Softball: Hampshire downs Jacobs for 7th straight win
It took a couple innings for Hampshire's bats to warm up Tuesday - understandable given the 45-degree temps and off and on cold rain - but once they did, the Whip-Purs continued their hot play.
Peyton De Chant had 3 hits, Melissa Esparza drove in 2 runs and pitcher Jasmine Lopez was in control from the first inning on in a 6-1 Fox Valley Conference win over Jacobs.
The Whip-Purs (16-7, 8-3) have won seven straight to take over second place in the FVC behind Huntley. They had 11 hits against Jacobs while the Golden Eagles were their own worst enemy with 5 errors.
"We're practicing really good and we have a good mindset getting off the bus and coming into the game prepared," Lopez said.
Conditions were far from ideal Tuesday in Hampshire. Already unseasonably cold and windy, it started raining just before the game started.
The rain let up until late in the game. It took Hampshire until the bottom of the third to take a 2-0 lead, capitalizing on a pair of errors. De Chant had the only RBI in the inning, a clean single up the middle.
"It took us a little while to get going today," Hampshire coach Kelly Wasilewski said. "As long as we get runners on base, we can get them around. We're confident about that."
The Whip-Purs made it 3-0 in the fourth when Delaney Rummell singled, stole second and scored on Esparza's single.
Jacobs (9-9-1, 4-6) plated its only run in the top of the fifth. Alexis Addante led off with her second double, and she eventually scored on a passed ball.
That was all Lopez allowed in her 7 innings, finishing with 6 strikeouts while giving up 6 hits and just 1 walk.
"My curve ball was working well today," Lopez said. "My fastball I was just spotting it."
Hampshire broke the game open with a 3-run sixth. Lopez reached on an infield single, Rummell crushed a double, and Gwen Malecke's bunt scored a run. Rummell scored on a wild pitch, and Esparza's sacrifice fly completed the scoring.
Savannah Svedman took the loss for Jacobs. Only two of the six runs she allowed were earned; she struck out five and walked none.
Sarah Bowen, Rummell and Esparza all had 2 hits for Hampshire; Rummell scored 3 runs.
Jacobs, whose next victory will surpass last year's 9-win total, is trying to snap out of an offensive slump.
"We're slumping right now hitting," Jacobs coach Katie O'Brien said. "It's the story of where we're at in our season. I know our girls can do it. We're not piecing it all together at the same time."
Jess Mrzlak also had 2 hits for Jacobs.
"I'm optimistic still," O'Brien said. "They are a great group. They will do anything for each other, they love spending time together. They have really meshed. We're doing better than last year. People are telling me we have done a lot in a year."