Senior Stories: Hawley's Taken As Much From Softball As She's Given To It

By Mikia Lawrence, Special to MSUSpartans.com

Michigan State senior Hannah Hawley began her collegiate softball career at South Carolina. After 52 games,10 starts and nine hits as a pinch hitter, the Rhode Island native transferred to MSU in hopes of showing off her hard work. She prides herself in her determination, competitiveness and gritty personality.

"I've always been kind of trying to defy the odds, I'm from the smallest state in the country," Hawley said. "You're battling all these different things, and so being able to come and represent a big school has been so cool."

Hannah Hawley at bat

She hoped to come to MSU and be reliable at the plate. By the end of her junior year, she was ranked ninth in career home runs as a Spartan. In the 2025 season, she led the team with 11 home runs and 16 extra base hits.

"Never did I see myself even coming in and hitting as many home runs as I have, and being able to compete in that sense," Hawley said. "I know I had it in me, but I think just seeing that blossom over time and happen has been really cool."

Her determination and passion for the sport has taught her that the time spent when no one is watching will always pay off. She credits her success and mindset on the field to strong figures in her environment including her parents, Jennifer and Peter, and her friends and family.

"Especially my dad, I think that he's been my biggest mentor and coach through it all, because he's seen me in every phase," she said.

Now at MSU, she goes into every game looking to come out on top of a challenge. Her teammates and coaches recognize the impact she brings to the plate.

"I don't know if there's anyone on our team that wants to win more," said Head Coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley. "She just gets it on so many levels of what it takes to be really good at this game and to really find success and she's definitely been one of our most consistent players over the last three years."

Her best friend, teammate and roommate, Britain Beshears, describes her as humble and hungry for the next step. The two became friends when Beshears slid into Hawley's DMs on Instagram after her transfer announcement, and they have been inseparable since.

Hannah Hawley and Britain Beshears

"We literally do everything together, it's like the sister I never had," Beshears said. "I just feel so grateful to be able to do this with her and have our senior year together."

Whether it's shopping, dinner, classes, or taking some extra reps together on the field, Beshears and Hawley do it together. They've spent weekends together at Beshears' house in Novi, have the same major, and even took a trip to Nashville together.

"It's one of those friendships where if we had known each other when we were like, six, we would have been riding bikes together, so this was inevitable, essentially," Hawley said.

As the season winds down, Hawley is looking towards her future. After graduating with a degree in supply chain management, she is moving to Nashville to start a full-time job in the industry. She's excited for what's to come, but also takes time to savor every moment as a Spartan.

"It's bittersweet to see it come to an end, but softball developed lessons that I'll keep with me the rest of my life, I'll always have the memories, I'll always have the lessons," she said. "I think that it's preparing me to launch into my next chapter. I've been soaking up the last couple weeks with my teammates."

While her name will remain etched in the record books for Spartan softball, Hawley knows that there is more to her than just her performance on the field.

"This game has been such a big part of my life, but it's not who I am. I've succeeded in so many things outside of and on top of softball," she said. "Since being a freshman, I've learned so much about myself."

The lessons she's learned are something she will carry with her for the rest of her life. She said the people she met along her journey that supported her from the time she started playing have shaped her into more than just an athlete.

"I will stay true to who I am no matter what the conditions are. I'm proud of who I am, I'm proud of the morals I have and the character that I've developed," Hawley said. "I'll never waver from who I am and from who I want to be."

Michigan State University Athletics

Senior Stories: Hawley's Taken As Much From Softball As She's Given To It

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