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Hebron Hawks:
2008 Archive |
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Next Booster Club Meeting:
Next Baseball Booster Club Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 7 p.m. in the Fieldhouse. Please make note of the 7 p.m. start times. The meetings used to be at 6 :30 p.m., but this provides a little extra time for parents to get to the meeting if they have to come from work.
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BOOSTER CLUB MEETINGS: The Booster Club meets the third Wednesday of every month (unless a school-related conflict occurs), 7 p.m., in an office room in the fieldhouse. All Booster Club members are encouraged to attend.
 | | Taylor Payne trots around the bases after his grand-slam HR (Sonya Warren pics) | |
Thursday, February 28
HEBRON JV BLACK GETS OFFENSIVE IN 26-2 WIN IN SEASON OPENER
|  | | Bret Wurzbacj slugged his first, and second, high school HRs Thursday. | |
The Hawks players, coaches and fans have been waiting for the bats to roll, and roll they did in an opening round 26-2 explosion versus Denton Guyer in the Hebron JV Classic at Hawk Field.
The Hawk offense posted 14 Hits, 12 Walks and produced 19 RBI's to back starter Tim Wallace to his first win of the young season. Tim hurled a 3-hitter with 6 strikeouts while allowing only one run through four innings. Bret Wurzbach pitched the fifth and final inning, giving up one run before the game ended due to the mercy rule.
The offense was led by second baseman Bret Wurzbach (2-2, 2 Home runs, 2 walks, 1 HBP, 7 RBI's) and third baseman Taylor Payne (3-4, Grand-Slam HR, 6 RBI's). Other multi hit performances included shortstop John Allen (2-3, double, sac bunt) and first baseman Lance Warren (2-3, triple, 2 walks). Every Hawk position player got in on the action as Hebron scored 6 runs in the first, 13 runs in the second, 5 runs in the third and 2 runs in the fourth.
The Hebron JV Black Team will host Colleyville Heritage in a second round game on Friday, February 29 at 2:30 PM. Coach Davis and Coach Mansanales may have to issue Track Shoes if the trend continues.
--Gary Payne
JV BLACK HAWKS FALL TO SOUTHLAKE CARROLL IN HEBRON TOURNEY CHAMPIONSHIP
|  | | Jon Lueders and the JV Black Hawks finished second in the Hebron JV Classic. | |
Two Southlake Carroll pitchers held the Hawk batters to three hits over seven innings as Hebron was forced to settle for second place in the Hebron JV Classic at Hawk Field. Both Dragon pitchers were absolutely dominating on this night, mixing above average fast balls with an assortment of excellent off speed pitches.
The Hawks actually grabbed an early 1-0 lead after catcher Ryan McElveen (1-for-4) scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning when the Southlake catcher struggled to handle the velocity and movement of his battery mate's pitches. The Dragons responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning on four singles to take a 2-1 lead off Hawk starter Nick Sawyer (4 2/3 innings pitched, 8 strike outs). The Hawks quickly countered with the tying run in the second after Sawyer (1-for-2, double, 2 walks) coaxed a walk, stole second and scored on a throwing error by the pitcher.
The Dragons plated 3 runs in the third, the big blow a two run scoring triple by the Southlake center fielder to take a 5-2 lead. The Hawks, still looking for their first base hit began to chip away when the big flame thrower walked Sawyer for the second time, hit two consecutive batters (OUCH) and gave up an infield single to McElveen. The Hawks closed the inning down 5-4 but seemed to have found some renewed faith.
After holding the Dragons scoreless in the fourth, Hebron used that confidence to regain the lead in the fifth when Taylor Payne (3 walks, run scored) reached base on his third consecutive base on balls and advanced to third on Sawyers double to right center off the Dragon reliever. Both runners eventually scored on a series of passed balls and the Hawks had somehow managed to take a 6-5 lead against two dominate pitchers that their catcher couldn't even handle.
Unfortunately the lead was short lived as the Dragons scored three in the bottom of the fifth and two in the sixth to take a 10-6 lead while holding the Hawks the rest of the way to a lone single by shortstop John Allen. Lance Warren came on in relief and pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to close the game with a final score of 10-6.
JV Black hits the field again on Wednesday, March 5, 6:00 PM at Justin Northwest.
--Gary Payne
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HEBRON JV BLACK SPLITS A PAIR IN THE LISD TOURNAMENT
The Hawks won their opener 11-3 against host Lewisville but struggled to compete in a 9-1 loss in the nightcap with Lake Highlands. It's difficult to explain how the same team can look so different against similar competition.
In the opener Hawk starter Nick Sawyer (3 strikeouts, 2 hits) looked strong through three innings only yielding a pair of unearned runs in the first inning, the result of two consecutive infield errors. The Hawks erased the deficit in a big way by scoring 6 runs in the second inning to take a 6-2 lead. The first big hit came from outfielder Wes Hammer (1-for-2, 2 RBI's, 2 runs scored) who stroked a hard single to left scoring two runners that had reached base after a hit by pitch and a fielders choice. Second baseman Bret Wurzbach (1-for-4, 2 RBI's) followed two batters later with a solid single to score two runs. Two more runs scored on fielders choices as the Hawks sent 10 batters to the plate.
After a scoreless third by both teams and a one run fourth by the Hawks that pushed the lead to 7-2, Hebron scored 4 runs in the fifth to take the score to 11-2. Sawyer (2-for-3, double, RBI) opened the inning with a double to left center. Third baseman Taylor Payne (1-for-2, double, 2 runs scored) doubled over the center fielders head to score Sawyer and then raced home when first baseman Lance Warren drove a deep fly ball that the left fielder mishandled allowing Warren to reach second. Designated hitter Jon Lueders (1-for-3, RBI, 2 runs scored) followed with a single to score Warren and catcher Tim Wallace (1-for-2, RBI) closed the scoring with a single to left bringing home Lueders.
Reliever's Taylor Payne and Bret Wurzbach combined to pitch the final two innings, allowing 1 run for a final score of 11-3 and giving Nick Sawyer a well deserved win.
Not a whole lot to report in the second game unless you were a Lake Highlands fan. The Hebron pitchers were pounded for 10 hits (4 doubles), the defense committed 6 errors and the game lasted an unmerciful 7 full innings.
The lone bright spot for Hebron was when shortstop John Allen (2-for-3, 1 run scored) singled to break up the Lake Highlands no hitter in the fourth then added a second single in the seventh. Outfielder Wes Hammer stroked a single to right center to complete the Hebron offensive onslaught for the evening. I apologize for the sarcasm but I'd much rather have been home knitting!!!!
--Gary Payne
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 | | Lance Warren tossed three scoreless innings of relief at Creekview. | |
Wednesday, March 19
|  | | Kyle Trammell was 1-for-1 with 3 RBI. (Sonya Warren photos) | |
HEBRON JV BLACK OPENS DISTRICT PLAY WITH 12-5 WIN AT CREEKVIEW
The Hawks offense scored in every inning, rode the relief pitching of Lance Warren and the Home Run power of Bret Wurzbach to a victory versus cross town rival Creekview Mustangs. Due to a limited schedule and some crazy Texas weather the last few weeks, the Hawks had only managed to take the field for three regular season games prior to the district opener. But it seemed to be the Creekview pitching staff that looked out of sync with 11 walks over 5 innings.
Hebron jumped on the Mustangs for two runs in the top of the first when leadoff Kyle Trammell (1-for-1, 2 walks, 3 RBI's) walked, stole second and scored on a one out RBI by third baseman Taylor Payne (1-2, double, 2 walks). Left fielder Nick Sawyer (1-for-2, 2 walks, 2 runs scored) scored one out later on a fielders choice to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. After adding a run in the second the Hawks exploded for four more runs in the third, to chase Creekview starter Aaron Lopez, on a series of walks, stolen bases and a two run single by right fielder Wes Hammer (2-for-2, 3 stolen bases).
With a 7-0 lead and starter Tim Wallace apparently cruising, Creekview took advantage of some early season Hebron rust in the third inning by scoring five runs on four hits, three walks and three uncharacteristic errors. Lefty Lance Warren (3 innings pitched, 4 strike outs, 1 hit) entered the game with no outs and managed to stop the rally and pitch three great innings of relief baseball.
Hebron held a slim 7-5 lead in the fourth when second baseman Bret Wurzbach (2-for-4, Home Run, 3 RBI's) nailed an inside fastball over the left field fence for a two run homer to push the Hawk lead to 9-5. Three more Hebron runs crossed the plate in the fifth inning when center fielder Trammell laced a two run double off the right field wall and later scored on an RBI single by Wurzbach. Warren closed out the Mustangs over the final few innings, holding them scoreless as Hebron WALKED away with a season opening district win.
JV Black opens play in the LISD Tournament beginning with two games on Thursday, March 13 at 12 Noon and 6 PM at Lewisville High School. The Hawks will host Flower Mound on Friday, March 14 at 4 PM in the next district contest. The LISD Tournament resumes play on Saturday, March 15 with a pair of games at 9 AM and 1 PM at Lewisville High School.
 | | Hebron's John Allen prepares to put the tag on a Creekview baserunner. |
HARRIS K'S 10 AS JV BLACK BEATS FLOWER MOUND 4-3
Hebron starter Brandon Harris fired a 3-hit 10-strikeout complete game performance at the Flower Mound Jaguars and the Hawks offense backed him up with a 3-run 6th-inning rally to post a 4-3 victory on Friday, March 14 at Hawk Field.
Despite an early 3-0 deficit, Harris and the Hawks never lost focus against the always tough District 6-5A Jaguars. Both pitchers were dominating through the first three innings with Flower Mound scoring a lone run in the second after a leadoff triple and a ground out fielders choice. The Jaguars added two more runs in the fourth on two singles, a walk and a questionable balk that had even the novice baseball fan doubting the call.
The Hawks continued to battle through the adversity with solid defense and the strong right arm of their ace hurler until the sticks finally took control. Down 3-0 the Hawks finally struck for a run in the fifth inning when DH John Allen (1-for-3, run scored) reached on an infield error and scored on a triple by outfielder Tim Wallace (1-for-3, RBI).
Trailing 3-1 in the sixth, Hebron jumped on the Jaguar's hard throwing reliever for three runs to take a 4-3 lead. Center fielder Kyle Trammell (1-for-3) and second baseman Bret Wurzbach (2-for-3, double) lead off the inning with back to back singles. After a fielders choice erased Trammell at third, Taylor Payne (1-for-3, RBI) doubled home Wurzbach. First baseman Lance Warren (1-for-3, double, RBI) drove in the second run of the inning on a fielders choice to tie the game at 3-3. With one out, Allen stepped to the plate and delivered the go ahead run with a solid single to score Payne.
Harris then closed the door with a 3-up 3-down seventh inning and recorded his second win of the season. Kudos to catcher Ryan McElveen (1-for-3) for showing one tough performance behind the plate with a severe bruised left hand.
--Gary Payne
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Saturday, March 15
HEBRON JV BLACK TAKES A PAIR TO FINISH 3-1 IN LISD TOURNAMENT
The Hawks completed play in the LISD Tournament on Saturday, March 15 with two big wins. The first game, a 9-0 shutout versus The Colony followed a few hours later by a 7-3 win versus Newman Smith.
In the opener, lefty Lance Warren had a dominating 9-strikeout, 2-hit, complete game performance with only one Colony runner reaching third base the entire game. Warren mixed his pitches well using a tailing fastball, a knee buckling curve and a change up that had the Cougar hitters totally overwhelmed.
What little offense the Hawks needed came early with a 5-run first inning, followed by three more in the third and fourth innings and a final run in the sixth for a 9-0 win. The big Hawk hitters were second baseman Bret Wurzbach (2-for-2, 3 runs scored), shortstop Nick Sawyer (1-for-3, double, 2 RBI's), third baseman John Allen (2-for-3, double, 2 RBI's), outfielder Jon Lueders (2-for-3) and Warren (2-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBI's) who helped his own cause with two one hop doubles off the right field wall.
In the second game, a 7-3 win over district foe Newman Smith, starter Tim Wallace threw a five inning complete game to record his second win of the season. The Hawks again struck for runs in the first inning when center fielder Kyle Trammell (1-for-2, 2 walks, 2 runs scored) walked and scored on a double by shortstop Nick Sawyer (2-for-3, RBI, 3 runs scored). Sawyer later scored compliments of a balk by the Trojans Matt Harrelson.
Smith took the lead in the second inning by scoring three runs on four hits and two errors. Hebron responded by taking the lead back for good in the third inning when first baseman Lance Warren (1-for-1, 2 RBI's) doubled to drive in the tieing run and eventually scored the go ahead run off the bat of catcher Ryan McElveen (1-for-2, RBI).
The Hawks added three more insurance runs in the fourth with right fielder Wes Hammer (1-for-1, 2 walks) opening the inning with a walk and Trammell following with a single. After Sawyer reached on an error, DH Taylor Payne (1-for-3, 2 RBI's) doubled home two runners for a 6-3 lead. A final run crossed the plate on a sac fly off the bat of Warren and Wallace closed things out by not allowing a run after the second inning.
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Thursday, March 20
HEBRON JV BLACK POUNDS 13 HITS IN 15-3 WIN OVER LEWISVILLE
The Hawks bats came alive in a big way as Hebron thumped Lewisville 15-3 in a District 6-5A game on Wednesday evening. Almost every Hawk starter posted a hit in the game and two players were actually chasing the elusive cycle when the game was called after 5-innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
Shortstop John Allen (4-for-4, homerun/triple/2 doubles, 5 RBI's) only needed a single to complete the cycle and pitcher Nick Sawyer (3-for-4, homerun/double/single, 4 RBI's) needed a triple to record the cycle. Both players hit their first homers of the season and scored a combined five runs, an awesome night at the plate. Other players with either multi hits or extra base hits included first baseman Lance Warren (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs scored) and third baseman Taylor Payne (1-for-3, double, 2 runs scored). Players that joined in the hit parade were Bret Wurzbach (1-for-3, 3 runs scored), Jon Lueders (1-for-2, 2 RBI's, Sac Fly) and catcher Ryan McElveen (1-for-2, walk, hit by pitch).
While the offense was churning out hits and runs, Sawyer was cruising through the Lewisville batting lineup allowing two hits on four strike outs in 3-1/3 innings. With a huge 14-3 lead and Sawyer struggling to find the strike zone, Tim Wallace came on in relief facing only seven batters in the final 1-2/3 innings and allowed no runs on two hits.
The Hawks record is now 8-and-2 overall and 3-and-0 in district with the next game scheduled for Thursday, March 20 at 4 PM against Newman Smith at Hawk Field.
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Saturday, March 22
RALLY TIME: HAWKS SCORE THREE IN BOTTOM OF SEVENTH TO EDGE NEWMAN SMITH
The Hebron JV Black team stayed undefeated in district play with a 3-2 win over the Newman Smith Trojans thanks to some last inning offensive magic and another outstanding performance from starter Brandon Harris.
After a 13-hit attack against Lewisville the evening before, the Hawks were surprisingly held hitless through five innings on a very strong outing by Trojan starter Matt Harrelson. In fact the only two Hebron base runners through five innings reached via an error and a walk. But while the Hawks sticks were silent through the first six innings, Harris was on the mound limiting Newman Smith to two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts while throwing to a strike zone the size of a grapefruit. As one player was quoted as saying, "Brandon kept us in the game until we could make something happen to back him up."
The "something" came in the bottom of the seventh when a Trojan reliever, pitching his second inning, lost his control and the patient Hawk hitters took advantage. First baseman Lance Warren (walk, run scored) led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on the first Hebron hit of the day off the bat of second baseman John Allen (1-for-2, run scored). Catcher Ryan McElveen worked a walk to load the bases and pinch hitter Jon Lueders (walk, RBI) followed with another free pass to bring home Warren for the first run. The Trojans brought in another reliever and outfielder Wes Hammer (walk, RBI) trotted to first base after a walk, scoring Allen to knot the score at 2-2.
With no outs and the bases loaded the stage was now set for center fielder Kyle Trammell (1-for-3, RBI, hit by pitch), who stepped to the plate and drove a deep single over the right fielders head to score McElveen for the winning run. With patience and some timely hitting the Hawks had escaped with a 3-2 victory and "backed up their pitcher."
Hebron travels next week to Coppell on Tuesday, March 25 and to Marcus on Friday, March 28. Both games are 4 PM starts.
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 | | Nick Sawyer got the start on the mound for Hebron at Coppell. | |
Thursday, March 27
JV BLACK RALLY DOWNS COPPELL IN MARATHON GAME
| |  | | John Allen leads off second, and scored three runs at Coppell. |
It took 3 hours and 17 minutes to decide a winner but after a combined 25 hits, 24 walks and 20 strikeouts, Hebron prevailed 13-10 in eight innings of emotion packed back and forth baseball.
Behind starter Nick Sawyer the Hawks fell behind 3-0 after two innings only to come back and take a 4-3 lead in the third on a two RBI single by DH Jon Lueders. Hebron added three more in the fourth, the big hit a two RBI double from Ryan McElveen (2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI's) for a 7-3 cushion. But Coppell responded with four runs in the fifth off reliever Tim Wallace to tie the score at 7-7. The Cowboys then added three runs in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Lance Warren to jump back on top 10-7, leaving Hebron with only three outs remaining and in need of a big rally in the seventh inning for the second consecutive game.
In the top of the seventh Bret Wurzbach (3-for-4, double, 3 runs scored) led off with a double to the center field wall. After a fly out and a walk to a Hawk batter, Wurzbach scored on a Sac Fly off the bat of Warren (3-for-5, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI's). With two outs John Allen (2-for-6, triple, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI's) worked a tough at bat and delivered a triple to score a runner and push the score to10-9. With the Hawks down to their last at bat and Allen on third, Lueders (1-for-4, 2 RBI's) stroked a fly ball to center fielder Jacob Morris, the ex-Flower Mound and soon to be Coppell Varsity pitcher/outfielder. Somehow the routine fly ball popped out of his glove allowing Allen to score the tying run.
Hebron still needed to hold off the Cowboys in the bottom of the seventh to take the roller coaster game to extra innings. Coach Davis called on reliever Brandon Harris, who was scratched from the scheduled start due to back spasms. Harris looked sharp striking out two and fielding a weak grounder for the third out to send the game to the eighth and final inning.
The Hawk rally started when lead off Kyle Trammell (2-for-5, run scored) and Wurzbach opened with consecutive singles. Sawyer (3 hit by pitches, 2 runs scored) was plunked for the third time which loaded the bases. Taylor Payne (3 walks, RBI, 2 runs scored) took another walk scoring Trammell. Warren singled home Wurzbach and then Sawyer scored Hebron's final run when an Infield Fly was misplayed, leaving the score at 13-10 Hebron.
Once again Harris took the mound and secured the win when the final out was hauled in by left fielder Cameron Bayles with two runners on base. The Hawks record is a perfect 5-0 in district play and 10-2 overall. The next game is at Marcus on Friday, March 28 @ 4 PM followed by a non district game vs Wichita Falls Rider at Hebron on Saturday, March 29 at 10 AM.
 | | Hawks catcher Ryan McElveen works to get the strike call. |
 | | Lance Warren slides safely into second with a double at Marcus. | |
JV BLACK BEATS MARCUS AS HARRIS DOMINATES AND SAWYER GOES DEEP TWICE
|  | | Brandon Harris was on top of his game at Marcus. | |
Hebron JV Black pounded Marcus 15-0 with a relentless hitting attack while starter Brandon Harris ran his record to 5-0 by only allowing one Marauder to reach second base in a game shortened to five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule. The Hawks offense was led by shortstop Nick Sawyer (2-for-3, 2HR's, 5 RBI's) who blasted his second and third home runs of the season while scoring four runs in the game. Other hitters with impressive offensive games were leadoff Kyle Trammell (1-for-2, 3 walks, 3 runs scored, RBI), Bret Wurzbach (1-for-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI's), Taylor Payne (1-for-3, double, RBI), Lance Warren (1-for-2, double, 2 runs scored), John Allen (1-for-3, RBI), Tim Wallace (1-for-3, 2 RBI's) and Jon Lueders (1-for-1, 2 RBI's). With the Hebron offense scoring in every inning except the third, Harris breezed through the Marcus lineup by facing only 17 batters, two over the minimum. He allowed only two hits, struck out five and recorded zero walks in the contest. The Hawks defense backed him with an errorless game to run their record to 11-2 overall and 6-0 in the district.--Thanks to Randy Trammell for handling the scorebook in my absence.
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Thursday, April 3
HAWKS KEEP 8-GAME WIN STREAK ALIVE WITH WIN OVER RIDER
|  | | Tim Wallace gets a secondary lead at third base vs. WF Rider. The Hawks won. | |
The JV Black squad took an early lead then watched Wichita Falls Rider tie the score before rallying for two runs in the sixth inning to record an 8-6 victory at Hawk Field on Saturday, March 29.
Hebron posted three early runs in the first inning after a one out walk by Bret Wurzbach (2-for-3, RBI, 2 runs scored) followed by back to back RBI doubles by Taylor Payne (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBI's) and Lance Warren (1-for-3, double, RBI).
The Hawks added two more runs in the second when Tim Wallace (1-for-3) and Cameron Bayles (1-for-2, 2 runs scored) led off with back-to-back singles and later scored on a Wurzbach fielders choice and a Sac Fly off the bat of Nick Sawyer. With starter John Allen cruising through the first and second inning, only allowing one run, the Hawks seemed to be in control with a 5-1 lead after two.
Things changed in the Rider fourth with a four-run inning off lefty reliever Lance Warren, compliments of a two out dropped fly ball allowing two runners to score followed by a hit batter and a soft single which tied the score at 5-5.
Hebron regained the lead 6-5 in the fifth inning when Wurzbach led off with a single, stole second and scored on an RBI double by Payne. But back came WF Rider with a run in the sixth off reliever Tim Wallace to tie the score at 6-6, setting the stage for another exciting Hawks rally.
Jon Lueders (1-for-3, run scored) led off the final inning with a key single and advanced to second on a walk by Bayles. With two outs Wurzbach singled home Lueders for the go ahead run and Bayles followed with an insurance run after a throwing error by the Rider catcher. With the score 8-6, Wallace and Sawyer, the fourth Hebron pitcher, combined to close out the Rider seventh inning with two runners on base to secure the Hebron win. Wallace picked up the WIN and Sawyer earned a key SAVE to keep the winning streak rolling.
--Thanks to Randy Trammell for scoring the game in my absence.
Friday, April 4
HAWKS WIN 28-0...NO APRIL FOOLS JOKE!!!!!
Hebron JV Black continued to roll through the season with a 28-0 romp over the RL Turner Lions on Tuesday, April 1 at Hawk Field. The Hawks scored every way imaginable without the benefit of an extra base hit in the game.
In summary, the Hawks offense tallied 18 hits, 8 walks and 2 hit batters. The Lions defense committed 11 errors that contributed to the scoring barrage. Almost every Hawk batter had at least one hit and six players had multi-hit performances including: Kyle Trammell, Bret Wurzbach, Taylor Payne, Lance Warren, Ryan McElveen (3 hits) and Wes Hammer.
Jay Luprete also has a 1.000 batting average after going 1-for-1 with an RBI single to center in the third inning.
Bret Wurzbach pitched three innings of no-hit baseball followed by Taylor Payne's two innings of 1-hit baseball---NOTE...this scorer recorded the questionable hit an error on the second baseman but the official scorer in the booth flashed a hit amid a chorus of boos by the Hawk faithful. Wurzbach picked up the win to take his record to 1-1 on the season.
The Hawks record is now 13-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in district play. Hebron begins the second half of the district season with a home game against Creekview on Friday, April 4 at 4:00 PM.
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Saturday, April 5
JV BLACK HAWKS CORRAL MUSTANGS
Hebron began the second half of district play with a win at Hawk Field over cross town rival Creekview on Friday, April 4. Starter Brandon Harris, on a limited pitch count, controlled the game by allowing the Mustangs to only one run on two singles in three innings of work.
Creekview opened the scoring with a run in the first but the Hawk offense responded with a four run second inning and never trailed the rest of the game. Creekview starter Aaron Lopez, who had managed to escape a base loaded jam in the first, was not so fortunate in the second. After four consecutive walks to the patient Hawk batters and a fielders choice RBI, shortstop Nick Sawyer (2-for-4, double, 3 RBI's) doubled home two more runs for a 4-1 lead. Hebron added another run in the third when hot hitting third baseman John Allen (3-for-4, double, triple, 2 RBI's) laced a triple to the right field wall and later scored on an RBI ground out off the bat of catcher Ryan McElveen (2 RBI's Sac Fly).
With the Hawks leading 5-1 the offense came alive again by scoring four runs in the fourth for a 9-1 lead, the big blow a two run single by first baseman Lance Warren (1-for-4, 3 RBI's). Creekview managed two runs in the fifth off reliever Nick Sawyer to push the score to 9-3 but the Hawks answered quickly with three more runs in the bottom of the inning for a 12-3 lead, including a right field bullet by center fielder Kyle Trammell (1-for-3, double, 2 walks).
The Mustangs managed a final run in the sixth before Tim Wallace, the second Hawk reliever closed the door in the seventh for a 12-4 win. Hebron JV Black is now 14-2 overall and 8-0 in district. The next game is a recently scheduled non district contest at LD Bell on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 PM.
-- Gary Payne
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RELIEF PITCHING FALTERS AS HEBRON FALLS TO LD BELL
| |  | | Taylor Payne waits for a ball vs. L.D. Bell. He had two hits of his own. |
The JV Black 10-game winning streak came to a crashing halt via a 12-4 loss at LD Bell on Saturday, April 5. What started out as a 3-1 Hawk lead through 4 1/2 innings turned ugly very quickly when the usually steady bullpen got lit up for 8 runs in the Bell fifth inning.
Starter Lance Warren seemed to be cruising, only allowing one run while scattering three hits through 3 2/3 innings before being replaced after reaching a 61 pitch count. The Hawks offense supported Warren with a run in the second inning when first baseman Taylor Payne (2-for-4, double, RBI) led off with a double and later scored after a wild pitch and a balk by the LD Bell pitcher. Another run was added in the third inning when second baseman Bret Wurzbach (1-for-4, 2 RBI's) drove home a Hawk runner on an infield ground out. But further damage was avoided when shortstop Nick Sawyer (2-for-4, double) doubled with two outs and was then thrown out at the plate on a perfect throw after a hard line drive single to left field by Payne.
LD Bell managed to get on the board with a run in the fourth to trail 2-1 but Hebron quickly responded with a run in the fifth when outfielder Cameron Bayles (walk, 2 runs) led off the inning with a walk and later scored on an RBI single by Wurzbach. So with a 3-1 Hawk lead in the fifth inning and things seemingly under control, Warren gave way to the bullpen. Twenty minutes later two Hawk relievers were reeling after giving up 8 runs on four walks, 5 hits and one costly outfield error. To add salt to the wound, Bell added three more runs in the sixth off the third Hebron reliever of the day for a 12-3 lead. The Hawks closed out the scoring with a final run in the seventh and quickly boarded the bus before another relief pitcher was summoned.
--Thanks once again to Randy Trammell for scoring the game in my absence
 | | Bret Wurzback gets back to first on a pick-off attempt. (Sonya Warren pics) |
WHAT A COMEBACK!!! HAWKS REACH DOWN DEEP TO TIE THE FLOWER MOUND JAGUARS
The JV Black team fought back from a six-run deficit in the first inning against an always tough rival on Tuesday, April 8. Hebron and Flower Mound played to a 10-10 tie in an 8-inning affair that saw both teams flex their offensive muscle.
Starter Brandon Harris, touting a 6-0 record, received a cold welcome to Jaguar Stadium by allowing six runs on six hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning. Coach Davis quickly turned to Nick Sawyer who managed to put out the fire with 4 1/3 innings of excellent middle relief pitching, allowing the Hawks a chance to chip away at the daunting Flower Mound 6-0 lead.
The Hawks started the comeback with a run in the second and third innings but the Jaguar pitching would yield little else while the offense added two more runs of their own to take an 8-2 lead after 6-innings of play. The Hawks were down to their final three outs and faced a third tough Jaguar pitcher but the players refused to yield their perfect 8-0 district record without a fight.
