HFC baseball players and coach garner post-season honors

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Top row (from L-R): Ethan Gajewski, Manny Gutierrez, David Jones. Bottom row (from L-R): Cole Loftis, Coach Jake Pacholski, Ben Streetman.
Six HFC baseball players and their coach earned post-season honors. Top row (from L-R): Ethan Gajewski, Manny Gutierrez, David Jones. Bottom row (from L-R): Cole Loftis, Coach Jake Pacholski, Ben Streetman. Not pictured: Casey Robertson. 

On the heels of winning its first Michigan Community College Athletic Association Eastern Conference championship since 1996, the HFC baseball team earned post-season honors from both the MCCAA and the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The Hawks finished with an 18-7 record in the Eastern Conference this season and an overall record of 30-9. The following players were honored:

Manny Gutierrez: The Roosevelt High School (Riverview) alumnus earned five honors, including:

  • NJCAA Region XII Division II All-Region Team
  • All MCCAA
  • MCCAA First Team All-Eastern Conference
  • Eastern Conference All-Freshman Team
  • Eastern Conference Freshman of the Year

Ethan Gajewski: The Allen Park High School alumnus earned three honors, including:

  • NJCAA Region XII Division II All-Region Team
  • All MCCAA
  • MCCAA First Team All-Eastern Conference

David Jones: The Lincoln High School (Ypsilanti) alumnus earned two honors:

  • MCCAA First Team All-Eastern Conference
  • Eastern Conference All-Freshman Team

Casey Robertson: The Lake Orion High School alumnus was named MCCAA First Team All-Eastern Conference.

Ben Streetman: The Berkley High School alumnus was named Honorable Mention All-Eastern Conference.

Cole Loftis: The Taylor High school alumnus was named Honorable Mention All-Eastern Conference.

Coach Jake Pacholski, who completed his first season as head coach of the Hawks, was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Year.

“The Hawks have shown incredible grit and unity all season. Coach Pacholski has established a culture of excellence in his first season. Their success is well-earned,” said HFC Associate Director of Athletics Kirk Bradley.

Pacholski feels a deep sense of pride, coaching the team to a championship for the first time in nearly 30 years.

“We focused on one day at a time. Good days turned into good weeks, and good weeks turned into good months,” he said. “I’m proud of our players, our coaches, our administration, and our College. And I’m very proud to bring Hawks baseball back to a championship-caliber program!”

“This has been an amazing year for Hawks baseball!” said HFC Athletic Director Rochelle Taylor. “Our coaching staff, led by first-year coach Jake Pacholski, did a tremendous job getting our team ready from first to last pitch. We look forward to exciting Hawks baseball for many years to come!”