Spartan softball team wins first game of the season

Over one hundred St. Joseph-Ogden softball fans filled the stands and the fence line at Randy Wolken Field to watch the Spartans win their first game at the newly renovated softball facility. See more photos from season opener here ...

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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ST. JOSEPH - Grace Osterbur had a stellar performance in the Spartans' first win of the season against Salt Fork last Monday, collecting three hits and scoring twice in four at-bats.

The Storm put a tick on the scoreboard in the first inning after Alexa Jamison scored on a walk with bases loaded and two outs.

Facing Sailor Pacot from the circle, SJO pitcher Ameilia Huckstadt prevailed on a 2-2 count to halt further Salt Fork runs.

SJO's Grace Osterbur slides into home plate after tagging up on a ball to deep left field.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Spartans replied quickly with Osterbur getting things rolling after making it on base with a fly ball to left field. She would later score to tie the game at one-all thanks to a line drive to left field by Ellie Ward.

After shutting down the Storm's offensive effort in the top of the second inning, SJO added runs on a steal from third by Timera Blackburn-Kelley, and another run from Addison Frick's smash out to left field that scored Chloe Harper from third.

Harper finished the game with two hits and a pair of stolen bases.

The Storm scored two additional runs in the third and sixth innings but were unable to mount a comeback against SJO, who maintained a one-run or better lead on a beautiful spring day at Randy Wolken Field.

"It feels good to get the win, though it didn't play out the way the girls thought," said head coach Larry Sparks, who notched his 100th win as the head coach for SJO. "It was kind of an ugly win."

St. Joseph-Ogden scored six runs on 12 hits and committed no errors. Huckstadt earned the win after striking out nine. The sophomore hurler gave up seven hits and two runs. Blackburn-Kelley, also a sophomore, pitched two innings, retiring six batters at the plate and giving up a run on two hits.

"The pitchers threw well. The hitters will have their day next week," Sparks said. The Spartans have four games on the schedule this week, starting with Normal West on Monday and finishing up on Saturday at IVC, both road contests. "It was nice to face someone who wasn't wearing our colors."

Spartan fans can catch two home games, Tuesday against Westville and Thursday with Champaign Central, at beautifully remodeled Randy Wolken Field.

The Storm's season continues with a grueling back-to-back-to-back schedule this week, starting with a Vermilion Valley conference game against Oakwood on Monday. Tuesday, the Salt Fork is at Watseka, and back at home on Wednesday against Tri-County.

Jamison led Salt Fork with three hits and collected one of three RBI. Brilynn Barnett tallied two hits and scored once. Freshman Morgan Russell, Ava Ringstrom, Karlie McGee, and Pascot had one hit each in the team's first loss of the season.

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Photo of the day - October 17, 2020

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Wolken scripts decisive SJO win

CHAMPAIGN - Head coach Randy Wolken talks to his players during St. Joseph-Ogden's away game against Centennial in Champaign. Behind the pitching prowess of Alexandria Boaz, the Spartans pounded the Chargers 11-1 in the non-conference affair on April 9, 2014.

More Photos of the Day

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TAGS: Photo of the Day, SJO Softball team, St. Joseph-Ogden beats Centennial, Spartans win road softball game at Centennial

