Hanahan High School’s baseball team checked off its first primary goal of the season Monday, April 22, successfully navigating Beaufort High School’s upset bid on the road.
Hawks leadoff hitter Sterling Coaxum smoked a two-out, two-run double to left field to highlight a three-run top of the sixth inning as Hanahan rallied from a deficit to slip past the Eagles, 6-4, in a league clash that mathematically locked up the crown for the Hawks.
Porter Sprovero garnered the win in relief, pitching two hitless innings with two strikeouts for the Hawks. Hanahan bounced back from a non-region loss at James Island Wednesday, April 17, that snapped the Hawks’ 14-game winning streak.
Beaufort dropped to 5-2 against league foes.
Coaxum and outfielder Joe Furse each collected two hits and two RBIs. Before Coaxum gave the Hawks the lead, Furse walked with the bases loaded to force in the tying run.
The region title is the second in a row for Hanahan, which concluded the regular season Wednesday, April 24, with a 4-3 win at home against Beaufort. The Hawks moved to 23-3 overall and 8-0 in league play.
Outfielder Landon Gomes lifted a solo home run to centerfield in the bottom of the sixth to break a 3-3 tie. Sprovero allowed a single to start the top of the seventh but retired the next three in order to earn the save.
Hawks starter Gabe Dotterweich hurled six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. He struck out 10 batters and walked three.
Beaufort grabbed a 3-2 lead with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Hanahan pulled even in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Furse.
The curtains come up on the Class 3A playoffs Tuesday, April 30, against the fourth-place team from Region 7-3A. Hanahan’s second game is Thursday, May 2, at home against the Region 5-3A runner-up or Region 6-3A third-place team.
In 2023, the Hawks advanced to the Class 3A state championship series in their final campaign under longtime coach Brian Mitchell.
As for the rest of the season’s goals, the Hawks should have an opportunity to make another deep playoff run, perhaps even hoist a state championship trophy for the first time since 1976.
Cane Bay 1
Berkeley 0
Cane Bay’s baseball team improved to 11-11 overall with a 1-0 victory at Berkeley Monday, April 22, in a Region 6-5A game.
Cobras pitcher Ryan Brewington allowed one hit and struck out four batters.
Cane Bay tallied the lone run in the top of the first inning on a groundout by Devon Hogue. Leadoff hitter Julian Minus reached on a single and moved to second on a passed ball. He went to third on a sacrifice bunt and came home when Hogue rolled one to shortstop.
Stags pitcher Gavin Gaskins also hurled a one-hitter and struck out seven batters.
Berkeley dropped to 16-8.
