Hawks looking for fourth straight title as playoffs get underway

Matt Metcalf
Posted 6/4/15

When early June rolls around, high school baseball teams in Rhode Island don’t want to see Hendricken in the opposing dugout.

And for good reason.

After all, the Hawks are the owners of the …

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Hawks looking for fourth straight title as playoffs get underway

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When early June rolls around, high school baseball teams in Rhode Island don’t want to see Hendricken in the opposing dugout.

And for good reason.

After all, the Hawks are the owners of the last three state titles, including six of the last seven.

Furthermore, this year’s Hendricken squad looks to be one of its strongest in recent years.

The Hawks will enter the first round of the playoffs today against Woonsocket at 4 p.m. as the top seed in Division I after running the table to the tune of an unblemished 18-0 record, the second time in the last three seasons that the Hawks posted an undefeated regular season.

But even though many would deem Hendricken to be the favorite, the Hawks are plugging their ears and just going about their business. Because they know that on any given day in baseball, they can be beaten.

“We had a good season and we thought that we’d have a good team because we have so many guys from last year’s team,” Hendricken head coach Ed Holloway said. “We were 18-0 in the regular season, but like I tell them now, everybody is 0-0, so we just have to play our best ball.”

There’s no denying how good Hendricken has been this season, though.

Not only did the Hawks lead the league in runs scored with 154, but they also surrendered the fewest runs by far, yielding just a shade over a run per game.

The latter, according to Holloway, will be the key for his squad entering the playoffs.

“I tell them everyday that it’s pitching and defense, so that’s what we’ve stressed all year,” Holloway said. “We’ve been really good this year. I think we’ve only given up 19 runs in 18 games and they’re not all earned. So hopefully we can handle the pressure because it’s a whole new game now.”

If experience in fact does play a factor at this time of year – and I believe that it does – then the Hawks are in good shape.

Behind the dish, Gian Martellini has backstopped the Hawks to two consecutive state titles. Additionally, third baseman John Toppa, shortstop John Willette, centerfielder Dante Baldelli and starting pitchers Mike McCaffrey and Anthony Cofone have all encountered playoff success, just to name a few.

Having state championship experience on a roster is a valuable asset to have through the peaks and valleys of the postseason.

But the Hawks did lose some key pieces from last year’s squad, All-State second baseman Ryan Rotondo and outfielder Brady Chant, two players that brought a lot to the team.

“I think it’s important, the experience is big,” Holloway said. “We lost some good players. We lost Ryan Rotondo, maybe the best hitter on our team. And Brady Chant played great defense, was a good hitter and provided tremendous leadership. But a lot of guys are back and are a year older and more experienced. I think we’ve got a good shot.”

In terms of playoff format, Hendricken has been placed in a bracket with Woonsocket, La Salle and North Providence.

The Hawks handled all three fairly easily during the regular season.

Woonsocket, Hendricken’s first opponent, is backing into the playoffs in a big way, losing its final three season games while clinging on to that final playoff spot.

But now isn’t the time to look past an opponent, and Hendricken knows that.

“It’s not who you play, it’s how you play, and we need to play good baseball,” Holloway said. “If the other team plays equal or better than that, then you tip your cap to them. We have to respect every opponent because anyone is capable of beating you. You’re facing the top pitchers on each team, especially in the first game or two.”

The Hawks have undoubtedly rolled out the top pitching rotation in the state this season, and that rotation will be ready for the stretch run.

Holloway noted that he’s confident in the three-man rotation that his team has used all season – McCaffrey, Matt Kennedy and Cofone. Hendricken will continue to pitch all three during the postseason, as depth on the mound isn’t an issue for the Hawks, a luxury with several games in a short period of time in the playoffs.

Just to make it out of the regional pod, Hendricken would have to win games today, Saturday and Monday. If it were to lose a game, it would have to play more games out of the losers’ bracket.

Many teams in the state would rush their No. 1 starter back on short rest, but that’s something that the Hawks won’t have to do.

This team is truly built for a deep playoff run.

“If we go out and pitch, play good defense and hit, then things will take care of themselves,” Holloway said. “But if we don’t play the way that we’ve played all year, then we’re capable of losing to any team.”

Hendricken will have home-field advantage through the regional. Play will then shift to McCarthy Field in West Warwick for the Final Four, before McCoy Stadium hosts the state championship. The Final Four and state championship will be played as best of three series.

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