Kankakee Valley sophomore Maddy Hemphill hasn’t been trying to do too much this season.
But Hemphill still has been contributing a lot, leading the Kougars in hitting while showing a knack for driving in runs with two outs.
“I just look for contact,” she said. “Maybe not a big hit, but just making contact, making them get me out, instead of getting myself out.
“Just trying to get the runs in and not be the one who ruins the train.”
Hemphill is batting .481 with nine RBIs, including six with two outs, and 10 runs scored through eight games for the Kougars (5-3), and she has struck out just once. Kankakee Valley coach Eric Maple has been impressed with her versatility too.
“Maddy has been absolutely clutch for us this year, no doubt about it,” Maple said. “She’s been a really good leader for us offensively and defensively. We’ve been able to move her around all over the place. She’s a very good infielder, but utility-wise this year, we’ve been able to use her in the outfield a little bit — just pretty much all over.”
Hemphill considers herself primarily a third baseman. But she has also played at second base, in left field and in right field.
“There’s some stuff I’m iffy about, but I’ve adjusted good to it,” Hemphill said of playing the outfield. “If that’s where the team needs me, I’ll play anywhere.”
Hemphill split her time between the varsity and junior varsity teams as a freshman last season. By the time sectionals rolled around, she had earned the starting job at third base and was batting fifth. She wound up hitting .500 in 15 games as the Kougars won their third sectional title in four seasons.
“I’ve definitely gained a lot more confidence this year,” Hemphill said. “I know what’s going on. I know how teams want to attack you and where they want to throw you and what they want you to do. I’ve gotten smarter as a player.”
Kankakee Valley infielder/pitcher Kyli Page, a Calumet College recruit, is the lone senior on the team. She praised Hemphill, who is a key part of a talented class of seven sophomores.
“When we’re all struggling at the plate, she’s the one who always sparks us — she puts the spark back in our team,” Page said. “She always surprises us because she hits the ball in the perfect spot every time. Then that brings our energy right back up. She always knows how to put the ball where no one is and always gets on. She’s a very smart player.”
Hemphill has been a fixture in the middle of Kankakee Valley’s lineup. She had been hitting sixth before Maple recently moved her up into the cleanup spot.
“She’s come up huge for us,” Maple said. “I had her in the six hole, and I almost hated to move her out of that because it was a good spot for her. But she just keeps coming up big and big and big.
“She’s hitting the ball with power, hitting for average. She’s doing a great job, great job.”
Maple has coached Hemphill since she was 10 years old.
“He’s helped my batting,” Hemphill said. “At the start of the year, through the winter, my swing wasn’t that good. He helped me a lot. I’ve been able to adjust and adapt to everything he’s been telling me to do.
“Timing was a big thing. I took my stride out because it was messing me up and I was way ahead of everything and lunging at everything. Taking my stride out has made a big difference.”
Maple, who is in his first season as Kankakee Valley’s coach, was an assistant from 2015 to 2019, including when the team was the Class 3A state runner-up in 2016 and 2017. Maple’s daughter Emma, a 2018 Kankakee Valley graduate, starred as a pitcher and hitter on those teams.
Hemphill hopes she can help the Kougars, who won consecutive regional titles as recently as 2021 and 2022, challenge in the Northwest Crossroads Conference and a realigned sectional this season.
“I’ve been really strong at the plate this year,” she said. “I’ve been good at getting people in and moving them if I’m not getting them in and helping the team that way. That’s my goal.
“Everyone’s just really fun to play with. The energy is really good. Everyone always cheers each other on.”
