Cardinals Qualify for Region 13 Tournament for Second Straight Season, First with Haapajoki at Helm

The Minnesota North College–Hibbing baseball team concluded its 2024–25 season with a 15–23 overall record, the most wins in a season since 2019, and 11–9 mark in conference play along with finishing their final 12 games with an impressive 9-3 stretch, earning them a spot in the upcoming NJCAA Region XIII Tournament. Under strong leadership and anchored by a gritty roster, the Cardinals showed resilience throughout the season, particularly in conference matchups where they maintained a winning record despite a challenging non-conference slate. 

The offense was a bright spot for Hibbing, boasting a team batting average of .305. Freshman Brayan Rodriguez emerged as a sparkplug late in the season, hitting .407 with a .529 OBP. David Cano (.350 AVG, 4 HR, 28 RBI) and Bruce Slygh (.333 AVG, 7 HR, 32 RBI) led the power charge, while Rheghon Larson chipped in with a .339 average and a team-high 6 triples.

On the mound, pitching staff showed flashes of promise, with starting pitching being key for the Cardinals. Darren Loyola (4.57 ERA, 41.1 IP), Damien Lariz (5.32 ERA, 47.1 IP) and Landon Wood (6.26 ERA, 50.1 IP) handled the bulk of the innings, while dual-threat Slygh posted a 2.25 ERA in relief, proving valuable on both sides of the game.

Defensively, the Cardinals were led by sure-handed infielder Ethan Aranda (.987 FLD%) and outfielder Rhegon Larson (.969 FLD%), who provided stability in the field.

First year Head Coach Alex Haapajoki is very proud of how his team has come along this year and had this to say, "Our team has had its ups and downs with significant adversity but has battled and improved tremendously both on and off the field. A freshman dominated roster making the regional is something I am extremely proud of. This is just the beginning for us."

With their region tournament berth secured, the Cardinals aim to build on their late-season momentum and make a statement in postseason play. Their balanced lineup, pitching staff, and battle-tested experience make them a dangerous team in the bracket.