Herts Hawks’ first step on the playoff path in 2026 was firm and decisive. In five innings at Basing Hill ballpark they swept aside the visiting Leeds Locos to quickly book their place in the Division 4 semi-final.
The Hawks’ ace pitcher, Darrin Ward, was dealing from the very start. Even allowing for a couple of walks in the opening frame as he found his rhythm, he also struck out two batters. There was no score.
Harry McMenamin fulfilled his job as the spark-plug at the top of the home side’s order — and then some. He singled to lead off the Herts half of the first inning, and stole a base before being driven home by an Andrew Fulford double. McMenamin would end the day 4-4, with 3 RBIs.
Mike Cresswell then scored alertly from third when Leeds tried unsuccessfully to pick off Giuseppe Basilea as he stole second base. And the Locos suffered further setbacks with a couple of balks called. Four runs came in.
The Hawks kept it tight on defense then added two more runs to pad the lead. McMenamin — sometimes nicknamed Big Mac — caused more trouble on the bases.
Then the third inning opened with the sort of play that lets you know if it’s going to be your day. Leeds’ Ryan Webster hit a ball sharply towards shortstop, where Cresswell was able to dive and block it but could not take it cleanly. However the ball spun into the air, directly into the hands of waiting second baseman Tom Hill — who fired to first for the 6-4-3 groundout.
Circus baseball? Maybe. Baseball magic? Definitely.
Scott Sparrow got Leeds’ only hit of the day in the third, but they still could not score against Ward. In the fourth some loose fielding from the Hawks allowed the door to open just an inch. A harmless ground ball ended with a runner on third, and Milad Flynn was able to score. But that was all the damage that was allowed.
And Lee Dunn helped Herts emphatically seize back control in the bottom of the fourth. With Cresswell already aboard with a walk, Dunn drove the first pitch of his at-bat over the right centre-field fence for a home run. That made it 9-1 and the battle felt as if it was over.
The defense tightened back up, Basilea and co-manager Pete Hogg both securing outs. And Ward kept dealing on the mound. He ended the day with a complete game win, with just one hit and seven K’s.
The final blow to secure a mercy rule victory came appropriately from Harry McMenamin. His double to left field brought home speedy pinch-runner Kobby Darteh for the 16th and decisive run. Tom Hill scored the 17th right behind him as a bonus.
Leeds Locos battled hard and with great spirit but were simply overmatched against a Hawks team which was firing on almost all of its cylinders. Fixing those few defensive lapses will make Herts a formidable opponent in the next round.
Bracknell Phoenix lie ahead in the semi-final, which Herts will host on the 13th September. Bracknell who won the South Division, beat Birmingham 23-9 in their quarter final.