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"Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Awards Announced

04/16/2018, 6:00am CDT
By Adam Barta, Minnesota Blizzard

Annual Awards Banquet | 2017-2018 Season comes to end

"Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award

The "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award was named for one of the best hitters to come through the Blizzard program - Joe Loftus.  Joe was a top prep athlete in Minnesota, attending Holy Angels Academy HS, where he set many of their offensive record - most notably hitting more home runs in high school than Joe Mauer.  Loftus was drafted by the Minnesota Twins out of high school, but decided to attend Vanderbilt University where he helped his team reach the College World Series in 2011.  Loftus was drafted and signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks.


L-R: 18u Nic Nelson, 15u Jayden Schwantz, 16u Jack Erickson, 12u Sam Erickson, (Coach Tyler Wolfe), 13u Mark Ohberding, 14u Tomas Nelson, (Coach Adam Barta)

"Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award Recipients


(above) Nic Nelson, 2018 Eastview HS / Angelo State commit / 2018 "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award Recipient

"Congratulations for all of your success!  Keep working hard on and off of the field.  Try to be the best athlete and student.  Keep putting in the work and don't get complacent.  Remember to enjoy the game for as long as you can.  Keep being great teammates and continue to build those lasting friendships.  I don't recall many wins or losses over 10 years ago in my time as a Blizzard player, but I remember the lasting friendships that I made.  Lastly, less Fortnite and more hitting!  I miss those days driving from Savage to Rogers!" - Joe Loftus

12u: Sam Erickson (Hudson, WI)

13u: Mark Ohberding (Roseville, MN)

14u: Tomas Nelson (Maplewood, MN)

15u: Jaden Schwantz (River Falls, WI)

16u Blue: Jack Erickson (Hudson, WI)

16u Black: Matt Moore (Stillwater, MN)

17u Blue: Bryce Lovcik (Plymouth, MN)

17u Black: Dylan Peck (Maple Grove, MN)

18u Blue: Nic Nelson (Apple Valley, MN) / Angelo State commit

18u Black: Addison Elcombe (Richfield, MN)

Tag(s): Test