AKRON—Hawken defeated Elyria Catholic on Wednesday, 5-3, to win its first district title since 1996.
The Hawks scored first then played from behind to knock off the Panthers in the Division III Copley District championship.
“We picked each other up all day,” said Hawken coach, Aaron Brandt. “We had great at-bats, we made plays in the field; it was just a great effort all the way through.”
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Hawks trailed 2-1 after three.
Dom Brancel’s three-run homer in the fourth gave the Hawks the lead for good.
Devin Anthony earned the pitching victory after allowing three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts in a complete-game victory.
The Hawks, who improved to 18-4, will play South Range in a regional semifinal at Massillon Washington High School on June 2.
