Sports

EVAN NELSON NAMED METRO EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR; ADDITIONAL BASEBALL ACCOLADES

Hastings baseball announced that Evan Nelson had been named the Metro East Conference player of the year for the 2023 baseball season. Nelson led the team in hits with 37 and also led the conference with 4 homers, hitting an impressive .451 on the year with an on base percentage of .516. In 82 at bats, Nelson was walked only 6 times and struck out 10 times, meaning around 80% of his at bats resulted in something other than a walk and strikeout. Nelson, only a junior, will be a key returner for Raider Baseball next season.

Nelson was not alone in his awards, as many other Raiders received All-Conference accolades. Joining Nelson on All-Conference teams were Alex Hendrickson, Mitch Iliff, Gavin Odman and Eddie Peine,while Tanner Anselment, Cade Kimmes, Jack Seleski and Johnny Teigland earned Honorable Mentions.

UPDATE In an update to the original posting, it was also announced that Gavin Odman, Alex Hendrickson and Evan Nelson were named to the All-Section Team.

PRESCOTT RALLIES TO BEAT BALDWIN-WOODVILLE

The Prescott Cardinals finally beat the Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks to advance to the section final and put themselves one game away from a trip to Madison.

The Cardinals got off to a fantastic start, with Kelsey Sterud's leadoff single kicking off a 2-0 first inning. Prescott would add two more in the second to open up a 4-0 lead. But Baldwin-Woodville had a response which would shrink the Cardinal lead to 4-3 by the end of the fourth inning. After Prescott was held at bay in the top half of the 5th, Baldwin-Woodville responded with a two run home run to take a 5-4 lead.

In the 6th, Meghan Richter would lead off with a base hit as the Cardinals tried to reignite their offense. All of this happening as popup thunderstorms loomed large over Western Wisconsin. Rory Zuehlsdorf then almost hit a home run, with the ball hitting the top of the fence in centerfield and returning to play. It was ruled a double. A sac fly would score Richter and Zuehlsdorf would be thrown out at third, the double play ending the inning with the game tied at 5. After nothing doing in the 6th, the Cardinals would get a 1-2-3 inning to send us to the 7th.

In the top of the 7th, Leah French delivered. With a perfectly placed single into the gap in center field, she would score Kelsey Sterud who got on via a hit by pitch. After a groundout ended the inning, Prescott had to hang on in the bottom of the 7th. A 1 pitch groundout would record the first out, before Baldwin-Woodville would respond with a single. Another out would be recorded, and then another single, giving Baldwin-Woodville two runners on and two out. Taylor Graf said enough of that, and she would strikeout the batter as the team emptied the dugout and mobbed Graf in the circle.

Prescott will face Somerset Thursday in the section final with the winner heading to Madison next week. The game is scheduled to be played at 4 PM at Islander Park in Cumberland, but according to sources the game could be changed if the location does not make geographical sense for either team. Cumberland is more than 90 minutes from Prescott and more than an hour from Somerset. If there are any changes, we will be sure to provide that information to you.

RAIDERS RUN AWAY FROM WOLFPACK BEHIND MASSIVE CROWD

The Hastings Raiders baseball team dominated Park of Cottage Grove in their section opener in front of a monster crowd, racing out to a 5-0 lead enroute to a 10-4 win, and the Raiders will host again Wednesday.

That 5-0 lead started early, as the Raiders, after holding off the Wolfpack in the top half of the first inning the Raiders left no doubt, batting around and getting some massive hits from Cade Kimmes, Alex Hendrickson, Evan Nelson, Mitch Iliff and more to race out to the advantage. By the 4th inning the Raiders had opened up a 10-1 advantage, and despite the Wolfpack's best attempt at a rally, it was not meant to be.

The pitchers in the matchup were the exact same as the initial matchup back on May 9, where Hastings won 2-1. Brady Drkula went up against Gavin Odman, and the Raiders chased Drkula after just 1 1/3. Odman however went 6 1/3, with 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned, 8 strikeouts and a walk. Mark DeNoyer went the other 2/3 with 1 hit, 1 run, 1 earned.

The Raiders offense was massively productive, with 7 of the 10 who batted registering at least one hit.

Evan Nelson and Eddie Peine had doubles while Cade Kimmes had a triple. Hendrickson, Nelson, Iliff, DeNoyer, Kimmes and Seleski all had RBIs with Iliff bringing in 3 batters.

The Raiders will host on Wednesday at Grossman, as Eagan upset Eastview. Should the Raiders win, they would move into the section semifinals and avoid playing on Friday.

HHS BASEBALL EARNS 3 SEED; PHS SOFTBALL ADVANCES, TRACK SENDS ATHLETES TO STATE

The Hastings baseball team has found out its section fate. After a tough loss to Eastview 8-6, the Raiders were still able to earn a three seed in sections, and will play Park of Cottage Grove Monday at 4:30 at Vets Park to begin the double elimination sectional. The Raiders went 1-1 in the section, 14-6 overall, but had some solid arguments, with two wins over Mahtomedi, a win over Saint Thomas and a win over South Suburban co-champs Lakeville South. Being the only Metro East team in the section, the Raiders were able to impress enough to earn the three.

