Central A&M opened the 2026 football season in impressive fashion Friday night, rolling past Dee-Mack 33-6 behind a dominant second-half performance and a defense that consistently made big plays.

The Raiders settled in after a sluggish first half and came out of halftime with a completely different mentality, finding their rhythm offensively while continuing to make plays defensively.

Rhett McLain was a major factor for Central A&M, hauling in a 74-yard touchdown pass while also scoring three rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yard touchdown run.

Aiden Sikes added a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown, while Victor Ravelo came up with several big catches and made key tackles on defense.

The biggest story of the night, however, was the Raiders’ defense.

Colin Reed, a lineman, intercepted two passes, while Kayden Higgins added another interception. Central A&M consistently made life difficult for the Dee-Mack offense and helped swing momentum in the Raiders’ favor.

“We struggled in the first half a little bit, but we had a long conversation at halftime and came out and got the job done,” McLain said.

McLain also credited the Raiders’ offensive line, naming Colin Reed, Max Taylor, Chaz Bruandmeier, Hunter Poppenhouse and Parker O’Dell as key contributors up front.

Central A&M head coach Higgins said his team finally settled into the brand of football it wanted to play after halftime.

“Our kids really stepped up, I thought, in the second half,” Higgins said. “We kind of settled in, played our brand of football that we wanted to play in the first half and didn’t.”

Higgins was especially pleased with how his players stayed together and made plays when the team needed them.

“Each guy made a play when we needed it,” Higgins said. “We just got so many weapons. It’s great when they can share that, and we did. We shared the ball.”

For Dee-Mack, Ashton Finch provided the team’s lone touchdown, but the offense struggled to consistently move the football against a strong Central A&M defense.

The 33-6 victory gives Central A&M a 1-0 start to the season and sends the Raiders into Week 2 with plenty of momentum.

Higgins said the Raiders will enjoy the opening-night victory before turning their attention to the film and making corrections.

“We’ll get better,” Higgins said. “There’s a lot of things that we can fix from film.”

The Raiders will now prepare for Fremont in Week 2, looking to build on Friday night’s strong defensive effort and second-half offensive surge.

After seeing the energy from Central A&M fans during the season opener, Higgins also encouraged the Raider faithful to travel with the team.

“CAM fans, come on out,” Higgins said. “Let’s make it our home game.”

Keep following along with your favorite local sports teams at ilsportswire.com and taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Shelbyville Rams found themselves within striking distance during the second half Friday night, but a pair of explosive Heyworth touchdown runs helped the Hornets pull away for a 27-6 victory.

Turnovers and big plays proved costly for Shelbyville throughout the night. Heyworth turned an early Rams fumble into points, later found the end zone on a punt return and answered Shelbyville’s lone touchdown almost immediately with a 63-yard scoring run.

The trouble began late in the opening quarter when Shelbyville lost a fumble near its own 30-yard line. Heyworth recovered with 1:25 remaining in the period, giving the Hornets an opportunity to work with a short field.

Heyworth capitalized less than a minute later.

With 53.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Hornets’ quarterback escaped for a 32-yard touchdown run, giving Heyworth an early 7-0 advantage.

Shelbyville’s offense continued battling into the second quarter but encountered difficulties sustaining drives. A nine-yard loss followed by a false-start penalty backed the Rams into a second-and-24 situation from their own 14-yard line midway through the quarter.

The physicality between the two teams also began to show as the first half progressed. An exchange following consecutive plays resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Shelbyville with 2:42 remaining in the half.

Heyworth then delivered another major blow on special teams.

With 1:38 remaining before halftime, the Hornets returned a punt for a touchdown, extending their advantage to 13-0.

Shelbyville received an opportunity to respond late in the half after a pass interference penalty against Heyworth moved the Rams to the Hornets’ 40-yard line with 33.3 seconds remaining, but Shelbyville was unable to turn the opportunity into points before the break.

Trailing 13-0, the Rams came out of halftime needing a spark. They found one in Jaden Meister.

With 4:52 remaining in the third quarter, Meister broke through for a 13-yard touchdown run, putting Shelbyville on the scoreboard and cutting Heyworth’s advantage to 13-6.

For a brief moment, the Rams had pulled themselves right back into the game.

Heyworth needed only one offensive snap to respond.

On the Hornets’ first play following Shelbyville’s touchdown, Heyworth broke free for a 63-yard rushing touchdown with 4:40 remaining in the third — just 12 seconds of game time after the Rams had scored.

The explosive answer pushed the Hornets’ lead to 20-6 and quickly halted the momentum Shelbyville had generated.

The Rams continued looking for an opportunity to climb back into the contest during the fourth quarter. Shelbyville’s defense provided one early, recovering a Heyworth fumble at its own 30-yard line with 11:53 remaining.

Later in the quarter, the Rams appeared poised to make things interesting.

A deep completion moved Shelbyville all the way to the Heyworth 1-yard line with eight minutes remaining, putting the Rams on the doorstep of potentially making it a one-score game once again.

But on the very next play, disaster struck.

A high snap got away from Shelbyville, and Heyworth recovered the loose football with 7:56 remaining. Instead of the Rams potentially cutting into the deficit, the Hornets escaped with their 20-6 advantage intact.