After a lead off strikeout and a Hawk player reached on an error, the inning unfolded with 8 consecutive hits for 8 runs:
-Nick Sawyer (2-for-4, triple, HR, 3 RBI's) hit a 2- run bomb over the right center field wall...score 8-4.
-Taylor Payne (1-for-4, RBI) singled.
-Lance Warren (3-for-4, double) singled.
-John Allen (2-for-5, double) singled.
-Jon Lueders (2-for-4, RBI) singled home Payne...score 8-5.
-Ryan McElveen (2-for-4, RBI) singled home Warren...score 8-6.
-Tim Wallace (1-for-1, 2 RBI's) singled home Allen and Lueders...score 8-8.
-Kyle Trammell (1-for-5, double, 2 RBI's) doubled home McElveen and Wallace...score HAWKS 10 JAGUARS 8.
Two additional Flower Mound relief pitchers were summoned to finally end the Hawk inning but further drama was ahead as the Jaguars refused to go quietly. Needing two runs to not allow Hebron to sweep the season series, the Jaguars found a way to scratch across both runs before reliever Bret Wurzbach entered the game and shutdown the rally to send the game to an extra inning with the score tied 10-10.
The Hawks were three-up/three-down in the top of the eighth. Once again Wurzbach stranded the winning run at second base as the game ended 10-10 allowing the Hawks to remain in first place in the district.
- Gary Payne
 | | Kyle Trammell comes up looking to throw after making a catch in centerfield. | |
Monday, April 14
BRANDON HARRIS PITCHES ANOTHER GEM IN 7-2 WIN VS LEWISVILLE
| |  | | Wes Hammer made a great diving catch vs. Lewisville. (Sonya Warren photos) |
It took a few innings for the Hawks potent offense to get rolling but ace starter Brandon Harris meant business early on as Hebron notched another district win to run their overall record to 15-3-1 and 9-0-1 in District 6-5A.
Harris (7 Wins-0 Losses) faced the minimum through three innings before the Farmers got on the board with a run in the fourth on two hits and a sac bunt. The Hawks managed to tie the score in the bottom of the fourth when Nick Sawyer (2-for-3, double, 2 RBI's) opened with a double, stole third base and scored on a Sac Fly by Taylor Payne (2 walks, 2 RBI's).
Lewisville took a 2-1 lead with a run in the fifth but Harris shut down the Farmers the rest of the game and the Hebron offense finally found it's rhythm off a very crafty but tiring pitcher.The Hawks plated four runs in the fifth after a leadoff walk and bunt single by Wes Hammer (1-for-2, run) put runners at first and second. Kyle Trammell (4 walks, 2 runs) drew his third walk of the day and with the bases loaded, Bret Wurzbach (1-for-3, 2 RBI's) singled home two runs for a 3-2 lead. Sawyer followed with an infield single that was lost in the sun by the Lewisville first baseman scoring Trammell. One batter later Lance Warren (2-for-4, RBI) stroked a single, scoring Wurzbach for a 5-2 Hawks lead.
With Harris holding the Farmers hitters to 3 hits and 1 walk on the day the Hawks added two final runs in the sixth to complete the scoring. Hot hitting Jon Lueders (1-for-1, run) singled with two outs and scored after three consecutive walks by the Lewisville reliever. A fourth consecutive walk of the inning pushed across the final run of the game and the Hawks held the Farmers in the seventh for a 7-2 win and a sweep of the season series.
--Thanks once again to Randy Trammell for scoring the game in my absence
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HEBRON DEFEATS LAKE DALLAS 6-2 IN NON-DISTRICT CONTEST
| |  | | Hawks' catcher Ryan McElveen makes the catch on a foul ball vs. Lake Dallas. |
For the second consecutive day the Hawks received a quality pitching performance as Hebron lefty Lance Warren paved the way with six solid innings of two-run baseball en route to a 6-2 win over Lake Dallas April 12.
The Hawks' offense supported Warren early with four runs in the first inning and Warren cruised to his third win of the season.
After a leadoff walk by Kyle Trammell (walk, run scored), Bret Wurzbach (2 walks, hit by pitch, 2 runs scored) reached on an infield error by the Lake Dallas third baseman. Taylor Payne (1-for-3, RBI, run scored) smoked a single up the middle scoring Trammell. Warren (1-for-2, RBI, run scored) helping his own cause followed with a run scoring single. John Allen (2-for-3, 2 RBI's) closed out the scoring with an RBI single to take a 4-0 lead.
Lake Dallas picked up lone runs in the second and fourth innings to keep it close at 4-2 but the Hebron offense added two insurance runs in the fifth inning. Wurzbach lead off with a walk and after two passed balls he scored on a single off the bat of Nick Sawyer (1-for-4, RBI, run scored). Sawyer advanced on a wild pitch and scored two outs later when Allen stroked his second single of the day.
With a 6-2 lead in the seventh, Coach Davis called on the bullpen and Tim Wallace entered to set down the Lake Dallas hitters 1-2-3 and preserve the win for Hebron. The Hawks go to 16-3-1 on the season and remain 9-0-1 in the district with a tough game at Newman Smith scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 at 4:00 PM.
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Thursday, April 17
HAWKS KEEP UNDEFEATED DISTRICT STREAK ALIVE
JV Black built an early lead then held off a late inning rally to defeat Newman Smith 12-8 at Kelly Field Tuesday (April 15).
Hebron pounded out 15 hits and coaxed 7 walks in the game to back starting pitcher Nick Sawyer, who collected his 3rd win of the season by recording eight strikeouts in five innings of 2-run baseball.
The offensive attack was led by first baseman Lance Warren (3-for-4, double, 3 RBI's), shortstop John Allen (3-for-5, RBI), centerfielder Kyle Trammell (2-for-2, 2 doubles, sac bunt, 3 runs scored) and third baseman Taylor Payne (2-for-4, double, 2 RBI's, 3 runs scored). Multi-RBI hits in the game were turned in by second baseman Bret Wurzbach (1-for-4, double, 2 RBI's) and DH Jon Lueders (1-for-4, 2 RBI's).
The Hawks controlled the game from the first inning and actually led 12-2 entering the bottom of the seventh when the Trojans jumped on the Hawks relief pitcher for 6-runs in the final inning. The game ended with a Smith runner on third when Trammell hauled in a line drive destined for the left-center field wall.
Hebron ups their record to 17-3-1 overall and 10-0-1 in District 6-5A. The next game is scheduled for 4 PM on Friday, April 18 vs Coppell at Hawk Field.
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JV BLACK SURVIVES 10-9 AGAINST DETERMINED MARCUS
Marcus came to Hawk Field looking to end the Hebron undefeated district season but the Hawks In Blue knocked out another opponent in a tense down-to-the-final out contest.
Nick Sawyer started on the mound and held the Marauders scoreless the first two innings thanks to some very good Hawk defense. After giving up two Marcus runs in the third and two in the fourth and with the pitch count growing, Coach Davis turned to reliever Lance Warren to slow the offense for a few innings.
The offense got on track in the third inning when the first seven batters of the inning scored to take a 7-2 lead. Offensive leaders were:
Kyle Trammell 2-for-4, double, 3 RBI's
Nick Sawyer 3-for-4, triple, 2 RBI's
Taylor Payne 3-for-4, RBI, 2 runs
Lance Warren 2-for-4, run
John Allen 2-for-3, RBI, run
Ryan McElveen 1-for-2, double, 2 RBI's
The Hawks added three more runs in the fourth to take what seemed like a comfortable 10-4 lead but Marcus responded with one run in the sixth and four runs in the top of the seventh before the second Hawk reliever, Brandon Harris, nailed down the final out with the tying and go ahead runs on base.
With the 10-9 victory, the Hawks have one remaining district game at RL Turner on Friday, April 25 at 4:00 PM.
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JV BLACK AND HARRIS GUN DOWN COWBOYS 7-5
Brandon Harris scattered eight hits in a 7-inning complete game to lead Hebron past the Coppell Cowboys in a tough District 6-5A contest at Hawk Field. While hit hard at times, Harris buckled down and pitched shutout baseball over the last two innings to push his record to 8-0 and keep the Hawks undefeated district streak alive.
After Coppell took a 1-0 lead in the first, the Hebron offense jumped on the Cowboy pitching early with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Hot hitting first baseman Lance Warren (3-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBI's) drove in two Hawk runners and later scored himself for a 3-1 lead. The Hawks then added two more in the second to take a 5-1 lead. With two outs, a Hawk batter reached base on an infield error before shortstop Nick Sawyer (1-for-2, triple, RBI) laced a triple scoring one run. Left fielder Taylor Payne (2-for-4, RBI) then singled home Sawyer but was stranded at third as the inning ended.
Hebron added another run in the fourth before the Cowboys tightened the game to 6-5 with four runs in the fourth and fifth innings on two triples, a double and two singles but that's when Harris reached down and shut the Cowboys out the rest of the way. Meanwhile the Hawks added an insurance run in the sixth inning off the bat of Warren as he picked up his third RBI of the game. A final tally of 7-5 was in the books as the JV Black Team continues to roll.
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HAMMER GOES YARD AS HEBRON WINS 12-7
Duncanville visited Hawk Field on Saturday for a non-district game and took an early lead, thanks to the worst defensive performance of the year by the Hawk fielders. But give them credit, after some "encouraging words" from Coach Davis they tightened things up and fought back for an easy 12-7 victory.