Hastings and Park met once in the regular season, playing a 11 inning thriller, with Hastings walking off Park 2-1. Gavin Odman and Brady Drkula both pitched for the Raiders and Wolfpack in the contest and were mighty impressive, both virtually unhittable.

KDWA will have live coverage of this game with Adam Elling substituting for Trey Lower on the call. Pregame coverage starts at 4:10 and first pitch is scheduled for 4:30.

A win sends the Raiders to the winners bracket on Wednesday while a loss sends them to the elimination bracket, also on Wednesday.

Prescott Softball advanced to the section semis with a 8-1 win over Elk Mound. Taylor Graf pitched another gem to lead the Cardinals (7 IP 2 H 6 SO), who now get a revenge game against Baldwin-Woodville, after two close losses. The game will be Tuesday in Baldwin. Stay tuned to KDWA for our coverage plans of this game.

Hastings softball staved off elimination with a 6-5 win over Burnsville. They will try to keep their season alive today against East Ridge at 4:30.

Prescott baseball saw its season come to an end with a loss to Ellsworth in the first round of the playoffs.

Prescott Track and Field had a successful sectional and is sending numerous athletes to State

The boys 4x400 relay of Schommer, Packard, Cogan and Butler qualified alongside the Girls 4x400 of Budworth, Miller, Johnson and Ripley, the Girls 4x100 of Severson, Braun, Budworth and Miller, the Boys 4x200 (West, Russell, Packard,Schommer), the Boys 4x800 (Cogan, Kreager, Loucks, Schommer), the Girls 4x800 (Johnson, Huppert, Sieben, Ripley) and individually Breckin Schommer in the 800.

Congratulations to all these athletes!

PRESCOTT SOFTBALL ADVANCES TO REGIONAL FINAL

The Prescott softball team defeated G-E-T on Tuesday 10-0 to advance to Thursday's regional final with Elk Mound.

The Cardinals used 4 runs in the 6th to finish the deal as the Cards compiled 14 hits, led by 4 from Rory Zuehlsdorf.

Taylor Graf pitched all 6 innings played, with 8 strikeouts. She had 2 hits and 2 RBIs as well for the Cardinals.

Should Prescott win, they are hoping to face Baldwin-Woodville in the section final in a rematch of two earlier MBC games this season, which Baldwin-Woodville won both of.

Prescott Baseball begins its postseason Thursday against Ellsworth with the winner facing Altoona.

TAVERNIER NAMED RAIDER GIRLS HOOPS COACH

On Wednesday, Hastings Activities Director Trent Hanson formally announced the new head girls basketball coach for the 2023-24 season.

According to the media release, Rick Tavernier will be named the new girls basketball coach. Tavernier, a Hastings native, has more than ten years of experience with girls basketball, spending time in the Simley programs with the 9th Grade and JV teams and on a Varsity staff that coached three section finals and a State Tournament. He was also an assistant on the Raiders team in 2020-21. Currently, Tavernier is a coach for the Raiders traveling basketball program.

Other previous experiences include football and track and field at the high school level.

Tavernier will look to provide some stability to the program, who has been through a topsy turvy ride of coaching changes in recent years.

Tavernier is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth where he majored in education and currently teaches psychology at Simley.

As mentioned, he lives in Hastings with his wife Mindy and their children Maya, Trey and Jayce.

Tavernier will begin to integrate himself into the program through the summer basketball camps and clinics and looks forward to connecting with the Raiders basketball players soon.

Tavernier will have a dynamite assistant coaching staff with him that includes a recent Assistant Coach of the Year in Eric Mace. The 22-23 Raiders only had one senior and were in a battle for the Metro East Conference championship near the end of the season, so Tavernier will also have a younger but experienced roster to work with.

We will have more on this story to come.

KDWA congratulates Tavernier on his new role and wishes him the best of luck! The 23-24 basketball season will start in November.

STATEMENT MADE: RAIDERS PULL AWAY FROM LAKEVILLE SOUTH 8-4

The Hastings Raiders baseball team made a statement with a big win over the South Suburban’s top team, the Lakeville South Cougars, pulling away for an 8-4 decision.

The Cougars opened up a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, but Gavin Odman was able to shake off an admittedly troublesome start and regather himself after that. The Raiders would get on the board in the bottom of the 2nd with three runs, in what at that point was a tie game 3-3.

The Raiders bats continued to work through the 4th, extending the lead to 5-3 as Odman settled in.

Lakeville South would get a run back in the top of the 5th inning to cut it to 1, but Hastings would keep their foot on the gas, extending it to 6-4 in the 5th and 8-4 in the 6th. Aaron Vandehoef came in and got two strikeouts on Senior Night to finish off the Cougars.

The Raiders went to 13-5 on the year with the win.

Game Stats

Eddie Peine went 2-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs

Cade Kimmes went 1-2 with 2 walks and 2 runs

Sawyer Tjomsland scored a run in a crazy somersault over the catcher at the plate

Blake Vandehoef went 1-3 with a hit and a run

Evan Nelson went 2-4 with an RBI

Mark DeNoyer had a walk and a run and made his first appearance at catcher of the season

Mitch Iliff continued his impressive run as of late going 2-4 with 2 hits and an RBI

Tanner Anselment had a run and an RBI and was hit by a pitch for an astounding 10th time in the 2023 season.

