For the Delano Athletics this season would be a new start. How did it finish? Pretty well thank you! The A’s won their first state championship since 1988 on Monday with a 8-2 win over Nisswa in the Class B state championship game, played at Hutchinson’s Memorial field. The A’s started over after last season by moving from the only league they had ever known, the North Star league, to the Crow River league. The A’s also added some new faces to the lineup and by May were ready to begin the season. The Athletics went 19-9 during the regular season, playing a very tough schedule. Delano finished second in region 7C and once again reached the state tournament for the first time since 2023, and for the 28th time in team history.
The A’s first round matchup with Northfield was their toughest game. Jackson Hunter a draftee from Watertown picked up the complete game win. In the second round, Delano rolled over Hinckley, 7-2, with Hunter picking up the win again, and Toby Hanson going deep for the A’s. Next up was their former North Star League rivals and the tourney host team, Hutchinson. It was no contest, 11-0 A’s in 7 innings. Hunter picked up his third win of the tournament, while Trevor Jaunich, Michael Reem and Drew Dorsey, all hit home runs and drove in two.
In the semifinals on Sunday, the A’s faced a strong hitting Young America team, but Jack Nelson was up for the task, pitching a complete game, giving up just two runs, while striking out six. Drew Dorsey homered for the second straight day, and it was a no doubter as the A’s advanced to the championship game. In the championship, Delano took on Nisswa, the 2022 Class C state champs. It was close early, but a five run fifth gave the A’s all the cushion they would need, as Delano rolled from there, winning 8-2 and winning the state championship. Mason Henry had three hits in the final for Delano, while Jack Paulson, Toby Hanson and Trevor Jaunich all went deep in the A’s win. Paulson led the A’s in RBI on Monday with three. Everyone that follows town team baseball knows that Delano has one of the best parks in the state, and next spring they will hang another championship banner next to the one they won in 1988.
