Jack Howard hit a solo home run and quality pitching gave the Chaparrals a 6-3 victory in Tuesday's opener against host Waubonsee College in a nonconference doubleheader.
 
The Chaparrals, who are now 8-8 overall after dropping the nightcap 5-3, are at Elgin Community College on Wednesday for a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m.
 
Game 1: Chaparrals 6, Waubonsee 3
The Chaps rallied after trailing 2-0 with four unanswered runs, then padded the lead with a two-run seventh.
 
Corey Vondra went 2-for-5 for the Chaps, who totaled eight hits in support of starting pitcher Jake Berger. Peter Sedlacek doubled with two RBI.
 
Berger went 4 2/3 innings for the victory. He scattered four hits and allowed all three runs (all earned). Relievers Kolten Kapusinski, Ian Pickell and Chris Donahue combined on scoreless relief over the final 2 1/3 innings. Donahue earned the save with a pair of strikeouts. Pickell also had two strikeouts.
 
Game 2: Waubonsee 5, Chaparrals 3
Waubonsee grabbed the lead early, scoring four runs in the first inning and led 5-0 through five.
 
Jack Oberli and Sherman Martin each doubled for the Chaps, who had six hits. Oberli had a pair of hits with two RBI and Isaac Bracher had one RBI.
 
Mitch Sandleback also had two hits.
 
On the mound, Tommy Louch took the loss despite five strikeouts without a walk. All five runs allowed were unearned.