Pitching wise, Odman got the win, going 6 innings on the mound, with 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned, 2.33 ERA, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts.

Aaron Vandehoef pitched in the 7th, giving up a hit, and striking out 2 with an ERA of 0.00.

The Raiders have a big matchup Thursday with Eastview before they find out their section fate Thursday night

PRESCOTT GIRLS TRACK WINS REGIONALS, CARDS SENDING NUMEROUS TO SECTIONS

The Prescott Girls Track and Field team won its third straight region championship to punch its ticket to sectionals, and many numerous individual results also occurred for the Cardinals during this weeks regional.

The following events saw Cardinals qualify for sectionals:

The 4x400 relay of Ava Budworth, Katrina Budworth, Ella Johnson and Sophie Ripley took 3rd place to qualify for sectionals

Breckin Schommer won the 800 meters to qualify

Matthew Lynes took 4th place in the 3200 meters to qualify

Ellise Welter finished in 3rd place in the 1600 meters

Katie Huppert won the same event to qualify

The Boys 4x800 relay of Kyle Cogan, Jack Kreager, Matthew Lynes, and Breckin Schommer took 2nd place to qualify

Addison Huppert and Ella Johnson took 3rd and 4th in the Pole Vault

Makaria Haas and Kendra Ogilvie took 3rd and 4th in the Discus Throw

Breckin Schommer, Will Packard, Tyler Loucks and Kyle Cogan took the regional championship and qualified in the 4x400

Evalyn Sieben took 3rd place in the 3200 meters

Kendra and Makenna Ogilvie took 2nd and 3rd in the 300 meter hurdles

Ethan West, Josh Peterson, Will Packard and Shane Butler took 4th place in the 4x100

Kianna Severson, Kennedy Braun, Katrina Budworth and Amanda Miller qualified in the 4x100 with a regional championship

Jack Kreager finished 4th in the 400 meters

Sophie Ripley and Marissa Cogan took 2nd and 4th in the 400 meters

Ethan West, Kobe Russell, Will Packard and Shane Butler took 2nd in the 4x200

Ava Budworth, Kennedy Braun, Katrina Budworth and Amanda Miller won the regional title in the 4x200

Kenendy Braun finished 4th in the 100 meters

Ella Johnson, Ava Budworth, Evalyn Sieben and Sophie Ripley won the regional title in the 4x800

Ethan West finished 2nd in the pole vault

Matthew Lynes won the pole vault

MUDHENS ROUT BANDITS; HAWKS STUN ROYALS

The 2023 townball season officially got underway last weekend with the Miesville Mudhens starting their year and the Hastings Hawks playing their third contest of the season.

For the Mudhens, it was an exciting day at the Jack, with the debut of new uniforms, the return of former players Nate Hammes and Jake Dickmeyer, and the debut of a new scoreboard, which came in part from a sizable donation from a local family.

The Mudhens had Quinn Kruger on the mound early, and he was dealing. After giving up an early walk, the Mudhens would rally back and keep the Bandits off the scoreboard to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. They would add another run in the 2nd, before exploding for 4 runs in the 3rd to take a 6-0 lead. Eagan would get one back in the top of the 4th, but it was all Mudhens after that as they raced out to a 12-1 win in 7 innings.

Almost everyone who hit for the Hens got a hit, with everyone getting on base. Deryk Marks and Caden Wildman had 2 hits, and Max Gamm had 3 as the Hens put up 15 hits to the Bandits 1.

Kruger got the win on the mound, and Thomas Shogren finished off the game in relief.

The Mudhens are 1-0 and return to action on Sunday against the MacStrength Grizzlies

Hawks Beat Defending Champions

The Hastings Hawks went to Rochester and beat the defending Class B Champion Rochester Royals by a 5-2 final score. The Hawks took a 1-0 lead early before the Royals responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning to take a 2-1 lead. But a 4 run 7th was the difference for the Hawks, who outhit the Royals 12-8. Both teams left 11 on base. No other information was immediately available as of this report.

The Mudhens and the Hawks will face off twice in 2023: June 14 at Vets Park in Hastings and July 23 in Miesville at Jack Ruhr Field, in what is the final regular season game for the Hawks.

KDWA will have every Mudhens game this season.

RAIDERS DISMANTLE CADETS, 10-2

Hastings- In the penultimate conference game of the season, the Hastings Raiders rallied from an early deficit and pulled away to blowout Saint Thomas Academy 10-2 at Grossman Field. The Raiders used timely hitting, an error filled performance by the Cadets, and excellent fielding, to clamp down and keep their slim conference title hopes alive.

The Cadets would strike first, using some early hitting to take a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Raiders would be held off the scoreboard in the 1st, and Al Hendrickson would hold the Cadets at bay in the 2nd frame. After Tanner Anselment would record the first hit of the game, he would eventually make it all the way around to third base. Then, the Raiders would get their first run in an unconventional way. The Cadets pitcher would slip and fall while attempting to throw a pitch, landing on his back just off the mound. This would be a balk and would score Anselment. The Cadets would not score the rest of the game.

