Mike Thomas, Hannibal Courier-Post Journalist Profile

Articles

QND battles back with key two-out hits in win over Pittsfield

1 week ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- Two of the top softball teams in the area clashed on Monday at Vic Callender Field as Quincy Notre Dame faced a challenge from Pittsfield. QND stayed even keel as it struggled at the plate the first couple of innings and fell behind a pair of runs going into the fourth. A key two-out bases clearing double in the top of the fourth by QND freshman pinch hitter Cadence Smith plated three and gave the Lady Raiders the lead for good. "That was huge," said QND head coach Eric Orne.
Blue Devils strike for a big third inning in win over Pirates

1 week ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- The third inning proved to be a turning point in Saturday's game between cross river rivals Hannibal and Quincy. The Blue Devils entered the top of the third inning with a 3-1 lead and seized control of the game with a seven-run outburst. "We just broke it open with a really good inning," said Blue Devils head coach Rick Lawson. "The biggest thing is they were patient and took what the pitchers gave us.
Hornets 'strand a village' of runners in loss to West Central

1 week ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

MT. STERLING, Ill. -- The Brown County Hornets were unable take advantage of many of their scoring opportunities during Friday's game against the West Central Cougars. The Hornets left 10 runners on base, unable to bring them back home to the nest. "I think we left a small village on the base paths today," said Hornets head coach Jared Hoots. "I think that was a big difference in the game today.
Coleman crushes two homers to push Bobcats to victory over Tigers

2 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. -- Bowling Green sophomore starting pitcher Grayden Coleman took matters into his own hands to spark the Bobcats offense on Thursday against Mark Twain. Coleman hit a pair of two-run home runs that came in the first and second innings to ignite Bowling Green to a 17-5 win over Mark Twain in five innings.
Lee, Lomax lead Hannibal boys tennis team looking to find its groove

2 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

HANNIBAL -- The Hannibal boys tennis team will lean on a pair of experienced varsity returners this season. Junior Zane Lomax and senior Jace Lee have both played varsity tennis since their freshmen seasons, and will lead the Pirates as their top two varsity players this season. "My returning varsity players have just gotten better," said Hannibal tennis head coach Tony Kuse. "They were good last year. Zane and Jace have both worked hard and they're consistent players. They hit the ball really hard.
Raiders thunder past Pirates in weather-shortened game

2 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

QUINCY -- Right before the storm clouds hit, Quincy Notre Dame sparked a rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to seize the lead after being behind three runs to Hannibal. With the umpires suspending play in the top of the sixth inning after a lightning strike, the game ended up being called official a half-hour later with the Raiders prevailing over the Pirates 10-7 on Wednesday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield.
QND overcomes rough start to defeat Rushville-Industry

2 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

QUINCY -- It's not how you start, it's how you finish. That old expression explains Quincy Notre Dame's softball matchup on Tuesday against Rushville-Industry, with the Lady Rockets igniting early and scoring six runs in the top of the first inning. The Lady Raiders collected themselves and slowly chipped away at Rushville-Industry's lead and turned the tables on them, as QND came away with a 16-6 win via the run-rule in the fifth inning.
Diamond Dustbowl: Pittsfield pulls away from Unity with third inning outburst

2 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

MENDON, Ill. -- Momentum swung back and forth like the wind howled during the first two innings of Monday's baseball matchup between the Unity Mustangs and the Pittsfield Saukees. The Saukees took control during the top of the third inning, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring six runs off of five hits and two walks.
Lady Raiders prevail over Liberty in marathon pitcher's duel

3 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

LIBERTY, Ill. -- Like the baseball game, the softball contest between Quincy Notre Dame and Liberty was a classic pitcher's duel with left-hander Caitlin Bunte facing off against Liberty right-hander Chandler John. With two of the top pitchers in the area in the circle, the game did not disappoint as both pitchers were workhorses that pitched all 10 innings. "It was a good matchup," said Bunte. "I think it was good for us to get a lot of at bats in and it was probably good for them too.
Lahr's arm, Wiewel's blast powers QND to win over Liberty

3 weeks ago | whig.com | Mike Thomas

LIBERTY, Ill. -- It was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel between Liberty right-hander Jackson Sims and Quincy Notre Dame right-hander Bradi Lahr on Thursday. The difference was in the top of the fifth inning when Abram Wiewel hit a two-run home run to break a 1-1 tie, which the Raiders held for a 4-1 victory over the Eagles. "Abram hit it to right field somewhere around the DOT sign," said QND head coach Rich Polak. "A big two-run home run from Wiewel kind of broke the game open.