Baseball Drops Doubleheader at Rock Valley

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Harper College baseball team lost two games to conference opponent Rock Valley College on Tuesday afternoon.

The Hawks (0-8, 0-6 N4C) lost 13-2 in five innings in game one. The Golden Eagles (9-11, 3-3 N4C) led 8-0 after two innings before Harper scored twice in the third inning to cut into the lead. Paul Kramolisch (/Bolingbrook) doubled home B.J. Wingerter (Prospect Heights, Ill. /Hersey), and he later scored on an RBI groundout from Justin Reaves (Chicago, Ill. /De La Salle).

Rock Valley responded with five runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a commanding 11-run lead. Starter Jason Fidder pitched scoreless fourth and fifth innings to close out the game. He gave up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts in five innings. Harper starter Christian Poulsen(Schaumburg, Ill. /Schaumburg) (0-3) lasted just two innings, giving up eight runs (two earned) on six hits.

The Hawks lost two games at Rock Valley College on Tuesday afternoon. (Jim Cummins)

In game two, the Hawks had a season-high eight hits, but it wasn't enough as they lost 6-3. Trailing 5-0 through five innings, Harper mounted a comeback and cut the deficit to three runs. The Hawks loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh inning but could not convert.

Poulsen had a standout day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run scored. Wingerter, Paul Kramolisch (/Bolingbrook), David Dugger (Matteson, Ill. /Rich Central), Nick Kouzios (Crystal Lake, Ill. /Prairie Ridge), and Jeremiah Mack (/Westinghouse) all recorded a hit. Kouzios drove in two runs with a single in the sixth inning, and Reaves had the other RBI. Adam Kowalski (Arlington Heights, Ill. /Buffalo Grove) (0-1) threw six innings for the Hawks. He gave up four earned runs on eleven hits and struck out three.

The Hawks will play at Oakton Community College (10-6) on Wednesday. Originally scheduled to be a doubleheader, the two teams will now play a single nine-inning game beginning at 2 PM in Des Plaines.

Hawks Shut Down by Madison

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MADISON, Wis. – The Harper College baseball team struggled at the plate and in the field on Saturday afternoon against N4C foe Madison College. The Hawks failed to score a run in either game, committed nine total errors, and lost by the scores of 7-0 and 14-0.

David Dugger (Matteson, Ill. /Rich Central) provided a spark offensively in the first game, as he was 2-for-3 with a triple. Christian Poulsen(Schaumburg, Ill. /Schaumburg) and Nick Leone (Elmhurst, Ill. /York) had the other hits for the Hawks (0-6, 0-4 N4C). Harper had a hard time solving Madison starter Brandon Parr, who threw a complete game and struck out five batters.

The WolfPack (7-8-1, 2-0 N4C) scored three runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to take command. Bryce Plate was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs in the game.

The Hawks struggled at the plate in game two as well, going a combined 3-for-16 as a team. B.J. Wingerter (Prospect Heights, Ill. /Hersey), Paul Kramolisch (/Bolingbrook), and Branden Davis (/Rich East) each had singles. The WolfPack's Alec Haluzak (3-0) pitched four scoreless innings to earn the win.

Madison capitalized on eight Harper errors and a big day at the plate from right fielder Chris Lund (3-for-4, six RBIs). Seven of the 14 runs surrendered by Harper pitchers Clint O'Neal (Farmer City, Ill./Blue Ridge) and Eddy Valenzuela (Melose Park, Ill. /West Leyden) were unearned. O'Neal (0-1) last just 2 2/3 innings, giving up eight runs (seven earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out two.

The Hawks return to conference play on Tuesday with an N4C doubleheader at Rock Valley College (7-11, 1-3 N4C). First pitch of game one is set for 2 PM in Rockford.

Harper Bats Quiet in Losses at Joliet

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

JOLIET, Ill. – The Harper College baseball team failed to generate much offense on Friday afternoon in their conference opener at Joliet Junior College. The Hawks managed just six hits total in two games and dropped both, 10-0 and 9-1.

Harper managed just six total hits in two losses at Joliet on Friday. (Jim Cummins)

In game one, the Hawks (0-4, 0-2 N4C) managed just two hits off Wolves (9-12, 2-0 N4C) starter Matthew Taller. Taller pitched five innings and struck out six batters. Sophomores B.J. Wingerter (Prospect Heights, Ill. /Hersey) and Matty Donovan (Chicago, Ill./Saint Patrick) had the only hits for Harper.

Harper starting pitcher Christian Poulsen (Schaumburg, Ill. /Schaumburg) (0-2) lasted four innings, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Harper totaled four hits in the 9-1 loss. Poulsen was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored, and Paul Kramolisch (/Bolingbrook) had the lone RBI for Harper. The Wolves outhit the Hawks 12-4. Harper starter Travis Lindquist (Madison, Wis. /James Madison Memorial ) (0-2) surrendered nine runs on 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings of work, but only three runs were earned.

Joliet starting pitcher Patrick Kenny pitched six innings of two-hit ball and struck out eight Hawks batters. Shortstop Thomas Smith was 3-for-3 with three RBIs.

The Hawks have a quick turnaround, as they will travel to Madison College (5-8-1, 0-0 N4C) on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at noon. The games were originally scheduled to be played at Harper College.