Grand Rapids is well known as a hockey town. It makes sense, since the boys high school hockey team has gone to state 17 times and their girls team three times. However, on Thursday Thunderhawks baseball will make their 22nd state tournament appearance, which is a Minnesota high school record.

“It just shows how great of a program we do have here. Not everybody might always know, but it really is a great program. I think people are starting to take notice, so it’s good,” Nolan Svatos said, a senior center fielder.

“It’s kind of a slept-on sport I feel like for Grand Rapids. But we always go every year and we’re always proving ourselves that we can do it each year. We just like playing so might as well go,” senior pitcher Easton Sjostrand said.

In the section tournament Grand Rapids had to fight their way out of the elimination bracket to secure their fourth straight state tournament berth. The Thunderhawks beat Duluth Denfeld 10-0 then 2-0 last Wednesday to defend their Section 7AAA title.

The state tournament is all these Thunderhawk seniors have known. They finished as Class AAA runners-up in 2021, then placed fourth the last two seasons. Their first foe this year will be No. 2 Mankato East.

“Got to believe that we can do it. Hopefully we can get into Target Field and get the win this year,” senior shortstop Kyler Miller added.

“Great defense [is] always first. Our last three games of the playoffs, haven’t given up a run and it’s kind of hard to lose if you don’t give up a run. So continue to do that and hope the bats keep staying hot, and we’ll be fine,” Svatos said.

Grand Rapids enters state with a 16-8 record, while Mankato East sits 20-5. Their Class AAA quarterfinal is set for Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at the Chaska Athletic Park. For the full Class AAA bracket, Click here.

RELATED STORY: Grand Rapids baseball wins two to top Denfeld and earn program’s 22nd state berth.