Hawks Open Conference Play With A Bang

The Howard College Hawks made a statement in their WJCAC conference opener, sweeping Clarendon College in a dominant four-game series. The Hawks showcased their offensive firepower, outscoring their opponents by a combined 45-11 across the weekend.

Day 1: Strong Start Sets the Tone

The Hawks opened the series with a convincing 10-2 victory. Christian Gutierrez led the way, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Sam Distel added three hits and an RBI. David Ruesca delivered a three-RBI performance, helping Howard College jump out to an early lead and never look back. On the mound, Samuel Jackson pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out six to secure the win.

In the second game of the day, the Hawks' bats stayed hot in an 8-2 triumph. Distel continued his strong day, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs, while Ruesca added another multi-hit game, driving in a pair of runs. Isaiah Shivers contributed with a two-run double, and Howard College's pitching staff remained steady, limiting Clarendon's offense to minimal damage.

Day 2: Offensive Explosion Seals the Sweep

The Hawks picked up where they left off in the first game of the doubleheader, cruising to a 10-2 victory. Distel remained unstoppable at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Gutierrez added two more hits and drove in two runs. Ruesca stayed clutch with another three-RBI performance, and Jimmy Dionne, Louis Felix Anderson, and Andrew Lind each chipped in RBIs to fuel the offensive surge. Jackson dominated on the mound again, tossing six strong innings with six strikeouts.

The series finale saw Howard College put an exclamation mark on the sweep with a 15-5 rout. Distel had a monster performance, going 5-for-5 with two RBIs and four runs scored. Ruesca kept up his hot streak, tallying three hits and two RBIs, while Dionne, Colton Klapprodt, and Gavin Speirs each drove in multiple runs. The Hawks racked up 20 hits in the game, overwhelming Clarendon's pitching staff. Ryder Melsa earned the win, striking out three over five innings before Kurt Kassner closed it out with a scoreless frame.

Howard College's bats were on fire all weekend, with Distel leading the way with an incredible 11-hit series. Gutierrez, Ruesca, and Dionne also played key roles in the offensive explosion, setting the tone for what looks to be an exciting conference slate ahead. With this dominant sweep, the Hawks have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned.