THIRD IN A SERIES

By JOHN KEREZY, eyeoncleveland.com founder

(NOTE: This story was updated on May 17 with results of May 15 and 16 games)

May 16 — A two-sport mainstay for the Hiland Hawks, Connor Beachy helped propel Hiland’s basketball team to a 16-6 regular season mark in 2023-24. Then just before sectionals began, the senior guard suffered a fractured ankle. The squad advanced all the way to the state championship game with its best defender – Connor – on the sidelines, cheering on his teammates.

Fortunately, Connor’s ankle healed quickly. The senior outfielder, who had a hit and a walk and scored two runs in Hiland’s 14-4 triumph over Russia for the Division IV state championship last June, began appearing in ball games in late April. Now he’s a mainstay in left field for the Hawks.

He’s carrying a hot bat too.  In Hiland’s victories over West Holmes and Bridgeport, Connor went 5 for 7 with three doubles and five runs scored. He has a .278 batting average and a .333 on-base percentage so far in 2024. Connor had a walk and an RBI in the Sectional-clinching 7-1 triumph over Malvern on Wednesday (May 15), and added a hit in the 4-0 triumph over Claymont Thursday.

The two triumphs give Hiland a 21-5 mark overall, and an 11-1 record and first place, South Division, at the end of Inter Valley Conference competition. The Hawks will oppose Toronto, 21-2 overall, in District play on Monday at Conotton Valley Field, 7205 Cumberland Road, Bowerston. The winner of that contest will oppose either Caldwell or Strasburg-Franklin for the District Championship on Wednesday (May 22).

“Connor is another guy with a lot of drive. He really wants to compete,” says Coach Chris Dages about Beachy. “He can play anywhere in the outfield, and he’s also a threat on the bases.”

Connor says one of his biggest mentors was his dad, Brian Beachy. “Dad was my coach for a long time,” he says. “My favorite professional influences were guys like Omar Vizquel and Francisco Lindor.”

As a four-year player on the team, Connor is certainly qualified to compare the 2024 Hawks to the 2023 State Championship team.

“We had a lot of good seniors (last year). We missed those,” he says. “But we have a lot of underclassmen who have stepped up big time, and  we have a really good team this year too. I like our chances.”

Connor cited Kaden Kandel, who plays second base, as one of the underclassmen who are playing well for the Hawks this season. A couple of his favorite Hiland baseball memories are winning both the 2023 OHSAA State Championships and also the Beast of the East tournament.

In an interview on May 1, Connor expressed a strong desire to get back on the field regularly.

“I’m ready to get out there and start hitting again,” he said. You can hear all of Connor’s interview here:

Indeed he is.

After high school, Connor will be going on a 9-month mission trip to Belize (Central America) and then to Africa.

NEXT IN THE SERIES: Cody Yoder on May 20, and Finn Schneider on May 23

NOTE: An earlier version of this post inadvertently had a photo of Cody Yoder and his parents instead of Connor. (As you might guess…) that photo will appear in another feature story in this series in the near future.