Memory Monday: '06 Spartans win state softball title

Spartan pitcher Morgan Finn winds up for a pitch against Casey-Westfield back on June 3, 2006, in her team's second consecutive state final appearance. In the previous season, Finn, who was the number 2 pitcher, and the Spartans brought home a third place state trophy to place next to the program's first, a fourth place one from 1989 season. Using her uncanny placement and speed, Finn's pitching led St. Joseph-Ogden to a 1-0 to victory to win the first program's first IHSA state softball title. Dubbed underdogs at the start of the postseason, SJO gave up just one run in during their memorable run to the Class 1A title. See more photos from 2006 softball season here. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Left: On their way to winning the state title the Spartans took a few lumps during the 2006 season. One of them was a 3-1 loss at home against the Monticello Sages on April 27. Here Spartan second base player Stacy Ferguson hauls in a pop fly for an out. Right: Despite the loss to the Sages there was still a reason to celebrate, team co-captain Abby Williams presents coach Randy Wolken with a memento for achieving his 648th career win after defeating Mt. Zion on the previous Saturday. Wolken would go on to become and currently remains the only softball coach in the state of Illinois to achieve over 1,000 career victories. His coaching ended with an impressive career record of 1,044-242. What makes those numbers even more impressive is that record was acquired coaching for just one program. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Catcher Brittany Morgan catches a congratulatory kiss from her nephew Blake after the Spartans beat Westmont 1-0 to advance to the championship game against Casey-Westfield for the Class A softball title on June 3. It was through Morgan's RBI that put fellow senior Abby Williams across the plate in the first inning for the semifinal game winner. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Left: Stacy Ferguson slides into second base on a steal for the Spartans. Coming off a back-to-back doubleheader loss to Casey-Westfield, St. Joseph-Ogden beat crushed the Unity Rockets, 8-0 on April 21. Ferguson was safe on the play. Right: Sarah Thompson leaps in the air to celebrate scoring the first and only run in Spartans' title game against Casey-Westfield. After falling to the Warriors twice in a twin bill earlier in the season, SJO held on to win their first Class A softball title Saturday evening, 1-0. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Left: Lindsey Barron gives a teammate a high-ten after Sarah Thompson scored a run for the Spartans. Two seasons later, Barron would break the state record in the number of stolen basis in a season with 92. Currently #2 on the IHSA list for career stolen bases, she took 254 extra bases while wearing the Spartan uniform from 2005-2008. Right: St. Joseph-Ogden students [left to right] Nick Krisman, Jesse Grice, and Mark Gones cheer for the school's softball team at the start of the awards ceremony. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Pandemonium. After the final out of the game frenzied chaos ensued as the members of St. Joseph-Ogden girls softball team celebrates their 1-0 win over Casey-Westfield. Screams of joy, laughter, non-stop hugs and tears consumed players, coaches, family members and fans prior to the start of the official awards ceremony. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

With teammate Stacy Buck all smiles beside here, St. Joseph-Ogden pitcher Morgan Finn wipes the non-stop tears of joy from her face as she and the member of the girls softball team receive their state first-place medals. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

The St. Joseph-Ogden softball team poses with their state medals and the program's first state champion softball trophy. The Class 1A title winners finished the season with a record of 31-6. The title run followed the previous year's third-place finish and 32-4 finish. Since this season, the Spartans have made three additional state finals appearances in 2012, 2015 and 2017 bringing home second, third and fourth place trophies. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Spartans win opener at Randy Wolken Field

ST. JOSEPH - Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team pose at home plate with head coach Larry Sparks after their home opener with Salt Fork on their newly remodeled field on Tuesday. The Spartans won their first game on Randy Wolken Field and treated Sparks to his 100th coaching victory with the win over Storm, 6-3. SJO will take the field at their gorgeous new facility again next Tuesday after a road game against Normal West on Monday.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Photo of the Day - September 18, 2020

Senior day smiles

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Victoria Roberts is all smiles with her Senior Day cookie after SJO defeated St. Thomas More in their last home game of the season on May 10, 2012. The five-inning affair ended with the Spartans celebrating a 15-1 victory over the visiting Sabers. SJO went on to finish the season with a record of 41 wins and just one loss on their way to a third-place finish at the Illinois High School Association's state tournament in Peoria under head coach Randy Wolken.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Legacy remembered: Spartans win 2006 state softball title

EAST PEORIA - Twenty years ago this past weekend, the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team captured the first state championship in program history.

The Spartans earned their spot in the title game with a thrilling one-run victory over Westmont, then claimed the championship with another nail-biter against Casey-Westfield. The game's lone run came in the fourth inning when Sarah Thompson scored on a single by fellow senior Jessica Redden.

As St. Joseph-Ogden celebrates the 20th anniversary of that historic achievement, take a look back at photos, memorable moments and exciting slideshow from the Spartans' state-title run, preserved in the PhotoNews Media image archives.

