The Hastings Raiders baseball team played three games during a busy mid-April stretch, opening the week at home against Mahtomedi on April 13, traveling to North St. Paul on April 15, then returning home for a section matchup with Two Rivers on April 17. The quick turnaround between games tested the Raiders’ depth and energy as they moved through a demanding early season schedule that included both conference and section competition. After facing Mahtomedi to begin the week, Hastings quickly shifted focus to a road game the next day at North St. Paul before closing the stretch at home against Two Rivers in another important section contest.
Hastings opened the week with a 7 to 0 loss to Mahtomedi on April 13 at Hastings High School. Mahtomedi jumped ahead early and set the tone with three runs in the first inning, then added another run in the second and two more in the third to build a 6 to 0 lead. Hastings starter Drew Gillespie battled through the early trouble and finished 4⅓ innings, allowing seven runs, five earned, on six hits while striking out five and walking three. Xander McVicker came on in relief and delivered a strong varsity debut effort, throwing 2⅔ scoreless innings with four strikeouts while allowing just one hit and four walks. Offensively, Hastings collected three hits, including a double by Luke Niederkorn and singles from Brady Hendrickson and Carter Lundstrom. The Raiders put several balls in play later in the game but were unable to turn hard contact into runs. Hastings finished with three hits and four runners left on base in the 7 to 0 final.
Head coach Ryan Stoffel noted that despite the score, there were positives in the outing, especially from McVicker’s relief appearance. “Xander coming in there in the fifth with guys on his varsity debut, he did a really nice job. He’s really impressive. He’s around the plate. He attacked his zone and he forced those guys to put themselves out,” Stoffel said. He also pointed to missed early opportunities and defensive miscues as factors in the fast start by Mahtomedi, saying, “You can’t do that in baseball. And you definitely can’t do that against a team like Mahtomedi.”
Hastings responded the next day with a strong effort on the road, defeating North St. Paul 2 to 1 on April 15 at North Kuenkel Fields. North St. Paul scored first with a run in the opening inning, but Hastings answered in the third. Cole Werner led the way at the plate with a standout performance, finishing 3 for 3 with a double and a triple. Gunnar Skov added a hit and scored a run, while Brady Hendrickson delivered the key swing of the game with a two run double that drove in both Hastings runs. Ryker Ackley also contributed a single as the Raiders collected six hits in the contest. On the mound, Zach Simon turned in one of the team’s strongest pitching performances of the season, throwing a complete game while allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out nine and walked only one, consistently working ahead in the count and limiting scoring opportunities. Hastings held North St. Paul scoreless over the final six innings to secure the 2 to 1 victory.
The Raiders closed the week on April 17 with a 3 to 0 loss to Two Rivers at Hastings High School in another section matchup. The game remained scoreless through two innings before Two Rivers broke through with two runs in the third inning. Hastings starter Carter Lundstrom kept the Raiders within reach throughout the game, pitching a complete seven innings while allowing three runs, two earned, on 13 hits and striking out eight without issuing a walk. Despite the heavy hit total, Lundstrom limited extra damage and gave Hastings chances to stay close. Offensively, the Raiders produced four hits, led by Luke Niederkorn, who went 3 for 4 at the plate. Payton Perseke added a single, and Hastings also drew four walks, including two by Gunnar Skov. However, the Raiders were unable to string together enough offense to push a run across. Two Rivers added an insurance run in the seventh inning and finished with the 3 to 0 win. Hastings totaled four hits and left seven runners on base in the loss.
Throughout the week, Hastings showed flashes of strong pitching and timely hitting, particularly in the road win at North St. Paul and in relief appearances against Mahtomedi. Simon’s nine strikeout complete game highlighted the pitching staff’s ability to control the game when working ahead in counts, while Lundstrom’s complete game effort against Two Rivers demonstrated durability against a lineup that produced 13 hits. At the plate, Werner’s three hit performance at North St. Paul and Niederkorn’s three hit game against Two Rivers stood out as key offensive efforts during the stretch. Hendrickson also contributed a clutch two run double in the Raiders’ lone victory of the week.
Following the three-game stretch, Hastings will continue its schedule with several upcoming contests in the days ahead. The Raiders are scheduled to host South St. Paul on April 22 at 4:30 p.m., travel to Simley on April 24 at 4:30 p.m., play at Hill Murray on April 27 at 4:30 p.m., return home to face St. Thomas Academy on April 29 at 4:30 p.m., and take on Tartan at Vets Park on May 1 at 7:00 p.m. These games will provide additional opportunities for Hastings to build momentum as the season continues.