The Bishop Hendricken baseball team won a rematch of last year’s semifinals when it held off Cumberland 12-8 in a shootout on Monday.

Despite jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Hawks were never able to get comfortable as the Clippers responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half to set the tone the rest of the way. Hendricken’s lead never exceeded five runs as the Clipper bats produced early and often, but the Hawks’ offense would do just enough to maintain the lead from start to finish.

Braeden Campbell led the Hendricken offense, going 2-for-5 and driving in four runs while Cole Camara and Jack LaRose each knocked in a pair. Griffin Crain and Ryan Thompson also drove in runs as well. Crain reached base five times in the win.

“We’ve got to continue to go through the lineup. They got some runs, then we had to get runs and get them back. Our lineup is very good this year and I’m confident in saying that since we have guys that are good in front and in back. We just need to keep putting up hits. Single, single, single, a couple doubles here and there. It feels good,” said Campbell after the win.

Although the Hendricken defense committed multiple errors, it made some key plays late in the game including a double play in the bottom of the sixth as well as a Campbell throw out at second base on a Cumberland steal attempt.

“No one is scared to make plays, none of us are scared to swing the bat,” said Campbell of the team’s well-rounded win. “We trust ourselves. Our 7, 8, 9 is just as good as our 1 through 3. Our defense is good, we make a lot of plays, and we have confidence that (our pitchers will) throw strikes.”

“Our offense has been hot all year and came up big today. Our defense could be a little better but did enough, our pitching gave us a chance to win, it was a good game,” added LaRose.

Hendricken remained unbeaten and improved to 14-0. The Hawks will have perhaps their softest portion of the regular season schedule to finish things up, and have collected big wins against the Clippers, South Kingstown and North Kingstown.

The Hawks entered last year’s postseason as the favorite to win it all, but were upset by the Cinderella Clippers who went on to win their first title in three decades. Last year’s heartbreaking finish has helped the Hawks stay focused this time around and not get complacent down the stretch.

“It’s really important but at the end of the day, with playoff baseball, you saw what happened last year, (regular season wins don’t) matter,” said LaRose. “It’s a statement win, but statements only go so far. We have to keep grinding and swinging the bat.”