A look at the final softball statistical leaders in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

A look at the top softball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel, Henry's Carson Rowe earn IHSBCA First-Team All State, IVCC is offering basketball and volleyball camps and more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

Putnam County seniors Traxton Mattingly and Johnathon Stunkel left their legacy with the Panthers, leading them to a Class 1A second-place finish. Now, they'll continue their careers together at Illinois Central College.

Putnam County fell to Tremont in the IHSA Class 1A State championship on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team lost 10-0 in five innings to Tremont in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday in Champaign.

Putnam County fought off North Clay for a 4-3 victory in eight innings during the IHSA Class 1A State semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team beat North Clay 4-3 in 8 innings on Friday in Champaign to advance to the Class 1A state championship game. The Panthers will play Tremont at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Putnam County Panthers got some preparation for Friday's Class 1A state semifinal, making at stop at the Corn Crib in Normal and Yard Goats indoor facility in Champaign. The Panthers (25-11) will face North Clay (35-4) at 1 p.m. Friday at Illinois Field.

The Tri-County, Three Rivers East and Little Ten announced all-conference teams, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

The Putnam County baseball program has qualified for state in every full decade since the school opened. The 2026 Panthers play North Clay in Friday's semifinals in the school's seventh state appearance.

A look at the four teams competing this weekend in the Class 1A state baseball tournament in Champaign.

Hall’s Luke Bryant, Princeton’s Ryan Jagers and St. Bede’s Ava Balestri earn unanimous all-conference honors in the Three Rivers East and Tri-County Confernce.

The Putnam County baseball team beat Galena 7-4 on Tuesday to win the IHSA Class 1A NIU Supersectional and earn its first trip to state since 2013.

The Putnam County Baseball team took on Galena in a Class 1A supersectional Tuesday at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. The winner advances to the state semifinal at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team scored three runs in the first inning and led throughout in an 11-2 victory over Fulton to win the Class 1A Putnam County Sectional title, the Panthers' first sectional crown since 2013.

Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel struck out the side in the top of the first inning and the Panthers scored two runs in the bottom half to set the tone early in an 11-1, five-inning victory over Newark in a Class 1A Putnam County Sectional semifinal Wednesday.

Here's an update of area sectionals including Marquette, Newark, Putnam County and Rockridge

Putnam County defeated Newark 11-1 on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Putnam County High School. The Panthers will take on Fulton on Saturday at 11a.m. for the Sectional title.

La Salle-Peru's Aavery Hill placed fourth in the Class 2A discus, plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Putnam County baseball team defeated Annawan-Wethersfield 8-2 on Saturday to win the Class 1A Annawan-Wethersfield Regional.

Here's an update of area regionals including Bureau Valley, Hall, L-P, Mendota, Ottawa, Princeton, Putnam County and St. Bede and a look ahead to sectionals.

Princeton's Jackson Mason advanced to the second day of the state tennis tournament, multiple NewsTribune-area athletes qualified for state finals in boys track and field, plus regional baseball in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Putnam County broke out its Player of the Game Chains for the first time this season for Wednesday’s regional semifinals in Annawan. By a unanimous choice, PC relief pitcher Rudy Villagomez received the honors.

Princeton's Casey Etheridge, Putnam County's Alex Rodriguez and Fieldcrest's Micheal Beckett are seeded to medal at the IHSA state track and field meet this week, while athletes from L-P, St. Bede, Mendota, Bureau Valley, Henry-Midland and Amboy also are competing.

Just who are these namesakes on the walls? This is the second in a two-part series telling the story and history behind the namesakes of area gymnasiums, tracks and track meets.

A look at all the baseball regionals involving NewsTribune-area teams.

The baseball postseason starts up Monday in Illinois. Here's a look at IHSA regionals for Bureau Valley, Hall, Princeton, Putnam County and St. Bede

Henry-Midland's Daniella Bumber ran the top 400 time in the Class 1A state preliminaries, L-P and Princeton are sending athletes to boys state track and more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Mendota's Sebastian Carlos qualified for state track, the St. Bede and Mendota softball teams advanced to regional finals and more in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Brynna Anderson hit a solo homer to spark the offense and Rachel Eckert was dominant in the circle as Henry-Senachwine beat Putnam County in a regional semifinal.

The Putnam County softball team rallied for a regional win, the Princeton and Earlville softball teams each scored 20 runs in regional wins and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

A look at the softball regionals involving NewsTribune-area teams.

The Illinois Valley Baseball ‘King of the Valley’ Tournament Update is underway. Here’s a look at Friday’s scores

The St. Bede baseball team won its pool in the Illinois Valley tournament, Hall softball topped Putnam County, Princeton boys track took second in the Three Rivers Meet and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

Fieldcrest's Pru Mangan qualified for state in two events, St. Bede baseball and softball earned conference wins and more un Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The IHSA has released its 2026 baseball postseason schedules. Here are the paths awaiting teams from across the Illinois Valley, including Seneca, Princeton, Ottawa, La Salle-Peru, Streator, St. Bede, Marquette and more.

Henry softball scored 22 runs on 15 hits in a runaway 22-6 win in Streator. In other area games, Princeton beat Orion, St. Bede topped PC in softball while PC beat St. Bede and Bureau Valley bounced Galva in baseball.

Princeton scored early and often, making quick work of the Chargers in four innings in a Three Rivers Conference softball crossover Tuesday in Orion. In other action, PC beat St. Bede in baseball 5-0 while the Bruins turned the tables in softball for an 18-5 win

Four programs who have won four state championships and made 10 state tournament appearances between them since 2015 headline the the inaugural Illinois Valley Baseball Tournament to be held Friday and Saturday at Schweickert Stadium and JA Happ Field in Peru.

A look at the top performances for track and field athletes in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

The St. Bede baseball and softball teams beat Putnam County, the La Salle-Peru girls track and field team won the Illinois Valley Meet and more in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

NewsTribune area athletes rank among the state's best this season and more in the NewsTribune track and field notebook.

The Hall softball team topped Princeton, L-P softball beat No. 4 Dunlap, the Bureau Valley boys and girls track and field teams swept the Lincoln Trail Conference Meet and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

Johnathon Stunkel threw a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and Putnam County executed two squeeze bunts in a 3-0 win over Mendota on Friday.

Putnam County defeated Mendota on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Putnam County High School. Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel threw a 1-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks in the game.

The Hall, St. Bede and La Salle-Peru baseball teams won conference games, plus more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

It wasn’t Marquette‘s prettiest game at the plate or defensively, but the Cru did just enough to hold on late against Putnam County on a windy Thursday night at Masinelli Field in Ottawa.

The IHSA released its 2026 softball postseason schedules Wednesday. Here are the paths awaiting teams from across the Illinois Valley, including Seneca, Princeton, Ottawa, La Salle-Peru, Streator, St. Bede, Marquette and more.

Henry-Midland's Daniella Bumber won four events at the Tri-County Conference Meet, Mendota baseball beat Bureau Valley and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.