Rick Armstrong

Chicago

Sports Writer, Aurora Beacon News at Chicago Tribune

Sports Writer at The Beacon News

Sports Writer at The Sun Times News

Sportswriter, Aurora Beacon News, Chicago Tribune Publishing. The number 28? Vada Pinson, of course.

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Articles

On a North Carolina college tour, South Elgin’s Adriana Jimenez finds next home. ‘Been a staple for three years.’

1 day ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Go your own way. South Elgin senior Adriana Jimenez is doing just that in high school, despite having followed in the footsteps of older sister Sammy by competing in both softball and cheerleading. “She’s had a nice career and been a staple for three years now,” Storm coach Brad Reynard said of Adriana. “I’ve been fortunate to have her play both third base and catcher for me.
Rick Armstrong’s Aurora-Elgin area softball rankings and player of the week

2 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Oswego maintains grip on top spot, while St. Charles East makes biggest move up rankings. Top 10With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Oswego 25-1 (1)Panthers tie Lincoln-Way East in seventh, pull out 5-4 win on single by Adalynn Fugitt in ninth. 2. St. Charles North 17-5 (2)Lauren Seyller allows no earned runs for North Stars in 2-1 win over Edwardsville. 3. South Elgin 21-4 (3)Adriana Jimenez hits homer and drives in three runs as Storm blank Fenton 8-0.
West Aurora’s Gracie Del Toro, who comes from soccer family, carves out niche. Like her mom. ‘We have a connection.’

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Soccer is big in her family, but for West Aurora sophomore Gracie Del Toro, it doesn’t top the list. That doesn’t make her an outlier, however. After trying both sports at a young age, Gracie simply became bullish on softball. “I was a goalie,” Del Toro said. “I liked making diving saves and was always rolling around, getting dirty.
Rick Armstrong’s Aurora-Elgin area softball rankings and player of the week

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Undefeated Oswego holds onto top spot, while crosstown rival Oswego East enters rankings. Top 10With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Oswego 18-0 (1)Iowa recruit Kiyah Chavez produces four hits, five RBIs to rally Panthers past Minooka 10-8. 2. St. Charles North 11-3 (3)Abby Zawadzki homers twice, drives in five runs as North Stars beat West Chicago 10-3. 3. South Elgin 14-4 (2)Jenna Sheehan hits homer and triple and strikes out 11 to thwart Riverside-Brookfield 10-0.
Ace pitcher Paige Murray swings pretty mean bat for St. Charles North. In limited at-bats too. ‘A new role for me?’

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Who knew? For standout pitcher Paige Murray, there’s more to her game than simply throwing the ball and occasionally catching it while fielding her position flawlessly for St. Charles North. Apparently, see the ball and hit the ball should be factored into the equation as well. “She hasn’t hit in three years,” veteran North Stars coach Tom Poulin said of Murray, his senior ace.
Freshman speedster Adalynn Fugitt brings key dimension to Oswego’s batting order. ‘Get ′em started, be the spark.’

2 weeks ago | bnd.com | Rick Armstrong

Playing instructions for Oswego newcomer Adalynn Fugitt are pretty simple, really. You go girl. Fast. A freshman speedster and self-taught bunter and slapper, the left-handed Fugitt does just that. She's a blur on the bases for a veteran team coming off the program's first appearance at state. "She impressed us at tryouts," Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said of Fugitt. "We knew we were missing some speed in our lineup, especially losing a difference-maker like Kaylee LaChappell to graduation.
Freshman speedster Adalynn Fugitt brings key dimension to Oswego’s batting order. ‘Get ′em started, be the spark.’

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Playing instructions for Oswego newcomer Adalynn Fugitt are pretty simple, really. You go girl. Fast. A freshman speedster and self-taught bunter and slapper, the left-handed Fugitt does just that. She’s a blur on the bases for a veteran team coming off the program’s first appearance at state. “She impressed us at tryouts,” Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said of Fugitt. “We knew we were missing some speed in our lineup, especially losing a difference-maker like Kaylee LaChappell to graduation.
St. Edward’s Sarah Gurley has never tried travel softball in the summer. She plays baseball. ‘Figuring it out.’

2 weeks ago | bnd.com | Rick Armstrong

St. Edward’s Sarah Gurley oughta be in pictures. The sophomore shortstop, in a manner of speaking, is in a league of her own. She burst onto the scene last spring, hitting .521 and earning Chicagoland Christian Conference’s player of the year and Illinois Coaches Association third team all-state honors. Impressive, especially when considering this. "I've never played travel softball," Gurley said. Say what? "Sarah is a baseball player," Green Wave coach Jerry Kublank said.
St. Edward’s Sarah Gurley has never tried travel softball in the summer. She plays baseball. ‘Figuring it out.’

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

St. Edward’s Sarah Gurley oughta be in pictures. The sophomore shortstop, in a manner of speaking, is in a league of her own. She burst onto the scene last spring, hitting .521 and earning Chicagoland Christian Conference’s player of the year and Illinois Coaches Association third team all-state honors. Impressive, especially when considering this. “I’ve never played travel softball,” Gurley said. Say what? “Sarah is a baseball player,” Green Wave coach Jerry Kublank said.
Despite being only 5-foot-2, McKenzie Pearch stands tall in the midfield for West Aurora. ‘The heart of the team.’

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Rick Armstrong

Walking into the stadium with her West Aurora teammates, junior midfielder McKenzie Pearch won’t likely stand out in the crowd. Let the game begin, however, and the 5-foot-2 Pearch is hard to miss. In fact, Blackhawks coach Jorge Espana believes she may be the program’s next big thing. “McKenzie is kind of the heart of the team,” Espana said. “I wish I could measure how many miles she runs.

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Rick Armstrong @RickArmstrong28

10 May 25

RT @MasonAtkins20: I am very excited to announce my commitment to Ball State University! Thank you to all of my coaches, friends, and famil…

Rick Armstrong @RickArmstrong28

10 May 25

RT @ebner_sara: Thank you Coach Bill! I couldn’t have done it without your support and confidence in me.

Rick Armstrong @RickArmstrong28

7 May 25

RT @RyanJMyers1: #AGTG after a great visit and conversation with @CoachCuevas78 and @CoachBobSurace I am blessed to receive an offer from @…

Rick Armstrong

Articles

On a North Carolina college tour, South Elgin’s Adriana Jimenez finds next home. ‘Been a staple for three years.’

Rick Armstrong’s Aurora-Elgin area softball rankings and player of the week

West Aurora’s Gracie Del Toro, who comes from soccer family, carves out niche. Like her mom. ‘We have a connection.’

Rick Armstrong’s Aurora-Elgin area softball rankings and player of the week

Ace pitcher Paige Murray swings pretty mean bat for St. Charles North. In limited at-bats too. ‘A new role for me?’

Freshman speedster Adalynn Fugitt brings key dimension to Oswego’s batting order. ‘Get ′em started, be the spark.’

Freshman speedster Adalynn Fugitt brings key dimension to Oswego’s batting order. ‘Get ′em started, be the spark.’

St. Edward’s Sarah Gurley has never tried travel softball in the summer. She plays baseball. ‘Figuring it out.’

St. Edward’s Sarah Gurley has never tried travel softball in the summer. She plays baseball. ‘Figuring it out.’

Despite being only 5-foot-2, McKenzie Pearch stands tall in the midfield for West Aurora. ‘The heart of the team.’

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