Junior outfielder/pitcher Wilson Wemhoff can be brought along as his own pace this spring, especially considering the depth Hampshire has in the batting order and on the mound.
The strategy is paying off in both situations.
Acclimating quickly to the varsity, Wemhoff has made immediate contributions for the Whip-Purs.
“It feels really good to know that I’m part of a really good team right now,” Wemhoff said about his rookie season. “It feels really good to have that confidence.”
Wemhoff continued to show that confidence Thursday, going 2-for-2 with two runs, two doubles and three RBIs in a 15-0 nonconference victory in four innings over Woodstock North.
Nathan Wians gained the pitching win for Hampshire (8-2), working all four innings and allowing no runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in his season debut.
Wemhoff, however, has emerged as one of the top bat so far this spring for the Whip-Purs, leading the team with 14 RBIs while hitting .346 with four doubles and a home run.
“He’s got natural power,” Hampshire coach Frank Simoncelli said of Wemhoff. “Some guys have some loft to their swing and are able to drive it, and he’s that guy.
“He’s still learning pitch recognition and identifying spin. Once he figures that part out, he’s tough. He’s going to be really good.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Wemhoff shows just as much promise on the mound. Hampshire has been able to ease him into varsity action, but the intensity ramped up in the past week.
Wemhoff got the win in relief Saturday against talented Hersey. He then followed senior ace Jack Schane with 2 1/3 innings of quality relief Wednesday in an 8-1 win over Prairie Ridge. He struck out five without a walk and allowed an unearned run on three hits in that outing.
“It was the first big varsity intense experience on the mound,” Simoncelli said. “He really came through for us, built some confidence. He’s a competitor out there. He throws hard, hits his spots.
“We’re very excited about him.”
Schane has been impressed with what he’s seen from Wemhoff thus far.
“Mainly, what I like from him is he pounds the zone with a bunch of his pitches,” Schane said. “He dominates with the fastball and he can trick some hitters with the off-speed.”
Hersey has multiple Division I recruits in its lineup, but Wemhoff relished the opportunity.
“It felt really good to pitch against some really good players,” Wemhoff said. “They were really good. I battled through it, and I just came out on top.”
One major benefit for Wemhoff is the Hampshire’s pitching depth.
Schane and Louisville recruit Anthony Karbowski, a junior, are three-year varsity performers. Junior Calen Scheider also is off to a dominant start on the mound for the Whip-Purs.
That has allowed Simoncelli to bring Wemhoff slowly into varsity action.
“As a coaching staff, it gives us an opportunity to look at him from a bullpen standpoint,” Simoncelli said. “We don’t have to throw him in there right away. We can continue to work with him and do pitch design, location, all of that. He was ready to go once he got that opportunity.”
For his part, Wemhoff is willing to stay in the bullpen for now, but he’s ready if his role were to expand in the future.
“It’s really helpful because we have an amazing staff,” Wemhoff said. “To give the arm a break feels great.
“I think I’ll end up starting a couple games, but if I’m doing well closing, I think I’ll stay with closing for now until I prove myself that I can go long distances.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