Hastings would take over the game in the third inning, compiling four runs and virtually batting around. The Raiders took a 5-2 lead as a result. After no score in the 4th inning, Hastings clamped down defensively, before blowing the game open in the 5th with 5 runs. Saint Thomas Academy self destructed in the inning, committing three errors, and the Raiders would get some well placed hits from Mitch Iliff, Tanner Anselment and others to explode to a 10-2 lead. Neither team would score in the 6th inning, and after Saint Thomas emptied the dugout to try and find some offense, the Raiders would hold them at bay, and now needed to beat Hill-Murray and have Two Rivers beat Saint Thomas to have a three way share of the conference title.

Al Hendrickson got the win on the mound, going all 7 innings with 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned and 2 strikeouts. The hitting stats were as followed:

1 hit: Cade Kimmes, Mitch Iliff, Al Hendrickson

2 hits: Tanner Anselment, Blake Vandehoef

RBIs: Iliff, Seleski, Anselment, DeNoyer, Vandehoef

Anselment had a double

Vandehoef has a stolen base

The Raiders went to 12-5 with the victory.

WIND SWEPT: RAIDERS PULL AWAY FROM ZEPHYRS FOR HISTORIC SWEEP

For the first time in as long as people within the program can remember, the Raiders of Hastings swept the Mahtomedi Zephyrs Monday.

In what was a back and forth game early on, Hastings drew first blood, taking a 1-0 when Al Hendrickson scored in the top of the 2nd. But Mahtomedi would respond in kind with a two run shot from Josh Donna to give the Zephyrs a 2-1 lead. It was rinse and repeat however in the 3rd, as Hastings would tie the game, but Mahtomedi would reclaim the lead with a run.

In the 4th, both teams would be held in check, before Hastings would put their foot on the gas in the 5th. After tying the game, the Raiders would score three in the 5th to take a 5-3 lead. After the Zephyrs were held in check again, Evan Nelson decided he wanted to steal momentum, and crushed a baseball into left field for a two run homer to give Hastings a 7-3 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.

Mahtomedi would inch closer in the 6th to make it 7-4, before the Raider bats continued their torrid pace to add two more and make it 9-4. Mahtomedi would get one back in the 7th but it wasn’t enough as Hastings won 9-5.

Gavin Odman got the complete game win on the mound, with 5 runs, 5 earned and 7 strikeouts.

Nelson had a phenomenal day, going 3-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. Cade Kimmes also had three hits, with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Mitch Iliff, Al Hendrickson and Tanner Anselment also had 2 hits (Hendrickson also had a master class of a day in the field, making some unreal throws). Jack Seleski, Johnny Teigland and Eddie Peine also had a hit. Iliff also had 2 RBIs, while Jack Seleski also added 1. Iliff and Kimmes doubled in the ballgame, and Hendrickson and Iliff tripled.

The Raiders were still alive for a share of the Metro East title with a win against Saint Thomas on Wednesday. They finish off the season with Hill-Murray Friday and then two games next week against Lakeville South and Eastview with the Lakeville South game at Vets Park and the Eastview game being played at Grossman Field.

HYAA 13AAA BASEBALL WINS RIVER FALLS CLASSIC

The Hastings Raiders HYAA 13AAA Baseball team are the champions of the River Falls Classic, completing an undefeated run through the tournament to make the short trip back with a trophy, and qualifying for state tournament play.

The team opened up play with a dominant 18-6 win over River Falls, and then followed it up with a 17-7 win over Rosemount. The offense continued to be the story in the next game against Centennial, with a 12-2 win there, before defeating Shakopee 10-9 and then the Minneapolis Millers 16-8 for the championship.

The eligibility for the MBT State Tournament and Gopher State Tournament of Champions came as a result of this win, with both happening in July.

The tournament occurred on Mother's Day weekend, and so as a result, many of the players wore pink accessories.

The members of the team are:

Joey Horton

Luke Hargis

Payton Perseke

Harley Sykora

Cooper Pagel

Seth Leary

Luke Birken

Luke Werner

Brady Hendrickson

Adam Staves

Isaac Meyers

Zander McVicker

Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson

Assistant Coach Dean Meyers

Assistant Coach Chris Perseke

Assistant Coach Martin McVicker

Congratulations to all.

HASTINGS BASEBALL OBLITERATES HILL-MURRAY

The Hastings Raiders, fresh off a disappointing loss to Simley where they led by 5 only to get walked off in the 7th, needed a bounce back game, and boy did they respond in a big way.

The Raiders got it started with two runs in the top of the first inning, and after only allowing one Pioneer base runner, the Raiders would extend the lead to 6-0 after 2 with a 4 run 2nd inning. They kept their foot on the gas in the 3rd, adding another four runs to put a suffocating 10-0 lead on Hill-Murray. The Pioneers, who beat Mahtomedi for the first time in years one day prior, had no answer for the Raiders, being shutout until the 5th inning. Hastings added 4 more runs over the course of the 4th and 5th inning to score in every inning in the contest, and earn a convincing win in Maplewood 14-1.

