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Articles by Jim Williams
NHL Morning Skate: The Jets became the first team in NHL history with 14 wins through 15 games in a season.
Today’s Morning state starts with Connor Hellebuyck establishing a franchise record for longest shutout sequence as the Jets became the first team in NHL history with 14 wins through 15 games in a season. * Alex Ovechkin scored his 10th goal of 2024-25, reaching double digits at this stage of a season for the ninth time in his career – in each of those campaigns he went on to score at least 42 goals, the total he would need to surpass Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history.
Jim’s Journal, August 13th, 2024
It was another impressive baseball performance by the Reds last night, as they grabbed an early lead, then continually denied the Cardinals any chance to get back in the game, Cincinnati winning 6-1. Reds 2nd baseman Spencer Steer hit 2 home runs and batted 5 scores in, Elly De La Cruz slammed a dinger as well, and the Reds held St. Louis to only their single score. Andrew Abbott was the Reds’ winning pitcher who went almost 7 innings, and now has a season record of 10 & 9.
Jim’s Journal, August 12th, 2024
Spencer Steer hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the top of the 7th inning Sunday that broke a 3-all tie, and the Reds went on to beat the Brewers in Milwaukee, by a final score of 4-3. The Brew Crew took the series 2 games to 1, but Cincy finishes its 7-game road trip positively, with 4 wins versus 3 losses. Santiago Espinal initially put the Reds on the scoreboard in the 3rd inning with a 2-run single, and threw out a Brewers runner at home plate.
Initial Season Golf Success for Pirates
We have more high school girls’ golf to fill you in on, since the season’s now underway. Greensburg’s Pirates got things going underway Tuesday, with a 202 stroke to 242 dual win over Southwestern Shelby. The matchup at Timbergate Golf Course saw Kahlen Adams take medalist honors by shooting a 47. Lydia Hersley had a 51. Mary Harmon and Payton Bright each scored 52’s. The Pirates compete next on Monday, with a 4:30 tee time at Franklin County.
Reds-Marlins Game 3 Tonight
MIAMI– It was a second straight relatively easy win for the big-league Reds Tuesday night, knocking off the Marlins in Miami again, this time 8-2. Elly De La Cruz had 4 hits for a second straight game, 2 of them doubles, and he drove in 2 runs. New acquisition Ty France hit a homer for a second straight night, and Nick Lodolo upped his pitching record with 6 solid innings to 9 wins, only 4 losses for the season.
Former Gold Glover Back Under Reds Umbrella
CINCINNATI– The Reds have signed a “new,” yet familiar, face. Catcher Tucker Barnhart, who began his professional baseball career when Cincinnati drafted him 10th in 2009, is back with their organization. Barnhart’s signed a minor-league contract, after having been designated for assignment, then cut, by the Diamondbacks. Over 8 seasons with the Reds, he won 2 Gold Glove awards. Since 2021, he’s bounced around to a few clubs, like the Tigers, Cubs, and most recently, Arizona.
Hocker Sets New Record in 1500 Win At Paris
Indianapolis Cathedral High School grad Cole Hocker ran brilliantly at the Paris Olympics Tuesday, winning gold in the men’s 1500 meters. Hocker achieved special speed for the event as well, setting a new Olympic record of 3:27.65. He beat both favorites Jakob Ingebrigsten and Josh Kerr to the finish, Hocker quickly moving from 5th place to the front in the last 300 meters. He wound up surpassing his own personal best by more than 3 seconds.
Jim’s Journal, August 7th, 2024
Baseball Tuesday night gave the Reds another opportunity to look really good, belting the Marlins in Miami for a second straight night, the score this time 8-2. Cincinnati pounded out 13 hits, which included home runs by Tyler Stephenson and Ty France, and TJ Friedl also drove in a pair of runs, with a double and a sacrifice fly. Elly DeLaCruz had a huge game Monday, another biggie last night, again with 4 hits, 2 of them doubles. He drove 2 runs in, and Stephenson added an RBI single.
Reds Show Firepower at Plate; Seek to Repeat in Miami
After a standout 10-3 win last evening, it’s game 2 of 4 between the Reds and the rebuilding Miami Marlins in Florida tonight. Monday, Cincinnati got 2 home runs and 4 extra-base hits from Elly DeLaCruz alone, a 2-run homer from Noelvi Marte’, 3 hits including his first Reds dinger from Ty France. And Nick Martinez won on the mound, pitching 5 shutout innings on his birthday.
