GROTON – Bradin Althoff has evolved from a struggling batter as a youth to one of the toughest outs in American Legion baseball.

The recent Groton senior has been on a blitz lately and opposing pitchers are searching for answers, intentionally walking Althoff three times in a span of a week.

“This is actually how I usually hit, but I started out the season in quite a slump,” Althoff said, “so now I’m just getting back into things.”

Althoff has found ways to turn himself from a batter to a hitter through the years. It’s come with practice and refining his technique. He recalled his early days growing up in Aberdeen and playing Parks and Rec baseball.

“I was actually one of the worst hitters on my team,” Althoff said. “I went to go see someone down in Northville (Kim Peterson). He helped me without my swing and I got to be a pretty good hitter.”

For Althoff, the key to hitting came down to two simple things that he struggled with as a youth.

“I’d drop my hands, I wouldn’t pivot my back foot in the box and that’s pretty much what solved it,” Althoff said. “Every once in a while, I’ll have a flaw in my swing, but I get it fixed pretty quick.”

And when Althoff is dialed in, there is not much a pitcher can do. This past week in one doubleheader, Althoff had bases-loaded doubles in each game. Calculate the math, and that’s six RBI in just two swings.

He leads Groton in nearly every offensive category from hitting (.398) to total hits (37) extra-base hits (17), to runs batted in (39).

Not bad for a player who was mired in a 1-for-15 slump earlier this season.

“He never gave up early in the season when his hitting was down,” said Groton coach Seth Erickson. “He nows leads the team in almost every offensive batting category. I’m very proud of what he’s been able to do.”

It would seem only logical that Althoff has a positive mindset these days when he comes to the plate.

“I’ll never think negatively in the box. It’s always I’m going to hit the ball hard and see where it goes,” Althoff said. “I’m not really looking for a certain outcome, just hit the ball hard and hopefully drive in whoever’s on base.”

That positive mindset and loads of practice have helped shape who Althoff has become when he has a bat in his hands.

“It all comes down to practice and the mental side of things,” Althoff said. “During COVID, I hit a off a tee every single day. I did not miss one day. That summer I didn’t have a single strikeout. I batted .750 and that’s kind of where my hitting really took off.”

Again, the biggest key for Althoff has been the position of his hands. He said many people drop their hands when they hit and the consequences are negative.

“That’s a big no-no. I’ve had that happen to me,” Althoff said. “I’ve dropped my hands before, but I’ve gotten it fixed. A lot of things can go wrong when you drop your hands.”

Interestingly enough, Althoff has had to drop his arm while he pitches for Groton. He has had rotator cuff issues and discovered that a shift in his delivery has allowed him to pitch pain free.

“I had to change up my arm slot and everything. I’m throwing more side arm now. It doesn’t hurt when I pitch now,” Althoff said. “I’m not throwing as hard as I did, but it kind of throws the batters off. They’ve told me it’s hard to pick up out of my hand.”

Althoff is also a regular first baseman for Groton. It’s a position that fit his style because of his ability to get down and dirty at the bag.

“I’ve always played first base. That’s always been my spot ever since I was young, because I was pretty much the only one that could scoop it when I was that young. … At times I’d rather have one down in the dirt than way above my head,” Althoff said. “It’s a lot easier to get them in the dirt than jump up. I love the ones in the dirt, but at the same time you’ve got to put it right at the chest.”

Althoff is fortunate to have a shortstop like Brevin Fliehs, who has a cannon for an arm.

In fact, at times, Fliehs has caught Althoff a bit off guard.

“He’s actually surprised me a couple of times when he’s thrown it over,” Althoff said. “It gets to me pretty quick.”

Althoff is headed to Dakota Wesleyan University next season to play for the Tigers. However, there is still unfinished business before then.

Althoff and his current group of Tiger teammates are attempting to qualify for this year’s State B tournament.

“I really want to get there. I hope we can make it this year,” Althoff said. “I think we’ve got a good chance, we just can’t play bad.”

The keys to achieving that goal of getting to the state tourney, comes down to a few basic things, according to Althoff.

“The more strikes, the better. You can’t have a bunch of walks, otherwise we’re just out there for a long time and we have to come back in and we’re all down,” Althoff said. “We have to hit the ball, throw strikes, and cleanly field the ball.”

And also take advantage of one of the hottest hitters around.