Almost every Raider that batted got a hit, with Tanner Anselment, Blake Vandehoef and Connor Zgoda all getting one hit, and Mitch Iliff, Sawyer Tjomsland, Evan Nelson and Cade Kimmes all recording two. Nelson also launched a 3 run home run in the contest to really put the Pioneers to bed. Raiders got RBIs from Nelson (4), Anselment (2), DeNoyer (2), Zgoda (1) and Kimmes (1). DeNoyer had two doubles, while Kimmes and Nelson each had one. Iliff also added a triple for the Raiders as the team recorded a total of 14 hits and 11 RBIs and was walked just 4 times and struck out just 5 times.

Al Hendrickson pitched a complete game, going all 5 innings with 3 hits, 1 run, 1 earned, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. He was also walked one time in the batting order.

RAIDERS WALK OFF WOLFPACK IN EPIC 11-INNING MARATHON

The Hastings Raiders baseball team earned a massive section win, coming from behind in an extra innings marathon that flirted with darkness to beat their neighbors to the north Park of Cottage Grove 2-1 in 11 innings.

It was looking like it could be a history making pitchers duel early in the contest, as Gavin Odman and Brady Drkula looked unstoppable on the mound. The Raiders would get their first hit midway through the contest and for a while it looked like it was going to be the only hit, until they would add a few more in the 5th. But they couldn't score, and the game was tied at 0 heading into the 6th inning. Gavin Odman was working a perfect game through 5, having retired every batter. After his 16th straight out, Park would break up the perfect game on a single to left field in the top of the 6th inning. That would be the only blemish for Odman though, as he would go the full 7 without surrendering anything else.

Hastings had a chance to end it in the 7th, but could not muster any runs and to extra innings we went.

Mark DeNoyer took to the mound in the 8th, and Park would get some base runners, but the Raiders would avoid disaster and thanks to some excellent fielding, they would get out of the inning with no issues. Neither team would score in the 9th either and on to the 10th we went.

In the 10th inning, the Wolfpack would draw first blood, as Park would load the bases, but despite two straight runners being thrown out at third, the Wolfpack would still score the game's first run to go up 1-0. The Raiders would quickly go down two outs in the order, with the 7-8-9 hitters at the plate, meaning it was on the shoulders... and the bat... of DeNoyer to save the game, and boy did he deliver. With two outs, and down to his last strike, DeNoyer launched a ball into left field, and it carried deep to the wall and over the left field fence for a stunning home run. The shocking turn of events saw the game tied at 1 and we ended up heading to the 11th.

In the 11th inning, Alex Hendrickson took to the mound trying to keep the Wolfpack off the scoreboard. That he would do, and in the Bottom of the 11th, Hastings would load the bases on a couple walks and a hit by pitch. After Mitch Iliff was intentionally walked, Park turned to a new pitcher to keep the game going, but Anselment would get hit in the lower leg, advancing the runner at 3rd and ending the game, with the Raiders victorious. As the rain started to fall mere moments after the game ended, the Raider players celebrated a pivotal section win. Hastings is now 8-4, 7-3 on the season and returns to action Wednesday against Simley.

Stat lines from the contest:

Hendrickson ended up getting the victory, going 2/3 of an inning with 1 hit and 1 strikeout.

Odman's sensational statline was 7 IP, 1 H, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts

DeNoyer went 3 1/3 with 2 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, and 5 walks

Hitting wise, Iliff went 2-3 and was walked twice, while DeNoyer had the home run and an RBI. Jack Seleski and Evan Nelson also had hits for the Raiders, and Anselment had the walk off RBI.

INAUGURAL RAIDER SPORTS AWARDS HONORS ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

On Monday night, Hastings High School held its inaugural Raider Sports Awards. The ceremony, held in the school's auditorium, was a unique new way to honor the achievements and successes of Raider athletes over the last three sports season. While most of the awards were already known and announced ahead of time, each award winner was individually honored.

The ceremony started with a speech from 1997 Raider alum Katy Hertel. The former Raider basketball player spoke about her journey from Hastings to being a member of the USA Rugby team, and about how you don't necessarily have to be a starter to make an impact on your program. Hertel told a story about her time at UMD as a basketball player, and how she was told she would no longer be in the starting lineup, but that her role as a player off the bench was equally as important. She also congratulated the Raider wrestling team on their state title.

After that speech, individual awards were presented for Three Sport Athletes, followed by All Conference winners in multiple sports, which included Jaylen Hanson, Lauren Jenkins, Keagan McVicker, Johnny Bezdicek, Payton Burow, Creed Peterson and Lucas Sorenson. The Raider Award winners, of which there were more than two dozen, were then honored, followed by State Qualifiers over the last three seasons. All State Athletes over the last three seasons were the next category, with Track and Field, Lacrosse, Swim and Dive, Wrestling and Alpine Ski represented. Academic All-State Awards followed this, before the athletes who broke a school record were honored. There were too many to list here.

