Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4     In March, the Heartland Hawks dominated conference match ups. The first weekend the Hawks were set to face the ICC Cougars where they took the series 3-1. The following weekend held a 4-game sweep against the Danville Jaguars. Along the way, players and coaches have displayed a strong game across all standards. Offensively, the bats have been hot during conference play as the Hawks are outscoring opponents 85-28.  At the mound, the pitchers are keeping runners off the bases and holding opponents to a .274 batting average with 171 strikeouts with only 74 walks in 151 innings. 

    To start conference play, the Hawks hosted the Illinois Central College Cougars to a doubleheader at the Corn Crib. The day started with Jacob O'Day on the mound for the Hawks only allowing three hits with one walk and totaling 11 strikeouts on the day. Coming into relief was RHP Dylan Nagle adding 3 SO for a total of 14 for the pitching staff. Offensively, the Hawks secured the win due to Tommy Atkinson adding two hits and two steals on the day. Also, showing up at the plate was first baseman Eli Kieser batting in two runs making the final 3-0. 
    Game two ended with flare as the Hawks walked it off after being down 6-2 in the last half inning of the game. At the plate, the Hawks totaled 11 hits with Luke Ramsey, Jimmy Anderson, and Max Hennemann adding two hits apiece. Securing the victory was the designated hitter Brady Davidson who ended the game with two hits, one run coming in the bottom of the seventh. At the mound, Ryan Anderson earned the 7-6 win for the Hawks. 
             
    Day two the Hawks headed to East Peoria where they ended the day 1-1. The first game was hard fought till the last inning when the Cougars walked it off making the final 3-4. Trevor Rehnstrom and Tyler Ledvina took the mound for the Hawks. Rehnstrom added on 6 strikeouts over 5 innings pitched. At the plate, Anderson tacked on two hits out of the seven with a run and walk as well. 
              Finishing out the series, the Hawks made a statement with a 17-3 win with a strong presence from the offense and defense. Ramsey led the Hawks in the box going 4-6 with 4 RBIs and a two-run home run in the top of the sixth. Tony Konopiots added to the score with two hits and five RBIs. Earning the win at the mound was RHP Jimmy Amptmann allowing no runs on no hits. Patrick Gardner came in for relief pitching 5 innings and striking out a total of seven. 

    Heartland took the series 3-1 and was set to play Danville Area Community College the following weekend. 

    The Hawks took on the Jaguars first in Danville securing two wins and totaling 34 runs. The first game came with a victory for the Hawks at 14-2. Atkinson, Bastidas, and Kieser combined added five out of the nine hits. Collectively they scored seven runs while also driving in six. Anderson added offensively with a grand slam at the top of the second. Pitching for the Hawks was O'Day once again giving up one walk in five IP and totaling seven strikeouts. 
    Game two went no different with the Hawks taking the victory 20-3. Kaden Griffitts led the team going 5-5 at the plate with a two-run HR in the sixth. The bats were hot throughout the lineup with the roster racking up 19 hits on the game. Logan Barnett earned the win in 5 IPs with four strikeouts and only allowing one walk. 

    The following day the team was back at home and ready to take the series. Game one ended with a win for Rehnstrom starting at the plate and Tyler Ledvina coming in for relief. Bastidas, Jesse Contreras, and Hennemann had two hits apiece. The Hawks added nine stolen bases with Anderson and Contreras having a couple bags each. The Hawks walked away from game one with a 12-6 victory. 
    Finishing off the series, Heartland looked to take the sweep over Danville and were able to in a 9-4 win. Offensively, the bats showed up with 10 total hits. At the plate, Konopiots went 3-3 with two singles and a double. Anderson showed up big with a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth. Relief pitcher Gardner came in to pitch seven innings tacking on five strikeouts and only allowing one run. Heartland swept the series with impressive play from the field and also showing up big at the plate. 

    Hawks continue play at home with doubleheaders against Elgin Community College on Monday, March 24th, before returning to conference play next weekend against John Wood Community College.