Softball: Hampshire takes Chicagoland Challenge title
Hampshire's Sarah Bowen is certainly well known for her offensive prowess.
The senior center fielder flashed some serious leather during the Whip-Purs' 14-4 6-inning win over DePaul Prep in the championship game of the John Radtke Chicagoland Challenge hosted by St. Edward held at the Elgin Sports Complex Satrurday afternoon.
With the Rams batting in the top of the first with 2 outs and Elizabeth Malarski who singled to lead off the game on first base, Kathryn Griggs hit a screaming shot to left center field. Bowen timed her leap perfectly and made the incredible catch to save a homer.
"It is all timing," said Bowen. "I saw the ball off the bat really well and felt if I timed leap I could make the catch."
Hampshire coach Kelly Wasilewski called Bowen's theatrical grab a turning point in the title game.
"If Sarah doesn't make that catch DePaul goes up 2-0," said the Hampshire coach. "It changed the whole complexion of the game. She is so focused and has tremendous instincts. She is such a great athlete that she can make a play like that."
Bowen, who smashed 3 homers in the Whip-Purs' 10-0 (5 innings) win over Farmington and 14-4 win over Aurora Central Catholic in the semifinal, was 4-for-5 in the title game with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI which included the game-ending hit.
"I am really seeing the ball well right now," said Bowen. "This tournament will hopefully propel me and the team to a good season."
Hampshire, which won its first Chicagoland Challenge during Wasilewski's 4-year tenure as the Whip-Purs coach, collected 20 hits in the contest.
The Whip-Purs, who scored in 4 of the 6 innings played, got a 4-for-4 effort from Miki Snyder, who scored 2 runs with 3 RBI.
Freshman catcher Shelby Siegbahn contributed 3 hits with 4 RBI while Katie Del Re, the winning pitcher, along with Alyssa Cork and Morgan Haefling had 2 hits apiece.
Hampshire seized control with 4 runs in the first and 5 in the third. In the first, Siegbahn drove in 2 runs with a single and Snider and Cork collected RBI singles.
Taking a 9-0 lead in the third, Siegbahn, Del Re and Bowen had RBI singles while Noelle Scott lifted a sacrifice fly.
"It was a good offensive day for us," said Wasilewski. "We got everybody some at-bats and we really swung the bats. It is nice to win this tournament which gives us momentum for the rest of the season."
Tournament note: This was 18th annual challenge started by former St. Edward coach Peg Corcoran in 2002. The tournament was renamed the John Radtke Chicagoland Challenge in 2016 for Daily Herald High School Sports Editor and former Fox Valley Sports Editor John Radtke.
"I've been a small part of the Chicagoland Challenge since its inception," said Radtke. "The relationships I've formed through my association with the tournament have been very satisfying and rewarding. In 2016 when St. Edward athletic director P.J. White and former Green Wave coach Paul Netzel decided to rename the tournament the John Radtke Chicagoland Challenge I was humbled and appreciative. I've enjoyed my association with the tournament as both a reporter and tournament coordinator and I hope it continues on for many years to come."