Heyworth eventually put the game away with another explosive run.

With 3:58 remaining, the Hornets broke free for a 45-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 27-6 and putting the finishing touches on the victory.

For Shelbyville, the final score didn’t tell the entire story. The Rams had opportunities to change the complexion of the game, particularly after Meister’s third-quarter touchdown brought them within seven and again when a deep completion put them just one yard away from the end zone in the fourth.

Ultimately, turnovers and Heyworth’s ability to create explosive plays proved to be the difference.

The Hornets produced touchdowns on runs of 32, 63 and 45 yards, added another score on a punt return and repeatedly responded when Shelbyville threatened to build momentum.

The Rams, meanwhile, showed flashes of their ability to move the football and remained within striking distance into the second half, but missed opportunities prevented Shelbyville from completing the comeback as Heyworth walked away with the 27-6 victory.

Continue following your local sports teams at ilsportswire.com and taylorvilledailynews.com.

Hillsboro used a strong rushing attack to take control Friday night, defeating Pana 27-14 in season-opening high school football action.

Pana got on the scoreboard when Jax Czaikowski broke free for a 28-yard rushing touchdown. The Panthers also recovered a fumble of their own, but penalties slowed their momentum as Pana was flagged three times for false starts.

Hillsboro answered with a physical ground game led by quarterback Elijah Patton. The No. 1 rushed for a touchdown and later broke loose for a 48-yard run as the Hilltoppers consistently found success on the ground.

Patton added another touchdown on a quarterback keeper as Hillsboro continued to build its lead.

Pana’s defense had some strong moments, including a special teams play when Ace Henschen, No. 23, blocked Patton’s extra-point attempt.

After the game, Patton credited Hillsboro’s preparation throughout the summer for the team’s performance.

“We had a good team preparation in the summer,” Patton said. “The practice and the preparation, we knew we could do something good tonight.”

Hillsboro’s rushing attack proved to be the difference as the Hilltoppers opened the season with a 27-14 victory over Pana.

Keep following along with your local sports teams at ilsportswire.com or at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Taylorville Tornadoes opened the 2026 season with a statement Friday night, dominating the Olney Tigers 47-7 in a game where Taylorville controlled all three phases from start to finish.

Taylorville’s defense set the tone early, limiting Olney’s offense while the Tornadoes worked to establish their own attack.

The Tornadoes broke through in the first quarter when Isaac Repscher connected with Blake Ladage for a 20-yard touchdown. Ben Peabody’s extra point gave Taylorville a 7-0 lead.

Taylorville exploded in the second quarter.

After an Olney fumble was recovered by the Tornadoes, Repscher found Wyatt Yonker for a 43-yard touchdown. Olney blocked the extra point, keeping the score at 13-0.

Yonker found the end zone again later in the quarter, hauling in a 72-yard touchdown pass from Repscher. Peabody’s kick was good, pushing the lead to 20-0.

The Taylorville defense continued to create opportunities, with Maddex Havera coming up with an interception. The Tornadoes drove into Olney territory before Repscher finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with just five seconds remaining in the half.

Peabody added the extra point, sending Taylorville into halftime with a commanding 27-0 advantage.

The Tornadoes continued their dominance in the third quarter, adding another touchdown to make it 33-0. Connor Hundsley also made a big defensive play, recording a tackle that helped push Olney back.

Taylorville’s defense added another interception as the Tornadoes continued to keep the Tigers off balance.

Garrett Lehman opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Peabody’s extra point made it 40-0.

Olney finally got on the scoreboard when Brody Snyder connected with Aiden Germak for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 40-7.

Taylorville answered immediately.

On the ensuing kickoff, Wyatt Yonker returned the ball 93 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tornadoes their final points of the night. Peabody’s extra point made it 47-7.

Repscher had a night to remember in his return from injury, accounting for five Taylorville touchdowns while helping lead the Tornadoes to a dominant opening-night victory.

After the game, Repscher said the performance was the result of months of preparation.

“We’ve been prepping for this game, I mean, all summer long,” Repscher said. “We knew what we were doing, and we executed perfectly.”

Lane Riva credited the team’s ability to play together on both sides of the ball.

“Just keeping juice, everyone,” Reeve said. “Just playing together. You know, defense, we’re all trying to leverage the ball, work as one. Offense, it goes the same way.”

For Repscher, Friday night’s performance was even more special because it marked his return from injury.

“You can’t beat this feeling,” Repscher said. “Senior night, first game back, and we just have a spectacular night.”

Repscher also made sure to recognize the players around him, especially the offensive line.

“I just want to give a shout out to the O-line as well,” he said. “They were feeling amazing. Could not do anything without them.”

Coach Odom Praises Team Effort

Taylorville head coach Odom was pleased with the performance but knows there is still plenty to improve heading into Week 2.

“I’m sure when we watch film we’ll find some mistakes and some areas to clean up,” Odom said.

The Tornadoes had some special-teams mistakes and allowed a few plays on defense that Odom wants corrected before traveling to Canton.

Still, the coach praised the overall team effort.

