Aurora Beacon-News Sports

Bryce Baxa, a junior who will have college options in baseball or football, takes a break after Yorkville's summer camp for football wrapped up on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (Rick Armstrong / The Beacon-News)

Yorkville’s Bryce Baxa faces looming choice between football or baseball. But for now? ‘Too early to say.’

By Rick Armstrong

July 24, 2026 at 2:12 p.m.

Bryce Baxa, who's only a junior, already touts a ton of varsity experience in both...

West Aurora's Oscar Alexander Jr. (5) follows through on a hit for the East All-Stars against the West during the Double Duty Classic at Rate Field in Chicago on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

West Aurora’s Oscar Alexander Jr. catches on, nails 3 runners in Double Duty Classic: ‘Whatever I have to do’

By Patrick Z. McGavin

July 23, 2026 at 12:36 a.m.

West Aurora's Oscar Alexander Jr. delivers RBI double in first inning to spark East All-Stars...

St. Charles East junior Liam Barrett, the youngest of three brothers who have played on the line for the Saints, takes a knee following a summer camp workout on Monday, July 20, 2026. (Rick Armstrong / The Beacon-News)

Following older brothers, St. Charles East’s Liam Barrett enters upcoming season with 6 Division I offers

By Rick Armstrong

July 22, 2026 at 10:14 p.m.

St. Charles East's Liam Barrett, who is only a junior, follows in footsteps of two...

Geneva's Nick Torrence (4) reacts to his double against East Peoria in the first inning of the Class 3A Geneseo Supersectional at Black Hawk College in Moline on Monday, June 8, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Getting into the lineup as DH, Geneva’s Nick Torrence doubles and scores in supersectional. ‘Just kept going.’

By Paul Johnson

June 8, 2026 at 11:07 p.m.

Nick Torrence doubles and scores in first inning, but Geneva drops 8-1 decision to East...

Brother Rice's Nolan Ramoley (21) takes a swing against Mount Carmel during the Class 4A Brother Rice Sectional final in Chicago on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Baseball, softball and soccer scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County

By Josh Krockey

June 6, 2026 at 8:49 p.m.

High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and...

St. Charles North's Nicholas Gnutek (21) runs to first base against Barrington during the seventh inning of the Class 4A McHenry Sectional final on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Brian O’Mahoney / The Beacon-News)

Nicholas Gnutek, a third-generation player, carries on St. Charles North’s leadoff tradition. ‘Never give up.’

By Patrick Z. McGavin

June 6, 2026 at 7:54 p.m.

Nicholas Gnutek's RBI single gives St. Charles North a 3-0 lead, but Barrington rallies for...

Geneva's Nelson Wendell (5) tags out Rockford Boylan's Anthony Scalise (13) at second base in the first inning of the Class 3A Sycamore Sectional final on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Playing for dad, Nelson Wendell hits two-out, two-run triple as Geneva wins sectional title. ‘Huge at-bat.’

By Rick Armstrong

June 6, 2026 at 6:13 p.m.

Nelson Wendell's two-out, two-run triple is key hit for Geneva in 11-7 win over Rockford...

Oswego’s Kennedy Gengler (9) makes a catch against Mundelein during a Class 4A state semifinal at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Giving up isn’t an option for Oswego’s Kennedy Gengler at state. Waubonsee commit says, ‘I just love playing.’

By Rick Armstrong

June 6, 2026 at 3:08 p.m.

Kennedy Gengler delivers with two hits but Oswego drops a 13-3 decision to Mundelein in...

Marist’s Kayla Holmstrom (2) slides by a tag from Lincoln-Way West's Reese Rourke (21) during a Class 4A state semifinal game at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Baseball, softball and soccer scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County

By Josh Krockey

June 5, 2026 at 9:55 p.m.

High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and...

Bartlett's Brandon Pelz (3) dives into third base against Maine South in the third inning of a Class 4A Bartlett Sectional semifinal game on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Dominant on the mound, Valparaiso recruit Brandon Pelz stays persistent at plate for Bartlett. ‘Came out hot.’

By Paul Johnson

June 4, 2026 at 12:51 a.m.

Brandon Pelz's two-run double creates 2-0 lead, but Bartlett drops 8-3 decision to Maine South...

Geneva's Alex Abraham (11) steps up to the plate against Belvidere North during a Class 3A Sycamore Sectional semifinal game on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Alex Abraham’s 47th hit of the season sparks Geneva past Belvidere North in sectional. ‘Got my hitting down.’

By Rick Armstrong

June 3, 2026 at 11:53 p.m.

Alex Abraham singles and scores to get Geneva going in 12-1 win over Belvidere North...

Mount Carmel's Joey Ireland (28) flips a ball to Brady Holland (33) at second base against St. Laurence during a Class 4A Brother Rice Sectional semifinal in Chicago on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Baseball, softball and soccer scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County

By Josh Krockey

June 3, 2026 at 10:10 p.m.

High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and...

Geneva’s Bridget Burke (11) controls the ball against Lemont during the Class 2A Kankakee Supersectional on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

Freshman forward Bridget Burke fuels Geneva’s stunning run to the supersectional. ‘The whole season was cool.’

By Patrick Z. McGavin

June 3, 2026 at 11:55 p.m.

Freshman forward Bridget Burke creates Geneva's best scoring opportunities in a 3-0 supersectional loss to...