When Hampshire’s Calen Scheider committed to Bradley in August, it solidified a few things.
Of course, it put into place his future college destination, but it also signaled the eventual end of his time hitting and playing in the field. The Braves recruited him as a pitcher only.
That’s allowed Scheider to enjoy his final season of contributing all over the place.
“It’s super fun,” Scheider said. “It’s definitely a lot more relaxing going up to the plate realizing this is it. I can have fun. It’s been helping me all year. I definitely feel a lot less stressed.”
A stress-free Scheider set the tone Friday for the Whip-Purs in a 7-0 Fox Valley Conference win at Burlington Central. He sent a rocket over the center fielder’s head for a triple and scored on a fielder’s choice.
Shane Pfeiffer also had a big day at the plate for Hampshire (22-7, 8-7), picking up two hits and five RBIs, including a grand slam in the seventh inning that provided a bit of insurance.
Wilson Wemhoff was dominant on the mound for the Whip-Purs, striking out nine and allowing only two hits and two walks in a complete game. Bennek Braden and Zane Pollack had the hits for Burlington Central (14-12, 6-9).
Scheider now leads Hampshire with 29 hits. He’s added 11 steals, nine extra-base hits, 26 runs, and 20 RBIs.
“He’s just an athlete and a competitor,” Hampshire coach Frank Simoncelli said. “Sometimes, guys just have it. He’s one of those guys that’s a competitor. I could play him anywhere.
“Catcher, short, second, left field, right field, pitches. He does it all. And he’s got a lot of speed.”
Scheider filled in Friday for Wemhoff in right field but said his favorite position is behind the plate. Hampshire is set back there with Nate Kolder, but that’s another thing he’ll miss next season.
“I love playing defense,” Scheider said. “Catching is actually my favorite. I almost love it more than pitching.”
Bradley is pretty happy that his love of pitching won out, especially since Scheider is ranked as the No. 67 senior in the state according to Prep Baseball Report.
With a fastball that sits around 90 mph, the 5-foot-9 right-hander packs a punch. This spring, he has gone 4-3 with a 2.93 ERA.
“I don’t think I’ve taken him out of a game except one, unless it was pitch count,” Simoncelli said. “The last four or five starts, besides the one game against Prairie Ridge, he’s competed out there, complete games, throwing 90 or more pitches.
“He loves it. He doesn’t want to get taken out of the game. He wants to be out there. He’s one where he says, ‘I’m going to get the ball and it’s coming at you.’”
The early run Friday was all Wemhoff needed. He kept the Rockets off balance all game.
“He threw the ball really well,” Burlington Central coach Kyle Nelson said of Wemhoff. “We were just too passive at the plate. Obviously, he threw a lot of great pitches, but we need to be more aggressive. We need to not let him dictate the count, dictate every at-bat.
“It was just a disappointing day for us at the plate.”
Simoncelli, meanwhile, has grown used to seeing performances like that from Wemhoff.
“When he’s on the mound, we’re confident,” Simoncelli said. “He just competes out there.”
Over the summer, Scheider formed an immediate bond with Bradley pitching coach Andrew Werner. He introduced Scheider to head coach Elvis Dominguez and the match was made.
“He was right to the point that we really like you,” Scheider said. “This is what we want from you. That’s really what did it. Then we went to the stadium. Dozier Park is beautiful.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
