Hermantown’s relatively young and inexperienced baseball team is scheduled to host Cloquet (0-1) at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fichtner Field before visiting Duluth Denfeld (0-1) Thursday in consecutive early-season Lake Superior Conference games.
The Hawks (2-0 overall, 2-0 LSC) blitzed Rock Ridge 13-2 and 12-5 on Friday in conference play in Virginia.
Hermantown broke open the opener with a seven-run seventh inning after building a 6-0 lead through six. Super-sophomore Drew Sonneson paced the offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while three other Hawks recorded two hits each.
Sophomore flame thrower Jax Johnson set the tone on the mound, working five shutout innings. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five.
Jimmy Bartsch, one of two seniors on the roster, finished 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while juniors Ethan McCubbin and Bryce Lundeen each collected three hits in the nightcap. Rocket-armed sophomore Carter Wilson earned the win in relief, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Hermantown’s roster blends experience at the top with a deep pipeline of underclassmen.
The senior class is headlined by two-way contributors who anchor both the lineup and pitching staff. Bartsch (C/P) and Jacob Evanson (OF/P) provide leadership and versatility, each capable of impacting the game in multiple roles.
Hermantown’s junior class offers the team’s largest group of experienced returners, particularly on the mound and in the outfield. Kaden Wade (OF), August Skur (OF), McCubbin (OF/P), Lundeen (P), Nathan Haedrich (P), Zachary Bostrom (P), Braxton Harju (OF) and Carter Caine (OF/P/C) form a core that supplies both depth and flexibility across the diamond.
The sophomore class adds balance with a mix of position players and pitchers continuing to grow into larger roles. Brekken Postal (C), Brayden Lasky, Max Collins (P), Wilson (OF/P/C), Easton Cherney (OF/P), Judah Backstrom, Sonneson (P), Benjamin Lane (OF), Elijah Carlsness (C), Jax Johnson (OF/P) and Kale Hanson give Hermantown options at nearly every position.
A star-studded freshman class rounds out the roster with a sizable group expected to contribute as the season progresses. Paxton Schall (OF), Luke Nelson (OF/C), Erik Deiss (P), Grady Masterman (P), Aiden McShane (OF/C/P), August Palmer (OF), Ayden Maki (OF/P), Ryan Pelawa (OF), Noah Perell (OF), Blake Rasmussen (P), Gabriel Bradley (P), Ethan Johnson and Hayden Fox (C/P) represent the program’s next wave.