“It is really nice to know you’ve got playmakers in all three phases,” Odom said.

Odom specifically credited Peabody for his kicking performance, the long-snapping unit, Taylorville’s defense for creating turnovers and the offense for producing explosive plays.

The Tornadoes will now turn their attention to Canton.

Taylorville will hit the road next week looking to build on Friday night’s impressive victory.

Odom knows the Tornadoes can’t afford to dwell on the 47-7 win.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re super focused, and, you know, take the 47-7 win, but then turn the page really quickly,” Odom said.

After a dominant opening night, Taylorville has certainly made a statement — but the Tornadoes know the season is only getting started. Check out this story on ilsportswire.com for video clips from the game. For a direct link to the coaches interview video, CLICK HERE.

Also during Friday's game, Scooter’s Coffee gave back to Taylorville student-athletes through a new season-long promotion benefiting the Taylorville Sports Boosters.

For the 2025-26 school year, Scooter’s Coffee is the exclusive sponsor of the WTIM Scooter’s Coffee Tornado Give Back Promotion. The program will turn achievements on the field and court into donations supporting Taylorville athletics.

Under the promotion, Scooter’s Coffee will donate $10 for every Taylorville varsity football touchdown scored during the season.

When basketball season gets underway, the company will donate $3 for every three-point shot made by both the Taylorville boys and girls basketball teams throughout all of their games.

Throughout the year, Scooters Coffee supported Taylorville athletics through a special promotion tied to local sports highlights. Thanks to touchdowns, three-pointers, and home runs, they have donated $1,236 to the Taylorville Sports Boosters. These funds will help support Taylorville student-athletes and athletic programs.

During Fridays Game, the $1,236 check was given to the Taylorville Sports Boosters by Marcus McGlasson, the owner of Scooters Coffee. 

Pictured below are members of the Taylorville Sports Boosters, holding the oversized donation check:

The giving will continue into the spring sports season, with $5 donated for every home run hit by the Taylorville varsity baseball and softball teams.

The total amount donated will depend on the success of Taylorville’s student-athletes throughout the school year, giving fans another reason to cheer for touchdowns, three-pointers and home runs.

As part of the exclusive sponsorship agreement, Scooter’s Coffee will also receive five live promotional reads during each WTIM Tornado game broadcast, along with four 30-second promotional spots each day throughout the school year.

The WTIM Scooter’s Coffee Tornado Give Back Promotion is designed to connect local business support with Taylorville athletics, with every big play helping generate additional funding for the Taylorville Sports Boosters and the student-athletes they support.

Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Illinois High School Association has finalized expectations for the implementation of the 35-second shot clock in varsity boys and girls basketball beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Meeting Monday in Bloomington, the IHSA Board of Directors approved guidelines requiring all schools hosting varsity basketball games to have properly installed and functioning shot clocks mounted on the backboards in their primary gym. Schools unable to provide working shot clocks must move the game to another facility, allow the opponent to host, or potentially forfeit the contest.
The board also approved guidelines for tournaments and shootouts held in multiple gyms, requiring visible wall-mounted shot clocks in auxiliary facilities when traditional backboard-mounted units are not practical.

The shot clock will remain optional for lower-level contests, including freshman, sophomore and junior varsity games.

The IHSA first approved experimental use of the shot clock during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons before voting in 2024 to make it mandatory for all varsity contests beginning this coming school year. Illinois joins a growing number of states adopting the rule, with nearly 30 states already requiring shot clocks in high school basketball.

In other action, the board approved winter sports multiplier waivers, adopted several policy updates related to student-athlete eligibility and board governance, approved changes to cooperative team agreements in gymnastics and track and field, and accepted recommendations from numerous sport and activity advisory committees.

One notable change approved by the board will ban urethane bowling balls from IHSA State Series competition beginning with the 2027-28 season.

The next round of IHSA policy discussions will continue later this summer as officials review classification structures, cooperative team regulations, state tournament formats and other issues affecting member schools across Illinois.

Several Taylorville baseball players earned recognition when the 2025-26 Apollo Conference Baseball All-Conference teams were announced.

Leading the way for the Tornadoes was senior infielder Maxx Grieme, who was named a First Team All-Apollo Conference position player and was also selected as a unanimous first-team pick, one of only a handful of players in the conference to receive unanimous recognition from league coaches.

Taylorville also placed sophomore pitcher Carter Cappellin on the Second Team All-Apollo Conference pitching squad after a strong season on the mound.

Senior Colton Gatton earned Second Team All-Apollo Conference honors as a position player, giving Taylorville three overall selections on the conference teams.

The Apollo Conference was led by Mahomet-Seymour, which finished first in the league standings at 7-3. Effingham and Mt. Zion tied for second at 6-4, followed by Charleston at 5-5. Taylorville finished fifth in the conference with a 4-6 record, while Mattoon was sixth at 2-8.

Taylorville’s three all-conference selections were among the conference’s top performers, with Grieme earning the program’s highest honor as a unanimous first-team choice.

Taylorville High School graduate Ella Hohenstein is taking her cheerleading career to the next level. After a competitive audition process, Hohenstein has earned a spot on the varsity cheerleading team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Hohenstein recently spoke with us about the pressure of auditions, the emotions of earning a roster spot, and what the opportunity means moving forward.

