Kankakee Valley edged North Newton 8–6 on April 3, using a fast start and a deep lineup to secure a strong non‑conference baseball road win.
The game was decided by Kankakee Valley’s strong start, as the team scored in each of the first three innings, putting up one, two, and three runs to build a 6–4 lead they would not relinquish. Kankakee Valley finished with 12 hits, applying steady pressure throughout the lineup.
Declan Murr set the tone with a two-for-five day, scoring once and driving in a run. Brady Flick added two hits and a run, while Lucas Parker delivered one of the game’s biggest swings, going two for four with two runs batted in and a triple. The most efficient on-base performance came from sophomore Rex Wilkins, who reached four times, collecting two hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch, providing crucial traffic in the middle of the order. On the mound, Owen Uylaki stabilized the game with 3.2 scoreless innings, helping Kankakee navigate a late North Newton push that included two sixth-inning runs. Defensively, the Kougars recorded 21 putouts and overcame three errors to close out the win. North Newton managed five hits but couldn’t match Kankakee Valley’s early surge, allowing the Kougars to control the game from wire to wire.
Looking ahead, Kankakee Valley heads to McCutcheon on April 24 for another non-conference game at 5 p.m., looking to carry momentum into a matchup against a Mavericks team that has challenged them in past seasons
In their last meeting on April 19, 2024, McCutcheon beat Kankakee Valley 10–5 at home by pulling away late to secure the non-conference win.
