By Reagan Hoverman

The Ellsworth Hubbers will consider the 2022 amateur baseball season a momentous success, regardless of the results of the remaining regular season games and the playoff tournament at the end of the season.

After an upset win against the Prescott Pirates on the road on Sunday, June 26, the Ellsworth Hubbers improved to 5-4 for the season. Three days later, the Hubbers clobbered the Osceola Braves 11-1 in the final game before the all-star break, improving the overall record to 6-4 and tying the Hubbers’ record for wins in a season in the last two years – not to mention there is still more than a month left to play before the postseason be- gins.

During the offseason after the 2021 campaign, in which the Hubbers won only four games all year, player/manager Jeremiah Paulson continued to recruit young talent to play for the Hubbers, while retaining import- ant veteran talent on the roster.

Paulson’s careful construction of the roster has paid dividends, as the Hubbers have established themselves as a legitimately dangerous team in the Saint Croix Valley Baseball League, which is home to powerhouse townball programs such as Hudson and River Falls.

The best season in the last two years – outside of what 2022 is shaping up to be – was the 2020 season, when the Hubbers won six games. This year, they’ve tied that total and have shown no signs of slowing down.

The Wednesday evening game against the visiting Osceola Braves decidedly went in favor of the Hubbers. Veteran pitcher James Georgakas took the mound and was electric from the opening pitch at Summit Hill Park in Ellsworth.

Georgakas recorded a three up, three down top of the opening frame. Four batters into the bottom of the first inning, the Hubbers had the bases loaded with only one out. That’s when Chad Melstrom stepped up to the plate and blasted an RBI single to center field to give the Hubbers a 1-0 lead.

Two batters later, Austen Mason slapped an RBI single down the right-field line to score the Hubbers’ second run of the game. After a scoreless top of the second inning, the Hubbers tacked on another run in the bottom of the second to take a 3-0 lead.

Georgakas again retired three consecutive Braves batters in the top of the third inning and continued to throw high-quality stuff. At that point, the game still hung in the balance but it wouldn’t remain that way for long.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Hubbers exploded for five runs to secure an 8-0 lead and essentially put the game away early. Their offensive explosion began with three singles to start the bottom of the third. After a walk scored a run to make it 4-0, the bases remained loaded for Michael Krueger who roped a two-RBI single down the left-field line to make it 6-0 Hubbers.

Paulson, the aforementioned player/manager continued his season of excellence at the plate as he also tallied a two-RBI double to shallow right field. Paulson spoke about what has led to the Hubbers’ offensive surge as of late.

“We’ve been more consistent (offensively),” Paulson said. “We have a little more talent (this year) and we’ve been on a hot streak. We’ve got guys that are working counts, getting on base, and this roll we’re on, we’re starting to hit with them on base.” Paulson stated that taking advantage at the plate with runners in scoring position has been huge for the Hubbers as they’ve been consistently hanging crooked numbers for the last two weeks. That’s been a turnaround compared to the beginning of the season when runners were regularly stranded.

“Early in the season we were leaving guys on base,” Paulson said. “I know in a couple of those early games we left 14 or 16 guys on base and that’s a lot of opportunities. Some of those are starting to turn into runs and it’s showing with our offensive growth. Guys at the top, middle and bottom of the lineup are doing their jobs.” Georgakas has solidified himself as the Hubbers’ #1 pitcher in the rotation. He was dealing on Wednesday night and didn’t give up a hit until the top of the fifth inning. Paul son spoke about what Georgakas brings to the Hubbers’ rotation.

“He’s our number one and he’s a guy that takes the ball and doesn’t want to give it up. He’s going to battle and he didn’t even give up a hit until the fifth inning,” Paulson said. “He’s smart, he’s competitive and he’s got good stuff. He doesn’t light up the radar gun but he mixes, matches, throws strikes and keeps teams off balance.” Georgakas’ pitching – in addition to the lineup which continues to mash top to bottom – helped the Hubbers cruise to an 11-1 victory in seven innings. Ellsworth has certainly found its stride, as the team has also been defensively sound with limited errors in recent weeks.

The end of June marks the annual all-star break which gives townball teams a chance to relax, enjoy some time off for the Fourth of July weekend and regroup before starting the final month of the regular season.

Ellsworth goes into the break with a 6-4 overall record and as the winner of three straight. Paulson spoke about the all-star break that the Hubbers view as bitter-sweet.

“I said to somebody in the dugout that I almost wish we didn’t have a break because we want to keep it rolling and anything can stop momentum,” Paulson said. “But it will be nice to give the guys a break because we’ve been grinding hard. Now it’s a chance for us to do some life things and celebrate the Fourth of July weekend with family.” According to Paulson, some of the success in the first two months of the 2022 season has been because of the veteran leadership and guidance of young talent on the roster. The Hubbers will look to continue their best season in years after the all-star break on the road against Hudson on Saturday, July 9. That game is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

Ellsworth veteran pitcher James Georgakas throws a strike during the Hubbers’ home victory against the Osceola Braves on Wednesday, June 29. Georgakas didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning of action. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Shane Elsen of the Ellsworth Hubbers takes a lead off of second base during the home game against the Braves on Wednesday, June 29. Elsen and the Hubbers jumped out to an 8-0 lead early in the game and never looked back. Ellsworth defeated Osceola 11-1 in seven innings.

Photo by Reagan Hoverman