There’s a special bond that forms between brothers.
Sure, when they’re little they fight, create mischief and cause their parents headaches, but as they grow older the bond strengthens.
Moments spent together become special ... sometimes they become memories that last a lifetime.
Connor and Gavin Hinchliffe have been able to create those type of memories over the past three weeks as members of the Pottsville baseball team.
Connor, a senior catcher, and Gavin, a sophomore designated hitter, have been key components in the Crimson Tide’s run to Schuylkill League
and District 11 Class AAA championships and a pair of PIAA playoff victories.
They hope that run continues when Pottsville takes on Abington Heights in a PIAA Class AAA state semifinal at 4 p.m. Monday at Easton High School.
“It’s really nice,” Connor said. “Growing up, being only two years apart, we were hopeful that someday we would be able to take the field together. It’s really nice to have him on the field.”
The sons of Steve and Heather Hinchliffe of Norwegian Township, Connor and Gavin provide the connection that makes the Crimson Tide’s team chemistry so great.
Connor is one of four senior starters — Travis Blankenhorn, Ty Painter and Eli Nabholz are the others — that have been at the center of Pottsville’s success the past two-plus seasons.
All four seniors are three-year starters, with Blankenhorn (Kentucky), Connor Hinchliffe (LaSalle) and Nabholz (Penn State) headed to NCAA Division I colleges next fall.
Their talents alone make Pottsville a tough team to beat in the postseason.
The Crimson Tide wouldn’t be where they are now, however, without the contributions made by their underclassmen.
Gavin is one of three sophomores in the starting lineup, joining center fielder Darion Jacoby and right fielder/shortstop Eric Wapinsky. Jacoby, the 2014 Republican-Herald Rookie of the Year, started last year, while Gavin Hinchliffe and Wapinsky are on varsity for the first time.
Junior outfielder Brandon Daubert started last season, but juniors Trent Barnes, Mike O’Pake and J.J. Spehrley are new.
The link between the talented seniors and the underclassmen? The Hinchliffe brothers.
“Obviously, the four seniors are very close together,” Connor said. “Having a brother who’s a sophomore and having his friends ... whenever I hang out with my friends, he’s there with his friends.
“Even before baseball, we were always pretty close with the underclassmen. When they came onto the baseball field, it wasn’t a bunch of new faces. We already knew who they were and were friends with them.”
Added Gavin: “We have both been around each other’s friends our whole lives. In our school, in our houses and on the baseball field.”
Connor and Gavin said they played on the same team once before, the Amvets of the Railway Park Little League.
While playing varsity baseball is an entirely different level, the Hinchliffes said they treat it the same.
“When we were younger, we just kind of thought we’re playing a game and we’re having fun,” Connor said. “Even though now that we’re older and more mature, I think we have the same mindset that we’re just going out there, having fun and playing the game together.”
Connor Hinchliffe carries a .303 batting average (23-for-76) with 15 RBIs into Monday’s game. Two of those RBIs came last week on back-to-back nights, helping Pottsville to a 1-0 victory over Spring Grove and a 2-1 win over Twin Valley.
Gavin Hinchliffe started some games at third base early in the season, but has been the Tide’s designated hitter for a majority of the campaign. He’s hitting .273 (18-for-66) with 17 runs scored, having played in all 27 games. He did not play any junior varsity games this season.
Gavin said having his brother on the team has been a big help getting acclimated to the varsity level.
The brothers have both played extensive travel ball the past several years, and have seen excellent pitching along the way.
But having that someone to rely on when things get tough is a valuable resource.
“It’s great. He’s always behind me,” Gavin said. “I know that if there’s anything I have a question on or anything I need corrected, I could go to him. No matter if it’s in practice or on the field during a game, I know he’s behind me.
“He’s seen a lot of (pitchers), so if there’s anything that one kid throws that’s different from another, he knows and he can tell me.”
As the Crimson Tide went through a light practice in the girls’ gym Friday, the two brothers reflected on their postseason run.
Connor donned a cap and gown and graduated later that evening, ending his high school academic career.
Both Connor and Gavin hope Connor’s high school athletic career lasts two more games, creating another memory that lasts a lifetime.
“It’s crazy to be graduated and still playing baseball,” Connor said. “Hopefully we can win two more and be in State College on Friday.”
Added Gavin: “It’s awesome. I really don’t want it to end. I don’t want to see my brother and the other seniors who are basically my brothers leave. I’m just trying to keep it going.”