Hubman ready for another playoff run

High school baseball playoff games are taking place all across Minnesota beginning this week. In Jordan, the Hubmen are hoping for another long postseason run. They open Class 2A, Section 2 tournament play Thursday at home. While preparing for that game, Jordan outfielder Danny Lewis found time to speak with the Star Tribune's Brian Stensaas.

Q Is this team feeling pretty good heading into the playoffs?

A Yeah. I'd say overall our team has been really, really good or kind of down. A lot of that has to do with pitching, because we have a couple of really good pitchers and then a couple who are struggling. But if we can grow off our downfalls -- the games where we show up unprepared -- I'm pumped. I think this team can go far.

Q What have been your team's strengths so far?

A When we have our best guys up there, our pitching is amazing. And we've gotten some timely hitting so far, too.

Q Is there any one point this team started going the right direction?

A We had a doubleheader with Sibley East [April 30] and the first game we got beat 18-3. Then we came back and beat them in the second game. That was a big turnaround. You could see we really didn't show up to play that first game, but right away after we could show up and play like we know how. That was pretty big.

Q Are you satisfied with the way you've played personally so far?

A At the beginning, I started off well hitting-wise. I checked like two weeks ago and I was batting .400-something. Recently I've kind of been slumping a bit. I think something is messed up mechanically. I've been lunging at the ball; leaning too far forward. Defensively, I've been doing well. So if I can fix that swing, I'll be happy.

Q How did you notice something was wrong?

A I noticed I was popping up more. I wasn't getting that hard hit. My weight wasn't back and I wasn't getting through. I noticed that, but some teammates and coaches said things too. Like I wasn't going straight to the ball.

Q What are your memories of growing up in a baseball town like Jordan?

A I've been playing since I was pretty young. And I didn't go to a lot of Brewers [town ball] games, but periodically we'd get out to some. And winning the conference championship these past few years has been great to be a part of. It's been fun living in this town. It's not too big, it's close to the city and we have a good feeling of overall community here.

Q This time of year, with everything on the line, does your baseball mentality change at all?

A Last year we went to state, so we know what it takes to win. And I think we're really going to have to focus on doing the little things right again this year. So, yeah, your mind does change. You're focused a little bit more. One of our downfalls is we sometimes mess around a little bit too much before a game. We know now it's win or go home. We have to have a go-after-it mentality.

Q What from last year's experiences have you brought to this season?

A The guys last year could really count on each other. It was a trust thing. You knew if you got a hit, somebody else would get on base behind you. If we can get that trust thing going this year, we'll really move from there.