Bregman Cares Tournament
The Howard College Hawks men's baseball team made their mark at the Bregman Cares Tournament in Sugar Land, TX, this past weekend. Despite some tough matchups, the Hawks showed their grit, bouncing back from a challenging first game to snag a victory before narrowly falling in the final game of the weekend.
Game 1: Hawks Drop Opener to Paris Junior College
The Hawks kicked off the tournament with a game against Paris Junior College, and while the team showed flashes of brilliance, they ultimately fell 12-2.
Howard got on the board early in the third inning when Austin Frye hit a triple to drive in the first run of the game. But the momentum would be short-lived, as Paris exploded in the bottom of the fourth.
The Hawks didn't go down without a fight, though. In the top of the fifth, David Ruesca launched a solo home run to left field, cutting Paris's lead to 5-2. However, Paris responded and continued to pile on the runs.
James Placke started on the mound for the Hawks, giving up five runs over three and two-thirds innings. He struck out two batters and walked two, but the Hawks struggled to contain Paris's offense. Frye and Ruesca each had two hits, with both driving in a run, but Howard couldn't keep up, and the game ended with a 12-2 loss.
Game 2: Hawks Bounce Back with a 5-3 Win Over Galveston College
After the tough loss, the Hawks came out swinging in their second game against Galveston College. Howard bounced back with a 5-3 victory, showing the kind of resilience that defines this team.
Ruesca was a big contributor once again, hitting a solo home run to right field in the second inning to put the Hawks on the board. The offense kept rolling in the third inning as Jimmy Dionne grounded out to drive in a run, and a wild pitch allowed another run to score, putting Howard up 3-2.
The Hawks grabbed the lead in the fourth inning when Austin Frye drew a walk to score another run, giving them a 4-3 advantage. From there, the pitching staff took control, with Anthony Marano putting on a clinic in relief. Marano pitched four and two-thirds innings of shutout ball, allowing no hits and striking out three.
Kurt Kassner started the game for Howard, giving up three runs on one hit over two and one-third innings, striking out four and walking four. But it was the Hawks' defense and pitching that held firm, and the bats kept coming through when it mattered most.
David Hernandez, Howard's number nine hitter, had a breakout performance, leading the team with three hits in three at-bats. Dionne, Hernandez, and Ruesca each drove in one run, and Colton Klapprodt added two hits of his own in five at-bats. It was a complete team effort as the Hawks took the victory 5-3.
Game 3: Hawks Fall Short Against Navarro College
In the final game of the weekend, the Hawks came up short in a tough 7-5 loss to Navarro College. Despite a strong performance on the mound from Sam Jackson, who pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out an impressive eight batters, Howard couldn't seal the deal.
The Hawks had some late-game opportunities but were unable to catch Navarro, leaving them with a 7-5 defeat. Hawks left the tournament stading at 3-3 on the season.
Looking Ahead: The Hawks Return Home for Valentine's Day Showdown
Despite the loss in the final game, the Hawks proved their mettle in Sugar Land, bouncing back with a gritty win and showing they can compete with some of the best teams in the region.
Now, they'll return home to Big Spring, TX, for a Valentine's Day matchup against Northeast Texas Community College on February 14th. With the lessons learned this weekend and a chance to play on home turf, the Hawks are looking forward to getting back on track and building momentum for the rest of the season.