Harper’s Poehlmann nets D-III honor
The softball season is young, but freshman Aly Poehlmann (Schaumburg) and Juliann Waite have already been named NJCAA Division III players of the week.
Poehlmann was 8-for-12 with a home run, 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases while scoring 3 runs and hitting .667 last week. The home run was the first of her collegiate carreer, and it came against Sauk Valley on Friday.
Waite earned the same honor as Poehlmann for her performance the previous week. Waite was 5-for-12 (all doubles) and had 2 RBI as she finished the week with a .417 average.
“It’s great for them,” said Harper coach Brenda James. “Their individual efforts were excellent.”
The Hawks were scheduled to play five games this week, including Friday’s North Central Community College Conference opener against Rock Valley.
Last Friday, the Hawks dropped a doubleheader to Sauk Valley Community College. Poehlmann and Elizabeth Caprio both had a hit in game one. Poehlmann finished the doubleheader 3-for-4 at the plate. Sunday’s schedule contest against St. Ambrose has been canceled. “They did everything they can“ said James of her teams effort.
Results mixed for baseball: The Harper baseball team (3-3) was finally able to take the diamond for the first time last weekend.
The Hawks dropped the season opener to Morton College 4-2 Friday despite outhitting their foe 10-7.
Harper then swept a Saturday doubleheader at Illinois Central, 13-1 and 10-1. No. 8 hitter Heriberto Ortega was 6-for-7 with 2 doubles while driving in 3 runs in two games.
“He is a pretty strong kid,” Harper coach Cliff Brown said.
Harper starters sophmore Bobby Beelen (Wheeling, 1-0) and freshman Jake Sofinski (Prospect, 1-0) went at least 5 innings apiece in their first starts of the season. Sofinski picked up his first collegiate win.
Harper was led at the plate by Connor McHugh (Schaumburg), who went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and fellow outfielder Chad Wickless (Rolling Meadows), who went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI.
The Hawks traveled to Oglesby on Monday to take on Illinois Valley. Harper came away with a 7-1 victory.
“I thought (Ryan) Busse (Hersey) and (Dan) Hoppel (Rolling Meadows) pitched well.” said Brown.
On Wednesday the Hawks were swept, 8-0 and 3-2, in a doubleheader against Black Hawk Community College.
Brown said his team committed too many errors and was facing very tough pitching.
“They may have been two of the best pitchers we will see all year,” Brown said of the Black Hawk starters.
On Thursday, the Hawks are on the road again, facing Kankakee Community College, before playing at Moraine Valley to end the week.
“We haven’t put together a full game yet,” Brown said. “What you did yesterday means nothing today.”