With high school sports in full swing, it is easy to overlook that organized adult baseball is underway for two Hastings teams. The Hastings Hawks have been busy getting the baseball field at Veterans Park ready for the summer before their season kicks off at home on May 10 against the Ellsworth Hubbers at 2:00 p.m. with another game on May 11 against the Northfield Knights, also at 2:00 p.m. The Hastings Hurricanes, the 35+ baseball team that started last year, made a triumphant debut in River Falls on May 4, an 11-0 victory.
The Hastings Hurricanes 35+ Baseball Team opened their 2025 season with a road trip to River Falls, in a showdown with the St. Croix Valley Silverbacks, a team chock full of Federal League stars and even a couple of Hall of Famers, in what many thought would be a great game right out of the gates.
The Hurricanes, coming off their 18-2 regular season in their inaugural campaign that ended in the AAA State Tournament with two one-run losses and an 18-4 finish, felt their debut season was left a bit unfinished.
The Canes came out charging with a seven-run second inning that put the Silverbacks out to pasture, led by the duo of veteran Adam Barta and Hastings rookie and HHS grad Andy Otto, who allowed only two hits through five innings of pitching. Hastings (1-0 Overall, 0-0 Fed South) added another run in the fourth and three more in the fifth to win the opener in just under 90 minutes, 11-0 in five innings.
Jordy Horsch, Nate Otto, Derrick Pfeffer, Taylor Pagel, Alex Harrington, and Andy Otto all had two hits each in the road victory.
The Hurricanes will battle New Market on Saturday after the Hastings Hawks game at approximately 5:30 p.m., with Andy Otto getting his first Hurricanes start on the mound. On Sunday, the Purple will be back home again in another Hawks-Hurricanes doubleheader, this time against Milltown, also at 5:30 p.m.
If you are a baseball fan, this weekend gives you plenty of opportunities to catch the action up close and personal with park double headers both May 10 and May 11. The action will start with the Hawks at 2:00 p.m. both days and the field will reset for the Canes to take to the diamond as soon as possible. The Hawks will also have concessions open serving up delicious grilled items and ice-cold beverages including the perfect barley pop to go along with that burger, hot dog or brat!