Members of the championship team included Dana Peters, Stacy Ferguson, Morgan Brown, Aubry Welch, Emily Benting, Sarah Thompson*, Taylor Freeman, Abby Williams*, Jessica Redden, Stacy Buck, Morgan Finn, Brittany Morgan, Lindsey Barron, Ashley Runck, and Rachael Jannusch. The Spartans were led by coaching legend Randy Wolken. He was assisted by Bob Biehl, Leonard Winchester, and Meredith Anders.

~ Slideshow ~

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~ Photo Gallery ~

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Sarah Thompson starts her swing at a pitch from Westmont's Michelle Hletko in their Class 1A state semifinal game at Eastside Centre. The Spartans won the opener 1-0, knocking off the #2-ranked team in the state. Thompson secured one hit in her three appearances at the plate. The senior collected 47 hits and scored 26 times in the 36 games she played in the 2005-06 season.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Taylor Freeman takes a swing at a Westmont pitch. Freeman, who played at shortstop, struck out once and earned a walk on second trip to the plate. Heading into the state finals, the junior led the team with 57 hits and scored 31 times during the season.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Nearly 200 St. Joseph-Ogden students and parents traveled to Eastside Centre to support the softball team's quest for the program's first state title. Later, the Spartan nation was not disappointed. [Left to right] Ryan Bensyl, Nick Krisman, Mark Gones, and Jesse Grice St. are all juniors at Joseph-Ogden ham it up between innings from their hilltop seats.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Jessica Redden and the 2006 Spartan softball team celebrate their 1-0 semifinal victory over Westmont. SJO scored one run on three hits to punch their ticket into the Class 1A title game against #1-ranked Casey-Westfield.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Taylor Freeman fields a ball while a Westmont baserunner attempts to take third base.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Brittany Morgan swings at Westmont pitch. The junior smacked the ball for a single that drove in the game-winning run in the first inning courtesy of teammate Abby William.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Emily Benting flashes a smile at the chants from her dugout while waiting for her next pitch from Westmont pitcher Michelle Hletko.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

(left-right) Stacy Buck, Ashley Runck, Morgan Brown and Brittany Morgan sing the school song with St. Joseph-Ogden fans and spectators after the team's 1-0 state semifinal victory on June 3, 2006.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph resident and mother of outfielder Sarah Thompson cheers on the Spartans during their semi-final game against Westmont. St. Joseph-Ogden advanced to the championship game at 7 p.m. to face Casey-Westfield for the Class A softball title after 1-0 win over the Sentenials. Earlier in the season, the #1 ranked Warriors defeated SJO 1-0 and 7-3.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO catcher Brittany Morgan tosses the ball back to the pitcher late in the game. Earlier in the game, Morgan, who led the team with three home runs during the season, drove in the game winning run on a single.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Taylor Freeman taps a teammates hands during team introductions before the start of the Class 1A state title game against Casey-Westfield. Heading into the state finals, Freeman led the team with 57 hits in her 117 appearances at the plate.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ashley Runck tries to make a catch during pre-game warm-up before SJO's title game against Casey-Westfield.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Stacy Ferguson tries to tag out a Casey-Westfield baserunner early in her team state title game against the Warriors.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Brittany Morgan blocks a bad pitch. The senior collected one of SJO's six hits against Casey-Westfield.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Stacy Buck puts the ball in play. Heading into the title game, she supplied SJO with more than 45 hits during the season and delivered six doubles, a triple and three home runs. Buck added another hit in the title game to her season stats.

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More photos coming soon! Check back again in two days.

Sentinel area softball scores for April 1

St. Joseph-Ogden picks up chilly win at Bismarck. The Spartans improve to 5-5-1 with Blackburn-Kelley pitching a complete game.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Timera Blackburn-Kelley unwinds a pitch during St. Joseph-Ogden's first softball game at the newly renovated Randy Wolken Field back in 2024. Now a senior, she held Bismarck-Henning to one run in Wednesday's 8-1 road win.

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St. Joseph-Ogden 8, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 1

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
St. Joseph-Ogden	0	2	0	1	2	0	3	8	13	1
Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	2

GAME NOTES: Timera Blackburn-Kelley racked up 10 strike outs for the Spartans. The senior gave up five hits and run without a walk. She went 2-for-3 at the plate. Four other St. Joseph-Ogden batters also delivered two hits in the non-conference win. Hayden Dahl, Ella Buhs, AJ Jannusch, and Brynn Ikemier made noise on the four appearances in the batter's box. Ella Mohr scoreed three times and Buhs scored twice in Wednesday's road game.

