After a dominant regular season, and a hard-fought semi-final victory at Grovehill, the Herts Hawks got their reward with a trip to Farnham Park. They would play a best-of-three finals series against the Plymouth Outlaws. And the Hawks put an exclamation point on their year.
The first game on the Saturday saw Herts exploding out of the gate, and never allowing Plymouth to find a way back into the contest. Four runs crossed the plate in the first, another four in the second.
Then came the knockout blow in the third. Five more Hawks runs poured across, stretching the lead to 13–0 and putting the game firmly under Herts control. The Outlaws managed three runs in the fourth to show some fight, but Herts answered with another run in the fifth and closed out the game with a 15–5 scoreline.
At the heart of the offensive charge was third baseman Sonam Lama, who enjoyed an outstanding afternoon at the plate. Lama went 3-for-4, scored three times and drove in three.
Harry McMenamin was another constant threat, collecting two hits and crossing the plate three times. Catcher Andrew Fulford reached base three times and scored on each occasion.
On the mound, Darrin Ward went the distance for Herts across all five innings, scattering four hits and striking out five. He had to work through some pressure in the fourth as Plymouth finally found a few gaps, but the veteran was able to stay composed and attack the strike zone.
The win put Herts in a great place to control the series. From the opening four-run burst to the final out, this was Herts baseball at its most assertive
The Hawks jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first inning of Game 2 on Sunday morning – and then piled on another three in the second. It was clear that momentum was with them and that they intended to capitalise.
McMenamin was right at the heart of it again, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Andrew Fulford reached base three times and drove in two. Lee Dunn also drove in two while Lama collected another couple of hits.
On the mound, Mike Cresswell was on duty. He delivered four innings, allowing five hits but keeping the opposition scoreless. He picked up three strikeouts. Closer Anu Rangajith then handled the final inning, striking out two; the lone run against Herts in their 11-1 victory was unearned.
This was a clinical performance across the weekend from the Herts Hawks to secure the club’s first adult national title since 2016. The managers, Pete Hogg and Giuseppe Basilea, were able to mix youth and experience, and instill a commitment to fundamentals.
Hogg said: “When Gio and I took on managing the Hawks together, we set an ambitious target of bringing silverware to Herts and recruited some top quality talent during the off-season to make it happen.
“I’m proud of every single player on this roster – they have all played their part. We have bags of talent, experience, amazing camaraderie and a winning mentality. We’re looking forward to tearing up Division 3 next season!”
There was also something else very special in the mix for the Hawks this year.
This was a year of success in tribute to the late Chris Hogg, a player-manager of the Hemel Red Sox – the club which became Herts some thirty years ago. His sons Pete Hogg and Mickey, who came over to the club to be part of this Hawks team, said they “really felt him there with us” during the playoff run.
For the post-season, the Hawks unveiled special sleeve patches in his memory. Pete said: “Our whole family is grateful to Herts Baseball Club for honouring my Dad’s legacy with these commemorative patches.
“My brother Mickey and I were so proud to wear them on our sleeves, along with every other Herts Hawks player.”
For Herts, it was fitting that players were able to honour the past while building for the future. The Hawks look set to move into Division 3 as Champions, and the club is excited about other changes and new recruits in the pipeline for 2027.