Hawks ‘déjà vu’ their way to a second straight title

One thing can be said for the Hiland Hawks’ state tournament effort June 8-9 in Akron. They always kept their audience riveted.

For the second game in a row, the Hawks arose from a dire situation, where their defense sparkled and sophomore Grady Monigold duplicated last year’s semifinal heroics with a clutch late-inning hit that propelled Hiland to a 3-2 victory over a spirited Fort Recovery team that painted its own unique story during its playoff run to the finals, having entered tournament play with only nine wins on the campaign.

For Hiland head coach Chris Dages, the sweet taste of victory repeated was something that was only possible through this team’s dedication.

“It’s kind of surreal doing it back-to-back like this, but these guys put a lot of work into it; they buy into it,” Dages said. “We ask them to do a lot, and they do it happily. They see the results that can come from it. These guys are preparing all the time.”

The victory to defend its Division IV state title was satisfying, but it didn’t come easily for the Hawks.

Hiland found itself trailing late again after the Indians plated two runs off Hiland starter Finn Schneider in the top of the first, and Hiland struggled to get anything going against FR starter Caden Grisez.

Hiland broke through for an unearned run in the top of the fourth, and it stayed that way until the fateful sixth when Monigold’s heroics sent the Hiland faithful into a frenzy and set the table for senior Brady Yoder to slam the door on a second straight title.

For a team on the cusp of defeat, not just once, but twice this season at state, the Hawks proved staying focused and believing in one another can overcome a lot of obstacles.

“The guys believed they could come back,” Dages said. “They didn’t hang their heads. They weren’t defeated one bit. They had all the confidence in the world that they were going to put the ball in play and make something happen.”

A wild third inning highlighted just how good this Hawks’ defense is and the critical role it played in the win.

Troy Homan led off the frame with a dart into the right-field corner. Hiland right-fielder Colin Coblentz tracked it down and rifled a perfect strike to cut man Brady Yoder, who rifled a shot to third baseman Caden Coblentz, who slapped the tag on Homan.

The next hitter Reece Wendell smashed a bomb to left-center, only to watch in amazement with the rest of the crowd as Hiland left-fielder Connor Beachy made what was perhaps the defensive play of the entire tournament, diving away from home plate on a full sprint to snare the rocket.

“Off the bat, I knew he hit it hard, and I got a good jump on it. I just sprinted back, and the wind was blowing in, and it hung up just long enough for me to make a play,” Beachy said. “Defense wins ballgames. If you don’t play good defense, it opens up cracks.”

Finally, Brady Yoder took a tough hop off the chest, stayed with it, picked it up barehanded and fired an off-balance strike to first to record the final out in a wild half-inning.

Then came the turning point in the sixth. Collin Coblentz singled to start the inning, and Brady Yoder sacrificed him to second. After Kaden Kandel walked, Danny Hostetler popped out, bringing Monigold to the plate with the balance of the game in limbo.

It was like déjà vu.

“(Monigold) came up to the plate. I look out at second, and there’s Colin standing there, and I was like, ‘OK, here we go. This is where the magic happens,’” Dages said. “I expected something good to happen right then, and Grady came through, big time.”

Monigold slammed a pitch to deep right-center that would have cleared most high school fences, but in cavernous Canal Park, he would have to settle for a two-run double.

That would do just fine.

“I was sitting dead-red fastball, trying to turn it around because he got me off-balance in my second at-bat with his curveball,” Monigold said. “I was hunting a fastball. Probably the farthest ball I hit this year.”

That he had duplicated last year’s feat was something Monigold said he will cherish, but he said the individual accolades aren’t important.

“Anything I can do to help our team win, that’s what feels great,” he said.

Dages said approaching this year’s defense of the state title and coming in hungry last season hinged on the same ideal.

“Both teams came in ready and well-prepared,” Dages said. “They were confident in what they needed to do to be successful.”

He said the other key was having players who wanted to compete, regardless of their role or position.

“It’s been a phenomenal run to watch,” Dages said. “This doesn’t just happen. These guys put a lot of time in. The seniors going out the door, we’ll give them big hugs and a thanks, and then the next group of guys will step up. You’ve gotta fill those shoes. They were big shoes to fill last year, and these guys stepped up.”

Step up they did, leaving Canal Fulton late on a Sunday night with the spoils of victory in tow, set to defend their crown once more.