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Matt Hawkins signs to play baseball for Lenoir-Rhyne
Smoky Mountain pitcher Matt Hawkins has signed to continue his baseball career at Lenoir-Rhyne.
“The coach is a nice guy,” Hawkins said. “I’ve met some teammates, and I liked them. The program is really good, and it’s a nice school.”
Hawkins also considered Blue Ridge Community College before deciding to play for L-R, where he plans to major in criminal justice.
Recent Smoky Mountain graduate Matt Hawkins has signed to play baseball for Lenoir-Rhyne. He is flanked by his parents, Joey and Annette Hawkins. Also on hand were his SM coaches from last season, assistant Tim Hawkins (left) and Ron Yount. – Herald photo by Carey Phillips
“This feels great,” he said of the opportunity. “I hope I can go down there and do some good and get a good education at the same time.”
Signing with the Bears fulfills what has been almost a lifelong dream for Hawkins.
“Every since I first picked up a baseball when I was 2 or 3, it was my goal to go to college and play baseball,” Hawkins said. “This means a lot to me. It makes me feel proud of myself.”
A two-time all-conference selection, Hawkins batted .387 this past season. As a left-handed pitcher, he struck out 74 batters in 51.1 innings.
“We hope he’ll contribute right away,” L-R Coach Frank Pait said. “He’s a good athlete. He’s going to get a chance to swing the sticks and throw, but our first priority is for him to throw.”
Bear coaches have clocked Hawkins’ pitches at 82-84 mph, and Pait noted left-handed pitchers are a prime commodity at any level.
“We think he’s going to get stronger,” Pait said. “We’re looking forward to getting him in here and on the weights.”
L-R was 24-27 last year and placed fifth in its conference.
“We’re hoping he’s one of those guys who will help us get back on the winning track,” Pait said.
With some experienced starting pitchers returning, Pait said it’s most likely Hawkins will begin in middle relief before moving into the role of a closer or starter.
The Bears have a varsity and JV program.
“He may pitch on the varsity level and hit for the JVs or vice versa, and he could pitch and hit for the varsity,” Pait said. “He’s a 17-year-old kid and will be going against 22- and 23-year-olds so there’s a lot of difference there.”
“I’m proud for him and pleased he has this opportunity,” said Ron Yount, his coach with the Mustangs this past season. “I think he’ll do a great job for the Bears and their program. He’ll need to get a little stronger, but he’s been working with weights all summer.”
While the Bears are looking at Hawkins primarily as a pitcher, Yount said he believes his former player can hit on the collegiate level as well.
Hawkins is the son of Joey and Annette Hawkins of Whittier.
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