BHRA pitcher Eva Ronto suffered the loss to the Spartans after giving up eight runs on 13 hits. To her credit she walked only two batters and struck out five. Senior Hope Grissom led the Blue Devils' offensive effort with two hits. Tinley Siddens, Giana Brown, and Mia Ohler - all freshman, contributed on hit each. Brown scored the team's only run in the bottom of the seventh.

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More SJO Sports Articles

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St. Joseph-Ogden softball wins road game at Bismarck, Timera Blackburn-Kelley earns pitching win, SJO beats Bismarck-Henning 8-1 in away game, Blue Devils' Hope Grissom notches two hits against St. Joseph-Ogden, Bismarck-Henning freshman tally three hits against St. Joe

Undefeated, top-rated SJO softball team finish the week, 4-0

In the first seven days of April and just nine games into the 2019 season, the legacy built by former St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Randy Wolken absolutely shows no sign of fading any time soon. Under first-year head coach Larry Sparks, the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team undoubtedly are once again sporting one of the largest bullseyes in Class 2A on their backs.

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Zoey Witruk winds up for a pitch against Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. The junior picked up three pitching wins in SJO's last four games. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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The 9-0 Spartans are chewing up opponents with the intensity of Category 4 storm. In their wake this week alone, SJO has tallied nine home runs and outscored their opponents 36-5 in four games.

Only three other teams in their division can boast a 9-game or better win streak this season.

Tuscola, on a collision course with the Spartans in less than a month on May 6, is also undefeated with 12 wins this season. The Warriors, placed in the southern quad by the IHSA, will be playing through the Johnson City super-sectional for their shot at a state appearance along with 9-0 Edwards County.

The Beecher Bobcats, who will be playing for the Joliet College super-sectional title, is also undefeated at 10-0.

The Spartans will play in the Olympia sectional with teams from Argenta-Oreana, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, Oakwood, Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello, Unity, Warrensburg-Latham, and Westville.

Here's a brief recap of this past week's action:

Dowling plasters two homer runs
Alabama commit and USA junior national team member Baily Dowling wasn't joking around on April Fool's Day. The senior started the four-game week off with two home runs for SJO. Meanwhile, junior Hannah Dukeman sent a ball yard herself in the 9-0 shutout on Monday.

Adding another win to her record this season, Zoey Witruk gave up one hit and fanned 13 in the six-inning affair.

Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 0 2 0 5 1 - 9 - -
Maroa-Forysth __  0 0 0 0 0 - - 0 - -


Witruk records 13 K's on Villa Grove
Junior Zoey Witruk struck out 13 Blue Devil batters for SJO in their 7-2 win over Villa Grove on Tuesday, April 2.

St. Joseph-Ogden seniors Savannah Smith, Katie Poulter and Bailey Dowling logged two hits apiece. Freshman Kennedy Hudson also had pair of hits to help extend the team's undefeated streak to seven games.

Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 1 2 0 3 0 - 2 - -
Villa Grove _____  1 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 - -


SJO scores 11, in one inning
Hosting Lincoln High School on April 3, St. Joseph-Ogden needed just five innings to blast the Railsplitters, 17-2. The Spartans tallied 18 hits in the non-conference victory.

SJO pounded a stunning four home runs with bombs from Hannah Dukeman, Kaylee Ward, Katie Poulter and Lauren Trankina.

Dukeman, who delivered four RBI, and Poulter tallied three hits apiece.

Ashtyn Cromwell threw a complete game for the win.

Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 1 11 5 - - - 17 - -
Lincoln ______      0 0  1 1 - - -   2 - -


Spartans score three runs on Tri-Valley
In a complete game from Zoey Witruk the Spartans knocked off the Vikings, 3-1. Witruk, who gave up four hits, struck out 14 batters in the road victory. Katie Poulter put the ball out of the park for the ninth Spartan home run for the week. Catcher Hannah Dukeman notched two hits on Saturday.

Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 - -
Tri-Valley ____      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 - -