On Sunday at Oswego's Jackie Pickerill Field, the Muskies swept a Chicago Suburban Baseball League doubleheader against the Oswego Cats.

In game 1, Bryce Shafer (pictured left) was dominant on the hill, as the hurler rang up 10 strikeouts in the Muskies' 5-2 victory. Shafer allowed four hits and two runs over seven innings while walking none.  In a tight game that remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning, the Muskies opened the scoring in the top of that frame sixth thanks to two walks. Beecher got on the board when Nolan Czako and Camden Kearney each drew a bases loaded walk to score a pair of runs.  The Cats tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Muskie error and a sacrifice fly by Brady Roberts.  In the seventh,  AJ Le tripled to lead off the inning followed by a walk to and then Thomas Offill walked to put runners on the corners.  Andrew Olszewski doubled down the right field line to drive home Le and send Offil to third.   Taylor Fuerst grounded out to score Offill and Andy Gaytan singled driving in Olszewski to make the score 5-2.  Shafer would make that stand up as he retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame to take home a complete game victory.

Brogan Mello took the loss for Oswego Cats 2025. The reliever went one and one-third innings, giving up three runs on three hits, striking out none and walking one.

The Muskies were triumphant again in game 2 by an identical 5-2 score.  The Muskies opened the scoring in the second on an  Andrew Mack RBI double.  An RBI single by Nolan Czako extended the Muskies lead to 2-0 in the top of the third inning.

Brooks McDowell earned the win for Muskies. The starter allowed three hits and no runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking none. Pfeifer took the loss for Oswego. The pitcher went four innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking two. Camden Kearney collected the save for Beecher and Ben Carlile threw an inning of relief as well.

The Muskies collected 11 hits in the game. Andy Gaytan (pictured right) led Beecher with three hits in four at bats. Czako, Tyler Brody, Gaytan, Mack, and Zac Ruzich each drove in one run for Beecher. 

The sweep makes the Muskies 11-3 in CSBL play with a narrow lead of the Chicago Warriors in league standings.  The Warriors will travel to Gouwens Park in South Holland on Tuesday night for a matchup of the CSBL's current top two teams.  That game begins at 7:00 PM.

On Friday night in Springfield, IL, the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame inducted long time Muskies manager Fred LeSage as part of its 2024-25 class.  The event at held at the Springfield Convention Center featured many Illinois sports legends and included keynote speeches from basketball greats Terry Cummings and Kenny Battle, tennis legend Katrina Adams and Superbowl quarterback Ken Anderson.

LeSage (pictured speaking to the induction audience) was recognized for his 960+ wins as a baseball manager as well as his contributions to the Chicago Suburban Baseball League and the National Amateur Baseball Federation.  Long time Muskie player and coach Todd Sippel provided the induction speech.  LeSage joins many other Illinois sports notables in the Hall of Fame including former Chicago Suburban Baseball League managers Bill Storrs and Al Oremus.

A list of all inductees and more information about the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame can be found at www.ilshof.net (Illinois Sports Hall of Fame | Illinois Hall of Fame | Illinois, United States).