Hohenstein started off with tumbling and from their love of being in the air grew. When Hohenstein was in middle school, she was in basketball, but in junior high she saw a try out for cheerleading for high school and she made the JV Squad. While there she got All American.

As a varsity captain, Hohenstein knew that she wanted to keep doing it and started going to clinics. While many athletes finish their careers after high school graduation, Hohenstein said cheering at the collegiate level had been a goal for years. She started thinking about what she wanted to do whether it came to major and cheer program.

The audition process was complex and took many many steps.  In the process for getting into U of I, she saw the tryout for Round 1 and said she knew she had to do it. 

For the second round, Ella said the waiting was nervewracking. 

Than the moment came where she got the email and it didn’t seem real.

She says that the support from her coaches and family have been huge.

Hohennstein says the biggest advice is to not be scared.

Hohenstein starts classes in the fall.  Find out more about Illinois cheerleading at https://fightingillini.com/sports/cheerleading. 

The Central A&M Raiders took a brief lead in the top of the 5th against #1 seed Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond but couldn't hold it after giving up 9 runs in the bottom of the fifth as the Raiders fell 13-3 in six innings in their playoff game on Wednesday afternoon in Neoga. The Raiders took advantage early on a couple base hits against starting ALAH pitcher Maxton Boddy but couldn't take advantage until the second inning, when Chaz Brundmeier reached on an error and Jamesley Jesse got a base hit on a chopper to third.  The throw home went over the head of catcher Donovan Vanausdell and Brundmeier scored but Jesse got gunned down trying to score. Central led 1-0 midway through 2, but that lead would be short as ALAH 1st baseman Lucas Butcher would hit a two run homer giving the Knights a 2-1 lead. 

That lead would hold until the 5th inning when Marshall Minott would crush a homerun to give the Raiders the lead again 3-2 going into the middle of the 5th inning, but things would fall apart as starting pitcher Zach Snow would not be able to get out of the 5th inning giving up several runs before being chased from the game for Minott. When the dust cleared the Raiders had surrendered 9 runs and the Raiders trailed 11-3 at the end of the 5th.

Going into the sixth the Raiders couldn't do much and the Knights got another homerun from 3rd Baseman Jansen Burnett and walked it off on a bases loaded base hit from Will Hillingoss to win 13-3 in six innings to end the Raiders season. Central A&M Finished their season 6-16. The Knights will wait to find out whether they face Neoga or Arcola who play tomorrow. 

The Seitz Funeral Home Player of the Game was Marshall Minott who hit a homer in the 5th and pitched in relief for starting pitcher Zack Snow.  

Final Score:

Triad: 5

Taylorville: 0

Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player Of The Game: CARTER CAPPELLIN

The Central A&M baseball season lives on after a 6-5 extra-inning win at home to Villa Grove on Memorial Day.  Errors stole the show at both ends of the Class 1A regional quarterfinal. 

The Raiders led 3-2 after the first inning, as both teams took advantage of fielding errors to bring runners across the plate.  Neither side scored thereafter through the top of the fifth, and the away side did not conjure up a hit in that time.  Villa Grove's fielders made some amends with skillful catches.  In the second inning with one out, Max Wilson ran quickly to catch a deep fly-ball over his shoulder in right field to dismiss Marshall Minott.  With the Raiders' two runners expecting the ball to drop, they had progressed down the basepaths too much to return in time as Logan Kelly saw himself thrown out at second. 

A&M stretched the lead in the fifth inning when Rhett McLain singled home Parker Elliott, who himself reached on an error.  Kadyn Higgins's sac fly on the next plate appearance scored Marshall Minott.  The increased lead proved enough to see Zane Hosler's start on the mound for the Blue Devils conclude after that inning. 

Villa Grove responded equally, though, forcing two runners to cross on a two-RBI single by Tucker McGarigle in the sixth inning.  The hit came on Minott's first batter faced in relief, with the starter McLain withdrawn after conceding two walks.

In the seventh, Thomas Vandeventer's RBI single brought home Max Wilson.  Later at second and with two outs, a balk sent Wilson a base closer to giving his side the lead.  In that plate appearance, the fourth ball to Jesse Gire escaped his eponymous catcher counterpart Jamesly Jesse.  Wilson began to break for home but retreated when the Raiders' catcher quickly fielded the ball off the backstop.  His sharp and in-line throw to Parker Elliott beat the runner's slide to third to end the half-inning.  Central A&M went three-up-three-down in the bottom half as the game advanced into extra innings. 

Villa Grove had runners at first and second with two outs in the extra inning when Jackson Gire grounded out to first.  With one out to the Raiders in the bottom half, Kadyn Higgins drew a walk.  After Eli Ferguson struck out, Chaz Braundmeier came to the plate.  Higgins took off for a steal of second, and the catcher's throw went astray.  Higgins then got up and ran towards third.  Blue Devils' center fielder Will Schweighart scooped the ball and hurled it towards third base in an attempt to put out Higgins.  That throw missed its intended fielder, as well, and hopped into the dugout.  The umpires ruled the ball had gone out of bounds, meaning the runner would be entitled to cross home for the winning run. 

