Tigers now playing summer ball

PRINCETON — The Princeton Tigers got game in the summertime now.

Princeton High School is fielding a baseball team for the first time in the Illinois High School Coaches Association summer program. It is an extension of the school’s spring season, though it is a self-sufficient program funded by the player’s registration fees.

“We wanted to enhance the baseball program,” said PHS varsity coach Bob Bima, who is coaching the summer team with his assistant, Aaron Murray. “It’s a way to keep the kids together and playing on our field. It’s definitely more laid back (than spring). We stress development and fundamentals as opposed to winning.”

The summer squad of 13 was picked throughout tryouts as well as spring performances. Only returning players in grades 10-12 may play.

Players include Brik Wedekind, Daniel Murray, Michael Murray, Ryne Vrana, David Sailer, Reid Clary, Scott Roseberg, Brock Schmidt, Justin Lucas, Drew Compton, Zach Marquis, Dylan Fawcett and Dylan Olson.

Some PHS players are also playing Senior League. Bima said they are try to schedule around other events such as summer basketball and other high school activities.

Other teams on the PHS schedule include Putnam County, Rockford, Sandwich, IVC, LaSalle-Peru, Sandwich and Sterling. Like the spring season, there is postseason play with regionals scheduled the week of July 14 and state the following week.

PHS opened with a doubleheader sweep over Rockford Harlem on Friday at Prather Field in Princeton behind two shutouts pitched by Wedekind and Daniel Murray. Wedekind spun a two-hit, 3-0 win in the first game, with six strikeouts. Murray followed with an identical 3-0 shutout, allowing just one hit, while fanning eight.

“That was the name of the game. They threw strikes and mixed up pitches well,” Bima said.

Vrana cracked a home run in the first game, one of five PHS hits. Sailer and Compton each singled in a run, and Reid Clary doubled in a run. Michael Murray had the other hit.

Daniel and Michael Murray each doubled in runs in the second game. Compton added a RBI single and Vrana  doubled.

The Tigers next game will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Prather Field against Sandwich.