If I know Kevin McDermott well, he’s gonna want to play,”

Head coach Ryan Stoffel

The Hastings Raiders baseball team used Monday’s outdoor scrimmage as an important early step in preparing for the start of the season, taking advantage of rare spring weather to evaluate pitchers, settle position battles, and get comfortable on the field before heading into a busy opening stretch later this week.
Head coach Ryan Stoffel said the chance to play outside came at the right time for the group as temperatures begin to shift again across the region.
“Look at the forecast. I mean, think it’s the best day we’re gonna have in about two weeks,” Stoffel said. “Just looking to get some guys in right, we have a good idea where our starters are, what the front end of our rotation looks like. So excited to see what they can do.”
The scrimmage followed a structured plan on the mound, with pitchers working short appearances to build early season rhythm while allowing coaches to evaluate multiple arms. Position players rotated through defensive spots and worked toward getting several plate appearances each as the Raiders continued shaping their lineup.
Stoffel said the approach helped the staff gather information while keeping players active across the field.
“We’re going one inning or 30 pitches,” he said. “If we get a kid that gets some quick work, you might see him a second time around, but otherwise it’s going to be one inning and see what happens.”
Beyond the pitching plan, the scrimmage also gave Hastings a chance to measure depth across the roster. Several younger players continue pushing for roles alongside returning contributors, and early outdoor sessions often help clarify where players fit best as the season begins.
“The goal is to get them two to three, for sure, two to three at bats, a few innings defensively, and then start sprinkling in their reserves to see what they can do and get their feet wet,” Stoffel said.
Just as important as the on-field work has been the overall mindset of the group. Hastings continues to emphasize team culture early in the season, especially with underclassmen gaining varsity experience.
“It’s a good group,” Stoffel said. “We always seem to have a good group. Including those ninth graders and 10th graders early on the first couple weeks of the season really helps with that culture. It’s a great group of guys, cheering for each other and just wanting one thing, and that’s team success.”
Monday’s scrimmage also served as a final tune up before Hastings opens its schedule Friday, April 3, at a showcase event in Woodbury. The Raiders are scheduled to play two games that day, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., in a format that allows teams to count both contests toward their regular season total.
The one day format presents a different type of challenge compared with traditional schedules, especially for pitching staffs that must be ready to cover multiple games in a short window.
“That’s a new rule the high school league passed,” Stoffel said. “It allows you to play up to 24 games, but four of them have to be part of like a showcase or tournament where you play two games in a day.”
Weather could still affect early season plans, but Hastings continues preparing as if the full schedule will move forward.
“If I know Kevin McDermott well, he’s gonna want to play,” Stoffel said with a smile while discussing the upcoming stretch.
Following the Woodbury showcase, Hastings is scheduled to travel to Park of Cottage Grove on Saturday, April 4, for an 11 a.m. game before returning home Monday, April 6, to face Hill-Murray at 4:30 p.m. The home opener will give the Raiders their first chance to play in front of their home crowd this spring.
Taken together, Monday’s scrimmage provided valuable innings, helped clarify early roles, and set the tone for the season’s first week. With multiple games approaching quickly, Hastings will look to carry the energy from its first extended outdoor session into the opening contests of the year.