Freshman Trevor Hodne awaits a throw at third base during a 5-4 victory over visiting Medfield on April 8. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The Hopkinton High School baseball team always sets its expectations high, especially since the program has reached the state tournament in 28 of the past 29 years. But coach Matt Anderson said this year’s incarnation of the Hillers is particularly promising, and the team demonstrated that early on with a signature win over Bishop Feehan.

“That was one of the best wins I had ever been a part of,” Anderson said of the extra-inning triumph that came in a game in which the Hillers faced Major League Baseball prospect Brody Bumila, a 6-foot-9 ace whose pitches can reach 100 mph. “I thought we played a great game against them.”

The Hillers also recorded wins over Millis and Medfield after dropping their first two contests.

Senior captain Ryan Lang is one of Hopkinton’s top catalysts on offense and defense. In the Bishop Feehan game, Lang was hit by a triple-digit fastball to get himself on base. He added two hits and two stolen bases in the 6-5 win.

“He was a catalyst for us in that one,” Anderson said.

The Hillers have a pair of junior captains this season, a first for the program under Anderson. Catcher Cal Mahon is a strong defensive player and a threat to throw anyone out trying to steal a base. He also was one of Hopkinton’s best hitters last season. Michael Sullivan hits cleanup, plays first base and sees some time on the mound. He was the only underclassman to earn Tri-Valley League All-Star honors last year after batting .422.

“He is back, and he has come on strong for us this year,” Anderson said.

The captains are part of Hopkinton’s standout junior class. Noah Krammes will hit near the top of the order and play a big role as a pitcher with a fastball that can hit the high 80s. Junior Travis Rych returned to the lineup early in the year and to the middle of the infield after missing time with a hip injury. On the mound, Micah Guay and Ethan Senseney are two of the Hillers’ top pitchers and bring very different skill sets to the mound.

“Micah is a righty with a mid-80s fastball and a good changeup,” Anderson said. “Ethan is a lefty with a great pickoff move and great movement on all of his pitches.”

The coach described Matt Pedroli, a sophomore, as one of the most talented players he has seen. The younger brother of last year’s team MVP Nick Pedroli, the younger Pedroli is a leadoff hitter with good speed and and “tremendous power,” Anderson said.

Freshman pitcher Connor Moore, versatile players Trevor Hodne and Gabe Cafazzo, junior pitcher Landon Fitzgibbon and seniors Danny Davenport and Thomas McCarthy also are expected to play significant roles this spring.

Anderson said the state championship always is the goal, and the expectations are based on how much talent he has on the roster. A couple of early season losses showed that the team is not unbeatable. But the Hillers have shown how good they can be.

“As evidenced by the Bishop Feehan game, we can beat anyone in the state,” Anderson said. “We are always prepping for tourney time.”