The Hawks baseball team has gotten off to a slower start than anticipated during the preseason, starting the season 6-9. The team lost five games in a row in the middle of February; this coming off the heels of their only back-to-back wins thus far. During the losing streak, the Hawks were outscored 34-12, including a 2-0 shutout v. Indian River State College.

  Although in an early rough patch of their schedule, the Hawks showed much heart in a Valentine’s Day rematch at Indian River State College. The Hawks managed to end their losing streak, winning the game 9-3 behind the offense of catcher Michael Ballestero. Ballestero led the scoring barrage for Hawks, going 4 for 4 with 4 RBI’s. The offense was supported with stellar pitching, as starter Chase Ingram threw 6 and one-third innings with 10 strikeouts, with RP Dylan Drawdy throwing 2 and one-third flawless innings to insure the victory.

  Despite the sub-par record, some Hawks have continued to soar above the rest. Everyday catcher Jesse Haney is leading starters on the team in batting average hitting .377 with 20 hits, 10 RBIs, and one of the team’s five home runs this year. The bullpen, who have been keeping the Hawks in games after inconsistent starting pitching, are lead by Marc Stewart. Stewart, who has a 0.60 ERA in 15 innings of relief, also leads the team in strikeouts with 30.

  Four days after their Valentine’s Day win over Indian River State College, the Hawks pulled off what might be their most impressive win of the year, an 8-7 comeback on the road v. College of Central Florida in Ocala. Trailing 6-3 going into the eighth inning, the Hawks were able to rally to score 5 runs in the top of the inning to take the lead, one they never surrendered. The Hawks were headed by timely hitting from infielder Christopher Garcia Jr., who went three for five with five RBIs to lead the comeback effort. Pitcher Tanner Watkins came in to close out the game in the ninth, securing his first save of the season as well as a huge confidence booster for the Hawks going into one of their hardest parts of the schedule.

  The Hawks will end the month of February on a 6 game road trip, their longest span playing away from their Dale Mabry home this year. During the stretch, the team will be competing near and far, from down the road, to across the state. The Hawks meets the University of Tampa on Feb. 25, but not before traveling to Lake Worth, FL, for a weekend series v. Palm Beach State College Feb. 21-22. After traveling over 900 miles over the duration of their trip, the Hawks will return home on March 6 to host South Florida State College, their first of three games in a row against the school.

  Remember, admissions to all home games are free with your HCC student ID card. If you don’t have a student ID yet, go to the Student Services on your campus to get yours for free!