This was followed by individual state champions Blake and Trey Beissel and Skylar Little Soldier, and then Ava McNamara, Keagan McVicker and Linnea Ronning were honored for winning Conference Player of the Year in their sport. The awards following were the ExCel, Triple A, Academic All Conference, Athena and Apollo, Outstanding Seniors, and Senior College Commitments. Team Awards concluded the night, with the wrestling team being honored for their state title, Girls Swim and Dive and Tennis for their conference titles, and Boys Basketball for being Academic Section champs. The Head and Assistant Coaches of the year Becky Hartung, Tim Haneberg, Jeanne Kasel, Eric Mace and Kevin McBride were then honored, before Jim Happe, retiring after 27 years driving for Raider Athletics was honored with a standing ovation and a girls hockey jersey.

More coverage including interviews will be coming to our website and in our sports updates.

SOFTBALL DAY ROLLS ON DESPITE STORMS

Softball Day in Hastings powered through weather threats and the cancellation of the high school games to hold its second annual event. John Thurmes and Cindy Lyon joined KDWA to break it all down, as the event was planned to be bigger and broader in Year Two, with excitement already building for Year Three.

MUDHENS READY FOR SEASON OF CHANGE, RETURNING PLAYERS

The Miesville Mudhens season is quickly approaching, and in a year of change, the Mudhens don't appear to be too phased. Class A and Class B merged in the offseason, creating a 62 team super league in Class B. Despite this, the Mudhens are still expected to be one of the top contenders in Class B.

Some old faces are returning and several new faces will also be a part of the team this season. Matt Vanderbosch of the Mudhens joined KDWA to give us a preview of the upcoming season.

BROOM SEASON: RAIDERS BEAT POLARS 14-5 TO EARN FIRST SWEEP OF SEASON

North Saint Paul- Under the lights at Kuenkel Field, the Raiders beat North Saint Paul in their first game in more than a week, kicking off a stretch of 9 games in 10 days with a decisive 14-5 win over North.

After a scoreless 1-2-3 top of the first inning, Mark DeNoyer would force a 1-2-3 inning from the Polars, and we were scoreless after one. Hastings would get the game’s first runs in the top of the second, with two runs to take a 2-0 lead. The Polar batters would be held in check and Hastings would open up a 9-0 lead over the next couple of innings. The Raiders looked comfortably in front, but in the 4th and 5th innings, North Saint Paul would inch a little closer, getting two back in the 4th, and three back in the 5th to cut it to 9-5 as they found their bats. But that wouldn't deter the Raiders, as Hastings would step on the gas in the 6th inning, scoring the game's final five runs over the next two innings to open it up to a 14-5 lead. Aaron Vandehoef pitched the sixth and Matt Sherry finished it off in the 7th.

It was the first game in a week for the Raiders, and Coach Ryan Stoffel told KDWA that the Raiders were getting ready to get into a "meat grinder" of a schedule with their frequent action.

In terms of Raider statistics, it was a great night for Mitch Iliff, who had three hits, including two doubles. Evan Nelson also went 3 for 5, bringing in 3 batters. Blake Vandehoef registered two hits including a huge 2-RBI Triple early in the contest. Alex Hendrickson, Connor Zgoda and Johnny Teigland also had hits for a team total of 11. The Raiders also had 11 RBIs, with Jack Seleski, Vandehoef, two from Cade Kimmes, the 3 from Nelson, as well as two from Iliff and one from Hendrickson. Eddie Peine stole two bases in the contest.

Mark DeNoyer got the win, going 4 2/3 innings and ending his day with enough rest time to be able to pitch later in the week. He was great, allowing only 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 earned with a walk and 5 strikeouts. Aaron Vandehoef went 1 1/3 innings and Matt Sherry would pitch the 7th for the Raiders.

You can catch every Raider game, home or away, live on KDWA.

Coach Ryan Stoffel gave his thoughts on the game

SOFTBALL DAY SCHEDULE RELEASED AS PART OF SPORTS PACKED SATURDAY

The 2023 Softball Day in Hastings Schedule was released earlier this week as the event returns this Saturday at Vets Park from 9 AM-10 PM.

The 2023 schedule is as follows:

9 AM-10:05 AM: U10C Hastings White vs. Prescott (Vets Field 2)

9 AM-10:05 AM: U10A Hastings Blue vs. Cottage Grove (Vets Field 1)

10:30 AM-11:35 AM: U10B Hastings Yellow vs. Randolph U10B (Vets 2)

10:30 AM-11:35 AM: U12B Hastings Yellow vs. Prescott (Vets 1)

All Other Games Below Are On Vets 1

Noon-1:05 PM U12A Hastings Blue vs. Oakdale

1:30 PM-2:35 PM U14B Hastings Yellow vs. Prescott

3:00 PM-4:05 PM U14A Hastings Blue vs. Cottage Grove

4:30 PM-5:35 PM U16B Hastings Blue vs. Opponent To Be Announced

6:00 PM-8:00 PM Hastings JV vs. Hill-Murray (Time Permitting LIVE on KDWA)

8:00 PM-10:00 PM Hastings Varsity vs. Hill-Murray (LIVE on KDWA)

During this time, Hastings baseball will also face Eastview at Vets at 2 PM on Saturday, and KDWA will carry this game live. The contest was scheduled to take place in Miesville but was relocated due to field conditions.

