Hawks fall in regional finale

Lake Howell’s state championship run ended abruptly in the regional final, as the Silver Hawks fell to the Deltona Wolves 8-3. Three longballs made a big difference for the Wolves, who swung for the fences to take the win.

But the Hawks actually led that game after the top of the third, when they put two runs up on the board to break open a run-less stalemate and take the lead.

That didn’t last long though, as the Wolves sparked a two-run rally of their own in the bottom of the third, and began quickly running away with the game.

Throughout the next three innings, the Wolves put another six runs across the plate before the game ended in a torrent of rain.

The Hawks took a shot at a comeback just before the Wolves’ most explosive inning, but one run wasn’t enough to catch up.

In the end the Hawks’ Jonael Feliciano’s team-leading 2-for-3 hitting, including a run batted in, wasn’t enough to put the Hawks over the top.

Jose Ortega’s hard throwing style may have cost him in the game, as he gave up five earned runs, including two big homeruns that may have spelled the difference in the game. He struck out five batters in four innings on the mound.

Teddy Ochoa picked up three strikeouts in three innings of relief, also giving up a dinger and three runs.

The Hawks ended the season with a 23-7 overall records, including a string of five-straight playoff wins to carry them to a regional runner-up finish.