Former Providence Standout Budz Breaks into NCAA Record Book

Back in 2008, Sara Budz drove in 36 runs for the Providence softball team. That record since has been eclipsed as Hannah Gardner (43) and Chloe Oprzedek (51) surpassed her single-season school mark in 2010.

Now at Domininican University, Budz is adding her name to the NCAA record book.

On Wednesday, Budz tied a couple NCAAA records. She became only the second player to drive in 12 runs since Tony Basil first sang “Mickey.”  Hunter College’s Giovanna Roberson drove in 12 against Medgar Evers in 1998. Budz also tied the record for grand slams by hammering two in a 20-3 victory over Alverno College.

Budz is enjoying video game-like stats so far this spring, hitting .514 with 44 runs, nine homers and 46 RBIs. She blasted 10 home runs during her senior season at Providence and looks ready to hit double digits at the collegiate level later this spring.

For further info about Budz’s unforgettable day at the plate, see http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2011/04/record-day-for-budz-as-stars-split-with-alverno/

The Hype is Right for Providence Baseball

St. Laurence will try hand Providence its first loss the season on Saturday and Monday as the teams meet in Catholic Blue Conference action. The Celtics are 14-0, and with a roster full of players who will continue to play at the college level next season, the Celtics have lived up to all the preseason hype and have excelled on the diamond this spring. For more on this year’s Celtics, check out http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/baseball/ct-spt-0422-prep-base-spotlight-20110421,0,4812560.story

Lincoln-Way Central Loses Tough One to Joliet West in Softball

The Lincoln-Way Central softball team remained winless in the Southwest Suburban Blue, dropping a 3-2 decision on the road to Joliet West. The Knights had led 2-1 but a couple errors helped allow the Tigers to rally to victory. For more on the game, please see http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/4951467-419/bourgs-big-hit-seals-win-for-west.html

Lincoln-Way West Survives Joliet West in Boys Volleyball

The Lincoln-Way West boys volleyball team beat Joliet West, 25-17, 21-25, 25-17 on Monday to improve to 11-3. For more on this, see http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/4902015-419/l-way-west-holds-off-joliet-west.html

Lincoln-Way Central Boys Volleyball Improves to 11-6

Jake Marotta and Sean Blackwood led the Lincoln-Way Central boys volleyball team to a 25-22, 25-17 win over Lockport on Wednesday in a Southwest Suburban Conference match. For more details on how they came away with the big win, see http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_volleyball/3164498,0420-boys-volleyball-lincoln-way-central-lockport.article

Sophomore Helps Providence Edge Brother Rice in Boys Volleyball

Sophomore Brendan Surane played a big role in Providence’s 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, victory against Brother Rice on Monday in Catholic League Blue action. Surane had seven block-kills in the victory to help the Celtics improve to 9-4 overall, as well as 4-1 in conference. For more on the victory, see http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/4902039-419/surane-comes-up-big-in-providences-victory.html

L-W Central Drops Opener in Naperville Invitational in Girls Soccer

The Lincoln-Way Central girls soccer team didn’t match up well with Naperville North on Thursday night in its first game in the 2011 Naperville Invitational, dropping a 5-0 decision. Naperville North will probably be one of the top teams the Knights face this season as the the losses for the 7-3 Huskies have come to perennial powers Lyons, Barrington and Neuqua Valley, which is 14-0 and believed by most to be the top team in the state. The Knights won earlier in the week, beating Bradley-Bourbannais,, 3-0. Maddie Stephens and Rachel Post both scored and had an assist, Somer Druszkowski contributed a goal and Becca Petrone posted the shutout.