Apr. 11—MONTEVIDEO — After going to state for the first time in 28 years, the Montevideo baseball team doesn't plan on another prolonged stay away from the state's best.
With four of the team's top five pitchers and five position players back from last season, the Thunder Hawks are hoping to stay in the hunt for a Section 3AA championship.
Montevideo was 21-6 overall and 11-3 in the West Central Conference last season. The Thunder Hawks are also the defending 3AA champions.
"We have a great 1-2 punch on the mound with (Gannon) Reidinger and (Griffin) Epema, and then (Brody) Dack is a quality number three," said Montevideo head coach Tim Epema. He's joined on staff by Brandon Raymo, Adam Eakes and Josh Dack. Tim Epema is heading into his 18th season and has a 158-196 record.
The Thunder Hawks are led by their senior ace pitcher Gannon Reidinger. The Minnesota State-Mankato commit was 8-2 with an 0.85 ERA with 111 strikeouts and 16 walks over 74 innings. Also playing at first base, Reidinger hit .326 with a .505 on-base percentage with 16 runs and 19 RBIs.
Griffin Epema is a sophomore shortstop/center fielder/pitcher. He was the team's top bat, hitting .386 with a .591 OBP with 29 runs, 15 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. On the mound, he went 4-2 with a save, a 1.43 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 17 walks over 44 innings.
"(Griffin's) super athletic with a strong arm and great bat," Tim Epema said. "He's gritty."
Another top senior for the Thunder Hawks is catcher Landon Olson. Along with working with the pitchers and controlling opponents on the base paths, Olson hit .277 with 14 runs and 12 RBIs last season. He'll be joined by fellow seniors Jaden Hendrickson in left field. Hendrickson hit .206 with 11 runs, nine RBIs and eight stolen bases in '24.
Other seniors back in the fray are Sam Knoop, Nery Guerra and Carter Malstrom.
Junior Brody Dack will play third base, pitcher and outfield. He hit .244 with a .471 OBP, 18 runs, 15 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
"(Brody's) a versatile athlete with a great baseball IQ," Tim Epema said.
Another junior, second baseman/outfielder Ben Gunlogson is back. He batted .234 with a .454 OBP, 21 runs, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases.
"(Ben's) a very gritty athlete that will do whatever it takes," Tim Epema said.
Newcomers to look out for include juniors Brendan Koosmann and Jackson Koenen along with sophomore Lathen Nipple and Cameron Kibler.
Getting back to state will be no easy feat for Montevideo. Epema expects a tough section field. The West Central Conference won't be much easier.
"The West Central Conference is loaded with a lot of very good baseball teams," Epema said. "Morris and Minnewaska will be very stout. Melrose and Sauk Centre always pose a big threat. BOLD and Benson return a lot of good young players that will be more seasoned and ready to take on everyone. West Central (Area) was a very young team last year and has a new coach this year, so you never know what they may be able to do."
