The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 17, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2025 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2025 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Hampshire Whip-Purs
Preseason Rank: No. 22
Head Coach: Frank Simoncelli
Classification: 4A
Conference: Fox Valley Conference
2024 Record (Finish): 24-11 (Sectional semifinals loss)
Key Players Lost: Jack Schane (Morton JC), Charlie Wiggins, Jaryd Vence, Luke Mejdrich (Lake County CC) and Dominic Borecky (Winona State)

 

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ROSTER PREVIEW

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Starting Pitchers: 3
No. of Returning Relief Pitchers: 2
Team Strengths: Starting Pitching and Team Offense.

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X-FACTOR

RHP/C Calen Scheider (2025; Bradley) is a do-it-all player entering his senior season for the Whip-Purs, coming off an impressive 2024 campaign, where he shined as a two-way. Offensively, he batted .339 in 34 games with two homers, 47 runs scored, walking more than he struck out (18 walks to 11 strikeouts), and going a perfect 25-for-25 on stolen base attempts. On the mound he was just as impressive; performing to a 1.26 ERA and an 8-1 record, punching out 66 batters and walking 21 over 49 ⅔ innings. If Scheider can pick up where he left off from 2024, he could help set the tone for what looks to be a promising season for the Whip-Purs.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Whip-Purs and Head Coach Frank Simoncelli return in 2025 after finishing last season 24-11 while playing in one of the better conferences in the state. They bring back a roster full of experienced players who were part of the team that led them to the sectional semifinals last spring, including a few key players who shine both on the mound and with the bat.

Alongside the previously mentioned Scheider, Hampshire brings back LHP/1B Anthony Karbowski (2025; Louisville) and OF/RHP Wilson Wemhoff (2025; Lincoln Trail JC), both of which shined in 2024, and will look to take another step in 2025.

Karbowski posted a 1.93 ERA last season over 29 innings, striking out 36. With the bat, he led the team in homers with four, while hitting .333 with 37 RBI in 34 games.

Wemhoff led the Whip-Purs offensively in 2024 in batting average (.418), OPS (1.158), SLG (.637), and RBI (42). On the mound, Wemhoff is a power arm that will likely help fill out the rest of the Hampshire rotation. In 2024, he posted a 3.29 ERA, while striking out 38 batters over 27 ⅔ innings.

Another bat to know for the Whip-Purs, who impressed each time we saw him last spring is OF Ari Fivelson (2025; Bradley). Fivelson is a highly-athletic left-handed bat who can play high-level defense in centerfield and provide pop toward the top of the Hampshire lineup. Last season he batted .394 with a .527 OBP, with three triples, one homer, 22 RBI, while drawing 25 walks and only striking out 11 times in 35 games. Look for Fivelson to have another big spring in 2025.

INF Jack Perrone (2025; uncommitted), OF Eric Jackson (2025; McHenry County JC), INF Shane Pfeiffer (2026; uncommitted), INF Cole Harkin (2026; uncommitted), and C Nate Kolder (2025; Kishwaukee JC) will look to help fill out the rest of the offense in 2025.

Also look for C Ethan Doonan (2025; uncommitted), INF Carter Jones (2025; Judson) INF Joey Rodriguez (2026; uncommitted), INF Jackson Wigstone (2025; Morton JC), OF Christopher Whetstone (2026; uncommitted), INF Luke Mazur (2025; uncommitted), and OF Evan Wurtz (2025; uncommitted) to all contribute for the Whip-Purs this spring.

Joining Scheider, Karbowski, and Wemhoff on the pitching staff will be RHP Nate Wians (2025; uncommitted), Eric Jackson, Joey Rodriguez, Shane Pfeiffer, Jack Perrone, Jackson Wigstone, Evan Wurtz, and Cole Harkin, all of which were mentioned as offensive contributors earlier. Also keep an eye out for RHP Dixon Murdock (2026; uncommitted), RHP Zack Farwell (2026; uncommitted), and LHP Nick Lueders (2026; uncommitted) to potentially contribute on the mound this spring.

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BOTTOM LINE & DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Behind a strong senior class, the Whip-Purs will be one of the more competitive teams in the state all spring. This group was one run short of advancing to a sectional championship a season ago, and much of that same group is back for 2025, likely hungry for an even deeper playoff run. They have a quality mix of high-end talent both in the lineup and on the pitching staff, and we expect them to be at or near the top of one of the top conferences in the state all year.

"Navigating the Fox Valley should provide plenty of challenges but the Whip-Purs seem ready thanks to a strong returning core that helped lead them to 24 wins last spring." Drew Locascio 

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Find more information on the 2025 Hampshire program below:

+ Follow them on X: @CoachSimoncelli
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 homepage

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