spent the majority of his senior season on the bench for Lincoln-Way Central, waiting for his opportunity. An infielder/pitcher and Wabash recruit, Hawksworth had just eight at-bats over the first two months this spring. But he remained ready.
“I was just staying calm and doing what I know I can do when I got an opportunity,” Hawksworth said. “It’s the practices, really. “Taking advantage of getting out here on these beautiful days and getting swings in at practice, staying positive.
” Hawksworth, who has finally gotten his chance over the last two weeks, came through with the game of his life Saturday. He went 3-for-3 with a triple, double, single and two RBIs to lead the host Knights to a 7-1 victory over Lincoln-Way East in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Regional championship game. Xavier recruit produced a two-run single for the fourth-seeded Knights (24-6), who have won their last 13 games.
and both went 2-for-3 with a run and Louisville recruit scored twice. , Landon’s brother and a fellow Xavier recruit, struck out four and allowed one earned run over six innings to earn the victory on the mound. Lincoln-Way Central’s Luke Mensik (18) throws a pitch against Lincoln-Way East during the Class 4A Lincoln-Way Central Regional championship game in New Lenox on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
(Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) It’s the first regional championship since 2017 for the Knights, who will play at 2 p.m. Wednesday in a Providence Sectional semifinal against .
