The Ellsworth Hubbers kicked off their 2025 season on a sun-soaked afternoon at Veterans Park in Hastings, falling to the Hawks 12–2. The scoreboard didn’t reflect the full story. For Manager Jeremiah Paulson and the rest of the squad, the day was about more than numbers. It was about getting back on the field, seeing how new faces and seasoned veterans handled real game action, and continuing to build on last season’s momentum.

“This was our first game of the year,” Paulson said, “and it’s always great to play. Beautiful day, beautiful park. We always love coming to Hastings.” That enthusiasm showed in how he spoke about the team’s effort, even in defeat. “We played pretty clean defensively,” he added. “We threw strikes for the most part. That’s what we were working on. We weren’t really working on score.”

The Hubbers managed just three hits in the contest, with Tom Krooan, Ben Fischer, and Tom Hehn each contributing one. Fischer and Krooan scored the Hubbers’ two runs in the sixth inning, providing a flash of energy in an otherwise quiet offensive day.

On the mound, Ellsworth used four different pitchers to work through the early season innings. James Georgakas took the loss after surrendering six runs over three innings, though only five were earned. Urban Broadway, Krooan, and Les Dobbs followed in relief, combining for seven strikeouts and valuable early season experience.

The Hubbers fell behind quickly as Hastings posted three runs in each of the first three innings, putting Ellsworth in a deep hole. Still, Paulson found value in the experience.

“Our starter didn’t throw anything but a fastball in the first inning,” he said. “We were just working on location, seeing the young guys, making sure they’re healthy.”

Among those young guys was Carter Pierce, returning to the team after a stint in college.

“We’re excited about Carter in left,” Paulson said. “And bringing Tom Krooan back, kid from UW-River Falls, and then seeing the rest of these guys. You know, getting the band back together, so to speak.”

Even though the game was technically an exhibition and won’t count in the standings, Paulson emphasized the value of nine full innings of live action.

“You still want to see your guys compete,” he said. “How do the veterans handle being on the field for two and a half hours? How do the young guys deal with adversity?”

One such challenge came from the Hawks’ pitching. Ben Bundschu, Reece Cox, and Gavin Odman held the Hubbers to three hits while combining for seven strikeouts. Paulson tipped his cap to the opponent.

“We didn’t square too many, but that’s a credit to them,” he said. “We’ve seen Bundschu a dozen times, and he mixes his pitches well. If you’re not ready for that, you’re not ready for that.”

He praised Cox in particular for his different style. “Nice change of pace guy,” Paulson said. “You throw Bundschu who mixes, then Cox comes in hiding the ball and throwing with some velocity. That’s good for our guys to see early on.”

Hastings' offense was led by Evan Krhin, who had a monster game with five hits and four RBIs. Gavin Odman added two hits and two RBIs of his own, while the Hawks capitalized on timely doubles and aggressive base running.

Still, the Hubbers had some bright spots. Defensively, Ellsworth showed strong fundamentals despite the lopsided score. And the return of familiar faces injected a sense of continuity and camaraderie into the squad. Paulson, who has been managing since 1992, knows the value of that bond.

“I just want to see the kids come out here and enjoy what they’re doing,” he said. “Have that environment to compete, to have success, to have failure, and to learn how to deal with both.”

He also acknowledged the strength of the league this year. “River Falls is always really good. I think they’ve won the league the last four or five years,” Paulson noted. “Hudson’s got talent. Osceola won the Class B state tournament last year. Spring Valley and Elmwood always have strong squads too. It’s a solid league from top to bottom.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Paulson remains focused on development and long-term goals. “We took some steps last year,” he said. “We qualified for the Class B state tournament, which hadn’t happened since maybe 2012. So that was big. And now we keep grooming young guys.”

For Paulson, baseball runs deep. “It’s part of my DNA,” he said. “Just being out here, watching guys compete, helping them grow, that’s what it’s about.”

The loss may sting, but the Hubbers left Hastings with valuable experience and a clear sense of purpose. They’ll look to sharpen their bats, tighten their pitching, and build on the foundation laid in this early test.

The next chance to see the Hubbers is May 17 at River Falls for a 7:30 p.m. first pitch.