New look for Harper under coach Plaza

The Harper College softball team that finished last season 14-15 will sport a different look in 2016.

The coach of last year's team, Cray Allen, has departed the program, and former Harper baseball player Scott Plaza in now in charge.

Plaza says his transition to a new sport is going "smoother than expected."

Harper kicks off its season this weekend in the the N4C Dome Jamboree, held at The Dome at the Ballpark in Rosemont. The Hawks will play five games in the three-day event.

Harper will have a matchup against defending national champion Rock Valley College at 1 p.m. Saturday, along with multiple foes from the North Central Community College Conference. One non-N4C program in action will be Prairie State, who the Hawks face Saturday.

Harper's roster lists 12 players, including a pair of players from last year's team which saw its season end in the Region IV title game.

Hersey alum Emily Butler, who played in 29 games last season, may be the most versatile of them. She can play four positions.

"She has a consistent swing," Plaza said of his projected No. 4 four hitter, who finished with 16 hits and 10 walks last spring.

Jess McCabe played in 22 games last season. The Prospect grad had 11 hits last year and scored 16 runs; the center fielder is expected to hit near the bottom of the order and is a threat on the basepaths.

One promising newcomer is Lakeland College (Wis.) transfer Jordan Dallman, who started a couple of times last season for the Muskies. The Lake Park alum will hit in the heart of the order for Harper.

Among the freshmen likely to have an impact are Isabelle McGuinnis, Kelsey Hughes and Sandra Portogallo.

McGuinnis (Hersey) is Harper's top pitcher. Hughes (Schaumburg) is a pitcher who Plaza says has a good fastball and a developing changeup, and Portogallo (Conant) will contribute at shortstop and a likely spot at No. 5 in the batting order.

"We have a good group," Plaza said of his roster, adding that he has "a lot of athletes on the team. The girls come in and get their work done."