Allen, Hardman named to baseball poll
By Rob Vignali
Apache baseball players Brent Allen and Steve Hardman have been named in the top 31 players in Illinois in the National Blue Chip Junior College Poll.
Allen, a switch-hitting center fielder, attended Ottawa High School where he played baseball and football. He is a sophomore transfer from Black Hawk College.
"Brent is an intense player," said coach Bob Koopmann, who is entering his second season as the head baseball coach. "His (Allen’s) strengths are that he has power from both sides of the place and he has speed. Not very many people have both."
Hardman, a right-handed pitcher, went to Driscoll Catholic High School. He comes to the Apache roster as a sophomore transfer from the University of Illinois – Chicago.
"Hardman’s strengths are his tenacity. He’s not a thrower; he knows how to pitch," said Koopmann. Koopmann added that Hardman has an 84-mile-per-hour pitch.
The season will begin with a series of games in Florida March 5 through 14, over spring break. The Apaches will also travel to the Metro Dome in Minnesota to play on March 16.
The first home game is March 18 against Sauk Valley.
Coach Bob Koopmann expects a strong season.
"There is a lot more depth this season than last with pitching, and there is a lot more offense also," the coach said.
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