Bengals Lose Sample for Season
Bad injury news for the Bengals– Coach Zac Taylor says they’ve lost defensive end Cam Sample for the upcoming NFL season, after he tore an Achilles tendon in practice at camp last Thursday. Cam’s played 3 seasons for Cincinnati, racking up 68 tackles and 5 sacks. Taylor praises his contributions on the field and in the locker room, as the kind of guy who always wants to know how he can help the team. No word yet on how soon Sample will have the surgery needed to repair his Achilles.
HS Golf Underway for Fall
At the start of a new high school year, the many sports begin along with classes, and one of the early ones has been girls’ golf. Batesville’s Lady Bulldogs opened their campaign Monday, winning the Richmond Invitational. Their low team score was 313 strokes, significantly ahead of the rest of the field. Barr-Reeve was 2nd with a team total of 375, Richmond 384. East Central finished in 5th place. The Bulldogs were led by Addy Weiler, who shot an even-par 71.
Indiana Still Everywhere at Olympics
More athletes with Indiana connections are competing at the Paris Olympics. They include IU grad Andrew Capobianco, who’ll be in the men’s 3-meter springboard diving event tomorrow. Also diving will be current IU student Carson Tyler. There’ll be action today for Granger native Sarah Hildebrandt, in women’s freestyle 50-kilogram wrestling. She faces an opponent from Mongolia today, to get into tomorrow’s finals. At the Tokyo Olympics, Hildebrandt won the bronze medal in this event.
Jim’s Journal, August 6th, 2024
The Reds went into Miami last night to visit the Marlins, who’d been rebuilt at baseball’s trade deadline, and found that maybe the Marlins could still use a player or 2. Cincinnati had 4 home runs and 8 extra-base hits in the game, half of all that from Elly DeLaCruz alone, on the way to pummeling Miami, 10-3. DeLaCruz started it all with a 2-run homer in the top of the 1st inning.
Final “Overtime” of This Summer Tonight, But More On The Way
Coming up tonight, the final episode in our first run of “Overtime,” Terrance Arney and Leon Smith’s series of in-depth interviews with sports figures you might like to hear from and know more about— but more episodes are coming soon. This evening, their guest is Dave Werner, a South Ripley High graduate, who’s worked in the University of Florida Gators’ athletic department for more than 3 decades. During the Olympics is a great time to have Dave on, too.
Reds Look To Break Bad Streak vs. Marlins
The Reds lost Sunday to the Giants, 8-2. It’s Cincy’s 9th loss in its last 15 games. The Reds grabbed an early 2-0 lead on back-to-back homers by Santiago Espinal and Jeimer Candelario. Espinal stole 2 bases in the game, as league leader Elly De La Cruz also did, but San Francisco’s Matt Chapman got to pitcher Carson Spiers with a 2-run homer in the 4th, his 17th dinger of the season.
Indiana Olympians In Action
PARIS, France– At the Paris Olympic games, Evansville swimmer Lilly King was part of Sunday’s gold medal, world-record-setting women’s 4 x 100-meter medley relay. That US team took the best time ever in the event down to 3:49.63. Also taking part in that race, but not in the final swim, 17-year-old Alex Shackell became one of those team members who still gets a gold medal, because she was a member of it, helping the squad through heats leading up to the big race.
Jim’s Journal, August 5th, 2024
The Reds lost Sunday to the Giants, 8-2. It’s Cincy’s 9th loss in its last 15 games. The Reds grabbed an early 2-nothing lead on back-to-back homers by Santiago Espinal and Jeimer Candelario. Espinal stole 2 bases in the game, as league leader Elly De La Cruz also did, but San Francisco’s Matt Chapman got to pitcher Carson Spiers with a 2-run homer in the 4th, his 17th dinger of the season.
Jim’s Journal, August 3rd, 2024
It was no contest in baseball at Cincinnati last night, as the Reds hosted the Giants. San Francisco pitcher Blake Snell was on fire, throwing everything past Redleg batters, on his way to a complete game no-hitter, the final Giants 3, Reds nothing. It was only the 2nd no-hitter in the 20+ year history of the stadium, the first of Snell’s career, and the first time he’d ever even pitched into the 9th inning.
Jim’s Journal, August 2nd, 2024
Here are some Indiana athletes’ latest achievements at the Paris Olympics… Swimmer Anna Peplowski, a rising IU senior, became the 3rd Hoosier to earn a medal this year, and the first woman from the university to do so. She helped the US women’s 4 x 200-meter freestyle swim team take the silver Thursday afternoon. Even though Anna didn’t swim the final, she was part of the relay squad and was in some of the preliminaries, so yes she gets a medal.
