Resilience and execution can make all the difference in a baseball game.
The Lakeland Hawks (4-6, 1-1) exemplified this perfectly in their league opener on April 9. The Hawks traveled to Clarkston to battle the Moscow Bears (7-3, 1-1) at a neutral site. Despite being the first league action for first-year head coach Al Bevacqua’s Hawks, this doubleheader was essential to both team’s seasons for several reasons.
This game was a chance for the Lakeland Hawks to break free from their past struggles. In recent years, they have been at the bottom of the 4A IEL, often falling short against Moscow and Sandpoint. Starting league play on the road against the 4A IEL favorites was a daunting task but one they were determined to conquer.
The Bears dominated game one in a frustrating start for the Hawks’ ace, Tadhg Ellwood. Despite striking out four in less than three innings, Ellwood allowed eight runs in a game where the Bears never trailed. The Bears scored five runs in every inning but the second, leading to a 15-2 victory. Roan Reilly was the only Hawk with multiple hits, and Garrett Farrell drove in the team’s only two runs.
The Hawks pitching staff struggled with command in this game, walking eight batters. The frustrating component of this game was that both teams tallied the same amount of hits, while one outscored the other by 13. Moscow certainly took advantage of each baserunner.
Colin Killian entered the game in relief of Tadhg Ellwood. Killian gave up 3 runs before being relieved by Evan Shanley. Moscow’s Ethan McLaughlin stepped to the plate and walloped a grand slam to dead-center field.
Levi Anderson was the only Bear to tally multiple hits, smacking two doubles and driving in five runs. He also started the game on the mound and pitched four innings of shutout ball, allowing only two hits and three walks and striking out seven.
Undeterred by the first game’s outcome, the Hawks, fueled by a burning desire for a league win, launched into the second game with renewed determination.
Raiston Ellwood drove in the game’s first run; He and Cash Lund both had three hits for the Hawks.
“I think I did alright. I can work on my batting and stay within myself, but I did really well at stealing bases and outfielding,” Lund said. “I think the team can put more pressure on them earlier in the game, and our hitting and pitching is showing a lot of improvement.”
A single by Jack Driskill gave Moscow a 2-1 lead in the first. Both teams scored once in the third, and Roan Reilly’s RBI double knotted the game at three in the fifth. Jace Taylor broke the tie with a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning.
Taylor started the game on the mound and allowed three runs in three innings; he kept the Hawks within striking distance despite struggling with control. The Hawks also walked eight batters in the back end of the doubleheader, but Moscow was unable to capitalize.
Garrett Farrell relieved Taylor, tallying four outs and allowing zero runs before being replaced by Reilly. Reilly finished the game with 2 ⅔ innings of shutout pitching, sealing the Bears’ fate.
Though Moscow holds the tiebreaker over Lakeland due to overall record, the Hawks have a solid chance of winning the 4A IEL, depending on whether or not they can complete the sweep at home in May.
The Hawks will play next on April 12 in a nonleague road game against the Kellogg Wildcats (2-3) at 3 p.m.
“I think it was a team effort and a program win. They are the foundation of what is to come and I’m proud of them,” head coach Al Bevacqua said. “I am seeing an improvement in mindset. They are coming back and being more resilient to the negativity that happens in the game, and they are growing from the opportunities in front of them.”
