The victorious Hawks
photo by Rachel Winfrey Beavers
The eight-year-old Snow Hill Hawks All-Star team has been coached by Chattanooga Police Officer Tray McGhee since the kids were six years old. He has worked tirelessly by day, and then tirelessly at night and weekends for this team.
In 2015, the seven-year-old team won several tournaments and then proceeded to win their District and State Championships. Those victories were significant for the small community ballpark that only houses four fields.
Although a few players left, most remained with the team. Most notably, a key player for this baseball team is second baseman, Madilyn Evans. Quite frankly, she has been feared by most of the opposing teams and coaches.
After struggling a bit at the beginning of this All-Star season, the Hawks regained their momentum and were victorious in their District Tournament at Soddy Daisy Park. Then, beating all teams in bracket play for the State Tournament at Bobby Dunn Fields in Harrison, the Snow Hill Hawks found themselves in the Championship game with rival, the Ooltewah Owls.
The Owls needed to beat the Hawks twice to secure the title. The Owls won the first game handily, 9-3. In the final game of the State Championship, the Hawks had one thing on their mind. Do what no other Snow Hill team has done in its history - win back to back District and State Championships.
The game seemed to be going Snow Hill's way being up by a score of 11-4 in the 6th and final inning when the Owls rallied to an 11-10 score but with two outs. The Owls needed one more run to tie and make Snow Hill bat in the bottom of the 6th to win. But with 2 outs, the Snow Hill Hawks made a catch in foul territory to end the game and secure the victory that is now embedded in Snow Hill history.