By Bruce Karnick

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The Hastings Hawks 2022 season ended abruptly at the hands of the Stewartville/Racine Sharks on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks had faced the Sharks earlier in the year winning that tilt 71. Hastings had also defeated the two remaining teams from the playoff bracket earlier in the season, so fans and players alike had high expectations coming into the day.

“We knew we had our work cutout for us no matter who we faced on Saturday,” explained Hawks manager Shawn Matson. “All three teams are good teams, but we also knew we would have a great chance to beat them, it just did not turn out the way we had hoped.”

Hastings jumped out to a threerun lead in the top of the first. Jackson Schaffer started things off with a one out single followed by an Isaac Flynn single. Cole Benson loaded the bases after being hit by pitch. Blake Warner drove in the first run with a grounder to third that was slowed by the poor infield grass allowing a fielders choice to third. Tessman reached on an error that also allowed a run and Cory Wolters hit an RBI single to make the game 30. The Sharks scored one in the bottom of the first.

The Hawks added one in the fourth when Benson reached on an error and was driven in by Wolters. At this point, the Hawks hoped their pitching and defense could hold the Sharks, but Stewartville kept chipping away until the bottom of the fifth. Hawks ace Jordan Jeske pitched well through four innings but walked the first batter in the bottom of the fifth. That batter eventually scored to tie the game earning Jeske a no decision in the game when he was replaced by Dennis Reinhart. Reinhart allowed three more runs on a bases clearing double by Sean Hohmeister in the fifth to make the score 74 Sharks.

Will Lavin came in for the final three innings and shut down the Sharks, but the damage had been done. Hastings was unable to rally in their final four innings to finish the game 74, ending their season.

“I think right now everybody's still kind of reeling from the loss a little bit.But, everybody's optimism is gonna be pretty high for next year. We all know we're close. We're knocking on the door. We just got to get there,” explained Matson.

Hastings finished the season with a record of 1816, the first winning season in eight years.

“I thought we pitched pretty well for the for the most part. We had a couple of big additions for us to help us out. A lot of our new guys stepped up in big spots and helped us win ballgames. When we look at the season as a whole, it's a first time we've had a winning record and eight years so it’s a huge positive,” said Matson. Offense leaders for Hastings: Batting Average Jackson Schaffer .380 Hits Isaac Flynn 36 Runs – Isaac Flynn 24 Doubles Cory Wolters 8 Triples – Cory Wolters and Jackson Tessman 2 HomeRunsCory Wolters and Schaffer 1 RBI – Isaac Flynn and Cole Benson 13 Walks – Isaac Flynn 25 Stolen Bases – Jackson Schaffer 8 Pitching Innings pitched Jordan Jeske 74 1/3 Wins Jordan Jeske 6 Earned Run Average Tommy Ritt 2.61 Saves – Tommy Ritt 3 The end of the season was a huge disappointment for Hastings with not making it to the state tournament, but overall, the season was a success.

“I’m just hoping that all the guys that go away to college work hard next year and they come back better baseball players. We also hope all the guys come back healthy next year and are ready to go again,” concluded Matson.

The Hawks social media had a wonderful message to fans for the conclusion of the season.

As most of you are aware, the Hawks season ended yesterday with a 7-4 loss. Obviously, it always hurts to fall short on the field, but it also stings because we all have to say goodbye to our summer family who we had such a great time with over the last three months.

We just wanted to take a moment to send our love and appreciation to all the players, all the board members, and all the volunteers who helped in concession stands and getting the field ready. We couldn't do this thing without all of you, you're the best.

Also a big shout to our friends and partners over at HCTV who broadcasted six of our games this season and whose production gets better every single game. Also, the Hastings Journal for their excellent coverage each week with the great recaps and photos that give readers a peek at what they are missing. You both have done an excellent job in helping us spread the word on what a special thing Minnesota Townball is, and we look forward to working with you for many years to come.

And last but not least, thanks to all the family, friends, and fans that supported us all year. Whether it be those of you who were cheering loud and proud in person and supporting the team by buying a Brat and a Beef Jerky in concessions, or those of you who were watching on HCTV or listening on our internet broadcasts and cheering along at home, at work, or out on the lake. Thank you all so much.

There are bigger and better things in our future, and I hope that all of you are back with us next year to take this ride again and make some more memories.

Love you guys. Go Hawks! #Cawww A special thank you needs to go out to the Hawks board, especially Johnny Stocker and Derek Simon for their support of the stories we were able to bring to you in the Hastings Journal this year. Without their bookkeeping at the away games, many of the stories would lack the depth of the scoring summaries simply because I cannot attend every away game. It’s been a pleasure bringing you the story of your hometown amateur baseball team this year.

Jordan Jeske started on the bump for Hastings in the first game of the day on Saturday. Jeske has had a phenomenal season all year being the team’s ace. Jeske’s performance on the mound all season earned him a spot on the Cannon Falls Bears playoff roster for State. Class C teams can ‘draft’ three players from their section for the state tournament to bolster their roster. Photo by Bruce Karnick