A quick take on sports of note for Joliet-area fans - The Herald News - Joliet (IL)

Must See High school softballThe weather is supposed to be perfect, making for a heavy schedule on all fronts.

Girls soccer is in the spotlight as Lincoln-Way East visits Lincoln-Way Central in a battle between former teammates -- Lincoln-Way having been a combined program last season.

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Former Joliet Catholic Academy left-hander Chris Michalak is back where he belongs -- in the major leagues.

Michalak, who opened the season at Triple-A Oklahoma despite an outstanding spring, was recalled by Texas and pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday night against Oakland, allowing two hits while striking out one.

He was in line to get the victory until John Rocker came in to pitch the ninth and blew the save opportunity.

The A's wound up winning 5-4 in 11 innings.

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The University of Illinois men's basketball recruiting class that includes Lincoln-Way High School senior James Augustine got even stronger Wednesday as the Illini signed Aaron Spears, a 6-9, 240- pound center who averaged 27 points and 15 rebounds for Chicago Dunbar.

He originally committed to Ohio State but reconsidered after visiting the Illinois campus.

Spears joins the 6-10 Augustine and three other signees: Dee Brown, a 6-0 guard from Proviso East; Deron Williams, a 6-3 guard from The Colony, Texas, and 6-8 forward Kyle Wilson of Plano, Texas.

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Mary Krause of West Marion St. in Joliet was The Herald News $400 first-place winner in the World's Largest Office Pool on the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

She finished with 1,500 and beat two others on the tiebreaker.

fourscores NHL

Blackhawks xx Detroit xx

Toronto xx N.Y. Rangers xx

Philadelphia xx New Jersey xx

Vancouver xx Colorado xx

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* Today's Highlight: It's a tradition unlike any other. The Masters golf tournament begins, and the opening round will be televised at 3 p.m. on USA.