A big senior class and talented lineup have the Hawken Hawks eyeing a conference title this spring.
The Hawks, who finished 14-9 overall and 8-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division last spring, return six starters and 10 letter winners from last year.
“We are excited about the talent returning for 2025, including a senior class of eight players,” said Hawken coach Aaron Brandt. “The Hawks expect to compete for the CVC Chagrin Division and look to make noise in the postseason.”
Hawken’s graduation losses won’t be easy to replace.
“We graduated a small senior class but included our top two pitchers, plus three of the top five bats,” Brandt said. “We do have lots of depth in the returning guys, but we have to find some players ready to step up into the role.”
The Hawks have a pair of all-conference performers among their returning starters.
Senior Asher Kimball, a Rollins College commitment, was a first-team selection. He’ll start at shortstop.
“He’s a solid middle-of-the-order bat who had 12 RBI in 2024,” Brandt said. “He has good gap power and speed on the bases.”
Jacob Stovsky was an honorable mention selection. He’ll play second base.
“Solid infield glove who hit .267 last year with 12 RBI,” Brandt said. “He led the team in walks and batting average with runners in scoring position.”
Sophomore Cole Twardokus will start at third base and anchor the Hawks’ pitching staff. He posted a 0.91 earned run average with almost two strikeouts per inning as a freshman.
Senior Maddux Ruch will patrol center field after missing time in 2024 due to an injury.
“He’s a good leader and outstanding defensive outfielder,” Brandt said. “I look for him to return to form as an offensive threat as he hit .333 as a sophomore.”
Sophomore Miles Hamilton will DH as he nurses an arm injury. He batted .313 as a freshman.
Aum Tyler will catch, Ethan Gipson will play first base, and Eli Mester is slotted in right field. Billy Butler and Jack Ruple are competing for time in left.
Twardokus, Gipson, Butler, Mester, Stovsky, and Dilan Nadkami provide the Hawks with a stable of capable arms on the mound.
“A large senior class with experience will help us enter the season with confidence,” Brandt said. “We have depth in the pitching staff as we have six or seven players who have varsity success and a variety of pitches to keep hitters off balance. We have good team speed with effective base runners who will put pressure on defenses.”
Hawken’s success hinges on a number of factors.
“We have to stay healthy, first and foremost,” Brandt said. “From our pitching depth, we will need to find one or two go-to starters. We have some good prospects for that role in the preseason, we just need to have them translate that to the field.”
