ST. JOSEPH — The SJ-O softball team won't waste any time before playing quality competition this season. The Spartans are playing in the Johnston City round robin tournament Saturday, and by the looks of the team's involved, it might as well be called "Can you top this?"
The host Lady Indians went 32-3 last year and lost to IHSA Class 2A state champion Carterville in the sectional semifinals. The Indians have played in four state tournaments since 1998, and have won 30 games or more eight times in the last 11 years.
Another tournament opponent, Pinckneyville, has one of the most consistently dominant softball programs in all of Illinois. The Lady Panthers have played in nine state tournaments, have three championship game appearances, and are one the most successful programs of all time. From 1987 to 2005 the Panthers averaged 27 wins (and only seven losses) per season. Though Pinckneyville is still chasing that elusive first championship, the Panthers have more top four finishes than the other three teams in the tournament combined.
The Spartans' last competitor Saturday will be Cumberland. The Pirates' program hasn't been nearly as successful as the tournament's other opponents, but they are building toward future success just like the other schools did. Cumberland has eight regional titles, two sectional crowns and a state tournament appearance under its belt in the last twelve years, and the Pirates have a .718 winning percentage since 2000.
I think the tournament will be a good test for the young and talented Spartans. Head coach Randy Wolken thinks his team has the talent to play in the state tournament, he just doesn't know if they'll be prepared for it or not. This should go far in showing Wolken — and the Spartans — what they're capable of against a quality opponent.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
9 a.m. – Johnston City vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
10:30 a.m. – Pinckneyville vs. Cumberland
12 p.m. – Pinckneyville vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
1:30 p.m. Johnston City vs. Cumberland
3 p.m. – Cumberland vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
4:30 p.m. – Johnston City vs. Pinckneyville
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that's impressive.
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