High hopes for pitching-rich Harper baseball squad
The 2012 edition of the Harper College baseball team takes its ability between the white lines for the first time today.
The Hawks, who finished last season 12-26, open the season at NJCAA Division II member Heartland College (Bloomington, Ill.), which is ranked fifth in the NJCAA Division II poll.
Harper coach Cliff Brown has some lofty expectations for his club.
“I don’t see any reason why this team couldn’t win 30 games” he said.
Pitching looks to be a strength for the Hawks this season. The area that needed the most improvement after last year was defense, and the Hawks are still searching for an every-day second baseman.
“At any level, if you pitch and play defense you have a chance to compete,” Brown said.
The Hawks will be without some key contributors from last season’s squad, Chris Holke and first baseman Bobby Beelen (Wheeling). Holke (Barrington) is a walk-on on for Summit League member North Dakota State; Beelen is playing at Concordia.
Harper has solid depth where it probably matters most: on the mound. The Hawks return seven pitchers from last season’s squad. Scott Plaza (Prospect), Tyler Tureck (Barrington) and Dan Hoppel (Rolling Meadows) all had significant innings last year for the Hawks. Plaza will be a mainstay, especially in North Central Community College Conference play.
“You’re only as good as the guys who go out to the bump,” Brown said.
The Hawks will be looking for big contributions from four newcomers this season, among them freshman third baseman Nick Spagnola (Dundee-Crown) and center fielder Andrew Skinner.
“It’s just a matter of getting playing time,” Brown said of his freshmen. The coach think both might eventually by pro prospects, though they were undrafted out of high school.
The Hawks will be bolstered by the transfer of two players from four-year schools: Greg Fox (from Aurora University) and Josh Daniels (from Concordia). Fox is coming off Tommy John surgery.
“I wish we had (them) another year,” Brown said of the two transfers. “I like the chemistry of this group.”
Haper may be aided by another change this season, this one in the rulebook. The NJCAA has changed the type of bats a player can use.
The old bats had bigger “sweet spots,” allowing hitters who did not make perfect contact with the baseball to still hit with power.
“I don’t think with the new bats, anybody can sit around and wait for the 3-run homer,” Brown said. “Balls that went out two years ago are going to be balls that are going to be caught. If a guy squares up a ball, I don’t think it will affect them.”
The changes to the bats will not hinder the agrressive way Brown likes to coach.
“If you can hit,” he said, “you can hit with a rolled up Daily Herald.”
The Hawks’ season consists of 53 scheduled games in 50 days. Brown expects the first 10 games will serve as a good indicator for how competitive his team will be.
The Hawks face a difficult slate of nonconference games, including today’s opener. The Hawks will face four teams ranked in either the NJCAA Division II or III polls.
On March 22, Harper travels to Oakton for a doubleheader with the Raiders, who are led by West Virginia-bound and NJCAA Division II player of the week Ryan Tuntland (Maine West). The following day the Hawks will play McHenry Community College.
Another nonconference team to keep an eye on is South Suburban College. The Hawks will travel to South Suburban on March 15 for a doubleheader against the traditionally strong program.
The nonconference slate will not be the only test this season for the Hawks, as the N4C will be difficult once again.
“Everyone in the conference is good,” Brown said.
Especially Joliet Junior College, which opens the season ranked seventh in the NJCAA Division III preseason poll, and Madison College, ranked fourth.
“King of the mountain last year doesn’t mean much” Brown said. “You can’t take anything for granted (in conference play) — that’s why they play the games.”