Rummel’s Schmidt, Hirstius sign with Delgado baseball

National Junior College Hall of Fame coach Joe Scheuermann has built his terrific Delgado baseball program on the backbone of local players. That was the case with his team this past season when the Dolphins advanced to the National Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.

That roster building effort continues with the latest players joining Scheuermann program.

Archbishop Rummel pitcher Brady Schmidt and two-way player Shane Hirstius have signed with Delgado.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Schmidt emerged as an outstanding pitcher for the Raiders this past season. Throwing in the 87-90 miles per hour range consistently, there’s room for his velocity to continue to increase. Schmidt’s fastball has topped out at 91 for the NOLA Cardinals this summer. He also has an excellent breaking ball.

For the Raiders in his senior season, Schmidt was 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 12 appearances. His only loss was a 1-0 decision to Jesuit in the Division I Select state championship game. In 47.2 innings, he allowed just 36 hits with 17 walks and 44 strikeouts. For the Cardinals this summer, Schmidt is 1-0 with a 2.56 ERA in four appearances.

“I can’t wait, I’m excited to start something new and accomplish the task at hand,” Schmidt said. “It’s going to be fun, it’s close to home. After the state championship game, I realized that I was going to miss baseball. I realized I had talent in my arm and I might as well use it. This season was great at Rummel. We made it a long way and came up just short. A couple of Jesuit guys are going to Delgado so I look forward to paying with them. I’m excited for what the Delgado coaches can teach me.”

Schmidt’s sister Kelsie is a standout on the Archbishop Chapelle softball team which made the 2023 Division I Select semifinals.

“She was excited for me to go to Delgado and she is excited about coming to watch me play,” Schmidt said.

Hirstius (6-3, 205) was 4-2 with a 2.73 ERA in eight appearances for the Raiders. In 30.2 innings, he allowed 25 hits, walked 17 and struck out 37. At the plate, Hirstius hit .250 with a home run and two RBI.

“It’s just a great opportunity,” Hirstius said. “I went from not knowing whether I wanted to play to me and one of my good friends in Brady signing at the same time, staying home. Rummel is a great home with my teammates. It’s just a big family. It is great to stay home. A lot of people I know have been signing at Delgado. I’m sure I’ll fit in perfectly. It feels really good to know that family and friends will all get to see me play.”