Marshall Minott was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  On the mound, he took the win and gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks and struck out two hitters.  He hit a single and a double out of four at-bats, scored after each of the hits, and stole a base.  Villa Grove's pitchers combined for eleven strikeouts, with Minott and Higgins the only Raider batters not to experience that outcome. 

With the win, Central A&M moves on to the regional semifinals.  They will travel to Neoga to face Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond.  First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  Villa Grove's season ends with their record at 8-12.

The Taylorville Tornadoes boys track and field season came to a close Saturday at the sectional meet in Troy, but several athletes punched their tickets to the IHSA State Finals in Charleston next weekend.

According to head coach Jake Koniak, the Tornadoes turned in a strong overall performance with multiple personal records, standout efforts, and several close calls throughout the meet. In the end, five Taylorville athletes qualified for the state meet.

Liam Bettis earned a pair of state qualifying performances, taking second place in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9 minutes, 11.49 seconds, while also finishing second in the 1600 meter run in 4 minutes, 19.74 seconds.

Colt Perkins qualified in the 3200 meter run with a third-place finish and a time of 9 minutes, 33.82 seconds.

Alex Davis advanced to state in the 1600 meter run after placing fifth in 4 minutes, 29.63 seconds.

In field events, Chase Rincker qualified in the pole vault with a second-place effort of 12 feet, 8-and-three-quarter inches.

Connor Hunsley also qualified for state in two throwing events, placing seventh in discus with a throw of 148 feet even and sixth in the shot put with a mark of 50 feet, 1-and-one-quarter inches.

Coach Koniak also wished good luck to Elayna Harker and Elsie Williamson, who will compete at the girls state meet Friday and Saturday.

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

The Central A&M softball team lost its Class 1A regional semifinal 5-2 against Altamont on Wednesday night.  Altamont served as the administrative away team due to having the worse seed of the two teams, despite playing on their home turf. 

The Raiders' one run in the first made up the only scoring across the first three innings as both teams largely struggled to take advantage of key scoring opportunities.  Altamont drew level in the fourth when a throwing error with two outs allowed Avery Fleehardy to score from third.  They went in front in the fifth when Sophia Long's sacrifice allowed Cecilia "Spike" Pearcy to cross the plate. 

Altamont's defensive displays frustrated the Raiders.  The bottom of the third inning saw three flyouts, each with either quick reactions or high skill from the respective fielders.  In the fifth inning, with a runner at third and one out, Pearcy caught a quick line drive on the full and beat Riley Hazelwonder to the bag to complete an unassisted double play. 

The sixth inning is when the game decisively swung in the regional hosts' favor.  Four of their first five hitters reached base, scoring two runs, and Riley Hazelwonder's start on the circle reached its conclusion.  Callie Robertson conceded two runners and another run - for which Hazelwonder was responsible - but struck out Kennedi Schultz to end the inning.  She then pitched a perfect seventh.

A&M put up one run in the sixth and set themselves up well to score further in that inning and the following one but could not convert.  In the case of the final inning, senior Kylee Snearly came to the plate with runners on first and second and two outs, but struck out. 

Despite taking the loss, Riley Hazelwonder was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  She struck out nine batters in her outing, adding to her impressive performance throughout the season in that category.  Hazelwonder also hit a double, scored a run, and stole two bases. 

For Altamont, Sophia Long pitched the complete game, giving up two earned runs and six walks, to go with seven strikeouts.  Pearcy excelled at the plate, going 2-3 including a triple and two runs, on top of the aforementioned defensive play. 

Altamont returns to the field on Thursday to face Casey-Westfield in the regional final.  As for Central A&M, their season is over.  Snearly is the only departing senior, but with only nine other players, head coach Wayne Jordan will look to heavily revamp the squad in the offseason in hopes of future success. 

Peyton DeMichael went 3-4 and plated two but the Tornadoes couldn't overcome the pitching of Raelyn Cox as Taylorville fell to Charleston 6-3 on an overcast Tuesday evening in Chatham.  Taylorville had the first chance in the top of the second with a Kenzley Heimsness double and a walk to Hope Kietzman, but despite both runners advancing to scoring position, consecutive strikeouts stranded the runners and Taylorville couldn't score the runners. 

In the bottom of the second, Charleston's Meg Ritchey walked and Brooklyn Barges was hit by pitch.  Riley Lewis hit a triple to right center that scored two runs.  Avery Beals than scored Lewis and Lainie Keefer scored Beals on a double scoring four total in the inning. Taylorville quickly responded with a Carsen Corzine double and a Peyton DeMichael base hit that scored Corzine. With the score 4-1,Taylorville scored a couple more in the top of the fifth as Corzine walked and DeMichael once again scored her with a base hit.  Grace Rodgers got into the fun as well wiht a base hit and Taylorville trailed by one, 4-3. 

In the sixth inning Raelyn Cox hit a homer that scored her and Lanie Keefer extending the lead to 6-3.  That would be all Charleston would need.  Taylorville would go 1-2-3 quietly in the seventh.  Peyton DeMichael was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game.  Charleston will face off against Glenwood at 4:30 on Friday. 

