Harper takes game one at Waubonsee
The second-seeded Harper College baseball team moved one step closer to reaching the NJCAA Division III World Series on Friday by defeating top-seeded Waubonsee Community College 9-2 in regional play in Sugar Grove.
Harper collected 12 hits against the Chiefs.
A Waubonsee error contributed to a 5-run fourth inning for the Hawks.
The Hawks committed 3 errors of their own, but starter Lee Breitzman (Fremd) was up the challenge, working 7 innings and picking up the victory. He gave up both runs and walked two. Mike Sampson pitched the final 2 innings and earned a save.
The top of the Harper lineup — Theo Yfantis and Kurt Becker — went a combined 7-for-10, scoring 5 runs.
Waubonsee first baseman Jake Jouris was hitless in 4 at-bats.
Left-hander Chris Anderson (Waubonsie Valley) suffered the loss.
The Hawks can seal a trip to the World Series by winning game two of the best-of-three series. The first pitch is set for noon Saturday at Waubonsee.