The pitching trio of Taylor Payne, John Allen and Bret Wurzbach limited Duncanville to three hits on the day and pitched outstanding baseball if you can forget the 6-run third inning when NO Hebron infielder or outfielder could field or throw a ball anywhere near it's intended target.
The offense was steady as usual, scoring in every inning but one. The offense was led by Wes Hammer (3-for-4, HOME RUN, 2 RBI's) as he launched his first Dinger of the year over the left field wall. Other offensive stars were John Allen (2-for-4, double, 2 runs), John Lueders (1-for-3 double, 2 runs) and Bret Wurzbach (1-for-4, double, 2 runs).
The Hawks resume play on Tuesday in a key match up with district foe Marcus at 4:00 PM at Hawk Field. The record now stands at 19-3-1 overall and 11-0-1 in district play.
--Thanks to Hobey Allen for scoring the game in my absence.
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Friday, April 25
HAWKS JV BLACK COMPLETES UNDEFEATED DISTRICT SEASON
When the final out was recorded in a 23-0 rout at RL Turner, the Hebron Hawks JV Black team had accomplished a "first ever" for JV Hebron Baseball...AN UNDEFEATED 13-0-1 DISTRICT SEASON!! And to add the exclamation point to the feat, it came against always tough 6-5A District competition (okay, there were two gimmes. . .)
The 21-3-1 overall record substantiates an outstanding season by a group of players looking to earn some respect moving forward this summer in their Hebron and Select Baseball Programs. THE FUTURE CERTAINLY LOOKS BRIGHT FOR HEBRON BASEBALL.
The Hawks never really allowed it to be a contest by scoring 13 runs in the top of the first as the lineup batted around twice. After a quiet second inning the Hawks added 10 more runs in the third with a relentless hitting attack that saw every Hebron starter tally at least two hits in the game while many recorded three in the contest. Only by shutting down the base running in the third inning did this game end at 23-0 after five innings due to the Mercy Rule.
While the offense was rolling, the Hawk pitching had little trouble with the Lions hitters by allowing only three singles. Starter Tim Wallace (2 innings pitched, 0 hits, 3 strikeouts), reliever Brandon Harris (2 innings pitched, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts) and reliever Bret Wurzbach (1 inning pitched, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts) combined for the no walk/three hit shutout.
Since the offensive numbers were so staggering the summaries are below:
Kyle Trammell 2-for-6, 2 RBI's, 3 runs
Bret Wurzbach 3-for-5, 3 runs
John Allen 2-for-5, 2 doubles, 4 RBI's
Taylor Payne 2-for-4, 2 RBI's, 2 runs
Lance Warren 3-for-5, 2 RBI's, 3 runs
Jon Lueders 3-for-4, double, 3 RBI's
RYAN MCELVEEN 4-FOR-5, 2 RBI's, 3 runs
Tim Wallace 3-for-5, double, 2 RBI's
Cameron Bayles 3-for-5, double, 5 RBI's
Best of luck to this fine group of players as they continue to chase the boyhood dream of playing this great game at higher levels. Many thanks to Coach Davis and Coach Mansanales for their leadership and guidance this unforgettable season. It has been my pleasure to pen the articles this year for a team that always came to compete...thanks for the memories!!!
--Gary Payne
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Monday, March 3
JV BLUE PLACES SECOND IN BOWIE TOURNAMENT
|  | | JV Blue reached the championship game of the Arlington Bowie Tournament. | |
Although Six Flags in Arlington doesn't open for a few more weeks the JV Blue Hawks rode the roller coaster of baseball games this weekend at James Bowie High School JV Tournament. They began Thursday night with an easy win over DeSoto JV 13-3 (for more on this game see the Hawk Updates). Friday the boys took on a very good Plano East Junior Varsity loaded with pitching, the bats took the night off, but the defense begin to show signs of coming together with some nice fundamental baseball. However in the end they went home Friday night on the wrong end of a 15-0 score.
Good news, the hot-hitting Hawks showed up on Saturday morning scoring early and often against Sam Houston High School. Every Hawk starter had a hit in a 15 hit attack. Lead off hitter Blake Courville was 3-3 with a walk and 3 runs scored, Brandon Delavar, Daniel Flores, and Hunter Clay all were 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs each. Thomas Hendrix continued to hit the ball well going 2 for 2 with a sac fly and 3 RBI. Brandon Clounch took care of business on the mound throwing a complete game (3 innings); Clounch needed only 33 pitches, giving up only 1 hit while recording 5 K's to earn his first victory of the young season. Hawks won 16-0.
The boys took off for a good lunch before the next game and came back to the roller coaster only to find Plano East waiting for them. A very determined Travis Koch took the mound and pitched very well. Koch went a strong 6 six innings against the big bats of East, and shut them down, except for 2, 4 batter stretches in the 3rd and 6th inning in which the Panthers put 4 straight hits together and scored 3 runs each time. Plano East made the most of their 7 hits in route to a 7-2 win. The Hawk bats went quiet once again as the top 3 hitters in the order went a combined 0-9. Stephen Roberts was the offensive highlight for the Hawks going 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and an RBI.
The Hawks took on a very good Fort Worth Nolan team in game 5 of the tournament and a chance the play for a championship. Needing a win to advance to the final game, the boys were locked in a battle with Nolan trailing 2-1 going into the top of the 6th inning. Stephen Roberts and Brandon Clounch started the inning with back to singles followed by back to back walks; Chase Gohl delivered a RBI single, then Blake Courville got another run home on a ground out; Thomas Hendrix followed with his second hit of the game; while Roberts collected his second hit of the inning to knock in 2 more runs, he was thrown out at second base trying to stretch it into a double. The Hawks shut Nolan down in the bottom of the inning and headed to a championship game winning 8-2. The pitching was stong for the Hawks as starter Hendrix went 3 solid innings giving up just 1 earned run on 2 hits, 2 walks and one K; Clounch relived in the 4th and pitched 3 great innings of his o! wn giving up one earned on 2 hits while striking out 4.
Game 6 of the tournament and the 4th game of the DAY; the championship was against, you guessed it Plano East. As mentioned earlier the Panthers are stocked with pitching, however a young sophmore who was scheduled to pitch in relief for the varsity team was called back down to JV to pitch this game. The very tired Hawks were game throughout as they hit the ball hard, but could not get a break. They battled to the end before accepting their second place trophy. All in all second place for the very young JV Blue team having played only one previous game together is not too bad. That was one fun roller coaster ride. I know the several parents and family that watched the tournament were quite proud of this young bunch of men. Congratulations to JV Blue!
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Monday, March 3
JV BLUE OPENS WITH WIN IN ARLINGTON BOWIE TOURNAMENT
In a game shortened by the time limit, the JV Blue Hawks took advantage of mistakes and walks by Desoto, with timely hitting and good base running to pound out a 13-3 win in the team's first game of the Bowie HS Tournament in Arlington.
Brandon Clounch’s first-inning double to the wall gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead. The Hawk bats came alive again in the 3rd inning as Blake Courville got the rally going with a double, followed by Clounch’s second hit of the night; Hunter Clay walked, then Travis Koch hit a sharp single up the middle. After a strikeout, Thomas Hendrix came up to bat with 2 out and 2 on and delivered a single to score 2 runs and the rout was on; after 2 more runs in the inning the Hawks were up 7-2.
The Hawk defense took it from there; as starting pitcher Nick Vanikiotis gave up only 2 hits, 2 runs; 1 earned, in 2 innings of work, he also struck out 4 Desoto hitters. Hendrix came on the pitch the final 2 innings of the shortened game, allowing only one hit, no earned runs and striking out 4. The big bats for the Hawks were Clounch 2 for 3, 2 RBI; Hendrix 2 for 2; 2 RBI, Vanikiotis, and Stephen Roberts each contributed to the 9 hit attack with timely doubles.
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Wednesday, February 27
BIG INNING LIFTS JV BLUE TO WIN IN SEASON OPENER
The JV Blue Hawks opened their season on a chilly and windy night, although their 13-6 win Tuesday (Feb. 26) warmed the hearts of the Blue faithful.
The Hawks (1-0) broke open a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring seven runs in the frame to beat Justin Northwest at Hawk Field.
Pitching was solid for Hebron, as Brandon Clounch went the first three innings (6 K’s, 1 BB) although he didn’t get a lot of help from his defense as errors contributed to five Northwest runs. In the fourth, Daniel Flores came in to pitch in relief going 2 2/3 innings while fanning three and walking just one. He was relieved by Thomas Hendrix, who allowed one run but earned the win when the Hawks broke the game open.
Stephen Roberts drove in 4 RBI for the Hawks while Trent Madden (3-for-5, triple and Hendrix (2-for-4, triple, double, sac bunt) provided additional pop at the plate. Just about every starter in the game finished with at least one hit. More importantly, the team put the ball in play, striking out just once the entire game.
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Wednesday, March 19
THE WEEK IN REVIEW FOR JV BLUE (March 10-15)
The week was an exciting one for the JV Blue boys, as they began at home against Grapevine. The Hawks jump out to an early 4-0 lead on the strength of the top of the order. Starter Thomas Hendrix took the lead into the 5th inning, but ran into some trouble as Grapevine came back to tie the score. Hendrix left the game and on came Ryan Mohan. Grapevine continued to hit the ball where the Hawks weren’t and when the inning was done the Blue trailed 13-4. Well the JV Blue boys are maturing fast as they did not give up.
