Tribune Sports Editor

NEW RICHLAND &045; Almost every year, the NRHEG Panthers are the favorite or among the favorites to win the Gopher Conference baseball championship.

This spring was different.

Nearly everyone was picking Blooming Prairie, which returned almost its entire squad after taking the conference title the previous year. United South Central, which moved from the larger South Central Conference, was also a popular choice.

The Blossoms did not repeat. The Rebels couldn’t contend. Mike Hullopeter saw to that almost single-handedly.

Hullopeter, an NRHEG senior, twice pitched shutouts against Blooming Prairie and defeated USC as the Panthers went on to handily win the conference crown.

As Hullopeter went, so did the Panthers. He faced the strongest opponents and set the tone, providing leadership for a squad without an abundance of varsity experience. He was in control on the mound both physically and emotionally, finishing 8-1 with a 2.02 earned run average, striking out 48 batters and walking only 11 in 53 2/3 innings.

Hullopeter also contributed with his bat, delivering many key hits while finishing second on the team with 20 runs batted in. He struck out only seven times in 65 at-bats.

Others in the area may have had more gaudy statistics, but no single player contributed more to their team’s success than Hullopeter, and it makes him the Tribune’s 2003 Baseball Player of the Year.

After spending some varsity time as a sophomore and going 3-3 as a junior, Hullopeter was probably not a preseason favorite for the honor, but the three-sport standout made great progress on the diamond.

“I think the big turning point for him was the American Legion program last summer,” said Panthers coach Jeff Reese. “He really came on strong.”

Reese said if he had to use one word to describe Hullopeter, it would be, “composed.”

“He never shows any emotion out there,” said Reese. “He gave up one home run this year, and on the next pitch he came right back with a strike. Nothing bothers him.”

While tough on opposing batters, Hullopeter was enjoyable to watch as a spectator because of his ability to throw any pitch in any situation.

“He’s got a great curve ball, and he’ll throw that in a 3-0, 3-2 count,” said Reese. “He has a little pop on his fast ball, but I think his curve makes it look better. He also has outstanding control.”

On the field, he led by example.

He was one of our captains, and he showed that quiet leadership,” said Reese. “He’s not a rah-rah type of guy.”

Hullopeter started the season 8-0, dropping his only decision in the section tournament.

“He was always on the mound against the so-called tougher competition,” said Reese. “He threw both Blooming Prairie games, USC, Waterville. All his wins were well earned.”