Hot Hawks Hammer Home Series
Howard College VS Western Texas College
Game 1: Howard College 5, Western Texas College 2
Howard College opened their doubleheader against Western Texas College with a solid 5-2 victory, thanks to timely hitting and strong pitching performances. The Hawks were able to break a 1-1 tie with a four-run burst from the 5th through the 6th innings, ultimately holding onto the win.
Notable Performances:
- Christian Gutierrez was a standout at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 2 runs and an RBI.
- Sam Distel also contributed with a 2-for-4 effort, scoring once and driving in one.
- David Ruesca added a key RBI to help Howard build their lead.
On the mound, James Placke was excellent, earning the win with 6.1 innings of work. He allowed just 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, striking out 2 and walking 1. Chandler Fowler finished the job, pitching 0.2 innings of scoreless relief to seal the victory.
Western Texas College struggled offensively, only managing 7 hits and leaving 2 runners on base. The team could not capitalize on their chances, while Marcus Sanders, who started on the mound for the Westerners, allowed 4 earned runs over 5.2 innings of work.
Box Score Highlights:
- Howard College: 5 runs on 10 hits with 1 error.
- Western Texas College: 2 runs on 7 hits with 2 errors.
Game 2: Howard College 16, Western Texas College 7
In the nightcap, Howard College's offense exploded for 16 runs on 20 hits, cruising to a 16-7 win in another crucial conference matchup. The Hawks put together a six-run 5th inning, which ultimately broke the game open and set the stage for a dominant finish.
Key Contributions:
- Sam Distel was a major offensive force, going 5-for-6 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
- Jimmy Dionne had a big day as well, contributing 1 hit, including a 3-run triple, and 4 RBIs.
- David Hernandez chipped in with 2 RBIs on 2 hits, including a double, while also scoring twice.
- Gavin Speirs added 4 hits and 1 RBI in a strong showing.
On the mound, Anthony Marano started and went 3.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, while striking out 2. He was relieved by Wes Cunningham, who picked up the win in 3.1 innings of solid relief, allowing just 2 runs (both earned) on 5 hits. Tyler Hrin and Matthew Dinae combined to finish out the game, each contributing to a 1-run final frame for the Hawks.
Western Texas College showed some fight, scoring 7 runs on 11 hits. However, they were unable to contain Howard's high-powered offense, and the pitching staff struggled to keep pace.
Box Score Highlights:
- Howard College: 16 runs on 20 hits with 2 errors.
- Western Texas College: 7 runs on 11 hits with 3 errors.
These two wins put Howard College in a strong position for the rest of the weekend series, with impressive performances at the plate and solid pitching helping them gain an early advantage in the conference battle.
Day 2: Howard College Baseball Takes 1 of 2 in Thrilling Doubleheader with Western Texas College
Howard College took to the field at home this time for a doubleheader against Western Texas College, bringing the heat for a dramatic split.
In Game 1, the Hawks showed off their pitching and timely hitting to secure a 7-5 victory. The offense exploded early, scoring all seven runs in the first three innings. Sam Distel was on fire, going 3-for-3 with an RBI, and Andrew Lind crushed a solo homer to lead the charge. The bullpen was equally impressive, with Samuel Jackson picking up the win after tossing 5 solid innings, allowing just 2 earned runs while striking out 2. A little hiccup came in the 6th inning with a 3-run rally from Western Texas, but the Hawks held on to seal the deal.
However, Game 2 proved to be a little more chaotic. A wild 11-8 loss saw the Hawks' bats continue to fire, but not quite enough to overcome Western Texas' offensive onslaught. Christian Gutierrez delivered a clutch 3-RBI performance, while Keller Rivers added a 2-RBI double and a pair of hits. Despite the efforts, the Hawks were outlasted, dropping the game after a 3-run top of the 9th inning by the visitors. It was a tough loss, but the team showed heart in battling back after a 4-run deficit in the first inning.
With the split, the Hawks maintain a 16-12 overall record and a strong 10-2 conference record, but their 1-game losing streak left them hungry for redemption as they look ahead to their next game. The Hawks will return to action on March 28th for a 4-game home stand against Amarillo College.