Nick Evangelista-Hamburg

Nick Evangelista has been around long enough to know that winning isn’t easy in Berks County. “I truly believe that we have some of the best baseball in the state,” said Evangelista. The former Hamburg standout pitcher has been the Hawks’ skipper for 14 years. He guided them all the way to the state semifinals in 2019. Hamburg went (14-8, 9-3) a season ago to capture the Division 3 championship. The Hawks fell to third-seeded Exeter 6-3 in the BCIAA quarterfinals. Hamburg is competing with Oley Valley, Berks Catholic, Schuylkill Valley and Wyomissing in what’s expected to be a tight race for the division crown. The Saints are (3-0) and the Lynx reached the Berks County championship game last year. “I think our division is up for grabs. I think there’s a lot of parity in our division. I think anyone can win on any given day,” replied Evangelista. The ball hasn’t bounced the way of the Hawks through five games. They’ve had tough non-league losses to Fleetwood, Blue Mountain, and Mount Carmel. “We’ve just gotta continue to believe. We’re not a (1-4) baseball club. This is a team that can run off 7-8-9-10-12 wins in a row. We’ve had four heartbreakers to start,” emphasized Evangelista. Scottie Dunleavy provides speed in the outfield and at the top of the lineup. The sophomore was an all-division selection in 2022. Dunleavy stroked two doubles in a 7-5 loss to Fleetwood on Wednesday. He’s followed in the batting order by seniors Conner Licklider, Luke Bensinger, and Nate Gilbert. “I think we have a lot of pop right there in 2-3-4. They’ve got a lot of doubles in their future,” said Evangelista. Licklider went 4-for-4 against the Tigers. The all-division second baseman scored a pair of runs and knocked in another. Hamburg will rely on Braden Fetherolf, Isaac Krick, Ty Shuey, and Licklider on the mound. While their velocity may not blow hitters away, they have the ability to command multiple pitches. Hamburg fell to #5 seed Littlestown 6-4 in the District 3-4A quarterfinals a season ago. Despite their early season struggles, don’t be surprised to see the Hawks back in the District 3 tournament this year.