Original Publish Date/Outlet: June 16, 2026 | Minnesota Star Tribune

Article Link: https://varsity.startribune.com/mahtomedi-wins-class-3a-baseball-state-title-over-totino-grace/601853722

Mahtomedi came into Monday’s Class 3A state baseball championship game as an underdog.

The Zephyrs didn’t look the part after a 10-0 run-rule shutout over No. 1 seed Totino-Grace to secure the fourth baseball championship in school history.

The Zephyrs and the Eagles were familiar foes in the title game. Totino-Grace held bragging rights after defeating Mahtomedi 2-1 back in 2024.

Mahtomedi delivered comeback performances in the quarterfinals against Grand Rapids and in the semifinals against Mankato West. On Monday, the team was on a mission to leave no doubt.

“We’re meat and potatoes, and today, we were rocket ships,” Zephyrs coach Rob Garry said. “We hit before we came today, and I have never seen our guys line ‘em up like we did today.”

Totino-Grace starter Joey Terhaar retired the top of the order in the first, but command issues and errors led to a bases-loaded walk that broke open a six-run second inning for the Zephyrs.

Mahtomedi tacked on one more in the third and two more in the fifth to make it 9-0 before Cody Loida delivered the final blow, launching a homer to left field.

Loida was surprised his home run got out of Target Field.

“I definitely didn’t think it was gonna go out,” he said. “But I guess I got that juice, not gonna lie.”

Garry said he remained anxious despite the six-run second inning, but he trusted his group.

“They credit the class before them,” Garry said. “And the class before them. They have put them in situations to not be overwhelmed by this environment, not be overwhelmed all year.”

The performance at the plate was matched by starter Alex Kurpis’ outing. The senior threw five scoreless innings, giving up three hits and three walks while striking out seven.

Garry said Kurpis grew into his role as a starter throughout the season, putting up longer outings and better performances as the spring drew on.

Garry, who said Kurpis will be pursuing a career as a firefighter, believes his personality and calmness under pressure will help him succeed after baseball.

Fellow seniors Loida and Peyton Whitbeck praised his performance after the game.

“[He’s a] guy that knows what he’s doing,” Whitbeck said. “A guy that’ll listen to you, and he knows what’s going on.”

Added Loida: “He’s just a stud. When he’s on that mound, he’s a whole ‘nother person out there, and he just shoves.”

Loida and Whitbeck also showed love to their coach.

“So many life lessons out of baseball and just in baseball,” Loida said. “That’s just a guy that you want to have as your coach.”

“You just see what kind of program he developed and how he treats people,” Whitbeck said.

Garry felt the same.

“I don’t know if I’ve said, ‘I love you more’ in a hug line,” Garry said.

Loida recently decommitted from baseball and will be pursuing hockey. He was drafted in May to the Tri-City Storm, which competes in the United States Hockey League. Whitbeck will play Division III baseball at Concordia (Moorhead).

Both said this championship felt different from 2025. They said this moment will stick with them forever.

“It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” Loida said. “You gotta just take it all and take a deep breath and be like, ‘This is it.’ ”

“It’s kind of a sad … last time with all these kids that I’ve grown up with for a long time and played baseball with,” Whitbeck said. “I love them all to death, so it’s pretty sad.”