Colton Gatton homered and scored a run on a heads up base running play as the Taylorville Tornadoes picked up a huge Apollo Conference win on Thursday evening as they beat the Mt. Zion Braves 11-5 in Taylorville. Isaac Repscher took the mound for the Tornadoes and after getting two quick outs gave up a couple walks, but got Davis Venters to fly out to end the inning.  

In the bottom of the first, the Tornadoes quickly went 1-2-3. In the top of the second, AJ Miller got a base hit for the Braves followed by a base hit from Landon Workman.  A sacrifice fly from Keegan Durbin followed by a fielders choice from Creighton Weigler scored a run and Mt. Zion led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the first. 

The Tornadoes quicly responded in the bottom of the second with a double from Kason Pembroke and a walk from Zaydyn Donaldson.  A base hit from Drew Morgan led to Pembroke scoring, and a walk from Fallon Turner scored Nollen Polley who was running for Donaldson.  Taylorville led at the end of 2 2-1. 

The lead would be short lived, as the Braves would get a triple from KWeellen Bolhorst on a shot that would ricochet off the right field fence followed by a hit by pitch on Davis Venters.  Landon Workman would get a huge base hit out to right field but would get tagged trying to extend the hit into a double but not before scoring two runs. The Braves would lead 3-2 going into the bottom of the 3rd. 

Taylorville would have a huge bottom of the third, scoring six runs courtesy of a error by Connor Fox on a Maxx Grieme hit.  Colton Gatton would homer scoring both of them.   Kason Pembroke and Zaydn Donaldson would both get base hits, Fallon Turner would double, and Carter Hennings would get a base hit.  Repscher would add a base hit as well and when the dust cleared, Taylorville led 8-3.  They wouldn't give up the lead the rest of the day. 

The Braves would add two more runs in the fourth courtesy of back to back doubles from Keegan Durbin and Creighton Weigler.  Both would score on a base hit from Connor Fox. This would cut the lead to 8-5.  Taylorville would add three more runs in the bottom of the fifth with a base hit from Carter Cappelin, Maxx Grieme and a double from Colton Gatton.  Gatton would score on a bang bang play from a base hit from Drew Morgan that saw a ground ball that went up the middle and allowed Gatton to score just behind the throw in.  The Tornadoes would head into the 7th with a 11-5 lead. 

In the top of the 7th, with Carter Cappellin on the mound, Kellen Bollhorst struck out, Davis Venters got a base hit, and AJ Miller struck out looking.  Landon Workman came up to the plate and hit a line drive base hit out to left center but a throw home from Fallon Turner nailed a sliding Venters to end the game with the tag being made at the plate giving the Taylorville Tornadoes the 11-5 win.  Taylorville improves to 11-12 and 4-6 in conference. They will take on Williamsville on the 19th. Colton Gatton was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game. 

Gatton spoke with Taylorville broadcaster Leroy Kleimola a bit after the game about his home run and about picking up the Apollo Conference win on Thursday evening.

The Taylorville Tornadoes took a 9-0 lead at the end of the first inning but couldn't hold it, but somehow survived a furious comeback by the visiting Auburn Trojans to put up an 11-10 win on Senior Night on a windy Thursday evening in Taylorville. 

After honoring, Peyton DeMichael, Mia Lyons, and Ella Reiss, the Tornadoes went to work.  DeMichael took the circle and got a quick 1-2-3 inning as the offense poured on the runs as batters 1-7 scored including Carsen Corzine, DeMichael, Grace Rogers, Macey Richardson, Olivia Gray, Hope Kietzman, and Ella Reiss all scored.  Corzine and DeMichael would score again and the Tornadoes would take a 9-0 lead going into the second inning against the Auburn defense and pitcher Emmie Womble.  

The Trojans would fight back with with runs scored by Madison Hackett, Womble and Torii Thomas to cut into the deficit 9-3. The Tornadoes added a run in the 2nd with a run from Olivia Gray to extend the lead back to 10-3. The bats from Taylorville would stay silent until the 6th. Auburn would tighten things up with two more in the 5th and three more in the 6th to cut the lead 10-8.

In the bottom of the sixth, Neveah Wiley would get a base hit.  Carsen Corzine would add on a base hit.  Peyton DeMichael would fly out to third.  Grace Rogers would fly out to left field which would bring up Kenzley Heimsness.  Pticher Jenna Arenz would throw a pitch that would go through the legs of catcher Addi Jones allowing Nevaeh Wiley to score putting Taylorville up 11-8.  This would prove to be the difference. 

In the 7th, Auburn's Kendall Lynch walked, Hadley Root got a base hit, Amelia Hayes got a base hit scoring Lynch, and Root which made it 11-10.  Jones got hit by a pitch sending the tying run to second and her the go ahead run at first.  Carsen Corzine shut the door though striking out Jenna Arenz, Skylar Meats flew out to left, and Madison Hackett flew out to Olivia Levault out in center to end the game and give the Tornadoes the win improving their record to 14-9. Taylorville will take on Mt. Zion on Friday on the road. 

