TEXARKANA, TX (KTAL/KMSS) — The Hawks are heading home with smiles on their faces and soaking wet jerseys after jumping right into celebrating their state semi win after defeating West Plains 10-0.

“Just excited for the team, excited for the community, the fans, the support that they bring out for these players, these young men,” head coach Riley Fincher said. “It’s phenomenal and just want the kids to soak up every moment. Enjoy this, enjoy jumping in the pool, enjoy the bus rides, enjoy practice. But we know next Friday, you know, it’s going to be a dog fight.”

While bats were hot, the defense was the star of the show with pitcher Spencer Browning finishing off what Hunter Rose started last night.

“I just wanted to attack the zone. Throwing strikes is probably the best thing you can do out there. So, throwing as many strikes as I can, let them get themselves out, and it was working pretty well,” Browning said.

Browning’s was not the only defensive effort noticed.

“Our defense played phenomenal behind him. Harrison Hoover at third base made play after play after play. That was huge. To see that young man grow up throughout the season is amazing for us and then at the plate offensively we just kept attacking,” Fincher said.

Last year the team of mostly juniors fell just short of a state title, and now with one game left in their high school career they have a second chance.

“Pretty crazy to know like it’s gone this fast. I’ve loved these guys, playing with them ever since I was little, and we’ll all be on our different journeys after this one game but we got one more game and it’s the most important one yet so I’m excited to play with them,” Browning said.

While Fincher has a close relationship with all of his guys, doing it with his son, Landon, makes it extra special.

“He’s been a part of this for five years or since he was five years old and he struggled at the plate yesterday and felt like he let the team down. And I know, just stay with, stay with it. For him to come up with two strikes in this first at bat with a big triple, extend the inning, that’s huge. And I just, like all of them, I want them to succeed. I want them to play the game, be happy. I’m hard as crap on them, but I love them all to death. And it is very, very special having my son a part of this,” Fincher said.

The Hawks final game of the season will take place next week at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. They will face the winner of Calallen and Bullard, whose series begins Friday, May 29 at 7 pm.

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