new 52.16 PR on Wednesday at the Newton Sectional.

Heritage state-qualifier Loren Tate competes in state triple jump

Heritage junior Loran Tate finished last year's state meet in 25th place with her best leap in the Triple Jump at 10.00m or 32' 9.75".

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Anthony distance runner Isabella Keller made a splash her freshman year, placing second in the Class 1A state cross country meet in Peoria. Keller won her prelim heat in the 1600m run and went on to finish second in the championship event on Saturday.

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Tags: State track meet, IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals, Mercer County, Golden Eagles, St. Anthony, Heritage Hawks, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Relay Race