By Jeff Vorva
When Beecher’s softball team beat Donovan by a combined score of 30-0 on April 9, it also marked coach Kevin Hayhurst’s 600thcareer victory.
Hayhurst, who opened his career as Bobcats coach in 2003, joins some elite company.
According to the Illinois High School Association record book, only 21 coaches have topped the 600-win mark. He still has a way to go to catch the all-time leader in St. Joseph Ogden’s Randy Wolken, who won 1,044 from 1980-2018.
He is one of just 16 coaches who have won 600 games at the same school.
Included in his accomplishments were four state championships two second-place finishes – including 2023 – and a fourth-place finish. Beecher’s only other state championship came in boys cross country in 2011.
His teams have won 30 or more games in 12 seasons.
Bobcat dominance
Hayhurst has another stellar team this season.
Through their first 11 games, the Bobcats were unbeaten and outscored opponents by a combined score of 115-1.
The one run scored against them was in a 9-1 win over Ottawa on March 27. The one tight game they had in the streak was a 1-0 win over Hebron of Indiana.
The schedule should get a little tougher for the Bobcats as Lincoln-Way Central, Antioch, Lincoln-Way East and Lemont are on the menu.
Meanwhile, in Manteno…
The Manteno softball team is also on fire, winning its first 15 games by a combined score of 173-50.
The Panthers and Bobcats do not currently have any games scheduled in the regular season yet but the two could be headed for a showdown in the Class 2A Herscher Sectional.
College commitments
Some more area stars are announcing their commitments to play sports in college.
Manteno softball player Adelynn Lubben committed to Kankakee Community College.
Manteno track and field standout Sara Schmidt committed to Augustana College.
Beecher soccer star Ethan Rydberg committed to Governors State University.
Manteno baseball player Josh Crane is heading to the University of Olivet in Michigan.
(subhead) Tenth anniversary
Illinois Lutheran’s baseball team will honor the 2014 Class 1A state championship team at noon on May 11 when the Chargers host Milwaukee Kingdom Prep.
The Chargers finished the 2014 campaign with a 23-8 mark after beating Blueford (Webber) 12-2 to win the state championship at Dozer Park in Peoria.