The move to Class A for the Hawks so far has been far more exciting and fun than most folks expected. Two exhibition wins by ten or more runs, a competitive 3-2 win over Cannon Falls in extra innings, an 8-3 loss at the Red Wing Aces that should never have happened and now two huge, dominating section wins over the New Market Muskies on May 30, 8-4 and 12-1 over the Elko Express, and the Hawks are sitting at 5-2 for the season, and 2-0 in the new version of the Class A Section 1 standings.

Versus the New Market Muskies

This game was one no one knew how to predict, both New Market and Elko are typically strong teams, but the uncertainty did not cause any hiccups for the Hawks.

Hastings put up a series of fence posts in the first four innings to lead 4-1 after four. Mitch Iliff made a triumphant return from college ball leading the Hawks with a 5-for-5 performance at the plate. His first hit and score came in the first inning, a single to left center. Kelin Rasmussen nearly copies Iliff’s single to give the Hawks runners on first and second with one out. Jack Seleski flew out to right for the second out and Nick Brandt drove Iliff home on the third line drive hit to left center.

The second inning, the New Market pitcher struggled with control, and he plunked the first two Hawks batters, Cooper Desutter and Cade Kimmes. A fielder’s choice on a bunt by Nolan Drossel logged the first out at third base sending Desutter to the bench. Iliff carded his second hit to left center scoring the speedy Kimmes from second and the Hawks were up 2-0.

Jack Seleski led off the third with a hard-hit ground ball up the middle for a single, and a deep flyout by Johnny Teigland that everyone thought was going to be a home run, allowed Seleski to tag and get to third. Desutter hit a grounder to the pitcher which allowed Seleski to score and put the Hawks up 3-0.

New Market scored in the top of the fourth on an error on the Hawks catcher who dropped a routine foul popup earlier in the at bat. Had Brandt made the catch; the runner would not have scored on the ground out that happened after the drop. Hastings quickly made up for that one run when Jason Greeder was hit by a pitch and then driven in by Mitch Iliff. Hastings tacked on four more, two in the sixth and two in the eighth, to win 8-4.

Iliff went 5-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Brandt was 3-for-5 with two RBIs. On the mound, Ben Teigland went six strong innings with 28 batters faced, one strikeout and five walks on 109 nine total pitches. Gavin Odman, Trace Brayton and Jordan Jeske each had an inning of relief. Teigland earned the win and Jeske the save.

At Elko Express

After a quiet first two innings, the Hastings Hawks exploded at the plate and never looked back, piling on run after run to crush the Elko Express 12–1 on Sunday.

In the top of the third, Hastings capitalized on back-to-back errors and timely hitting. Seleski’s bloop single brought home the first run, and Brandt followed with a two-run double to put the Hawks up 3–0. They added another in the fourth when Drossel drove in Kimmes after a misplay in the field.

The Hawks kept applying pressure. Brandt belted a solo home run in the seventh, his third hit of the day, and by the time the ninth inning rolled around, Hastings led 7–1. That’s when they really broke it open. RBI singles from Drossel, Krebs, and Rasmussen, along with a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, capped off a five-run frame.

On the mound, Jeske delivered six scoreless innings, striking out five and working out of multiple jams with the help of a stingy defense that turned three double plays. The lone blemish came in the eighth when Elko homered off Hawks newcomer, Cole Karnick, for Elko's only run.

Hastings took full advantage of Elko's six defensive errors, scoring six unearned runs in the process. Brandt finished 4-for-5 with four RBIs, while Rasmussen added three hits and two runs scored.

With the win, the Hawks improve their early-season form, showing both offensive depth and pitching dominance in a statement game on the road.

Up Next

Hastings travels to the beautiful First National Bank Field in River Falls on June 4 for a 7:30 first pitch then they return home on June 7 to take on the Minneapolis River Rats at 3:00 p.m. and June 8 they host Baseball 365 at 2:00 p.m. June 11, the Hampton Cardinals come to town to fight for the Wayne Erickson Travelling Memorial Trophy and June 13, the boys head to Dundas to take on the Dukes.

The Hastings Hawks launched their 2025 baseball campaign with back-to-back games on May 10 and 11, kicking things off in emphatic fashion before falling just short in a hard-fought league opener. Saturday’s matchup against the Ellsworth Hubbers served as a season tune-up and home opener at Veterans Park

Hastings wasted no time making a statement in their opener, crushing Ellsworth 12–2 behind powerful hitting, crisp defense, and standout pitching. The Hawks jumped on the Hubbers early with three runs in each of the first two innings, and they never let off the gas. They totaled 14 hits on the day, held Ellsworth to just three, and walked off the field with a convincing win.

“Our pitching staff was phenomenal today,” head coach Shawn Matson said. “It’s always nice to see that the first time out. The guys really filled it up, and our defense played well and made the plays behind them.”

Ben Bundschu earned the win with four shutout innings, striking out one and allowing just one hit. He was followed by Reece Cox, who gave up two runs, one earned, while striking out six over three innings. Gavin Odman sealed the deal with a perfect eighth. All told, the Hawks pitchers issued zero walks and allowed no extra-base hits.

“We just played together,” said Bundschu, who also added two hits and an RBI at the plate. “The pitchers did their jobs, kept the ball down, and the defense backed them up. When the bats are rolling like that, it makes everything easier.”

Offensively, the Hawks got contributions across the board. Leadoff man Cory Wolters doubled and scored in the first. Jason Greeder reached base twice and scored two runs. Kelin Rasmussen hit a double, made key plays at shortstop, and showed his readiness.

“He’s just a crazy good athlete,” said Matson. “He was all-state last year at Farmington and played club ball at Mankato this spring. He came in in baseball shape, and it showed.”

Odman had a standout day with two hits, including a double, and drove in two. Evan Krhin, playing third base, put on a hitting clinic, going 5-for-5 with four RBIs. Jordan Jeske contributed with a hit, two walks, and an RBI. Taylor Pagel crossed the plate twice, and Cole Benson added a run off the bench.

Even the younger or less familiar faces made an impact. Cox, although not a rookie to baseball, is new to Hastings and impressed Matson with his poise and performance.

“He’s gonna be a big arm for us,” Matson said. “More than that, all the new guys are good teammates. They get it.”

The 12–2 win set a strong tone for the season start and helped get them more in sync for their Sunday match up against CCVL rival Northfield.