Cougars Becomes Chicago Cubs Class A Team

It's official: The Kane County Cougars are now the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

The Kane County Cougars on Wednesday announced the signing of a two-year player development contract with the Chicago Cubs. Effective Sept. 19, the agreement does not affect the ownership, management or front office staff of the Kane County Cougars in any manner. The Cougars organization looks forward to April 4, which is Opening Night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, and the first home game featuring the Cougars' new affiliation with the Cubs. "We are extremely excited about our new relationship with the Chicago Cubs,” said Cougars General Manager Curtis Haug. "The close proximity between both organizations will be mutually beneficial in numerous ways. We believe that the Cubs organization and their philosophies about the minor leagues, …

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Flashback: Batavia Football Fans at Plainfield East 2011

The Bulldogs packed a wallop in their first away game of the year during the 2011 season, handing the Bengals a loss. Here's a brief return to the crowd that night.

Note: This is a series of unpublished photos from our archives. Enjoy! The Dogs did it again. Batavia earned its second straight win on Sept. 2, 2011 with a 48-7 contest against Plainfield East, thanks to three-year varsity quarterback Noel Gaspari and the team's sharp defense. Gaspari directed the Bulldogs offense on five consecutive first-half scoring drives, and they hit Plainfield East with seven unanswered touchdowns to win the non-conference matchup in Plainfield. “I’m very happy overall that everyone got a chance to play,” said Dennis Piron, Batavia's head football coach. “(Gaspari) is a poised quarterback, and he delivered the ball ... we have five very good wide receivers.” Want this year's coverage instead? See an updated gallery…

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AT THE HALF: Batavia 28, Geneva 14

The game of the century was a true thriller Friday in Batavia. The Bulldogs kept ahead, but the Vikings weren't going down without a fight.

The biggest rivalry in Illinois continues its tradition with a high-action first half at Batavia High School. The Bulldogs were ahead of the Vikings 28-14 at halftime. With 10:05 in the first quarter, Batavia scored early with a 23-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Micah Coffey to senior wide receiver Zach Strittmatter. The kick was good from senior Daniel Albrecht. Junior Anthony Thielk then completed two touchdowns for the Dogs, followed by a two-point conversion from Strittmatter to put it at 21-0. Then it was Geneva's turn to shine. Vikings senior Bobby Hess ran it in, followed by a good kick. Hess later nabs the ball on a Batavia drive and goes on an 89-year TD run. The Kevin Dunlop kick was good to inch towards Batavia 21-…

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Batavia Soccer: Boys Take Victory Over Elgin

Junior John Barnes scored three goals, according to media reports.

The Batavia boys soccer team is on a comeback this month after some August defeats. The Bulldogs took down Elgin on Tuesday, with a final score of 4-2, Kane County Preps reports. Junior midfielder John Barnes scored three goals during the matchup, which took place at Batavia High School. Batavia had previously struggled in August matches with Oswego, St. Charles East and West Aurora. The Bulldogs' next soccer game is Sept. 12 at Neuqua Valley. See more Batavia High School sports coverage.

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AT THE HALF: Batavia 10, Plainfield East 6

The Bulldogs face a stronger Bengals team than they did last year. Here's a brief recap of the game thus far.

Editor's note: Our full Batavia vs. Plainfield East recap is now posted. Batavia's football team has the lead going into the second half, but not by much. After an initial touchdown by junior running back Anthony Scaccia, the Bulldogs followed up with an extra point and a 29-yard field goal, both from Dan Albrecht. Plainfield East responded with a touchdown to put the score at 10-6. They missed the extra point. The score would stay that way during a tense last couple minutes of the first half. Batavia would fumble the ball, and then both Plainfield and Batavia would fail to score before the clock ran out. Scaccia ran for 97 yards in the first half, according to BATV. This is the first Batavia Football game this season at Batavia High …

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Batavia Bands Together For High School Corn Boil

Over 1,000 Batavians were at the high-school fields Friday to kick off the fall sports season. Here are some pictures and quotes from the event.

Batavia residents packed Bulldog Stadium Friday to help usher in another exciting falls sports season. The crowds took part in the annual Batavia High School Corn Boil, which kicks off the season in style. Families gathered under tents to enjoy a meal and also watch performances and practices of the high school students. "This is our big kickoff," said Jim Pohorsky, president of the Batavia Bulldog Boosters organization. "We have people that don't even have kids show up, because they enjoy coming every year. We have parents who kids already graduated come back, and that's what we want to see." Pohorsky said proceeds from the Corn Boil meal go to benefit all athletics programs at Batavia High School and Rotolo Middle School. Boosters use …

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Batavia High School Corn Boil Aug. 17

Enjoy the company of family and friends, top BHS performances and some good old-fashioned corn at this year's fall sports kickoff. All of Batavia is invited.

Batavia Softball Coach Ashley Szymski Resigns After DUI Charge

Ashley Szymski stepped down last week, Batavia High School's athletic director confirmed. She was with the high school girls softball team for three seasons.

Ashley Szymski has given up her position as head coach of the Batavia High School girls softball team, officials confirmed on Tuesday. Szymski resigned last week during the period of new coach hires, said Dave Andrews, the high school's athletic director. Szymski, 38, said that a recent DUI charge was a factor in her decision to leave, as well as the strain of teaching in Naperville and then coaching in Batavia at the same time, the Kane County Chronicle reports. Szymski is a teacher in the English department at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. Szymski, of the 2300 block of Georgetown Circle in Aurora, was arrested at 2:26 a.m. June 24 in the 100 block of North Route 59 in Naperville, the city's police said. In addition to driving …

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Batavia High School Names 3 New Head Coaches

Meet the latest coaches for Boys Basketball, Wrestling and Boys Tennis.

The Batavia sports community said farewell to three Hall of Fame coaches this year due to retirements and resignations. Now they can say hello to these new head coaches, which were announced by Batavia High School on Thursday afternoon: Nazos has been on the coaching staff of the Wheaton North boys program for 12 years. In that time, his team won three regional titles and one conference title in the ironclad DuPage Valley Conference. Nazos, 41, is thrilled to coach in Batavia, the city he has called home for the past six years with his wife Lora and three kids. "I’m excited—I’m honored," Nazos told Batavia Patch Thursday night about his new role. "(Former head coach Jim) Roberts and Batavia have always turned out great kids, and that’s …

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