June 18, 2015

Hopkins, MN.  This past week, the Flyers visited neighboring Excelsior (Minnetonka) for a game between two teams who competed in a Winner’s Bracket game in last years Sub-State Tournament.  The Post 259 Fire Club from Excelsior drew the win in last year’s postseason, and also defeated the Flyers this past Wednesday, by a score of 4-0, dropping the Flyers early South Hennepin League record to 1-1.  

On what was a beautiful evening at Veteran’s Field, Hopkins ace, Robbie Palkert toed the rubber for the Flyers.  Palkert pitched brilliantly, going the distance in a complete game, scattering seven hits and allowing just three earned runs.  “Everything I threw felt good.  I was throwing hard, my off-speed stuff was working well, and I was working fast and efficiently,” noted Palkert.  Head Coach Todd Jahnke went onto say this about Palkert’s performance, “Robbie commanded all three of his pitches tonight, and showed a high level of mental toughness in dealing with some tough breaks that were outside of his control.  He pounded the zone, and attacked hitters with his electric stuff, just as he should.”  

Palkert’s strike percentage on the evening was north of 73% (58/79), striking out eight, while walking just one.  “Without question, Robbie pitched well enough to win, and I thought our catcher, Max Weesner called a tremendous game.  Unfortunately, you have to score to win in this game, and it was a night in which our bats didn’t come alive.  We hit some balls well early, they just didn’t fall – that’s baseball,” noted Jahnke.  “It’s a learning process.  We’re still very much figuring out who we are as a team.  I care less about the outcomes early on in the season, and more about the process.  We’re learning how to embrace the grind, and continuing to develop as a team.  That’s far more important to me than wins and losses at this stage.”

This weekend, the Flyers travel to Burnsville, where they will compete in the Snake Pit Classic.  The tournament field boasts some high-ranking American Legion teams from across the Metro, including South Hennepin teams Eden Prairie, Bloomington Gold and Bloomington Blue.  Some other notable clubs are Burnsville, Lakeville North, Eagan, Chaska and Prior Lake.  The tournament pairings can be viewed on the resources page, or by clicking here.   Hopkins opens up Friday with Woodbury, and continues pool play Saturday with games versus Richfield and Eagan.