Prairie Central High School basketball programs have new head coaches. The Prairie Central Athletic Boosters report Alan Dunahee returns as boys head coach after leading the Hawks from 2003 to 2007, including the program’s last regional title in 2005. Dunahee is an IT instructor at the school. Darrelynn Dunn takes over the girls program after serving as an assistant coach at Normal Community High School for the past three seasons and a record of 52-6.
Hud Venerable says he’s excited about being named athletic director at Central Catholic. The former head football coach at Normal Community was planning to be on the Illinois Wesleyan staff this fall when former AD Doug Atkins retired. The school formally announced Venerable as its new AD on Tuesday.
The Cardinals scored seven times in the top of the 11th inning for an 8-1 win at Philadelphia. Yadier Molina and Tommy Pham homered for St. Louis, and Stephen Piscotty put the Cards in front with a two-run double. The teams square up again tonight with Michael Wacha on the mound for the Cardinals against the Phillies’ Nick Pivetta in a match-up of right-handers.
The Cubs beat the Padres 4-0 behind six shutout innings from Mike Montgomery supported by a solid bullpen. Anthony Rizzo led off the Cubs attack with a home run, after hearing from Major League Baseball’s Joe Torre that Rizzo had indeed violated the collision rule on Monday when he hit Padres catcher Austin Hedges, but will face no discipline.
The White Sox lost 9-7 at Minnesota despite a four-hit night from Jose Abreu, including a homer, and longballs from Matt Davidson and Avisail Garcia. The Sox give the ball to lefty David Holmberg tonight as the Twins counter with right-hander Jose Berrios.
The CornBelters lost to the Florence Freedom 2-1 in the first of three between first- and second-place teams at the Corn Crib. The Belters had the tying run cut down at the plate in the eighth inning and left two on in the ninth. A wild pitch in the seventh inning gave the Freedom the lead. The series continues tonight at the Crib at 6:35 with Cody Gray on the mound for Florence against the Belters’ Charlie Gillies in a duel of right-handers.
Dwyane Wade has told the Chicago Bulls that he’s exercising his $23.8 million option and will remain with them next season.
