Prep Softball: Whips' offense halted

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ELMHURST -- Hampshire and Class 2A Sectional semifinal host Timothy Christian were locked into a pitchers' duel on Wednesday, and with few scoring chances between the teams, it would be imperative for the eventual winner to capitalize on its opportunities.

Unfortunately the Whip-Purs (18-14) were unable to take advantage of their chances, while the Trojans (14-13) cashed in twice -- getting a little help from the Hampshire defense in the process.

The end result was a 2-0 season-ending loss for the Whips.

"We needed to play a perfect game," Hampshire coach Ken Bram said. "(Timothy Christian's) pitcher -- you have to give her credit, she threw well. The (girls) battled. We were a hit or two away and just couldn't come through. We came up a little bit short, but they were the better team today."

The Trojans scored their first run in the third on an RBI single by Janna Strodtman. Timothy Christian capitalized on two Hampshire errors in the inning, both occurring when its outfielders misplayed singles.

The Whips let a great scoring chance go by the wayside in the fourth when Strodtman struck out Tegan Singleton with two outs and runners on second and third.

Another chance slipped away in the sixth, when after doubling to deep left-center, Jenna Kraus was caught trying to steal third to end the inning.

Timothy Christian tallied an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when with two outs, Kraus fielded a grounder and threw wide of first base, bringing home another Trojan run.

Ally Kent (7-6) twirled for Hampshire and pitched well, allowing no earned runs in six innings on eight hits and one walk. Kent struck out 10.

"Ally pitched a great game," Bram said. "She threw really, really well. They just had a couple of shots and they put those hits together. You got to give them credit."

The Whips were without their starting catcher Jordan Monroe, who was in the hospital after experiencing chest pains, according to Bram.

"That really hurt," Bram said. "Thank goodness Jordan's OK. We're really missing her. We had to move (a lot of girls around). It hurts us because we don't have a deep team. We need everybody here."

Megan Roadcap filled in admirably, making only her second appearance of the season behind the plate.

"(It's a) tough situation," Roadcap said. "Luckily this past week, Mr. Bram's been practicing me there.

"It was a great year, we all worked together. Everybody on the team contributed and I hope next year we'll be back here again."

Roadcap (2-for-3) was the lone Whip with two hits.

Strodtman pitched a complete-game six-hitter for the Trojans, striking out seven.

Timothy Christian will play the winner of today's game between St. Edward and Westmont at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for the title.