Eddie Carifio

Crewe Bartelt helped power Sycamore to a win at the Gib Seegers Classic, Kaneland avoided an I-8 sweep at the hands of Sycamore, Quinn McLane scored three goals for the DeKalb girls soccer team and more from Friday and Saturday in the roundup.

Sycamore decided to walk DeKalb No. 2 hitter Cole Latimer with one out and runner on second in a tie game in the bottom of the sixth. Evan Johnson made the Spartans pay, sparking a six-run rally in a 12-8 win on Saturday,

No. 9 hitter Sean Peterson had four hits and four runs as Genoa-Kingston clobbered Oregon, Marshall Ledbetter had a two-hit shutout as Hinckley-Big Rock beat Indian Creek, Ari Rich, Brooklynn Ordlock and Kaylee Luepkes homered for G-K in a win and more in the roundup.

Thanks to a rainout earlier in the week, Mother Nature gifted Kairi Lantz a game on her 18th birthday Thursday. The Sycamore senior catcher gifted herself and Spartan softball teammates a two-run home run, her 11th of the year, in a 7-0 win over La Salle-Peru.

Breydon Martin threw a shutout while striking out nine, allowing DeKalb to win a game in which they were no-hit, Jackson Macdonald homered for the second straight game to help Sycamore beat Kaneland, Ellie Peck shined as Kaneland softball beat Sycamore, and more in the roundup.

Lana Walker doesn’t have much experience playing goalie. But she has plenty of experience hitting the ground and diving after her target, which certainly came in handy for the Sycamore senior Wednesday against Kaneland in the Spartans’ 2-1 win against their Interstate 8 rivals.

Quinn Urwiler will be reunited with former coach Thomas Hammock in Seattle, as the former NIU linebacker will attend Seattle's minicamp. Urwiler was one of three 2025 NIU players to get a shot at the pros, along with Donte Harrison (Baltimore) and Cyrus McGarrell (CFL's Montreal)

Evan Johnson hit a three-run tying home run in the seventh before Caden Smith walked it off in the eighth for DeKalb baseball, Alaynna Johnson had a huge night under the lights for DeKalb softball at Indian Creek, and more in the roundup.

Noah Neece broke out of a 0 for 4, 3 strikeout slump in a big way, homering in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Sycamore a 6-5 win over Kaneland in the first game of a three-game Interstate 8 Conference series.

One interception vs. two. On paper, Brady Davidson won the spring game turnover battle. On the field? Jalen Macon looked more ready to be NIU's starting quarterback.

Jason Fowler showed up to the spring game draft in a suit and tie. He was picked first among the tight ends. Then he proved he belonged. How the NIU redshirt sophomore is emerging as the team's top tight end.

Krista Cobb swept the throwing events at the Harlem Invitational on Saturday, helping the Spartans take third. DeKalb was second behind a high jump win for Sariyah Hampton. Also in the roundup wins for DeKalb softball, a pair of thrillers for Sycamore softball and more.

Telly Johnson led Team NIU on a touchdown on their opening drive, Jalen Macon added one in the fourth quarter, and they held on to beat Brady Davidson and Team Huskies 17-10. Here were five takeaways from the spring game, which returned to a game format this year.

"I think his athleticism and his moxie bring something. We feel really good about what he might be able to do." Charleston transfer Ean Hamric pushing NIU QBs Brady Davidson, Jalen Macon heading into spring showcase.

Sophomore Ayva Hernandez scored four goals Thursday as Genoa-Kingston knocked off North Boone 9-0, proving the Cogs haven't lost a step despite losing two 19-goal scorers to graduation.