Additionally on Saturday, Prescott Softball will host an inaugural invitational with Hudson and McDonnell Central. The game times are as follows:

10:30- Hudson vs. Prescott

12:30- Hudson vs. McDonnell Central

2:30- Prescott vs. McDonnell Central

These games will be heard on Saturday, May 13 on KDWA.

CLUTCH CONNOR STRIKES AGAIN: ZGODA, RAIDERS, WALKOFF SIMLEY ON WILD PITCH

The Hastings Raiders baseball team avoided near disaster Tuesday as they held off a late rally from Simley to walk off the Spartans on a wild pitch in the 7th inning.

Hastings and Simley got into a pitchers duel early on, as Gavin Odman shook off a slow start and kept the Spartans at bay. The Raiders would put some seperation between them and the Spartans over the next two innings, opening up a 6-0 lead. After that, Simley's pitcher got into a comfort zone, and the Raiders were held to three straight 1-2-3 innings. Simley would add a run in the 5th to cut it to 6-1, and after the Raiders were held at bay in the 6th inning, Simley rallied with 5 runs in the top of the 7th to tie it at 6. Disheartened, the Raiders did not give up. After Simley secured the first out, Mitch Iliff recorded a walk, and was replaced on 1st base by pinch runner Connor Zgoda. Evan Nelson would get on base, and Zgoda would advance to third, setting up an opportunity for Jack Seleski. Simley would intentionally walk him, and Zgoda waited patiently at third. That's when a wild pitch got away from the Simley catcher and Zgoda came sliding in safely to seal the deal 7-6. Zgoda was mobbed by his teammates near the pitchers mound as the Raiders got their fourth conference win of the season.

Hastings returns to action Wednesday against Saint Thomas Academy andf KDWA will carry that game live.

Gavin Odman got the start on the mound, going 6 innings and giving up just 2 hits and 1 run. Aaron Vandehoef and Eddie Peine both pitched in the 7th, with Peine getting credit for the win.

On the hitting side, Nelson went 3-4 at the plate with a spectacular day, and Peine went 2-4. Seleski, Kimmes and Iliff also secured hits for the Raiders in the victory. Seleski and Peine each had 2 RBis, while Tanner Anselment and Cade Kimmes also had 1. Iliff had a triple on the day and Seleski would double once.

CLUTCH CONNOR STRIKES AGAIN: ZGODA, RAIDERS, WALKOFF SIMLEY ON WILD PITCH

The Hastings Raiders baseball team avoided near disaster Tuesday as they held off a late rally from Simley to walk off the Spartans on a wild pitch in the 7th inning.

Hastings and Simley got into a pitchers duel early on, as Gavin Odman shook off a slow start and kept the Spartans at bay. The Raiders would put some seperation between them and the Spartans over the next two innings, opening up a 6-0 lead. After that, Simley's pitcher got into a comfort zone, and the Raiders were held to three straight 1-2-3 innings. Simley would add a run in the 5th to cut it to 6-1, and after the Raiders were held at bay in the 6th inning, Simley rallied with 5 runs in the top of the 7th to tie it at 6. Disheartened, the Raiders did not give up. After Simley secured the first out, Mitch Iliff recorded a walk, and was replaced on 1st base by pinch runner Connor Zgoda. Evan Nelson would get on base, and Zgoda would advance to third, setting up an opportunity for Jack Seleski. Simley would intentionally walk him, and Zgoda waited patiently at third. That's when a wild pitch got away from the Simley catcher and Zgoda came sliding in safely to seal the deal 7-6. Zgoda was mobbed by his teammates near the pitchers mound as the Raiders got their fourth conference win of the season.

Hastings returns to action Wednesday against Saint Thomas Academy andf KDWA will carry that game live.

Gavin Odman got the start on the mound, going 6 innings and giving up just 2 hits and 1 run. Aaron Vandehoef and Eddie Peine both pitched in the 7th, with Peine getting credit for the win.

On the hitting side, Nelson went 3-4 at the plate with a spectacular day, and Peine went 2-4. Seleski, Kimmes and Iliff also secured hits for the Raiders in the victory. Seleski and Peine each had 2 RBis, while Tanner Anselment and Cade Kimmes also had 1. Iliff had a triple on the day and Seleski would double once.

RAIDER BASEBALL CRUSHES TOP RANKED MAHTOMEDI

Mahtomedi entered Grossman Field on Monday as the #10 team in the Metro, but #1 in the State in Class 3A (the 9 teams ranked ahead of them were all 4A), looking to continue their multi-sport dominance of Hastings that has occurred throughout the school year. Fortunately for the Raiders, this time things went the right way… in a big way at that.

Mahtomedi would strike first in the top of the first after two HBPs and a walk would load the bases, but the Raiders would only give up a single run and the Zephyrs led 1-0 after 1. Hastings would respond with 2 in the bottom of the 1st however, little did they know that those would be the winning runs. After a scoreless 2nd, the Raiders would plate two more in the 3rd to go up 4-1 as Hastings both found life offensively and Mahtomedi severely struggled with fielding.

