Baseball 4-Game Home Stand
The Howard College Hawks took the field for a four-game home stand this weekend, showcasing moments of brilliance, explosive offense, and a little bit of everything in between.
Game 1: Hawks Soar to a 5-1 Victory
Howard set the tone early in the series, riding a dominant pitching performance and a standout day from Jimmy Dionne to secure a 5-1 win. Dionne was locked in at the plate, going 3-for-4, including a solo blast to right in the fifth. He also kicked off the scoring in the first with an RBI single, giving the Hawks an early edge. James Placke was lights-out on the mound, tossing five innings of two-hit ball while allowing just an unearned run. Chandler Fowler and Tyler Hrin slammed the door in relief, while the Hawks flashed some leather, turning a smooth double play and swiping three bags along the way.
Game 2: Late Rally Falls Short in 9-6 Loss
Dionne continued his hot streak in the nightcap, launching another home run and collecting three more hits, but the Hawks couldn't climb out of an early hole, falling 9-6. Down seven runs in the final frame, Howard refused to go quietly. David Hernandez ripped a two-run double before Dionne's two-run homer cut the deficit to three, but that was as close as they'd get. Anthony Marano got the start and battled through three innings, while the offense showed its resilience late, setting the stage for an eventful Saturday.
Game 3: Offensive Fireworks in a Wild Slugfest
Saturday's opener turned into a full-on hit parade, but the Hawks came up short in a jaw-dropping 27-14 showdown. Both teams combined for 42 hits, with Howard hammering out 17 of their own. Dionne drove in five runs, going 4-for-5, while David Hernandez and David Ruesca both launched solo homers. The Hawks came out swinging, jumping ahead 3-2 in the first after RBI knocks from Chris Gutierrez, Colton Klapprodt, and Ruesca. Despite the offensive explosion, the visitors answered in a big way, pulling away in the later innings.
Game 4: Big Swings, Tough Finish in 12-8 Loss
The Hawks brought the power in the series finale but couldn't fend off a late surge, falling 12-8. After giving up an early homer in the first, Howard responded in a big way, flipping the script with a five-run second inning. Austin Frye delivered the biggest blow of the frame, ripping a two-run double as the Hawks grabbed a 5-2 lead. Gavin Speirs added to the fireworks in the third, launching a two-run homer to right. Speirs, Hernandez, and Ruesca each had two hits, while Keller Rivers showed patience at the plate, drawing three walks. Despite the offensive production, Howard couldn't hold the lead, as the visitors strung together a few key innings to take control.
The Hawks next home stretch will be on February 25th VS Weatherford College.