Bottom of the 6th inning belonged to the Hawks as they batted around and kept gaining ground on the Mustangs when Mohan, who had settled down on the mound, came up to bat and belted a double with a game-tying RBI. Hendrix followed with a sharp single up the middle and the comeback was complete as Mohan scored on the Hendrix hit. Mohan shut them down and Hawks went home with a great team victory and Mohan’s first win of the season.
Game 2 of the week was game one of the Flower Mound Freshman Tournament. Hebron took on The Colony High School. Travis Koch took the mound and did his best Nolan Ryan impression as he tossed a no-hitter and it only took him four innings to dispose of CHS in the warm sunshine of Flower Mound. The offense did their part as the bats came alive. The hitting studs were Brandon Delavar (2-2; with 3 RBI), Stephen Roberts (2-2, with 2 RBI), Brandon Clounch (2-3, with 2 RBI), and Thomas Hendrix (3-3, with 3 runs scored). The win moved the JV Blue Hawks to a record of 6-3, and looking forward to a meeting with district foe Flower Mound in game 2 of the tournament.
Game 2 of the tournament started at 8 pm after the 1:15 pm start earlier in the day. Flower Mound took advantage of some Hawk mistakes and scored 5 unearned runs and 3 that were earned to beat the JB Blue Hawks 8-0, sending the Hawks to a rematch on Saturday with FW Nolan HS whom they had beaten in the Bowie Tournament a couple of weeks earlier. The Hawks could only produce 4 hits spread out over 6 innings. The boys got a little taste of district baseball, and now they know they will need to pick it up to compete.
Well it wasn’t long before they got the opportunity to get up and play again; and with the never quit attitude of this team they looked at the schedule and realized in between tournament games, they played their first true district game against the same Flower Mound team they played in the tournament the night before. Brandon Clounch took the mound and pitched a very good game, holding FM to only 5 runs and the Hawks played hard but could not overcome the solid pitching of the Jaguars and lost, 5-3. Clounch was 2-3, with 2 RBI, Stephen Roberts was 2-3 and Thomas Hendrix was 3-3 as the middle of the order continued to produce for the Hawks.
Saturday’s game was number 3 of the FM Tournament; as the Hawks asked Daniel Flores to take the mound and he spread 8 hits and only 4 earned runs over 3 innings in a game stopped by the time limit and ended in a 5-5 tie. The tie was made possible the inning before thanks to Chase Gohl’s RBI single to get the Hawks within one and Hunter Clay’s game tying RBI single.
Special thanks goes to Kayle, the JV Blue trainer, as she responded to two injured Hawks over the weekend. Travis Koch met the left wall at Flower Mound chasing down a fly ball. There are no warning tracks at FM and Travis concentrated on the ball. He split his lip and required stitches. On Saturday, Thomas Hendrix in his first at bat hit a ball down the 3rd base line that made its way to the corner, as Hendrix was beginning his head first slide into home to complete his inside the parker, the catcher jump to get the ball, cleat met hand and cleat won, Hendrix was safe, but he sustained a pretty good cut on the hand, which Kayle had to tend to for the rest of the game. Great job, and thanks for the extra effort.
Finally, the week came full circle with the Hawks second district game, and 6th game of the week. Both Travis Koch and Thomas Hendrix returned to the lineup. Koch in left field, showing no signs of wall-a-fobia; as he made a nice running catch on a deep fly ball, and Hendrix took the start on the mound. The Hawks evened there district record at 1-1, and the improved to 7-5-1 on the season with a 6-4 win at Lewisville. Hendrix went 5 innings giving up only 3 hits, 5 K’s and no earned runs while walking 2 and improving his season record to 3-0, Brandon Clounch came on for the save as he pitched 2 scoreless innings and struck out 2 Lewisville batters. The Hawks took full advantage of their 11 hits to score their 6 runs and come back from an early 3-2 deficit. The Hawks took the lead for good when Brandon Clounch hit a sharp double down the line to score Stephen Roberts, followed by Ryan Mohan’s RBI double to bring home Clounch, Hunter Clay completed the back to back to back doubles with one of his own to score Mohan and give Hendrix the victory on the mound and earn the Hawks their first district victory. Feels good; and that is THIS WEEK IN JV BLUE BASEBALL.
--Wayne Hendrix
Monday, March 24
JV BLUE PLAYS THROUGH TOUGH WEEK
| |  | | Blake Courville: Drove in Both Hawk Runs Vs. Flower Mound. |
After opening the week on a high note in defeating Lewisville on Monday (March 17), things began to change for the JV Blue Hawks as a rematch with Lewisville the next day was postponed due to heavy rains.
So the Blue took on the very tough Flower Mound Jaguars on Thursday at Hawk Field, with a noon start, beautiful weather, and having battled hard against FM only a week earlier (a 5-3 loss). Although the Hawks were confident heading into the game, the Jags quickly established the momentum of the game scoring three early runs in the first inning. The Hawks started the bottom of the inning intent on getting those runs back as leadoff hitter Travis Koch and two-hole hitter Trent Madden got things going with back-to-back walks, and Thomas Hendrix followed with a single but Koch was thrown out at the plate on close play. That was a sign of how the day would go for the Blue. However, in the second the Hawks showed life once again as Coleman McKinney walked, and Chase Gohl followed with a sharp single; both runners then scored on Blake Courville’s single. That was all the offense the Hawks could produce and the Flower Mound bats pounded out 14 hits, and defeated the JV Blue for the third time this season 18-2.
On Friday the Hawks had an opportunity to put the FM game behind them and challenge the Lewisville Farmers in the postponed game from earlier in the week. The pitching for the Hawks early was not able to shut down the Farmers in the first 2 2/3 innings as Lewisville took a 11-0 lead after two innings. The Hawks made some noise in the bottom of the third inning as Blake Courville led off the inning with a walk, Chase Gohl singled and Thomas Hendrix hit at Texas Leaguer to right scoring both runners. Stephen Roberts' own Texas Leaguer scored Hendrix and it seamed the Hawks had some life, although the score remained 11-3. Hendrix came on in relief and slowed the Farmers down over the next 4 1/3 innings allowing only one earned run on six hits, while striking out four. Brandon Clounch added an RBI double in the 6th inning to complete the scoring for the Hawks, but the team lost its second straight and evened their season record at 7-7-1 and 1-3 in district. The boys have two tough districts games coming up this week against Coppell on Tuesday, and Marcus on Friday.
--Wayne Hendrix
Thursday, April 3
JV BLUE DROPS 2 OF 3 TO CLOSE OUT MARCH
The JV Blue Hawks welcomed the first days of Spring with two District 6-5A games at Hawk Field and a non-district game at Frisco Liberty.
On March 25, the boys took on Coppell in a district game. Cody Marr started the scoring for Coppell with a first inning home run. The Hawks come back in the bottom of the first as leadoff hitter Trent Madden got things going with a walk, and Travis Koch worked the Cowboy pitcher for a walk of his own. Thomas Hendrix singled and the Hawks lead 2-1. The pitching and the defense were strong in the second inning for both teams, as starter Koch tossed only nine pitches in shutting down the Cowboys; and Coppell returned the favor with a quiet bottom half. However, Coppell took over the game in the top of the third inning putting together four runs on five hits including a triple and two doubles to regain 5-2 lead. Stephen Roberts lead off the bottom of the third with his first home run of the season; a solo shot over the left field wall; and it seemed the resilient Hawks would make some noise in quest of their second district win; Brandon Clounch followed the Roberts home run with a deep shot and just missed a dinger of his own as the ball hit high off the wall; settling for a long single, the Hawk bats went quietly into the Spring evening as Cowboy pitching struck out 8 of the next 13 Hawk batters, and Coppell batted around in the forth inning and the Hawks lost 11 – 3. The loss dropped JV Blue to 1-3 in district and 7-8-1 on the season.
The JV Blue Hawks returned to action on Friday the 28th at Hawks Field against the Marcus Marauders and played their best baseball game of the season. Marcus came into the game having lost only two games all season; both to Flower Mound. The game featured two fireballers as Brandon Clounch took to mound opposite Marcus ace Joey Bagazinski. The Marauders open the scoring with an unearned run in the first inning. The Hawks came back in the bottom of the inning as Travis Koch, hitting second, took a fastball from Bagazinski off his left calf. Thomas Hendrix brought Koch home with his third triple of the season to tie the game at 1-1. The Hawks took their first lead on the next play as Hendrix scored on Stephen Roberts' RBI ground out to short. Marcus tied the score in the 4th inning with their second of 3 unearned runs on a walk, error, sac fly, and an RBI groundout. Hebron leadoff hitter Trent Madden opened the 5th inning for JV Blue with a single and promptly stole second, then went to third on a single by Blake Courville. Courville stole a base and the Hawks had runners in scoring position. After a groundout and a pop out, Clounch helped himself out with an RBI single to give the Hawks their third lead of the night. The Hawk defense - combined with some outstanding pitching from Clounch - kept Marcus off balance through six innings and needed only to close out the 7th inning to get the win. Now we all know the JV Blue does nothing easy and the 7th was no exception as a single and walk sandwiched between a strikeout and a groundout left Marcus with the tying run at third with two outs. A hard hit grounder to deep short handcuffed the shortstop Thomas Hendrix and Marcus tied the score. Determined not to ruin Clounch’s complete game pitching performance Madden led off with a single, followed by back-to-back-to-back walks, and the Hawks literally WALKED away with a 4-3 district win.
More on the JV Blue game at Frisco Liberty to follow, stayed tuned. The JV Blue Hawks are off until Saturday April 5th when they travel to Marcus.
