SJ-O Baseball defeats Urbana for the second time, Track and Field wins eight events at Unity

By FRED KRONER
fred@sjodaily.com

Adam Rose and Nicholas Boggs drove in runs on Tuesday to support the two-hit pitching of Crayton Burnett, who shut out Urbana, 2-0, for the second time this baseball season.

Rose also stole two bases.

SJ-O was limited to four hits.

Burnett struck out 10 and walked no one. He faced one batter over the minimum (22) in the seven-inning game.

On Wednesday, the Spartans went on the road and edged Pontiac, 13-12, to stay unbeaten after four Illini Prairie Conference games.

Rose was 4-for-4 to lead the 10-hit SJ-O attack.

Brayden Weaver had two hits and Drew Coursey drove in three runs.

Keegan McCarty pitched the first 4 2/3 innings and earned the win. Zach Martinie worked the final 2 1/3 innings and registered a save.

McCarty struck out eight and walked three.

SJ-O (14-4-2) returns to action on Saturday at Chillicothe against IVC.

Girls’ track and field

The Spartans took first in eight events on Tuesday in a four-school meet at Tolono.

SJ-O was competing against Unity, Salt Fork and Georgetown-Ridge Farm.

Sprinter Maclayne Taylor was a double winner, capturing the 100 meters (12.55 seconds) and the 200 meters (26.54 seconds).

Hannah Rajlich led a 1-2 SJ-O finish in the 800 meters. Her time was 2:28.22. The runner-up was teammate Cassidy Bagby (2:29.82).

The Spartans had three field event winners.

Atleigh Hamilton led all long jumpers (17 feet, 7 inches), Abby Behrens won the high jump (4-10) and Grace Schmitz captured the pole vault (9-0).

SJ-O had the winning 400-meter (58.68) and 1,600-meter (4:41.68) relays.

The school’s 800-meter relay was second (2:00.46).

Hamilton ran second in the 300 hurdles (49.02) and Spartan Ashlynn Lannert was third (53.34).

Angela Chahine was third in the 100 hurdles (19.05).

SJ-O also received points from triple jumper Jenna Albrecht. She was second at 32-11 1/2.

Softball

Unity won the home run derby as well as the ball game on Monday, outscoring St. Joseph-Ogden 15-10 on the Spartans’ field.

SJ-O received two home runs from Bailey Dowling and one apiece from Hannah Dukeman and Lauren Trankina.

Unity sent five balls out of the park.

On Tuesday, also at home, the Spartans were edged by Mattoon, 18-17, in a slugfest.

Dowling and Trankina each homered twice. Trankina had five hits and six RBI and Dowling totaled four.

Adding a home run apiece were Kaylee Ward and Savannah Smith.

On Wednesday, the Spartans lost their third game at home in three days this week, 14-3 to Mount Zion.

Dukeman had three hits for the Spartans, including a home run.

SJ-O (13-4) returns to action on Saturday in the Clinton Tournament.