No foolin': Harper's ready to play

First-year Harper College baseball coach Mark Hernandez started spreading the news to his players early Tuesday they would be playing as scheduled.

They all arrived in uniform even though it was 40 degrees and had poured Monday.

And of course, this all took place on April 1.

"They did," Hernandez said of his team laughing at his April Fool's joke.

That's a good sign because there hasn't been a lot to laugh about on and off the field.

Harper lost five of its first six games in a weather-plagued start.

Hernandez also lost three of his top players two weeks before the season.

Hersey graduate and White Sox draft pick John Grim led the team in homers in the fall but had season-ending elbow surgery. Sophomore infielder-closer Kyle Barton (Wheeling), who hit .370 with 26 RBI last year, had season-ending shoulder surgery.

And sophomore preseason NJCAA All-America centerfielder Michael Cox, who hit .469 with 5 homers and 39 RBI last season, is out with an eligibility issue. Cox has petitioned the NJCAA to be reinstated.

"It was one of the worst weeks I've had as a coach," said Hernandez. "We had everything all set. Now there's a reason everyone plays in the fall and spring, to assure we have guys who can step up and fill the void to the best of their ability.

"So far guys are trying to earn a reason to stay in the starting lineup."

Harper's top four starters, who are working with former Oakton College and Prospect High School pitching coach Larry Lewis, are Bobby Flood (Notre Dame), Brad Kerkman (Dundee-Crown), Kyle Sallmen (Conant) and John Lee.

Former Conant standout catcher David Drew, who transferred in from North Park, also figures to be a closer with a fastball clocked in the high-80s. Shortstop Kyle Henning (Rolling Meadows) can also close and has hit the mid-80s.

Sophomore Mike Krueger is back at third base after hitting .381 with 21 RBI last year.

"He's made some tremendous plays at third," Hernandez said. "He's hitting the ball solid but he hasn't found any holes."

Hernandez also likes what he's seen defensively from second baseman Jon Mueller, a big part of Elk Grove's 2006 Elite Eight qualifier.

First baseman Andy Wulbecker (Hoffman Estates) is also back after hitting .348 with 3 homers and 37 RBI.

Hernandez hopes to see more consistency as Harper starts playing more frequently and everyone adjusts to all the changes.

And the Hawks haven't been that far off in their tough start. They came up empty on late-game, bases-loaded opportunities in 4-3 and 4-1 losses Sunday at 15-2 Triton.

"We fell behind early in those games but it's a credit to our guys that they didn't quit," Hernandez said. "They battled back and gave us a chance to win."