It took 12 trips to the plate Saturday before someone finally retired Hampshire’s Delaney Rummell.
When it finally happened, Rummell still managed to do some damage.
The sophomore catcher/shortstop went 9-for-9 over three games, and the only out made by Rummell came on a sacrifice fly in her final plate appearance as Hampshire defeated Genoa-Kingston 11-1 for the championship of St. Edward’s Chicagoland Classic.
“Our coach told us to go up there with the mentality to put the ball in play and move runners around,” Rummell said.
The Illinois recruit didn’t exactly put it in play three times Saturday. She put it out of play — as in over the fence.
Among Rummell’s nine hits were three home runs, including one in an 18-6 victory over Rockford East to open the tournament and two in an 11-2 semifinal victory over DePaul Prep.
Besides the home runs, Rummell had nine RBIs, three doubles, a triple and two walks. She had a single, double and a run-scoring triple in the title game.
That triple in the third broke a 1-1 tie against the Cogs (9-6) for the game-winning RBI as Hampshire (7-4) won the tournament title for the first time in 15 years.
“This was definitely my best day that I’ve had this year,” Rummell said. “We hit a lot before we played (Saturday). We all got together as a team before our bus left and hit as a team and I think it all helped us.”
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After notching 19 extra-base hits among 45 hits, Hampshire obviously might want to include extra batting practice before bus trips every road game. But hitting never has been in question with this team.
“Offensively, we’re a pretty sharp team, there’s no denying that,” Hampshire coach Kelly Wasilewski said. “When we’re fielding and pitching, that’s when we’re really awesome. When we’re not, we struggle a little bit.
“But we told them from the beginning we’ve just got to outscore our opponent.”
In the title game, Hampshire’s Gwen Malecke had three hits, Sarah Bowen and Katie Del Re had two hits each and Rummell went 3-for-3 with three RBIs.
“Her swing hasn’t changed, her approach to the plate hasn’t changed,” Wasilewski said. “It’s just that she’s got a rhythm now.”
The Whip-Purs also had the pitching they needed. Del Re, a freshman, made her first varsity start in the circle against the Cogs.
“The plan wasn’t for her to start this (title) game,” Wasilewski said. “She pitched so well at the end of (semifinal) game I thought I’d give her the opportunity. “
Del Re allowed six hits while striking out one and walking one.
“I was feeling my screwballs were really good this game,” Del Re said. “With the way the wind was blowing, you had to spin your wrist a little to make it go inside.
“It was really fun pitching with us hitting that way, especially too with a good defense behind you that can pick it up if you miss a spot.”
Host St. Edward (3-9) went 1-2 to finish seventh and won its finale 5-3 over Elmwood Park on Jessy Kramp’s four-hitter. Kramp also had the Green Wave’s only RBI.
“It’s kind of frustrating, but we’re playing a lot of freshmen and a lot of sophomores,” St. Edward coach Paul Netzel said. “We’re making progress and trying to keep the girls positive despite our record.”
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