Hohman hits, pitches Neuqua past Storm
It's no secret to softball teams in the Upstate Eight Conference that they have to be more than ready when they face Neuqua Valley junior ace Colleen Hohman.
What UEC teams would be well-advised to not forget is that Hohman's bat can be as lethal as her right arm.
Hohman launched a 2-run bomb of a home run, her fourth of the season, well over the left field fence with one out in the fourth inning Monday to spark the Wildcats to a 3-1 league win at South Elgin as a pivotal week in the clogged UEC race began.
"I've always loved hitting, I've always enjoyed it," said the Kansas-bound Hohman. "I don't like pitching with nothing behind me. I was fired up. We had a runner on second and I knew I had to connect. It just went."
Jenna Marsalli, who had stroked a double to the left field corner, scored ahead of Hohman to give the Wildcats (12-4, 8-2) a 2-0 lead.
"(Hohman) has improved tremendously offensively this year," said Neuqua coach Michelle Schmidt. "She's come up with a lot of key hits for us."
Said South Elgin coach Jason Schaal, whose team travels to Neuqua later in the week: "My assistant coach (Michelle Holtorf) took responsibility for that pitch and I appreciate that. We'll definitely know where not to pitch (Hohman) on Thursday."
From there Hohman was able to hold off the potent South Elgin lineup using a variety of exploding riseballs, twisting curves and drop-dead change-ups. She struck out 10, walked five and allowed just 2 hits.
"South Elgin is a great team with a great lineup so I knew I had to be smart on the mound today," Hohman said. "I knew I couldn't let my curveball hang over the middle or I'd get clocked."
Said Schmidt: "(South Elgin) is a really good-hitting team. You have to keep them off balance in the batter's box or they can string some runs together. Colleen strikes people out but we have to play good defense and today we played real solid defensively."
Schaal gave Hohman all the credit.
"We just faced the conference pitcher of the year, and that's no disrespect to any other pitcher, but Colleen Hohman brings it," he said.
Neuqua Valley extended its lead to 3-0 in the sixth inning when Kat Widup led off with a slap single and eventually scored on Hohman's sacrifice fly. South Elgin (11-8, 6-3) scored its lone run in the bottom of the sixth. Kim Pierce drew a one-out walk and circled the bases on wild pitches. The Storm had the tying runs at first and second with two outs but Cary Thereon's line drive to right was snagged by Widup to end the threat.
Thereon suffered the loss, allowing 7 hits. She struck out two and walked one.
The Storm is off today before hosting St. Charles North Wednesday. Neuqua Valley hosts Bartlett today.