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Thursday, April 3
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
WE SURE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF WAYNE HENDRIX AND RAY CLOUNCH IN KEEPING US UP TO DATE WITH THE JV BLUE THROUGH THEIR DEDICATED GAME REPORTS; IT'S GREAT READING ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION OF VARSITY HAWKS.
BUT WE WOULD ALSO WELCOME SOME PHOTOS; IS ANYONE SHOOTING ANY? IF NOT, HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS AS THE END OF SEASON VIDEO WILL INCLUDE SEGMENTS ON ALL THREE TEAMS. . .IF THERE ARE ENOUGH PHOTOS AND/OR VIDEO.
IF YOU ARE A JV BLUE PARENT AND ARE TAKING SOME PICTURES, EITHER E-MAIL THEM (JPEGS) TO MIKE PAYNE (MJLP23@aol.com OR mpcomm@verizon.net) OR GIVE HIM, OR YOUR VPs, A DISK. IF YOU E-MAIL, WE CAN USE THEM IMMEDIATELY. JUST MAKE SURE YOU ID THE PLAYER AND THE GAME.
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Sunday, April 13
FRISCO LIBERTY JV OUTLASTS JV BLUE
March 29th the JV Blue Hawks traveled to Frisco Liberty High School to take on the Redhawks Junior Varsity baseball team.
Frisco mistakes in the field lead to 2 unearned runs in the first inning; Hebron held the lead going into the bottom of the second when the Redhawks scored 5 runs while batting around.
JV Blue made some noise in the top of the 4th inning as Daniel Flores opened the inning with a base on balls, he was forced at second on Hunter Clay’s grounder. Clay was at first base on the fielders choice and went to second on a Trent Madden single and another single by Chase Gohl loaded the bases for Thomas Hendrix.
Frisco Liberty replaced their starting pitcher with hard throwing sophomore Taylor Limsky, who balked Clay home and the Hawks trailed 7-2. Hendrix lined a shot down the 3rd base line for 2 RBI, and the Hawks were within 2 runs at 7-5. Hebron's momentum generated by the offense did not carry over to the defense as the Redhawks scored 5 earned runs on 4 hits; as the Hawks found themselves on the wrong end of a 12-5 score.
Hebron’s offense got going again in the 5th inning as Nick Vanikiotis singled and Daniel Flores reached on a Frisco error. Coleman McKinney hit for Clay and tripled to center scoring Flores and Vanikiotis. McKinney scored on a Madden RBI groundout. The Hawks scored their 4th run of the inning on a Gohl single followed by back-to-back walks to Hendrix and pinch-hitter Brandon Murphy; Gohl scored on a strange call, as the umpire called the pitcher for not putting his necklace in his jersey (go figure that one out).
Hebron suddenly found itself very much in the game trailing only 12-9. Frisco increased their lead to 15 to 9 in the 5th inning, and JV Blue entered the 7th inning trailing 16-10. Kris LaTour entered the game as a pinch-runner after a Brandon Clounch single; and showed great hustle in making his way to 3rd base after 2 wild pitches. LaTour scored on a Flores RBI single and the final score was 16-11.
The Hawks pounded out 14 hits, as the hitting stars were Chase Gohl 2-4, 1 RBI; Thomas Hendrix 2-3 2 RBI, Brandon Clounch 2-5, and Nick Vanikiotis 2-2 with 2 runs scored.
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Sunday, April 13
JV BLUE PLAYS BEST GAME OF SEASON IN 8-5 WIN OVER MARCUS
Many whom had the pleasure of watching the 4-3 JV Blue win over Marcus at Hawk Field on March 28 wondered if they had seen the Hawks' best game for this young team.
Well it only took one week to realize the JV Blue can play some very good baseball. The Hawks went to Marcus High School on a beautiful Saturday morning (April 5) and played the Marauders, scoring in the first inning on a Thomas Hendrix single, stolen base and a wild pitch.
Hebron loaded the bases in the first inning, but could not score more than the one run. Brandon Clounch started on the mound and held the Marauders to one run in the 1st inning even though giving up 3 singles. Clounch was helped by some good Hawk defense, as a pickoff attempt got by first basemen Brandon Delavar and hit the first base coach, as the runner headed for second Delavar retrieved the ball and threw to Hendrix at shortstop who applied the tag.
Clounch used a nice mix of a fastball and slider to strike out two in the inning and a great game was underway. In the Hawk second, Blake Courville coaxed a walk and stole second, he was thrown out at home on a very close play after a Trent Madden single. Madden scored on a Chase Gohl single, and Hendrix brought Gohl home on his second hit of the game.
JV Blue added a run in the third when Brandon Delavar - who had walked earlier in the inning - raced home a single by Madden. The Marauders matched the Hebron run in the bottom of the 3rd on a walk and two singles to trail by one, 4-3. Clounch then went to work and shut down Marcus over the next three innings, while the offense opened up some breathing room scoring three runs in the 6th inning on back-to-back singles by Hendrix and Stephen Roberts, and a Clounch walk. Delvar's ground-out scored one, and Courville's single brought home two more for JV Blue.
In the last inning, Clounch singled home a run. Hebron's 8-5 win completed their best effort of the season. The win improved the Hawks record to 9-9-1 and 3-3 in District.
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Tuesday, April 22
JV Blue Bats Quiet Against Two District Foes
After playing their best game of the season against district foe Marcus to begin the month of April, JV Blue found very little to build on as a very good Flower Mound Jaguar team came to Hawk Field and did everything right in routing the Blue 20-1.
But three days later, the Hawks rebounded with some solid defense and a strong effort against Lewisville, getting a strong pitching performance from Brandon Clounch along the way. Clounch held the Freshmen Farmers to just three hits over 6 innings. Lewisville scored in the second on back-to-back singles and a wild pitch; Clounch opened the inning by striking out the cleanup and five-hole hitters in the Farmer lineup. They scored their only other run in the third inning when the JV Blue defense committed their only error and allowed the leadoff hitter to reach second. Another wild pitch, another strikeout and a RBI groundout tallied the unearned run.
The Hawks only score came in the top of the third inning as leadoff hitter Trent Madden singled and stole second; after a pop-out to the pitcher and a groundout, Madden moved to third; Clounch walked. Patrick Gau came on as a courtesy runner. Coach McBride signaled for a double steal and it was executed to perfection as the Hawks tied the score. Clounch pitched a very strong game mixing his fastball and curveball to keep the Farmers on their heels as he recorded 5 strikeouts and 8 groundouts over 6 innings. The Hawks were led by the top of their order as Trent Madden (1-3, 1 run), Chase Gohl, (1-3), Thomas Hendrix (2-4) and Clounch (1-3) produced the five hits Hebron finished with in the game. The loss dropped the Hawks to 3-6 against district opponents, and 9-11-1 overall.
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Tuesday, April 22
Hawks Bats Return In Non-District Win Over Frisco Liberty
After being held to one run and five hits earlier in the week against Lewisville, the JV Blue Hawks returned to action and this time brought their sticks with them, scoring 10 runs on 10 hits in a rout of Frisco Liberty.
Although the offense waited until the third inning to break out of its scoring drought, the Hawks worked some two-out magic. Chase Gohl singled and stole second, and Thomas Hendrix followed with his fifth triple of the season to score Gohl. Stephen Roberts put the next pitch in the same location as Hendrix before him for an RBI double, and Roberts scored as leftfielder Brandon Delavar delivered an RBI single for the Hawks' third run of the inning.
There was more action in the fourth inning: Daniel Flores opened the inning by taking a fastball off the hip and moved to third as starting pitcher Travis Koch was safe on a Frisco error. An infield base hit by Gohl loaded the bases. Thomas Hendrix followed with his third hit of the game, driving in his second and third runs of the game as well. After a Roberts foul ball was caught, Brandon Clounch laced a double to the alley to score Hendrix and the Hawks led 8-1.
Travis Koch pitched through the fourth inning allowing 4 runs, only two of which were earned. He was touched for five hits while striking out six to earn the victory. Hunter Clay came on in the fifth to strikeout the side, and Daniel Flores earned the save pitching the seventhinning. The hitting stars for JV Blue were Chase Gohl (3-5; 2 runs; 1 RBI); Thomas Hendrix (3-4; triple, 2 runs, 3 RBI); Stephen Roberts (1-3, double; 2 RBI); and Brandon Delavar (2-3, 1 RBI).
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 | | Hawks' first baseman Brandon Delavar holds a Coppell runner close. | |
Saturday, April 19
JV BLUE RALLY FALLS SHORT AT COPPELL
|  | | Thomas Hendrix digs in at Coppell. The freshman already has six triples. | |
The grass was green, the weather was warm, and the sun was out; it was perfect baseball weather as the Coppell Cowboys and JV Blue Hawks met at Coppell’s freshmen field April 18.
Hawks ace Brandon Clounch took the mound hoping to add to the Blue's one-game win streak. Cowboy starting pitcher Nick Martinez shut down the first 10 batters he faced to begin the game, but Chase Gohl finally got things going for the Hawks with a single in the fourth inning. Thomas Hendrix sent the first pitch he saw to the right-center field wall for his sixth triple of the season to score Gohl and the Blue were on the board. The run brought the Hawks to within 3 as they spotted the Cowboys 4 runs in the first inning on 2 singles, a double and 2 errors.
