Harper slated to open with Morton

The Harper College baseball team is scheduled to have its season and home opener Friday against Morton College.

“It’s always good to be at home,” said Harper coach Cliff Brown.

The Hawks have already had a road trip to Vincennes University (Ind.) cancelled, as well as a home date against Robert Morris.

Now the Hawks are looking at six games in five days at four different venues.

“The next week to 10 days, we’re going to get a good feel about what kind of team we’re going to be,” Brown said. “Everybody looks good in the gym in February.”

Prospect product Scott Plaza will start for the Hawks against Morton. Brown says Plaza will go 2 or 3 innings before giving way to the bullpen.

On Friday and Saturday, the Hawks are scheduled to meet Illinois Central. The Cougars are 0-11.

Softball looks for first win: The Harper College softball team (0-4) opened its season over the weekend, dropping a doubleheader to Ancilla College, 8-1 and 20-0 on Friday. Pitcher Julie Waite suffered both losses.

Freshman Aly Poehlmann (Schaumburg), Sammie Bernstein and Julie Waite all went 2-for-3 in Game 2. Poehlmann had 4 hits over two games agaisnt Ancilla.

“She hit the ball well” Harper coach Brenda James said.

After having Saturday’s game against Bethel College’s junior varsity cancelled, the Hawks hit the road to take on Prairie State College on Sunday. The hosts earned an 11-3, 12-3 doubleheader sweep.

James says she still taking stock of her players’ abilities.

“We’re trying to see who fits where,” James said.

Aly Poehlmann, Ashley Halls and Stephanie Bynes all had hits in the first game against Prairie State as Waite took the loss. In the second game, Stephanie Bynes (0-1) was the pitcher of record for Harper.

Waite went 4-for-17 hitting cleanup for the Hawks in the four games.

“She hit the ball hard,” James said. “We only had one bad inning (over the weekend).”