Illinois Valley Central 6, Hampshire 1

The best postseason run in Hampshire baseball history ended with a Class 2A supersectional loss in Rockford on Memorial Day.

But minutes after Illinois Valley Central defeated the Whip-Purs 6-1 to advance to the state semifinals in Joliet on Friday, the disappointment the Hampshire players felt was tempered by a sense of accomplishment -- not to mention optimism about the team's potential in 2009

Only two senior starters graduate and the Whip-Purs' top three pitchers return next year, fortified by state tournament experience.

"This was supposed to be a learning year," said Hampshire junior third baseman Zach Crinigan, who went 2-for-3 with a walk. "Maybe you win your regional and you learn along the way. But I think we surprised everyone in northern Illinois by getting this far."

Hampshire's top two pitchers by ERA, sophomores Kent Larson (1.14) and Ryan Burke (1.46), led all area hurlers in that category during the regular season. Larson took the hill Monday, but the Grey Ghosts (33-6) met the challenge head on.

IVC hitters reached Larson for 4 earned runs on 7 hits, including 3 extra-basehits in a 2-run second inning. The Grey Ghosts tacked on 2 insurance runs in the seventh inning against Hampshire reliever Erik Chellberg and the 2006 Class A state champions went on to win their second supersectional title in three seasons.

"He was just a little nervous today," Hampshire coach Steve Ream said of Larson. "But look around and see how many sophomores around the state are starting supersectional games. He should be proud. We had that much faith in him."

In a 4-0 hole through four innings, Hampshire tried to dig its way out in the fifth with a two-out rally as Burke doubled and Crinigan walked. Cleanup man Matt Kuefner followed with a basehit up the middle that scored Burke and pulled the Whips within 4-1.

IVC starting pitcher Chris Razo, who experienced control problems in the fifth because of a worsening strained right groin suffered while covering first base earlier in the game, walked Joe Moore to load the bases.

Hampshire's No. 6 hitter, junior Tyler Bentley, worked the count full, but Razo struck him out swinging on a two-seam fastball to end Hampshire's best threat of the game.

IVC reliever Drasen Johnson pitched 2 scoreless innings and allowed just 1 hit. After scoring 22 runs in their last three playoff games, the Whips were held to 1 run on 6 hits Monday.

"Our hitters didn't fall off," Ream said. "They just plain shut us down."

Count Ream among those enthusiastic about the team's potential in 2009.

"I'm not disappointed at all," Ream said with an ear-to-ear grin. "It's been a great two weeks. It would have been great to get downstate, but we're a young team that has come a long way. To get as far as they did was just a great job. I'm happy as heck just to get to play on Memorial Day."