Hopkins Baseball Aims to Return to State Tournament

The Hopkins baseball team is aiming for a return visit to the state tournament this season.

The Royals won the Section 6AAAA title to advance to state last season.

Then with many of the same players the Hopkins Post 320 American Legion team finished second at the state tournament and second at the Midwest Plains Regional.

This year’s team has to replace star Jake Perry, who is now playing for the University of Minnesota.

Much of the rest of that team is back though.

Shortstop Maddox Mihalakis, an Arizona recruit, leads the returners.

Outfielder Jack Mausser, first baseman/third baseman Brock Zimmer, outfielder Paul Safranski, pitcher/1st baseman Gabe Olson, and catcher Drew Charney are other top players.

The Royals expect to score a lot of runs but will have to develop pitching depth.

Hopkins is currently ranked fifth in class AAAA.

They enter the week with a 2-1 record, with wins over Chanhassen and Armstrong and a loss to St. Louis Park.