Clounch and the Hawks settled down over the next 4 innings allowing only 2 runs; one earned. With Hebron trailing 5-1 entering the 5th, Daniel Flores followed Hunter Clay’s walk, with a single. Blake Courville moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt; setting the table for Trent Madden’s 2 RBI-double cutting the Coppell lead to 5-3. The Cowboys got one back in the bottom of the inning. The Hawks squandered an opportunity in the 6th inning as Hendrix lined a shot to center that the Coppell centerfielder had carom off his glove. The Hawks could not capitalize on the mistake and Hendrix was stranded at second.
Coppell’s Cody Marr took a Clounch curve ball deep for a home run in the 6th inning to give the Cowboys a 9-3 lead going into the 7th. The good news is the Hawks refused to quit. Hunter Clay opened by getting hit, Daniel Flores singled and Blake Courville followed with an RBI single; Madden walked and Gohl produced another RBI single. Hendrix's sacrifice fly to right scored the third run of the rally. Clounch got another run home with an RBI groundout and the Hawks were down 9-7. The game ended with deep fly ball to center by Brandon Delavar, and the rally fell just short. It was a great team comeback, but just fell short.
 | | Brandon Clounch took the loss at Coppell, but has pitched well this season. |
JV Blue Drops Nail Biter to Lake Dallas
JV Blue played Lake Dallas Saturday, April 19, in a game added to the schedule due to an early season tournament rainout.
There was no rain in site on Saturday, in fact it was perfect weather for baseball; but then again for those of us who love the game, any weather is perfect weather for baseball. Although the outcome wasn’t what the Hawks had hope for it was a very good baseball game. I know close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, but these young players continue to mature and grow with each inning of every game.
Starting pitcher Thomas Hendrix and the Hawk defense started 5 of the first 6 innings by setting down the first two Lake Dallas hitters. The Falcons produced 11 hits in a very timely fashion in scoring 7 of their 9 runs with two outs. Timely is an understatement in describing the Lake Dallas opportunities as Hendrix pitched 5 2/3 innings; of the 17 outs recorded 7 were groundouts, 7 were pop flies to the infield, and 3 strikeouts. The Falcon’s number 3 hitter, Tyler Waller hit for the cycle in reverse order as he smashed an inside the park homerun in the first, tripled in the third, doubled in the fifth, and finished with a single in the sixth inning.
It seemed as the Hawks just could not get a break. While Lake Dallas took advantage of their good fortune, the Blue boys took advantage of some opportunities afforded to them by the Lake Dallas defense to score 5 of their 7 runs on Falcon walks; the Hawks scattered 7 hits and led 7-5 going into the 5th inning. Lake Dallas scored 3 times in the 5th to take a one run lead. JV Blue answered in the bottom half of inning 5 when Trent Madden doubled and later scored an infield error.
Once again Hendrix began the 6th inning by setting down the first 2 in order with a strike out and a ground out before giving up a single and an error allowed Lake Dallas to take the lead for good. Madden finished the game 1-2, with an RBI; Travis Koch was an impressive 3-5 in the leadoff spot. Other Hawk offensive contributions were Brandon Clounch, 1-2, RBI, Daniel Flores 1-1, walk, 2 runs; and a special thanks to Tim Wallace on loan from JV Black who doubled twice in 4 at-bats; scored once and had an RBI. The loss dropped the Hawks to 10-13-1 on the season. JV Blue will close out the season this week with games on Tuesday at Marcus and a home game against Grapevine on Friday.
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Tuesday, April 22
JV Blue and Marcus Go 10 Innings; Settle For Tie
For JV Blue this season, there is just something special when Marcus is the opponent. The two met for the third time this season at Marcus on Tuesday (April 22). In the two earlier meetings the Hawks played their best baseball all year, winning at home in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning and pulling away late on a Saturday morning at Marcus for a win.
Each game has been special for its timely hitting, great defensive plays, and outstanding pitching; but this game had it all. The two teams dug in and loaded up for some good old fashioned baseball; and even though they say a tie is like kissing your sister, that's just fine because no one left on Tuesday evening feeling cheated by the score.
Hawk starting pitcher Daniel Flores' only glitch in facing the first 7 Marauders was surrendering a triple to the cleanup hitter to open the second inning. The run scored on a sac fly on a play made very close by the outstanding efforts of centerfielder Travis Koch who made the catch then hit the cutoff man - first basemen Brandon Clounch - whose strong relay throw to catcher Thomas Hendrix was just a split second too late. The run brought Marcus to within a run as Hebron had opened the game by scoring 2 runs in the first inning on a Koch walk, a Hendrix single, followed by a Clounch RBI single, and an RBI groundout by shortstop Chase Gohl.
The Marauders tied the game in the third as Flores issued two free passes to start the inning, and then came an RBI single and Flores' night was over. Coach McBride called on Ryan Mohan to step in and stop the potential big inning. And step in he did; Mohan came in with runners on 1st and 2nd and NO outs, and after . giving up a single to load the bases, Mohan and the Hawks were in a bit of a pickle. Speaking of a pickle. . .on the next pitch Marcus attempted to bunt and the runner from third strayed a little to far off the bag and catcher Hendrix threw to Brandon Delavar at third base and got the Marauder in a run down; after the two played catch; Delavar tagged the runner out. Then as shortstop Gohl was walking the ball back to the pitcher the Marcus runner started for third and an alert (and fast) Chase “chased” down the horseless Marauder for the second out.
After all that excitement Mohan ensued an easy ground ball on the next hitter and forced the runner at second; the Hawks were out of the inning giving up only the tying run. The Hawks waited until the 4th inning to take their next lead; scoring one run on a Flores single, followed by a walk to Delavar and an RBI sacrifice fly by Ryan Mohan. That was it for the Hawk offense as Hebron could manage only two more hits the rest of the way, a one-out single by Hunter Clay in the sixth and a two out single by Hendrix in the ninth inning (that’s right I said the ninth).
Marcus tied the game in the 6th on a ground out when with runners on 1st and 3rd and one out Hebron could only get the force at second. Marcus loaded the bases in the seventh inning, eighth inning, and ninth inning; each time only 90 feet from a victory and each time the Hawk defense made something special happen to extend the game. In the seventh, Travis Koch came on to pitch in relief of Mohan who pitched outstanding surrendering only one run in 4 1/3 innings. Koch kept the string of strong pitching going by getting a ground out to first base and ending the bases loaded threat with a grounder back to the mound. The eighth inning ended on line shot stabbed by Clounch at first base, and the ninth inning bases-loaded threat ended in a familiar fashion as once again backstop Hendrix caught a Marauder wandering a little too far from third and threw to Delavar at the hot corner who made an outstanding tag on the runner trying to get back.
The tenth inning was equally as dramatic as the previous innings as Hunter Clay, who entered the game in relief in the ninth inning mowed the Marcus hitters down with a strikeout, a fly ball to left and line shot smothered by Delavar at third. All in all it was one of those games where it was a shame someone had to lose; oh wait a minute; the game ended in tie; so much for kissing your sister. . .
JV Blue will end their season on Friday at Hawk Field against Grapevine. They finished district with a 3-6-1 record and stand at 10-13-2 going into Friday’s final game.
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 | | Thomas Hendrix drove in a run with this single. | |
JV BLUE ENDS SEASON WITH A WIN
| |  | | Travis Koch singles against Grapevine. |
In a season with more ups and downs than the stock market, the JV Blue Hawks finished the season on a high note by beating the Grapevine Mustangs at Hawks Field 7 to 5.
Brandon Clounch has been a steady force in the Hawk rotation all season and most definitely has given Hawk faithful something to look forward to over the next few years. Clounch pitched a complete game - his forth of the campaign - as he turned in a solid steady performance. Despite allowing 12 hits, the freshman never really found himself in any trouble as he finished the 104-pitch performance with 5 strikeouts, 4 walks and most importantly 11 ground-ball outs.
Grapevine’s only lead of the game came in the third inning when Mustang Matt Christensan reached second on the Hawks' only error of the game, and attempted to score on a bases-loaded single. A textbook relay throw by first basemen Brandon Delavar to Thomas Hendrix beat the runner to the plate, as Hendrix blocked the plate, made the tag and the only thing missing was the umpire’s out call. Instead a safe call was made and Grapevine led 3-2.
The Hawks took the lead for good in the forth inning as Travis Koch opened with a single and stole second; two fly-ball outs threatened to eliminate the offensive effort for Koch, when leadoff hitter Trent Madden singled to bring Travis home and tie the score. Madden later scored on an error on the Mustang third baseman, and the Blue Boys led 4-3.
The Hawks added two more runs in the fifth inning without the benefit of a base hit as Daniel Flores walked and went to second on an error, Koch reached base on a fielder's choice, Hunter Clay was hit by a Grapevine fastball, Madden brought a run home on a sac fly to center, Chase Gohl walked and Koch later scored his second run of the game on an error. The score at the end of five was 6-4.
The good guys had opened the bottom of the first inning as the steady and consistent top of the order once again produced. Leadoff hitter Madden reached on a successful bunt, Gohl sacrificed Madden to second and Hendrix contributed an RBI single, followed by an RBI single by pitcher Clounch.
The game and season ended when Clounch once again avoided any trouble by throwing 2 strikeouts in the seventh inning after allowing 3 singles in the inning.
The 8 Hawk hits were contributed by Madden (2-3, 2 runs), Koch (2-4, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases), Clounch (1-2, 1 RBI, 1 run), Chase Gohl (1-2, sac bunt), Hendrix (1-3,1 RBI, 1 run), and Ryan Mohan (1-3). The JV Blue Hawks finished the season 11-13-2, and a whole lot of hungry fans looking forward to next year. Good luck to the boys as they get ready to play for their summer teams and see ya next season!!
- WAYNE HENDRIX
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