STATE COLLEGE — The defending Centre County Baseball League champion Howard Hawks are headed back to the league semifinals after completing a two-game sweep of the Lemont Ducks with a 12-1 victory on Thursday, July 9, at State College Community Park.
Kahale Burns led off the game with a line-drive double that landed just inside the left-field foul line. After two walks and a strikeout, Kaden Burns stepped to the plate and blasted a grand slam over the left-field fence. Lemont left fielder Sam Gapen made an incredible effort, flipping over the fence in an attempt to make the catch, but came up just short as Howard took a 4-0 lead.
Burns talked about the grand slam and how important it was to get off to a good start.
“Being able to jump out on top 4-0 definitely eases the nerves for everybody in this playoff series, we were able just to relax and have quality at bats with no pressure”
The runs continued for Howard in the second inning. Alex Gavlock singled, and Kahale Burns followed his first inning double with a two-run home run to extend Howard’s lead to 6-0. Two more walks and a single loaded the bases again for Kaden Burns, who hit into a fielder’s choice at third base. Bryan and Bryce Green both scored on the play to make it 8-0. The Hawks added three more runs in the inning on a pair of wild pitches and took a commanding 11-0 lead into the bottom of the second. Howard added one more run in the top of the third on another RBI fielder’s choice to increase the lead to 12-0.
Lemont finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Finn Powers doubled to center field, scoring Michael Warren to make it 12-1. That would be the final run of the game, as Lemont went down in order in the bottom of the fifth and Howard completed the 12-1, five-inning mercy-rule victory.
After the sweep, Kaden Burns, who finished with six RBIs, spoke again about moving on in the playoffs.
“It feels great. That’s the main goal all season: win and advance. I feel like we did a good job with that this series, putting the ball in play, having the right arms on the mound, and the right guys in defensive spots.”
Kahale Burns also finished with two hits and three RBIs in the win. Dylan Wormer threw four strong innings for the Hawks, allowing three hits, striking out four, and surrendering just one run in the fourth.
Lemont, which was led by Finn Powers with two hits and an RBI, finished the season with a 9-10 record.
