Area sports fans will have another athlete hitting the big stage with the arrival of Dylan Dodd to the “big club” in the Atlanta Braves organization. It was announced this weekend that Dodd will break spring training as part of the Braves starting rotation, a team just 17 months removed from a World Series Championship. Dodd took advantage of his opportunity with a spring that saw him go 1-0 in 5 outings. Dodd struck out 20 in 18 innings while posting a 2.00 ERA. His rotation spot is slated to fall on April 4th against the St. Louis Cardinals under the lights at Busch Stadium.

Hoopeston Area High School Senior Alexa Bailey has signed her letter of intent to attend Greenville University to continue her education and her athletic career. Bailey will play softball at Greenville. She was an All-Vermilion County Special Mention her junior year.

Both the Danville Area Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams are headed to the national tournament.  The DACC men defeated Parkland 71-47 on Sunday in the Region 24 Tournament. They move on to the NJCAA national tournament that will be played at DACC March 21-25.

For the first time in history, the DACC women’s team has advanced to the national tournament.  They defeated Lake Land College on Sunday to advance.  The Women’s National tournament will be March 21-25 in Port Huron, Michigan.