Dillon Hawkins stared ahead, exhaled, and gave himself a quick pep talk Saturday evening on the mound, one that helped the New Hope High School baseball team force a third and final game in its third-round playoff series against Ridgeland.
With the bases loaded, Hawkins kept Southern Mississippi signee Nick Johnson in the on-deck circle by striking out Mark Varnado for the final out in a 5-1 win.
The victory was Hawkins” third complete game win of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State playoffs and epitomized his growth as a pitcher.
“I told myself, ”All right Dillon, you really got to really step it out right here,” ” Hawkins said. “I knew one of their best hitters was up next. I had to get that guy (Varnado).”
That”s what he did.
“We feel pretty good,” he said. “We got a good win tonight. We got to get ready for Monday.”
Game three of the best-of-three series will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Ridgeland (20-8), the 2010 Class 5A runner-up. The winner will advance to the 5A semifinals to face Oxford or Neshoba Central.
New Hope coach Lee Boyd was unsure about Monday”s starter, but said he expected to utilize Destin Hahn and Peyton Lee in some capacity.
Boyd will have to make that decision thanks to Hawkins, who settled down after loading the bases in the sixth. He appeared shaken, struggling with his location at the wrong time after walking Andrew Hulbert, which put the tying run at the plate. It was no position to be in. Not when one errand pitch or good swing could tie Game 2, and a second could end New Hope”s postseason run.
That”s why Hawkins” moment showcased his newfound ability not to overthrow. Earlier in the season, Hawkins struggled because he tried to power his pitches to home plate instead of focusing on technique.
“Now, he realizes he can take a little bit off if he gets some movement and he doesn”t telegraph his fastball, curveball, changeup,” Boyd said.
Hawkins, a senior, needed all three pitches in front of the home crowd. But he wasn”t the only New Hope player to take advantage of recent improvements.
Dusty Dyson, who went 0-for-5 Friday night in a 6-5 loss in 10 innings, hit his fifth home run of the season to give New Hope (24-8) a 1-0 lead in the first. His shot came with two outs.
Later, after Landon Boyd”s RBI single in the fourth and Kameron Bryan”s RBI single in the fifth, Dyson drove home two more runs with a single in the sixth.
“It”s great since I struggled Friday night,” Dyson said. “It feels good to get two hits. Felt really good.”
His problem before Saturday?
“I was guessing at pitches,” he said. “Wasn”t really relaxing. I wasn”t using my hands like I was supposed to. Tonight, I relaxed.”
Just like Hawkins, who improved to 5-3. Hawkins scattered seven hits, allowing just one run. He had nine strikeouts with three walks. Ben Boykin (7-1) took the loss for Ridgeland, losers of just its second game since spring break. Boykin pitched six innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs. He also had seven strikeouts and three walks.
Hawkins” play was even better when factoring in his regular season and career. While he has had highlights — including a five-inning no-hitter last season against Columbus High — he has had plenty of low points, most of them due to trying too hard to blast balls by home plate.
One day earlier, a bases-loaded single by Andrew Hulbert in the 10th innings allowed Ridgeland to take a 1-0 series lead.
Not this time. Not with Hawkins pitching his best baseball of not only the playoffs, but the postseason.
Hulbert had another multi-hit game with two singles, as did Collin Carroll, but neither could give Ridgeland enough offense to end the series.
“I had to work on some things before the playoffs to get where I am now,” Hawkins said. “Before, I wasn”t up there pitching. I was throwing. And the past three weeks, I”ve been a pitcher, locating my ball and not trying to sail my pitches.”
Now that Hawkins here, pitching well, he doesn”t plan on stopping.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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