Taylorville Senior Colton Gatton signed his letter of intent to play baseball at college for John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois on Wednesday evening.  The Senior pitcher plays several different positions and swings the bat quite well also. He says baseball has been his life and says that John Wood has a great program but also has trades which is what Gatton wants to do. 

Find out more information on John Wood baseball by visiting https://www.johnwoodblazers.com/sports/bsb/index 

The Central A&M softball team produced a dramatic 3-2 win over Warrensburg-Latham after eight innings on a windy Monday night.  The two teams came into the game with similar records and in neighboring positions in the Central Illinois Conference. 

Warrensburg-Latham started strongly, putting up two runs in the first inning.  CAM responded when Riley Hazelwonder led off the bottom half with a home run.  They equalized in the fourth when Broklin Justice singled home Brookelyn Jackson, who herself reached on a one-out double.  Their hits were the Raiders' first in the game from someone not named Riley Hazelwonder. 

In the ensuing normal innings, each team let slip an opportunity to score with the bases loaded and one out.  With the game still deadlocked in the seventh, Shelby Younker singled with one out and then attempted to steal second.  Her hesitancy in doing so meant the throw to second could easily beat her, but an error allowed her to reach safely.  She could not score, though, as Syra Sims' strikeout and Kayla McPeek's flyout sent the game into extra innings.

Riley Hazelwonder - still in the circle having started - dismissed the Cardinals in order in the eighth.  Callie Robertson led off the bottom half with a double.  She advanced to third on the next play with Brookelyn Jackson's fly-ball dropped in between on-rushing outfielders.  Wesleigh Cochran stepped up and hit a grounder to short which skipped past the infielder, allowing Robertson to cross for the winning run. 

Hazelwonder threw 14 strikeouts, including two innings in which every out took that form.  Combined with a two-for-two performance at the plate, she was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  Her counterpart Kelsey Oakley also went the distance, giving up eight hits and no unintentional walks while picking up five strikeouts. 

Central A&M's record now stands at 12-10 overall and 6-2 in the conference; they host Clinton tomorrow.  Warrensburg-Latham drops to 11-12 overall and 3-4 in the conference.  Their roadtrip continues with a game against Sullivan. 

Carter Cappellin struck out 10 batters and Isaac Repscher hit a long solo shot to right field as the Taylorville Tornadoes beat Springfield Southeast Spartans 7-0 on a windy overcast Monday afternoon for Senior Night in Taylorville. 

Austin Dunphy took the loss for the Spartans as he pitched the distance but struggled especially in the second inning giving up four runs. Taylorville took advantage of a miscue in the first inning scoring as Cappellin got walked than reached third on a pickoff attempt throw that went errant.   Maxx Grieme than scored him on a base hit. 

In the second inning, Fallon Turner, Kason Pembroke, and Kade Schimmelpfenning all walked, while Carter Cappellin and Isaac Repscher both reached as well and when the dust settled the Tornadoes had a 5-0 lead. 

The Tornadoes would add more damage in the 4th with a homer from Repscher and another run from Cappellin.  Speaking of Cappellin he would pitch beautifully, only giving up a couple base hits: one to Will Tucker and one to Austin Dunphy, along with a hit by pitch to Aaron Bly.  

Grayden Hughes would come in to pitch the last few innings in relief.  Cappellin was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game for his hitting and his 10 strikeouts. Taylorville will take on Mt. Zion on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30.  

Congratulations to the Taylorville baseball Seniors!!!

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

The Central A&M softball team easily overcame Shelbyville 13-1 in five innings on Friday evening.  The Raiders proved effective on both sides of the ball to complete the regular-season sweep over the Rams. 

Shelbyville got off to a bright start when Alexis Jokisch homered with one out in the first.  A&M responded with a run of their own in the bottom half and scored in each subsequent inning.  That included eight runs in the third inning, with many of them coming with two outs.

Riley Hazelwonder stole the show with 11 strikeouts in five innings of work.  That, plus no walks and four hits, earned her the title of Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  Wesleigh Cochran made her own case, though.  She went 3-4 with an RBI and two runs.  For the away side, Kenzie Jones hit 2-2, which included a triple. 

Central A&M is now at 11-10 overall and 5-2 in conference games.  They host Warrensburg-Latham on Monday.  Shelbyville's record now stands at 6-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference ahead of a trip to Teutopolis.

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

The Central A&M baseball team snapped a five-game losing streak thanks to a walk-off 4-3 win at home to Meridian on Tuesday.  The Raiders recovered in the seventh inning from their only deficit of the game thanks in large part to fielding errors from the away side. 

The teams traded runs across the first four innings as the teams were level at two apiece entering the sixth.  In that inning, Meridian pulled ahead when Grady Stock - who himself had begun pitching in relief in the previous half-inning - singled home Ted Jones.  It was his second RBI, having also driven in the tying run in the fourth. 

Central A&M entered the bottom of the seventh needing to score to stay alive.  With Marshall Minott at second, Kadyn Higgins reached on an error.  Having attempted a steal on that play, Minott saw an opportunity to careen home and reached safely to tie the game. 

With two outs in the inning, Higgins made his own steal attempt of third and met a throw which went astray into the outfield.  This afforded him time to score the winning run, sparking jubilant scenes from the Raider dugout. 

