Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PALATINE, IL-  The Harper College baseball team played host to the College of DuPage Chaparrals on Wednesday.  The Hawks were able to comeback from an early deficit for a game one win but did not have the same luck in game two.

GAME 1

In the top of the first, the Chaparrals took advantage of an error and wild pitch to go ahead 3-0.  Harper was able to answer back in the bottom of the second after an error, hit by pitch, and walk loaded the bases.  Troy Tucci (/Guerin College Prep) came through with a two-run single to make the score 3-2.  The Hawks were able to keep COD off the board in the top of the third and took the lead in the bottom of the frame.  Ryan Roberts (/Conant High School) was hit by a pitch and Matt Paprzycki (/Plainfield South) reached on an error.  Michael Woods (/Elk Grove) then came up with a two-run triple and Nicholas Sbertoli drove Woods in with a single.  By the end of the inning, Harper held a 5-3 lead.

The score remained the same until the 6th when COD put up two more runs to tie the game at 5.  Once again, the Hawks would claw their way back after Landon Flippin (/Harrisonville High School, MO) led off the bottom of the inning with a single.  Josh Caceras followed with a double and Roberts drove both in with another double.  Woods then put the final run across with a single to score Roberts for an 8-5 lead.  COD would put across two more in the top of the 7th but Ryan Roberts (/Conant High School) notched a strikeout to end the game.

Michael Woods (/Elk Grove) led the way for the Hawks, going 2-4 with a double, 3 RBI, and 2 runs.  Justin Meyer (/Buffalo Grove) kept the Hawks in the game, going 5 innings, allowing 3 earned runs.  Ryan Roberts (/Conant High School) earned the win in relief, throwing 2 innings and giving up 2 runs.

GAME 2

The Harper bats did not have the same luck in game two as the Hawks were not able to push a run across until the 6th.  COD put up runs in each inning from the 2nd through 5th to go ahead 8-0.  Harper scored two runs in the 6th and 7th, but were not able to spark a comeback from the early deficit.

The Hawks put up 10 hits and drew 4 walks, but could not get the big hit early to drive their runners in.  The defense did not help either as the team had 6 errors that contributed to 7 unearned runs.  Matt Johnson (/Hersey) pitched a strong game, going 5 innings, allowing only 2 earned runs and striking out 6.  Tim Fauth (/Conant) led the way on offense, going 3-3 with a double and an RBI.

With the split, the Hawks moved to 8-16 overall and 2-2 in N4C play.  Harper's next conference matchup will be against Rock Valley College in Rockford on Friday.  First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.