As a baseball player and an avid surfer, Bernie Hargadon knows the highs and lows of each wave and how unpredictable the next one can be.
The Holy Spirit High School senior has played a handful of positions on the baseball diamond since he was named a starter during his freshman year. Hargadon has learned to go with the flow.
“I’ve been playing since I was 6 years old, and I actually grew up playing second and third [base],” said Hargadon, who has also surfed since he was 8. “Freshman year, I played a little of second base, a little of right field. I was at third base last year and out in left field this year. I guess I play wherever I’m needed.”
It made Hargadon one of the most valuable players on a Spartans team that started red hot this spring by winning its first five games and out-scoring its opponents 79-4 over that span. The team suffered its first wipeout April 5 as the Spartans suffered a 7-3 loss to West Deptford, but Holy Spirit is ready to ride the next wave.
“I know a lot of [outsiders] don’t think we have anything special here, but we’re definitely going to prove some people wrong this season,” Hargadon said. “There’s a lot of guys in the bottom of our lineup that can mash the ball. I’m super excited because we have such a good lineup. We’ve been hitting the ball.”
In those first six games, Hargadon was batting .571 (8-for-14), had an on-base percentage of .739 and had driven in a team-best eight runs. He also made a highlight head-first diving catch in the game at West Deptford to end an Eagles’ scoring threat. But Hargadon’s value goes beyond his bat and glove.
“He’s just been a solid guy for us,” said Steve Normane, Holy Spirit coach and athletic director. “He’s a great kid and a player I really look to as a captain. If I need something done, he’s the guy I turn to and ask. He’s the perfect kind of kid that you want to coach.”
Holy Spirit has high expectations this year after suffering three straight sub .500 seasons. However, those three years followed a Non-Public B state championship in 2021 — the fourth in the school’s history. The Spartans compete in the tough Cape-Atlantic League, as well as one of the strongest postseason brackets in Non-Public B, which includes Gloucester Catholic and Bishop Eustace Preparatory School. The Spartans want to reclaim their spot among those giants. In addition to Hargadon, Holy Spirit has five other key senior contributors in Brayden Birchler, Gavin Cohen, Ryan Mallen, Chase Rubenstein and Doug Schuster.
“I’m just looking forward to winning games,” Hargadon said. “I’m excited to compete every single day, and I think we’re going to make a pretty good run here.”
Hargadon has winning on his mind for the foreseeable future. After he finishes what could be an exciting season with the Spartans, he will head off to Misericordia University near Dallas, Pa., to play baseball and study business. Last year, the Cougars won the NCAA D-III World Series after a 44-11 campaign. Head coach Pete Egbert has more than 600 wins on his resume.
“They win,” Hargadon said with a smile. “They have a great coach who knows the game. I’m excited to get in there and compete.”
It’s what he does best – and Hargadon loves competing for his coaches at Holy Spirit. “It’s amazing playing for this program,” he said. “Coach Normane is a great coach and he makes playing baseball a lot of fun.”
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