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Softball: Hampshire's DeChant commits to Loyola

While she may just be a sophomore, Hampshire's Peyton DeChant has been on the radar of Division I softball coaches for well over a year.

On Sunday night, DeChant pinpointed her future college home when she committed to coach Jeff Tylka and Loyola University.

"I definitely didn't take the first offer and run with it," said DeChant, a multi-position player with the versatility, strong bat and athleticism that makes college coaches drool. "There was more of a process to it and I had to see what the best situation for me was. It all fell into place at Loyola."

DeChant had a standout freshman season for Hampshire, hitting .529 with a .971 slugging percentage and only 9 strikeouts in 113 plate appearances. In 30 games she had 10 home runs, 51 RBI, 10 doubles and 3 triples.

"I think Loyola will be a good fit for her, with their success in the past and still being local enough," said Hampshire coach Stacey Stepek. "They've gotten lucky to get a commitment from her her sophomore year because she's got a lot more growing to do as a player. It'; s good for them to grab her before anyone else did."

DeChant, who plays for the Taylor Made Titans travel organization run by first-year Judson University coach Venus Taylor, also had offers from Missouri, Northwestern, Eastern Michigan and Indiana.

"The thing that stood out (about Loyola) is that when I stepped on campus I just thought 'this is where it is,' " DeChant said. "The academics at Loyola will give me motivation to keep my grades up and everything with softball just clicked."

DeChant now gets to spend the next three years of her high school career stress-free when it comes to the recruiting process.

"It was definitely a lot of stress on myself," she said. "All I've ever wanted to be is the best player I can be and my goal has always been to play Division I softball. That's what I wanted."

Under Tylka, the former coach at Antioch High School, Loyola has put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 10 years. Barrington senior pitcher Keenan Dolezal recently signed to play for the Ramblers.

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