In the small town of Brewster, Wash., sits acres of apple and cherry orchards known as Gebbers Farms. It was here that a seven-year-old Hawkins Gebbers — now a star junior infielder for the baseball team — woke up at 4 a.m. to pick cherries to help his family’s company, or at least that was the idea.
“I was out there every morning,” Gebbers remembered with a smile. “I guess I did whatever a seven-year-old could.”
It was there that Gebbers, the youngest of four brothers, developed the roots of his revered work ethic. The town of Brewster is known to Washington natives for the apples and cherries from Gebbers Farms. For Gebbers, the town helped develop his passion for sports as well.
In high school Gebbers didn’t only stand out in baseball like he does as the second basemen for Biola, but he excelled as a wide receiver on the football field as well as a guard on the basketball court.
That passion for sports came from both his town and his family.
“I grew up going to all of my brothers’ games,” said Gebbers. “Every Friday night football game, it seemed like the whole town was there. I always wanted to be like my brothers, so it was worth working for. That’s my drive.”
That ‘drive’ pushes Gebbers to spend time outside of practice in the batting cages and in the weight room every day.
It has also turned the youngest Gebbers boy, known as ‘Hawk’ by his teammates, into Biola baseball’s best bat and a true Major League prospect. Gebbers comes into the week leading the team with a batting average of .402 as well as five home runs before Wednesday’s game against Vanguard.
Those stats have pleased Head Coach John Verhoeven.
“Hawkins is coming on every bit as I expected he could,” Verhoeven said in response to moving Gebbers from third base to second base this season. “He was good at third base, and now he is outstanding at second base.”
The transition to middle infield allows Gebbers to move back to the position he became accustomed to in high school. He has responded by handling the move with class and has continued to work in such a way that his play and attitude inspire others.
With Biola’s admissions standards, it would be easy to take for granted a player such as Gebbers. He sets such a high individual standard for his teammates, but the combination of his skills and spiritual strength is one that stands out on every level.
“He’s well liked by the entire coaching staff and his teammates,” Verhoeven said. “He’s an A student that sets an example spiritually and is really a pleasure to coach.”
Gebbers’ personality is evident to his teammates, that it did not take Brian Albert, who is in his first year with the Eagles, very long before noticing it.
“He’s an amazing teammate,” Albert said. “And he’s the most naturally gifted athlete I have ever seen.” Gebbers’ talent and impressive performance this season has drawn attention from Major League scouts, which could allow him to be drafted this summer.
Hawkins, even if given the opportunity, would not necessarily take it this year.
“I really want to glorify God,” Gebbers said. “Everything is [at Biola] for me; it would take a pretty sweet deal to get me out of Biola this year.”
