If Brendan Conley didn’t play in the state title series, no one would have blamed him.

The Hawks’ senior captain gashed his index finger on his left hand while sliding into first base during Game 1 of the Final Four series against Cranston West.

At the time, he quickly rushed off the field and trainer Joe Maynard taped his finger, allowing Conley to return to first base.

But, after the game, Conley went to get the laceration looked at and ended up getting five stitches to close the wound.

Needless to say, Conley found himself out of the lineup for the Hawks’ series-clincher against Cranston West, leaving his availability as questionable going forward.

The right fielder, who was typically driving in runs out of the No. 3 or 4 spot in the order, suddenly didn’t know if he’d be in the lineup at the most important time of the year.

“It was obviously tough,” Conley said of the untimely injury. “It was a struggle. I sat out Game 2 and then sat out two or three days of practice. But the day before [the start of the championship series], I said ‘I have be out here. I’ve waited and I got the call this year.’”

Conley was able to work his way into the lineup for Game 1 at McCoy Stadium against South Kingstown, but his role wasn’t quite the same. He returned to play right field, but with the injury, Head Coach Ed Holloway dropped Conley to No. 9 in the batting order.

For the first time all year, Conley had to change his approach at the plate.

“It was definitely a switch, I had to change my approach a lot,” Conley said of moving down in the order. “Coming from the three and four hole, at that point you’re just pounding in RBIs. But I figured I really just had to focus on getting on base, kind of like a second leadoff hitter.”

In Game 1, Conley did just that, leading off the fifth inning with a walk – an inning in which Hendricken added an insurance run in a 3-1 victory.

In Game 2, Conley remained in the same spot in the order, but he delivered the biggest hit of the game.

His double to left field in the bottom of the third scored Billy Roberge and Colin McBride to give the Hawks a 6-2 cushion at the time. However, the double turned out to be the game-winning hit, as South Kingstown tacked on two in the fifth for a 6-4 final.

“Brendan got hurt against Cranston West, so he was batting cleanup and we had to move him to the ninth spot,” Holloway said. “He got a big hit into the left field corner and he got on base I don’t know how many times, but that was huge. He did a great job.”

“I’m really glad that I could run with the opportunity and get a couple of hits,” Conley said.

Conley, much like Hendricken in its playoff regional pod, had his back against the wall, but displayed tremendous resilience to overcome the odds.

The Hawks certainly took on the attitude of their captain.

“I’ve gotta be honest, once the adrenaline kicks in you don’t feel it much,” Conley said after the game. “Once I got out here, it was like being home. It was awesome.”

Winning the state title certainly lessens the pain too.