Local Star Makes Smooth Transition to New Big-League Club
He got into the action right away– former Batesville Bulldog pitcher, 27-year-old Bryan Hoeing, threw his first inning for his new major league club, the San Diego Padres last night. The game came just over 24 hours after Hoeing was traded, in the Miami Marlins’ fire sale.
Reds Belted By Cubbies- Good Time for Day Off
The Reds got clobbered at home by the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, 13-4. Despite that big loss, Cincinnati still won the series, 2 games to 1, and Santiago Espinal extended his current personal hitting streak to 11 games. The Reds are off today, but they open a new home series against the Giants tomorrow evening. Join us for all the action of that one, at 6:40 Friday night, on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.
Hoosiers Continue to Figure in Olympic Action
More on Indiana Olympians… In the pool, Notre Dame’s Chris Giuliano competed in his 5th & final event Thursday morning, the 50-meter freestyle. Chris seems to have been a bit slower than he would’ve liked, though. He covered the distance in 21.97 seconds, but that was only the 17th-fastest time. The top 16 moved on to the semi-finals. Giuliano won his first gold medal as part of the men’s 4 x 100 meter relay last Saturday.
Jim’s Journal, August 1st, 2024
It was a tough Wednesday at Colts’ camp. After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in practice last Sunday, it was determined that defensive end Samson Ebukam will likely miss the entire 2024 NFL season. The team had planned on Samson being one of its best defenders, after his totaling the most sacks with 9 ½ last year, and he was otherwise dominant up front. Coach Shane Steichen told reporters, in these words, “that’s a tough break for us.
Colts’ Ebukam Out For ’24 Season
INDIANAPOLIS– It’s a tough way to go… a football season ending before it’s even started… but Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam appears to have been lost for the entire 2024 campaign, having torn an Achilles tendon in training camp practice Sunday. He’d been expected to be a key defender this season, after racking the most quarterback sacks on the team, 9 ½, last year. Coach Shane Steichen confirmed it to reporters at camp today, saying in these words, “that’s a tough break for us.
Olympians from IN Busy
Here’s what some Indiana Olympians are up to today… Carmel men’s swimmer Alex Shackell competed in the 200-meter butterfly, with the 5th fastest time in a heat, good enough to advance him to the semi-finals. Also, IU grad swimmer Lilly King from Evansville is in the 200 women’s breaststroke semis. Monday, she missed out on a medal in the 100-meter version of that stroke by the narrowest margin, one 1-hundredth of a second, ending up tied for 4th place.
Padres Elevate by Acquiring Hoeing, Others
Some baseball analysts say the San Diego Padres have dramatically elevated the quality of their bullpen, acquiring lefty Tanner Scott and right-handed Batesville native Bryan Hoeing from the Marlins at the trade deadline, along with left-hander Martin Perez from the Pirates, to put next to setup man Jeremiah Estrada and All-Star closer Robert Suarez. The trade was initially reported by our Rob Lafary, writing for Thursday’s Versailles Republican.
Reds’ Latest Series Concludes On WRBI
The Reds wrap up July finishing their home series against the Cubs tonight, looking for a 3rd straight win. It’ll be lefty Nick Lodolo on the mound with a 3.45 ERA for Cincy, right-hander Kyle Hendricks with a 6.95 for Chicago. Join us for the broadcast at 6:40 tonight, on the Sports Voice, 103.9 WRBI.
Jim’s Journal, July 31st, 2024
Our Rob Lafary writes for Thursday’s Versailles Republican that 2015 Batesville High graduate Bryan Hoeing has been sent from the east coast to the west, traded from the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres. The move happened shortly before the 6 pm eastern deadline. Bryan’s last game for the Marlins Saturday was an up note in his big-league career, his first win of this season, as he threw 3 strong innings at the Milwaukee Brewers, setting the Marlins up for a 7-3 victory.
More Reds Action On WRBI Tonight
CINCINNATI– It was a huge win for the Reds last night, as they smacked the Cubs around, 7-1. Their power at the plate was definitely on display, as Will Benson put Cincy on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-run homer. TJ Friedl then hit a 3-run shot in the 5th, and Jeimer Candelario smashed a solo home run in the 8th inning. Carson Spiers came off the injured list Monday to make the pitching start, throwing 5 innings of 1-hit, shutout baseball, earning his 4th win of the season.
