Softball: Prairie Ridge's home run barrage does in Hampshire

Four-homer innings are a rare feat, but they're becoming old hat for Prairie Ridge.

For the second time in 2 days, the Wolves went deep four times in an inning. They hit 5 home runs in all while routing Hampshire, 14-1, in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division softball action in Hampshire Thursday.

PR catcher Alexandra Johnson hit 2 of the long balls. In all, she was 3-for-3 plus a walk, scored 3 times, and drove in 5.

Things actually started pretty well for Hampshire. The Whip-Purs took a 1-0 lead in the first and starting pitcher Joslyn Nelson cruised through the first two innings. But then the third inning happened.

With 2 runs already in and two on, Kylie Leverenz launched one over the left-field fence. Emelia Farnam followed with a shot over the fence in right, chasing Nelson. Kaitlin Leverenz greeted reliever Jasmine Lopez with a third straight shot. Johnson added a 3-run blast later in the inning.

In all, the Wolves (18-3, 8-0) sent 14 batters to the plate in the third inning, scoring 11 runs on 10 hits. The Wolves added 3 more in the fifth, with Johnson's 2-run shot capping the scoring. That gave her 4 home runs in the past 2 games.

"I can't explain it," said PR coach Mike Buck of the Wolves' power surge. "The girls are getting good swings at good pitches."

Hampshire (11-14, 3-5) got some hits, too, especially early, but they all stayed in the park. The Whips smacked 7 hits in the first three innings, but couldn't take advantage. They left the bases loaded twice in that span. Seven Hampshire players had 1 hit apiece.

In the first, Peyton DeChant's infield grounder drove in Hampshire's only run. The Whips threatened again in the third when DeChant, Sarah Bowen, and Nelson all singled with 1 out, but PR pitcher Hailey Baker induced a 1-2-3 double play to get out of it.

"We were much happier with how the girls came out and how they performed and competed," said Hampshire coach Kelly Wasilewski. "You've got to give them credit: they hit the smoke out of the ball. They can hit, there's no doubt about it.

"Overall, the effort that we saw today over what we've seen recently has been much better."