Minott put together three hits - of which two were doubles - and scored three runs, making him an easy choice for Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  Rhett McLain started the game and gave up two earned runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in six innings of work.  As the seventh-inning relief pitcher, Eli Ferguson received the win and did not concede a hit in his one inning despite allowing a runner to reach third through a walk, passed ball, and wild pitch. 

For Meridian, Wyatt Martin pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up an earned run on six hits and five walks with two strikeouts. 

Central A&M improves to 5-8 overall and picks up its first conference win in four attempts on the season.  The side travels to Warrensburg-Latham for another Central Illinois Conference matchup next.  Meridian drops to 7-9 and has managed just one win in their last nine.  They travel to Clinton for their next game. 

Jacksonville put up 3 runs in the first inning, and that was all they needed as they picked up an 11-1 baseball win in Taylorville on Monday night. Joe Reif, of the Crimsons, went 3-3 with 3 base hits and a couple walks in the win. AJ Charpentier also had several base hits and picked up the win, while giving up no hits, striking out one while walking two and hitting one batter.

The Tornadoes finally broke into the hit column when Max Grieme and Fallon Turner got back-to-back base hits off Nolan Peters who came in to relieve Charpentier in the 4th. The Tornadoes would break into the run column but the Crimsons would add a run again in the 6th and Taylorville would go down in order in the 6th with 3 fly outs to end the game 11-1 in 6 innings. 

                        1   2     3    4    5     6     7    F  
Jacksonville    3   3    2    2    0     1      X   11
Taylorville      0   0    0     1    0     0      X   1


Tornadoes will take on Mattoon in a two game set starting Tuesday evening for a home and home series.  Fallon Turner was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game for his hit, and for an acrobatic diving catch made out in left field. 

An exciting game took place tonight as a double header between the Taylorville Tornadoes resulted in a loss for the purple and gold. 

The first game resulted in a 6-4 loss for Taylorville. Taylorville started off down by 2, and then did eventually make it past Charleston. However, by the end of that game, Charelston closed their losing ratio, going from 5-6 to 6-6.

This broke Taylorville's 7 game winning streak. At the beginning of tonights game, Taylorville sat in 2nd in the Appollo Conference whereas Charelston sat in third for the conference standings.

After game 1, Taylorville and Charelston swapped positions leaving the Tornadoes in 3rd, with Charleston taking the 2nd spot in the conference. By the end of game 2 , the Tornadoes ended in 3rd and Charelston took the top position. 

Also, In Game 2, The Tornadoes showed a strong and confident lead. The bottom of the 7th came with a tied 5-5 game pushing them into an 8th inning. Charelston also won game 2 with an 7-5 lead. Moving them to 1st in the conference.

The Player of the Game for Game 1 was Grace Rogers.

Game 2's Player of the Game was Carsen Corzine.

Kalia Friese went 2-3 with two runs scored and combined with Kendra Hayes to strike out 3, and walk none, as the Windsor-Stewart-Strasburg Hatchets got past the Central A&M Raiders on Wednesday evening in Moweaqua as they picked up a 7-6 win. 

The Hatchets broke through in the second inning after Makenna Corrie hit a towering fly ball that hit the top of the fence line and ricocheted back in play.  The very next play Kalia Friese hit one out to the same location that Shelby Younker struggled to corral, which scorred Corrie.  A base hit from Clarissa Johnson scored Friese to give the Hatchets a 2-0 lead.  The Hatchets would add another run in the third on a weird place where Mya Friese would steal home on a wild sequence. 

The Raiders would lead off the first three innings with base hits but wouldn't be able to capitalize until that third inning when Callie Robertson and Olivia Kerby would have back to back base hits.  Ryleigh Hazelwonder would get the Raiders on the board with a bases clearing double and Kayle McPeak would add on with a base hit of her own.  Wesleigh Cochran would add another base hit and Brooklyn Jackson would get her home with a double and the Raiders would stand on top with a 5-3 lead at the end of 3 as they would send 9 to the plate. 

Their lead would be short lived however, as the Hatchets would respond with four of their own in the fourth with sending 8 of their own to the plate with a walk to Makenna Corrie, a base hit to Friese, a Fielders choice to Arora Rincker, followed by a walk to Clarissa Johnson, and a base hit to Cameron Carey plated four and the Hatchets would jump back up by two with a 7-5 lead going into the bottom of the 4th. 

The Raiders would cut the lead to one, with a double from Kayle McPeak and a base hit from Kylee Sneerly. Aggressiveness on the base paths would cut down Sneerly as a double play on Cochran's line drive to the Hatchet's Clarissa Johnson and a strike out to Clarissa Johnson ended the rally for the Raiders. 

The Raiders would get a triple from Callie Robertson in the sixth with only one out, but Olivia Kerby would line out to first, and Shelby Younker would strike out to end the inning and the Raiders wouldn't be able to capitalize in the seventh. 

The Raiders fall to 7-8 and the Hatchets improve to 10-4.  Central A&M will face Clinton on the road on Friday evening. Kayla McPeek was named the Seitz Funeral Home Player of the Game.