Montas Dealt to Crew During Cubs Game
CINCINNATI– The Reds were actively dealing Monday, prior to today’s baseball trade deadline. It looked at least halfway through the Cubs game that they’d start Frankie Montas on the mound in game 2 against the Cubs tonight. But now, not so much, because… Frankie’s a Milwaukee Brewer. He was traded during Monday night’s game, going to the Brew Crew in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis and outfielder Joey Wiemer, plus some cash.
Hoeing Pitches Strong, Racks Up First ’24 Win
MIAMI– Former Batesville Bulldog pitcher Bryan Hoeing looked very sharp last weekend. The pitcher who got quite a bit of attention earlier this summer when the Miami Marlins needed him to start a few games, was back in his relief role, and really provided his club some relief. Hoeing threw 3 scoreless innings at the Milwaukee Brewers, and racked up his first official win of this major league baseball season, the Marlins prevailing 7-3.
Indiana Olympians Continue Strong Performances
PARIS– At the Paris Olympics today, Rajeev Ram of Carmel and his doubles tennis partner Austin Krajicek advanced by defeating a Brazilian team. Notre Dame men’s swimmer Chris Giuliano took part in the freestyle heats at a hundred meters, qualifying for the semifinals. He was also on the 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay team, with Drew Kibler of Carmel and Blake Pieroni from IU, their relay team qualifying for the medal finals in that event.
Itkin Makes His Mark on France
PARIS– We told you Monday about Notre Dame grad, 2-time women’s foil fencing gold medalist Lee Kiefer. Well, on the men’s side, another former Notre Dame student has made Olympic things happen with his foil in hand. That’s Nick Itkin. The son of Ukrainian immigrants has supplied the United States with another Olympic fencing medal. The 2nd-seeded Itkin beat Japan’s Kazuki Iimura 15-12 for the bronze in foil Monday night at the Grand Palais.
Jim’s Journal, July 30th, 2024
A huge win for the Reds last night, smacking the Cubs around, 7-1. Will Benson put Cincy on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-run homer. TJ Friedl hit a 3-run shot in the 5th, and Jeimer Candelario smashed a solo home run in the 8th inning. Carson Spiers came off the injured list Monday to make the pitching start, throwing 5 innings of 1-hit, shutout baseball, earning his 4th win of the season. The Cubs’ only score came on a Michael Bush homer in the 9th inning.
Jim’s Journal, July 29th, 2024
Tonight, we’ll go into “Overtime” again on WRBI, with Terrance Arney and Leon Smith. This evening just after our 6:00 news block, they’ll have a conversation with former Hoosier running back, Mr. Football 1992, Alex Smith. It’s always a great talk during Overtime, right here with Terrance and Leon. After OT, stick with us as the Reds open a new home series, welcoming the Chicago Cubs. Cincy will be looking to rebound from a couple weekend losses to the Rays, the latest Sunday 2-1.
Jim’s Journal, July 27th, 2024
Last night in Tampa, the Reds managed to beat the Rays in 10 innings, the final 3-2. Three runs on 3 hits for the Reds, with no errors, and they left 4. The Rays had only 2 runs on 7 hits, 2 errors, and they left 10 men stranded on base. Although Nick Lodolo started for Cincinnati, Nick Martinez earned the pitching win, and he’s now 4 & 5 on the year. Losing it for Tampa, Manuel Rodriguez, with a record of 1 & 2. Alexis Diaz earned his 20th save of the year for the Reds.
Reds Back On Field And Air Tonight
Following a Thursday travel day, the Reds resume baseball action tonight, visiting the Tampa Bay Rays for the first of 3 games. They’re still a touch below .500 on the season, with 49 wins and 53 losses, but continue to look strong in those victories. Now they want to string several together. The Rays are just above, at 52 & 51. Starting on the mound tonight, it’s left-handed Nick Lodolo for the Reds, against the Rays’ 25-year-old righty Shane Baz.
Some Say Reds Should Trade for A 1st Baseman
Baseball’s getting close to another of its many benchmarks each season. In this case it’s the trade deadline, July 30th. Some analysts point out that first base has been a weak spot for Cincinnati since Christian Encarnacion-Strand wound up on the injured list back in May, with Spencer Steer (pictured) and Jeimer Candelario trading off the position since then.
New Players Sign On With Reds
We told you last week when the Reds’ top draft pick Chase Burns (pictured) signed his first contract, worth more than $9,000,000. Following that up, Cincinnati’s now signed 15 of their 21 draftees as of Wednesday. They include another great pitcher, All-America Luke Holman of LSU, plus 3rd-round outfielder Michael Sirota from Northeastern, and 4th-round 2nd baseman Peyton Stovall from Arkansas.
