Hawks show resilience in opening week
Seventh-grader Hudson Lowe took the mound for the JV Hawks on February 28. (photo:Photo submitted by Katherine Birkbeck )
In three games over six days, the Clinton Middle School varsity baseball team rallied past a rival, dominated a non-district opponent, and battled through a tight pitcher’s duel in district play before injuries, illness, and weather forced several early-season postponements.
The season began Tuesday night at the Fairgrounds with a dramatic comeback win over district rival Horace Maynard.
The Red Devils jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the first inning as the Hawks struggled with walks and defensive miscues. Despite the rough start, Clinton quickly regrouped.
“We were all a little nervous heading into the second inning,” Head Coach Jake Lowe said. “That’s part of the game. At that point it’s on us as coaches to settle things down and build our boys back up.”
Starting pitcher Pearson Lollar settled in after the opening frame.
“I realized after that inning I felt like I was more relaxed, and I focused more on just throwing strikes to Deacon over the plate,” Lollar said.
From there, Lollar dominated on the mound, striking out nine batters over three innings while allowing no hits. All four Horace Maynard runs were unearned.
The turning point came in the third.
With Lollar nearing his pitch count and two outs on the board, Lowe visited the mound.
“Pearson looked at me and said, ‘Coach, give me this batter. Trust me,’” Lowe said. “Four pitches later it was over. One ball and three bang-bang strikes.”
The Hawks carried that momentum straight into the bottom of the inning.
Clinton erupted for four runs to take the lead. Aiden Ortiz delivered a key RBI single, Canyon Long drove in a run with a groundout, and Rylan Boshears drew a bases-loaded walk before another run scored on a Horace Maynard error.
Boshears later closed the game on the mound, striking out three in a scoreless inning of relief.
“What made me most proud was the way they worked together and picked each other up,” Lowe said. “That’s what a team does.”
Clinton followed the rivalry win Friday with a dominant 16-2 victory over Lake City Middle, fueled by a 14-run first inning.
Deacon McGhee highlighted the rally with a three-run hit, while Pearson Lollar and Bryce Slaven each added run-scoring singles.
The Hawks finished with 11 hits, drew nine walks, and stole eight bases as several players saw extended playing time.
The Hawks closed the stretch Monday with a tight district matchup at Cherokee Middle. Both teams were strong on the mound, but Cherokee edged Clinton 3-2 in a pitcher’s duel.
Lollar worked four innings for the Hawks, while Clinton managed two hits from Lollar and Kole Sliger. Deacon McGhee drove in one run as the defense turned in a clean game without committing an error.
After the busy opening stretch, weather, illness, and injuries forced postponements against Norris and a rematch with Horace Maynard as the Clinton Hawks prepare for the next phase of the season after spring break.
