Harper looks to improve on difficult 2009 season
The Harper College softball season shifts into high gear today - weather permitting.
The Hawks travel to play the Millikin University JV in Decatur, as coach Brenda James starts her second season.
James was an assistant coach at Coffeville Community College in Kansas before becoming head coach at Allen County Community College in Kansas. Both schools are on the Hawks' as part of a five-school swing in Kansas.
"The area has good competition," James said.
"We will compete this season," said James, whose Hawks were 3-24 last season and winless in the North Central Community College Conference.
The Hawks lost only one of their three first-team all-conference selections from last season, third baseman Coleene O'Malley (Elk Grove).
Allisa Collins (Prospect) and Marie Ewald (Buffalo Grove) return for their sophomore seasons. Collins, who led the Hawks with 14 RBI last season, will move from catcher to either first or third base.
"I expect Collins to be a power hitter in the 4-hole," James said.
Outfielder and team MVP Julie Escareno (Jacobs) is also back.
"I look to my captains (Ewald, Collins and Escareno) for leadership," James said.
Samantha Calandra, who pitched every game last season, is back and will also see time at first base.
After being Harper's utility player last season, Kara Bingham (St. Viator) will receive playing time at second and first base.
James welcomes a talented crop of freshmen, led by pitcher Becky Koeune (Palatine).
"She will be one of the dominating pitchers in the conference," James said.
Joining Koeune is catcher Kaitlyn Kliver (Hoffman Estates), oufielder-shortstop Katrina Grande and Stephanie Fausher (Elk Grove).
"I expect Grande to be a good hitter in the 3-hole," James said. "College of Dupage is going to be the team to beat" in conference.
The Hawks host COD on April 4 and travel to Glen Ellyn to play the Chaparrals on May 20th.
Because of scheduling quirk, Hawks fans will notice a change in the N4C standings this season. Instead of each member school playing home and away, the schools will play each other once - with the option to play each other again as a non-conference game. Five schools will qualify for the regional. The fourth-seeded team will host the No. 5 seed. The winner will travel to play the top-seeded team.