Grand Rapids Baseball Draws Fifth Seed in Class AAA State Tournament

Grand Rapids and Delano open up the quarterfinal round of the state tournament on Wednesday, June 11th. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Last week the Grand Rapids baseball team claimed their fifth straight Section 7AAA title, defeating Hermantown 12-2.

Over the weekend the Thunderhawks learned who their first-round opponent is at the state tournament.

Grand Rapids will face the 4th seeded Delano in the quarterfinal round.

This is the Thunderhawks 23rd state appearance as a program, which is a MSHSL record for most state appearances.

In the Thunderhawks 23rd tourney, the team will rely on their core foundation.

“We’ve got outstanding pitching number one. We’ve got three guys that we can put out against anybody, and we will feel confident, that’s the first thing. And we play pretty good defense most of the time,” said head coach Bill Kinnunen. “We feel very fortunate going to the state tournament this year like we have the last four years in a row before this. But the kids deserve it every year. It’s a different batch of kids and the thing is, the young kids get to see this, and they want to do the same thing”

At the state tournament, the Thunderhawks understand that it will take everyone on the team to win games.

“The younger kids are stepping up. I think it’s pretty cool, we got the younger guys in the batting order that are getting hits like Kaden hitting it off the wall, Alex Wegwerth hitting it over the left fielder. It’s just cool, that’s gonna get us far in the state tournament,” said Thunderhawks captain Klous Jones. “Over the years I have seen good leadership and so I think this year I just have taken that role just trying to lead the team in the way and show them what to do.”

Grand Rapids and Delano open up the quarterfinal round of the state tournament on Wednesday, June 11th.

First pitch is at 5:30 p.m.