This game started out in a defensive battle, with both teams playing error free. The first 3 innings there was not a single run scored. The closest run to score was in the top of the 3rd inning when Dan Whitney of Chabot was on third base and Ian Dawkins singled forcing Whitney home. However, 3rd baseman Hunter Carolan slinged it to catcher Logan Marston getting Whitney out at home. The score still remained 0-0, until the bottom of the 4th inning. Drake Atlee would lead the Hawks off at bat for the inning; Atlee then crushed the ball for a home run, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead. However, that would be the only score for the Hawks in the bottom of the 4th, with the last out coming on a double play. The next 4 innings were played with solid defense on both sides of the benches. In the top of the 8th inning, Patrick Massoni led off to bat for Chabot. Massoni was walked by Zach Stilwell. The next at bat for Chabot was Ian Dawkins; Dawkins hit a double, advancing Massoni to 3rd base. Next up was Ryan Howell; Howell would fly out to centerfield man Kasey Chapan. The Hawks then make a sub at the mound, putting in Shane Martin in for Stilwell. Stilwell put on a great performance in the first 7 and a half innings, facing 30 batters, allowing only 5 hits, and finishing the day with 3 strikeouts. The Hawks escape the top of the 8th inning with a strikeout, and a grounded out from 3rd base to 1st base.
In the top of the 9th inning, the Hawks would make another sub at the mound, taking out Martin for Josh Pigg. Martin finished the day facing 2 batters, and striking one of them out. After regulation the Hawks and the Chabot Gladiators were headed to extra innings. The Gladiators start at bat in the top of the 10th inning. Robert Smith leads off to bat, and Pigg strikes him out. Massoni is up next and he flies out to left filed for the out. With 2 outs, Dawkins comes up and gets walked by Pigg. However during the next at bat, Pigg and 1st baseman Zach Mahon pick off Dawkins off at first, ending the top of the 10th inning. Josh Cosio leads off for the Hawks in the bottom of the 10th, Cosio pops up to 2nd base, for the first out of the inning. Mahon is up next and hits a solid single, putting him on 1st base. The Gladiators make a pitching change and sub out Ulysses Ramos for Sean Jenkins. On the next pitch the ball gets away from Jenkins, letting Mahon free to advance to 2nd base. Atlee is at bat and gets walked, and the Hawks are looking good with 1 out and a man on 1st and 3rd. Adam Castelan (pictured right) is at bat for the Hawks, and he hits a clutch single down the 3rd base line, advancing Mahon home for the Win!
Josh Pigg would put on another great performance in this game to close it out from the mound. Pigg faced 6 batters in total, allowing 0 hits, and striking out 3 of them. The Hawks displayed solid defense, great team chemistry, and determination to finish out this dramatic win.
The Hawks effort in this game shows that they are on track for having a great season. Beating these good teams in non Conference play is really great for setting up the Hawks for a tough Big 8 ahead, with 2 teams as well as CRC starting out undefeated.
The Hawks next match up is Friday, February 14th at Sequoias College at 2:00 PM. This looks to be a great game with the Hawks coming in at 5-0 and Sequoias at 6-2 overall.