Hawks Clinch Wild Card
Division Title Unlikely
by Caitlen Sullivan
Halifax Chronicle Herald Sports Editor
September 26, 2024
Well, the Hawks have clinched a Wild Card berth and a likely meeting with the Huntsville Phantoms, last year’s MBWBA champions, in the Wild Card Run. But the Johnson League Atlantic Title is not totally out of the realm of possibility. Unlikely, but possible still – 1.5 games behind Brooklyn with three to play against Greenville (Brooklyn has four with Louisville). Here are the possibilities:
- Hawks lose all three. Bring on Huntsville in the appropriately but reverse jinx ominously named Geoghegan Wild Card Round
- Hawks win one, Brooklyn is swept by Louisville – One game playoff for division crown
- Hawks win one, Brooklyn wins at least one over Louisville – Wild Card
- Hawks win two, Brooklyn gets swept – Hawks win division
- Hawks win two, Brooklyn wins one – One game playoff
- Hawks win two, Brooklyn wins two or more – Hawks in Wild Card Round
- Hawks sweep Greenville, Brooklyn wins none or one – Hawks win division
- Hawks sweep Greenville, Brooklyn wins two – One game playoff
- Hawks sweep Greenville, Brooklyn wins more than two – Hawks in Wild Card Round
The Saga of the Third Base Revolving Door
- Eric Hardy was in his second season of hitting under .200. He was finally released in advance of his ludicrous $8.0 million team option for next year.
- Home grown Luis Hernandez failed to do any better and was finally optioned back to AAA Montgomery.
- Wilton Sanders was acquired from Hawaii to have a go despite the fact he was hitting less than .200 in the Aloha state. The friendly confines of NS stadium didn’t seem to help his offensive prowess, and he remains mainly riding the wood in the Halifax dugout.
- On August 1st, practically in desperation, the Hawks signed free agent Ben McLaughlin to a deal that pays him $1.2 million this year with a team option for next year. So far, McLaughlin has been a revelation: he’s hitting .318 with 6 home runs and 19 RBIs in 30 games. Little used outfielder Vicente López was released to make room for McLaughlin on the roster.