Hastings continued to slowly build an advantage, opening up a 6-1 cushion. The Zephyrs would get one back, and Hastings needed a run or two to put some distance between them again. Eddie Peine would deliver, bringing in 2 in the inning and a 6-run advantage 8-2. After the Zephyrs were stonewalled in the 6th, Evan Nelson delivered the dagger, with a two run shot to far left field to make it 10-2. Mahtomedi would start the 7th with multiple base runners, but Hastings would get out of the inning and secure the win 10-3.

The Raiders had 8 hits in the contest, led by Evan Nelson and Cade Kimmes with 2 each, while, Peine, Al Hendrickson, Tanner Anselment and Mitch Iliff each added one. Nelson had 4 RBIs, with Peine, Hendrickson, Iliff and Anselment each bringing one home.

On the mound, Matt Sherry got the start and the win, pitching a fantastic 4 1/3 innings with 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.23. Mark DeNoyer finished things off, going 2 2/3 with 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Hastings faced Simley on Tuesday, STA on Wednesday and takes on Hill-Murray Friday and Tartan Saturday morning looking to make a statement in the Metro East this week.

HUDELLA PRESENTS HASTINGS WRESTLING WITH HOUSE PROCLAMATION

The Hastings Wrestling team was presented by Representative Shane Hudella with a House proclamation at the Minnesota State Capitol on Monday. The State Champion Raiders and Coach Tim Haneberg posed with Hudella for a photo. In a social media post, Hudella himself talked about how special it was for him to present said proclamation, as he was a Hastings Wrestling alum himself.

RAIDERS GET FIRST WIN OF SEASON, MELT POLARS

Hastings- The Hastings Raiders got their first win of the season in a bizarre 12-1 win over North Saint Paul that saw 5 combined hits, a plethora of walks, and a 5-inning run rule as the Raiders went to 1-1, 1-0 in the conference.

Gavin Odman had the bump for the Raiders and worked through the top of the first inning with ease, giving the Raiders a chance to take an early lead. Eddie Peine would be hit by a pitch to lead things off, and the Raiders would bat all the way around... without a single hit. Thanks to 5 walks, and 2 hit by pitches, the Raiders would score 4 times of the 10 batters in the first inning, and take a comfortable lead in the second.

Odman continued his confident pitching, and the Raiders would again score multiple runs without a hit in the 2nd, as North Saint Paul continued to walk batters. Up 6-0 in the bottom of the third, Hastings was left off the scoreboard for the first time and to the 4th we went. North Saint Paul would register the game’s first two hits and get their first run to make it 6-1, but Hastings responded in kind in the bottom of the fourth. Evan Nelson crushed a baseball and it disappeared into the woods in left field for a solo home run and a 7-1 lead. The Raiders then added 5 more runs in the inning, 3 of which were batted in by Mitch Iliff on a stand up double. The Raiders also scored on a few wild pitches. That gave the Raiders a 12-1 lead, and Odman would finish things off on the mound for the 5-inning complete game win.

Iliff had 4 RBIs to lead the way for the Raiders as the Raiders had 11 RBIs total in the contest. They also were walked 11 times and had just 3 hits.

Odman was fantastic, going 5 innings with 2 hits, 1 run, no earned, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

The Raiders return to action Friday against an experienced Two Rivers team that will look to make some noise in the Metro East Conference this season. Two Rivers fell to Mahtomedi 14-4 earlier in the week.

KDWA will carry every Hastings Baseball game, home and away, on our airwaves this season, and you can find our entire schedule at KDWA.com.

RAIDER BASEBALL OPENS SEASON AGAINST WOODBURY

River Falls- The Hastings Raiders baseball team's first time on a baseball diamond in 2023 was on Good Friday, when the Raiders traveled up to River Falls to take on Woodbury in a non-conference, non-section game that kicked off the 2023 season. Both teams arrived and immediately got to work clearing snow off the turf field, making it easily ready for play. Once the game started, it looked like it was going to be an offensive slugfest.

The bats were flowing early, as Woodbury would get on the board in the top of the first inning. Hastings added a run themselves in the bottom of the 1st, when Eddie Peine, who had a phenomenal day, batted in their first run of the season. It looked like it was going to be an offensive affair, with Woodbury adding 4 runs in the second and the Raiders adding two more to make it 5-3, but it was all Royals after that.

Woodbury would add 4 more runs in the third, and one in the sixth to bring it to a 10-3 margin that the Raiders could not come back from.

Hastings threw 4 arms in the contest, with Gavin Odman getting the start. He went the first two innings, while he was relieved by Aaron Vandehoef, who went 2/3 before Matt Sherry came in and pitched 2 1/3, and Mark DeNoyer pitched the remaining two frames.

Peine led the way offensively for the Raiders, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 2 doubles. Tanner Anselment also had a strong day, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Jack Seleski and Evan Nelson also had a hit for the Raiders in the contest.

Hastings opens its home slate at Grossman Field on Wednesday against North Saint Paul, with aspirations of a Metro East Conference championship. The originally scheduled home opener against Park of Cottage Grove was moved to April 20 as a result of the field conditions not being playable on that day. The home opener at Grossman is also the debut of the new scoreboard and windscreen in the outfield.

KDWA will have coverage of every home and away Hastings Baseball game in the 2023 season.