Rick Armstrong

Rick Armstrong has spent most of his 43-year career in journalism covering high school and college sports throughout Chicago's west and southwest suburbs with stops in DeKalb, Joliet, Elgin and Aurora. The Northern Illinois graduate enjoys discovering and telling the stories of athletes from all levels in the communities he covers.

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.’

June 5, 2026 at 11:34 p.m.

Kennedy Gengler delivers with two hits but Oswego drops a 13-3 decision to Mundelein in a Class 4A state semifinal.

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.’

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

Alex Abraham singles and scores to get Geneva going in 12-1 win over Belvidere North in a Class 3A sectional semifinal.

Oswego’s Ahlivia East (8) reacts after driving in two runs with a double against Barrington during a Class 4A NIU Supersectional game in DeKalb on Monday, June 1, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Ahlivia East answers an intentional walk as Oswego stuns Barrington in supersectional. ‘Happened once before.’

June 1, 2026 at 10:30 p.m.

Ahlivia East delivers two-run double to power Oswego to 7-5 win over previously unbeaten Barrington in a Class 4A supersectional.

St. Charles East’s Hannah Wulf (3) fires a pitch against Fremd during the Class 4A Bartlett Sectional championship game on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

South Carolina-bound Hannah Wulf loses no-hit bid but St. Charles East wins sectional. ‘Honestly didn’t know.’

May 30, 2026 at 8:06 p.m.

South Carolina commit Hannah Wulf strikes out eight in one-hitter as St. Charles East tops Fremd 1-0 for Class 4A sectional title.

Oswego’s Jaelynn Anthony (20) unleashes a pitch against Plainfield East during the Class 4A Yorkville Sectional championship game on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

It’s prime time as Purdue commit Jaelynn Anthony takes over in pitching circle for Oswego. ‘Go the distance.’

May 29, 2026 at 10:41 p.m.

Purdue-bound Jaelynn Anthony pitches three-hitter and drives in both runs as Oswego beats Plainfield East 2-0 for sectional title.

Oswego’s Adalynn Fugitt (5) puts down a bunt against Naperville Central during a Class 4A Yorkville Sectional semifinal game on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Adalynn Fugitt triples and scores to rally Oswego past Naperville Central. ‘Takes one ball to change a game.’

May 27, 2026 at 10:32 p.m.

Adalynn Fugitt sparks two-run rally with RBI triple as Oswego wins 2-1 over Naperville Central in Class 4A sectional semifinal.

Yorkville’s Isabella Rosauer (5) winds up for a pitch against Plainfield East during a Class 4A Yorkville Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Only a sophomore, Isabella Rosauer bears down for Yorkville in sectional semifinals. ‘Pitched a great game.’

May 26, 2026 at 10:19 p.m.

Isabella Rosauer pitches four-hitter with seven strikeouts, but Yorkville drops 2-0 decision in Class 4A sectional semifinal.

St. Charles North’s Julianna Kouba (20) celebrates her walk-off home run against South Elgin during the Class 4A Rolling Meadows Regional championship game on Friday, May 22, 2026. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

Julianna Kouba heats up with walk-off homer as St. Charles North wins regional. ‘Hottest hitter in the state.’

May 22, 2026 at 11:29 p.m.

Julianna Kouba homers in the seventh to cap rally as St. Charles North wins regional title with 4-2 win over South Elgin

West Aurora’s Macie Spenny (8) watches the ball against Plainfield North during a Class 4A Naperville Central Regional semifinal game in Naperville on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

Macie Spenny, who chips in by doing volunteer work, catches on for West Aurora. ‘It’s just fun to help out.’

May 21, 2026 at 11:47 a.m.

Macie Spenny produces a walk and sacrifice fly for West Aurora in 11-1 five-inning loss in a Class 4A regional semifinal.

Kaneland's Madison Kossakowski (12) runs the bases on an inside-the-park home run against Burlington Central during a Class 3A Kaneland Regional semifinal in Maple Park on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon News)

Hitting to right side, Kaneland’s Madison Kossakowski can’t go wrong on inside-the-park homer. ‘Got us going.’

May 20, 2026 at 11:24 a.m.

Madison Kossakowski hits home run to opposite field, powering Kaneland to 4-1 regional semifinal win over Burlington Central.

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