Holly Springs Started off pool play facing off against the Stafford Vipers out of Virginia at the beautiful Coastal Carolina University field. Though the game was tight through 4 innings, the Hawks busted the game open in the 5th inning cruising to a 9-2 victory. Marshall Creech and Brandon Loy combined on the mound for the victory only giving up 3 hits in the win. John Voltz led the Hawks with two hits.
The Hawks faced the top rated team out of Tennessee in the second pool play game. The Knoxville squad was loaded with big hitters, however Philip Simpson was masterful on the mound keeping Knoxville off balance most of the game. Simpson scattered 5 hits to pitch a complete game shut out and allowing the Hawks to roll to a 10-0 win. Coach Nazabal noted it was the most complete game both offensively and defensively the Hawks had played this season. John Voltz picked up two hits and Justin Christian and Jordan Towler both paced the Hawks with three hits a piece.
As well as the Hawks played in the earlier game of the day, they had a rough start against Team Connecticut falling behind 7-1 after two innings. However the Hawks began to collect themselves and rally from the deep hole they dug for themselves. Battling back, the Hawks found themselves down 9 to 8 with bases loaded and two outs in the last inning only to see their comeback fall short.
Entering bracket play, the Hawks were pitted against the Hampton Hurricanes out of Virginia. Jordan Towler started on the mound and pitched 6 strong innings, only giving up three hits and zero runs during the stint on the mound. The Hawks did all their damage in two separate innings. In the 4th, after back to back singles from Henry Simpson and Matt Swartz-Vega, Zach Lancaster picked up an RBI double and was followed by a 2 RBI single from Vincent Addona. The Hawks tallied their final run of the frame when Justin Christian singled home Addona. The Hawks picked up three insurance runs in the 6th inning with singles from Jordan Towler and Ethan Nazabal and big triple from Grayson Lee. The 7-1 victory was preserved by Zach Lancaster in the 7th.
The Hawks advanced in bracket play to face the Virginia Sluggers. It was a hard fought game that went 10 innings in true win-or-go-home fashion. The Hawks led most of the game only to see the game tied up in the bottom of the 6th inning. The score remained tied 5-5 until the 10th inning when singles by Vincent Addona, John Voltz , Jordan Towler and Brandon Loy allowed the Hawks to score three runs. Offensively Addona was on fire at the plate all game going a perfect 5 for 5 for the game. Brandon Loy picked up three base knocks, while John Voltz and Jordan Towler picked up two hits each. Vincent Addona threw 5 2/3 innings in the start before giving way to Loy & Lancaster in relief.
Continuing their trek to the big game, Holly Springs matched up against the number #1 seed in the tournament, 6-4-3 DP out of Georgia. The Hawks once again found themselves down 6-1 early in the game. The Hawks battled back to close the gap to 9-7 entering the last inning. A walk and back to back singles by Justin Christian and Jordan Towler loaded the bases and set the table for Brandon Loy’s 7th inning heroics. Brandon delivered with a bases clearing double down the right field line that allowed three runs to cross the plate. Philip Simpson’s RBI single added an insurance run to propel the Hawks to an 11-9 victory. Marshall Creech, Philip Simpson and Zach Lancaster combined on the mound for the win.
The Holly Springs Hawks advanced to the semi-final game against the #1 rated, out of Ohio, Union Post 79. The game was played at BB&T Park where the minor league Pelicans plays. Falling behind early seemed to be a habit for the Hawks as they once again fell behind 8-0. However, in true Hawks fashion, the team showed heart by battling back, but this time there would be no late inning magic as their rally fell short in the losing effort to the eventual champion, 10-7. Ethan Nazabal came in to pitch in relief and only allowed 2 runs. Offensively Addona picked up two hits for the Hawks.
This tournament was bitter-sweet for the Hawks as it would be their last tournament as a team for the Holly Springs Hawks will be transitioning into Showcase baseball with the Canes organization (www.canesbaseball.net). Over the 5 seasons the Hawks have been together, they have amassed a 117 – 40 record, with 16 tournament championships and 8 second place finishes. Along the way, they also captured a USSSA State Championship as well as a Global World Series Championship. The team competed at the highest level for travel baseball teams in State and National tournaments and represented their communities in proud fashion.
Coach Nazabal and Coach Towler would like to thank all the players and parents who have played with the Hawks over the past 5 seasons. Without the commitment from these players and their families, the Hawks would not have enjoyed the successes they’ve had. Special thanks goes out to Coby Bowen, Justin Christian, Ethan Nazabal, Kyle Patterson, Henry Simpson, Philip Simpson, Matt Swartz-Vega and Jordan Towler who were founding members of the Hawks and stayed the course through our successful 5 season run.
Post a Comment
