Often times in sports, great stories on great players often begin with just a crack in the door enough to fit a foot.
Eupora baseball player Jude Hawkins has slipped is foot in there just in time and his opportunity now awaits. The senior finished his high school career in the third round of the playoffs against a great East Union team. He felt like that was the end of the road, but he’s getting a chance.
After Hawkins threw a complete-game shutout in round two against Baldwyn, some word got around. He was sitting 83-85 mph with his fastball and he gave up just one hit and no runs with seven strikeouts as the Eagles advanced to round three.
Coach Ben Aldridge played college baseball at Itawamba Community College and Arkansas Monticello and he made calls to both schools after Hawkins’ big night. With a fastball in the mid 80s, both staffs were interested as well as Holmes Community College. He threw bullpens at Holmes and Monticello and shortly the Boll Weevils had an offer for him.
“He took a gamble on himself and it paid off,” Aldridge said of Hawkins. “We changed some things he was doing in the bullpen and he settled in. His changeup has been really good for him in the two years I’ve been here. He was consistent and that’s what a lot of coaches are going to look for.
“He bought into the weight room and that was the biggest thing. He was open for any and everything that we threw at him and it’s paid off for him.”
The Division II standouts at Monticello have become a stable program over the years. When Aldridge was there, the team went from 17 wins in 2015 to 40 with a conference tournament championship in 2016 as well as a Regional final.
Since that time, the Boll Weevils have won three more conference championships and are coming off a 31-21 season in 2023. Hawkins is hoping to add to the mix this next season. He takes with him a fastball climbing into the mid 80s with a slider and a changeup and believes he’s got more room to grow.
“I’m going to pitch and I’m going to try to two-way. I’m going to go out there and compete just like I did this year with that dog mindset that no one can beat me,” Hawkins said. “My changeup is probably my best pitch that moves the best and I’m looking forward to growing as a pitcher.”
This year, Hawkins threw 44.0 innings as he was second only to Cullen Harrison but he started more games than anyone this year with 12. He finished 6-5 with a 4.77 ERA striking out 70 batters and walking 28. Hawkins was third on the team with a .277 batting average and second with a .449 OBP. He had 18 hits with eight doubles, two triples and one home run while knocking in a team-high 16 RBI.
Over the last few years, he enjoyed his time with the Eagles. From former coach Caleb McBride to Aldridge, he learned a lot from his leaders.
“It’s been awesome. I’ve had two great coaches in coach McBride and coach Aldridge and I wouldn’t be anywhere without both of them. Coach McBride was an awesome coach that taught me good work ethic. Coach Aldridge got me in the weight room and got me bigger, faster and stronger and my velo wouldn’t be where it is without him. It was a great experience at Eupora.”
Next up, college baseball.
Hawkins isn’t done growing as a player and has plenty of gas left in the tank. Monticello is a chance to prove it.
“It means the world to me. I’ve dreamed of playing college baseball my whole life and it finally came true,” Hawkins said. “After the East Union game, I thought my career was over. It was awesome and blew my mind.”
