Box Score
    With the gorgeous weather that came to the Normal, IL area, Heartland Community College Baseball added on to their home opener, taking place on February 9th. The #4 nationally ranked Hawks were set to face Highland Community College.

    With the returners and newcomers, the Hawks are looking to take on the 2026 season by utilizing all aspects of the game to come out on top. Head Coach Chris Razo comments on the team and how they will continue moving forward, "I think this group has truly embraced using their experience as a learning from failures. The returning guys felt we didn't meet expectations last year, and you can see the hunger in everyday activities. Hyper-focusing on the little things."

    That being said, the offense and defense were working together to accumulate the win.

    On the mound to start the game for the Hawks was freshman right-hander Kasey Griffin, who allowed three hits but followed that with three strikeouts to finish out his two-inning endeavor. Following the freshman was Bloomington native Tyler Dowling throwing a total of 2 innings, facing 11 batters, allowing one walk, and sitting down four batters. To finish out the game, sophomore Nick Tickle took the mound to shut out the Cougars, striking out all three batters.

    With the fresh arms this year as well as the returners, Coach Razo reflects on his pitching staff and the advantages that they find themselves having this season, saying, "We have never had this many arms returning for pitching staff, and that's exciting as experience at this level is huge. I think the biggest thing this group learned is what it truly takes to compete at Enid, not just to get there."

    The pitching staff was able to hold off Highland to five runs, and the offense ran away with the game as they put their foot on the gas when it hit the third inning. The lineup was able to accumulate seven runs on eight hits taking the lead 8-5 and would expand the gap the following innings with eight more runs on nine hits. A couple of freshman bats, TJ Jakubowski and Jake Troyner, led the Hawks with three hits each in four plate appearances. Topping off strong plate appearances were some familiar faces, sophomores Jimmy Anderson and Daniel Bastidas, both of whom sent over two-run home runs in the same inning, showing off their powerful bats.

    The Hawks took the seven-inning game in five as they run-ruled the Cougars 16-5.

    As the Hawks look forward to their next few games, Coach Razo reflects on the season and the goals that the team is holding. "We have always had the same goal, and that's to find a way to Enid and compete when there." At the end of the week, the Hawks will travel down south to compete in Florida as their official spring break trip, facing four teams all nationally ranked in the top 20.