Venerable Coach Retires from Leading Baseball
One major coach leaves the local high school ranks with a big hole to fill. That’s Jay Malott, whose retirement as South Dearborn’s baseball coach was announced by the school Thursday. Malott has served Knights athletics for 38 years total, the last 29 heading up the baseball program. His clubs won 406 games over that span, including 3 EIAC championships, 5 sectional titles, and a regional 17 years ago. He’s not completely departing, however.
EC Leaders at Speedway
A dozen East Central Trojan student-athletes who are said to have shown some leadership skills, have spent this Friday in different classes than usual, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s a Student Leadership Conference, put on by the state high school athletic association. They’ve heard some major speakers and taken part in a program from the state Criminal Justice Institute called “Rule The Road.” It teaches safe driving, and lifesaving skills.
Jim’s Journal, July 26th, 2024
It’s Opening Day at the Olympics, with multiple Indiana-based participants, in a variety of sports. One of the most prominent that WRBI’s recently spoken with is Mason Parris, the University of Michigan wrestler from Lawrenceburg. He recently appeared on “Overtime” with Terrance Arney and Leon Smith, after completing his college career with a national championship in his weight class and the Hodge Trophy, as the most dominant grappler in the NCAA, after winning 3 state high school titles.
Jim’s Journal, July25th, 2024
The Reds and Braves played the expected first game of a split double-header Wednesday in Atlanta, Cincinnati setting the tone from the start. Outfielder Spencer Steer drove in 3 runs with 3 extra-base hits, and Elly De La Cruz had a huge day including belting another home run, as the Reds led early, on the way to dominating the slumping Braves, 9-4.
Reds In Midst of Playing Two
They tried to wait out the rain in Atlanta more than 2 hours last night, but it didn’t let up, so the planned Reds-Braves baseball game was officially called off a little before 9:00. The Braves quickly moved to get the contest in today, creating a split double-header for this afternoon and evening. The first game’s in progress this afternoon, being heard on WRBI. The second contest will see its broadcast start at 5:35 this evening.
Batesville’s Britton Retires from Baseball
A shocker was reported Tuesday by our colleague Rob Lafary in the Osgood Journal. He writes that past Batesville Bulldog Zach Britton’s professional baseball career has come to an end. Rob says Zach had played the last 2 years for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Class Double-A New Hampshire team, and had been with the Jays organization the last 4 years. Over the weekend, Britton, who’d only been out of high school 7 years, suddenly announced his “retirement” from baseball.
Big 10 Gridiron Title Game To Stay in Indy
The Big 10 says Indianapolis is going to keep hosting the conference’s football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium, at least through 2028. That Tuesday announcement follows last fall’s title game, that was watched in person by a sold-out crowd of nearly 68,000. Indy’s had the game at Lucas Oil every year, since it began being played back in 2011.
Early Ratings for Some Local High School Football Programs
The high school football season’s getting closer, with the Indiana Football Digest forecasting a bit. In Class 5A Decatur Central’s the early Number 1-rated team, but East Central’s Trojans rank 8th, moving up a class after those back-to-back 4A state championships. In 3A, the Digest sees sectional champion Batesville as tough, ranking the Bulldogs 8th, and Heritage Hills Number 1.
Jim’s Journal, July 24th, 2024
They tried to wait out the rain in Atlanta more than 2 hours last night, and it didn’t let up, so the planned Reds-Braves baseball game was officially called off a little before 9:00. The Bravos quickly moved to get the contest in today, creating a split double-header for this afternoon and evening. The 2 games will begin with a first pitch in the opener at 12:20, the second game starting at 6:05. A shocker’s reported by our colleague Rob Lafary in the Osgood Journal.
Jim’s Journal, July 23rd, 2024
After losing 3 straight to open the 2nd half of the baseball season, the Reds looked like a completely different team last night, starting their series against the Braves with a 4-1 win in Atlanta. All-Star pitcher Hunter Greene led the way on the mound, throwing 7 innings of shutout ball for his 7th victory of the season. In July, his ERA’s a microscopic .45, he’s allowed only 7 hits, and he’s struck out 24 batters.
Jim’s Journal, July 22nd, 2024
Kyle Larson won Sunday’s Brickyard 400. Larson had wanted to pull off the IndyCar-NASCAR Memorial Day weekend double, but rain delays in the Indy 500 kept him there, so now he’s at least got a victory on the legendary track. Kyle drove the same NASCAR to the Sunday Indy win that he’d been planning to pilot in Charlotte last spring. The Brickyard is Larson’s 4th win of this year, his 27th in the NASCAR Cup series.
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