Softball: Hampshire topples Cary-Grove

Hampshire's softball team has a diversified offensive attack.

The Whip-Purs can manufacture runs or beat you with the long ball.

Both were on display when visiting Hampshire held on for a 6-4 Fox Valley Conference win at Cary-Grove Thursday afternoon.

"We have kids who can get on base and we have kids who can hit the long ball," said Hampshire coach Kelli Wasilewski. "We started fast and you want to play with the lead when you are playing at Cary-Grove against a very good team."

The Whip-Purs (12-10, 7-6) took the lead in the first inning with 2 runs. Delaney Rummell and Morgan Haefling led off the game with singles. Rummell scored on an infield groundout by Gwen Malecke and Haefling crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Sarah Bowen.

The Whip-Purs tallied 4 more in the third on a grand slam by Bowen, her second of the season.

'I was looking to hit a line drive and got a fat pitch to hit," said Bowen. "I didn't think it was going to be a homer. I thought it might hit the fence. It is always good to play with the lead."

Scoring all 6 runs on 6 hits off Cary-Grove starter Emma Hill, Hampshire couldn't solve Trojans reliever Katy Wieczorek.

Wieczorek blanked the Whip-Purs on 3 singles in 5 innings of work.

"Katy was outstanding and gave us a chance to come back," said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. "She totally shut down a good hitting team."

The Trojans (12-7, 6-6) sliced into Hampshire's lead with a run in the third on an RBI single by Alena Krembuszewski.

The Trojans, who stranded 8 runners, added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Kelly Johnson and scored 2 more in the seventh on a run-scoring single by Johnson and an infield groundout by Hill.

"We dug ourselves a hole and were chasing the whole game," said Olson. "We played poor defense and couldn't get a timely hit. Defensively, we are consistently inconsistent."

Jasmine Lopez, the winning pitcher, gave up 2 runs on 8 hits in 5 innings. Katie Del Re pitched the final 2 innings to earn the save.

"We have pitched two and sometimes three pitchers in a game," said Wasilewski. "It has worked out well. It gives our opponents different looks."

Rummell and Haefling led the Whip-Purs with 3 hits and 2 runs scored each.

"Both Delaney and Morgan have done a great job at the top of the order," said Wasilewski. "They get on base and really set the tone for us."

With 11 hits, Cary-Grove's offense was paced by Johnson with 3 hits while Krembuszewski, Wieczorek and Nicolette Richardi delivered 2 hits apiece.