The Sherrard Tigers scored eight runs in the fourth inning to erase a four-run deficit and beat Illinois Valley Central 11-5 in the semifinals of the Class 2A Knoxville baseball sectional. Brock DeHamer’s three-run double gave the Tigers a 7-4 lead that they never relinquished. The Tigers had just five hits but took advantage of six IVC errors and eight walks. Freshman lefty Aiden Terronez got the win in relief. Brennan Welch had two hits. The Tigers advance to the sectional championship on Saturday at 11 a.m. against the winner of today’s semifinal between Erie-Prophetstown and Brimfield-Elmwood.
At the Class 1A boys IHSA track and field meet Thursday at Eastern Illinois University three local athletes qualified for the finals on Saturday. Mercer County’s Trenton Coulter advanced in the high jump. Rockridge’s Peyton Locke advanced in the 100 and 200 and the Rockets’ Alex Zarlatanes made the discus finals.