Harper baseball went 3-0 yesterday after defeating DIII #15 Joliet Junior College 9-3 in 11 innings.

According to Harper College Athletics, the Hawks have had their best season start in over 20 years. 

The scoring started early for the Hawks 2nd where Spencer Geake scored on an error. The Hawks added to the lead in the 4th on sac fly by Dominic Jacoby making the score 2-0. Another Hawks run in the 6th made it 3-0.

They held that lead until Joliet scored 1 run in each of the last three innings. At 3-3, Joliet had the winning run on third with one out in the 9th, but Hawks pitcher Danny Broeker struck out back-to-back hitters to force extra innings. 

Both teams had a 1-2-3 10th inning, which led to the 11th where the Hawks truly broke out. With two walks and a bunt single to start the top of the 11th, the Hawks were in business. 

Alex Tabbert’s single scored two and then Derek Costilla’s single scored another run making it 6-3 Hawks. The real dagger was when Kevin Geake hit a grounder to Joliet’s shortstop that was not fielded, resulting in an error and two more runs for the Hawks. Later in the inning the Hawks made it 9-3 on a Michael Mango sac fly. 

Hawks newcomer Jeremy Florez sealed the deal in the bottom of the inning, and led the Hawks to their 9-3 win.

Pitcher Mason Hulligan started for the Hawks, going 3 scoreless innings and striking out 3. Jeremy Florez got the win, and pitched 2 scoreless innings while fanning 3 batters as well. 

The 3-0 start is promising for the Hawks’ young coaching staff led by Coach Dominic Milano, Hank Schau, and Mason Schaller, as the team hasn’t had a winning season since 2014.

The next chance for the Hawks to continue their winning streak will be on Friday, March 7th when they take on Waubonsee in a double header at home! The games will be played at 2:00pm and 4:30pm. Incoming Chicago spring weather will be a factor on Friday, so stay tuned.