Luke Tupy
Baseball "Meet the Newcomers": Luke Tupy
10/28/2020 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
St. Cloud State Baseball welcomes 16 newcomers to the roster in the 2021 season. Our first edition of "Meet the Newcomers" features freshman lefthanded pitcher Luke Tupy of New Prague, Minnesota.
A three-year letter winner at New Prague High School, Tupy received All-Conference honors and was named his team's pitcher of the year in 2019. As a junior, Tupy pitched 101 strikeouts with a 2.13 ERA in 62 innings of work. As a sophomore, Tupy charted a 1.03 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 20.3 innings pitched for New Prague.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
Luke Tupy: I chose Saint Cloud State University because of the great campus feel and baseball program. Overall the biggest factor in my decision was the baseball program and the consistent records Saint Cloud State University puts up every season. They are a winning team and I am glad to be able to be a part of it!
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate baseball?
LT: I have always had a passion for baseball since I was a little kid playing t-ball. I really started thinking about college baseball my sophomore year of high school when I started pitching for our varsity high school team. I then started putting in the work in the off-season and bettering myself. I then knew I had the potential to play and with my love for the sport there is nothing I would've rather done than keep playing baseball for another 4 years.
HA: How did you go about staying sharp baseball-wise during the COVID-19 related halting of the 2020 season?
LT: I was lucky enough to be able to play for our New Prague summer DRS baseball team. We had games every weekend which kept my arm in shape through most of the summer. Also, lifting kept my body in shape and ready to come up to college!
HA: You were part of the Minnesota Baseball Association Region 3C championship New Prague Orioles this summer that entered the region tournament as the 6-seed and went on to go undefeated. What was that tournament experience like?
LT:Â The tournament experience was very fun overall, even though we did not get the outcome we expected. It was a fun run with the team and many memories were made. It is some great competition as you keep moving farther and farther on, and ultimately that is what everyone wants when playing baseball. We will be back next year!Â
HA: As a junior, you were also part of the first New Prague High School state tournament appearance since 1980. Knowing how long it had been since the program had reached the tourney, how memorable was the clinching moment?
LT: The memories and flashbacks I get on a daily basis from knowing we were the first team to go to state in 40 years at New Prague is uncountable. It was the most surreal experience being able to clinch State with the last strikeout against Lakeville North as I was on the mound in Dundas, Northfield. It was a feeling I will never forget and wish I could go back to those days! The championship game was an amazing atmosphere, and really showed the support our town gave us. Coming off the mound in the fifth inning and seeing the whole third base line full of New Prague fans was a sight I will never forget. The outcome was not what we wanted, but I wouldn't have traded the team I was on for anything. Great memories and friendships were made that will all last us a lifetime.
HA: How have the upperclassmen helped you make the transition from high school to college?
LT: The upperclassman have been nothing but helpful to me, as a freshman moving on to campus. They are always there to answer any questions I have and always incorporate us with them, whether it is throwing, or hanging out at their houses.Â
HA: How cool is it to continue playing with fellow New Prague High School class of 2020 graduate Jake Deutsch here at SCSU?
LT:Â It is pretty cool to be playing with a teammate I have had since I was just a little kid. It has been fun to see us grow as baseball players and am excited to see it continue.Â
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the collegiate level?
LT: My parents have been 2 very important people in my life that have helped me be the person I am today and helped me reach my collegiate baseball goals. They have always been there for me no matter what and did whatever it took to make me a better baseball player. They have taught me very well as a young kid, and I look up to them everyday!
HA: What are some athletic goals you hope to achieve while at St. Cloud State?
LT: A few athletic goals I have for myself is to be a starting pitcher on the team by sophomore year, and possibly Spring of my freshman year. Another goal I have is to stay consistent in the weight room and gain some weight, which will help me gain velocity and overall be a better pitcher. Lastly, I want to get my velo up to the low/mid 90's, this has always been a goal of mine, and I will keep pushing myself until I reach all of these goals.
HA: What career field are you interested in?
LT:Â My major is currently General Business, and I plan on minoring in Management. I would love to start my own company when I am older. I would like to follow in my dad's footsteps and start a landscaping business.
Hit-and-Runs
Favorite baseball team: Twins
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
Go-to karaoke song: Fireball
Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street
Most underrated song: Talkin' Tennessee
Ranch or ketchup?: Ketchup
Preferred playing surface: Grass
Go-to late night meal: Nacho's
Glove brand you grew up with: Rawlings
If you were stranded on the island from Castaway, which two teammates would you want to have with you?: Trevor Koenig and Avery Stevens
If Doc Swendra was an actual doctor, what kind of doctor would he be?: Physical Therapist
A three-year letter winner at New Prague High School, Tupy received All-Conference honors and was named his team's pitcher of the year in 2019. As a junior, Tupy pitched 101 strikeouts with a 2.13 ERA in 62 innings of work. As a sophomore, Tupy charted a 1.03 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 20.3 innings pitched for New Prague.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
Luke Tupy: I chose Saint Cloud State University because of the great campus feel and baseball program. Overall the biggest factor in my decision was the baseball program and the consistent records Saint Cloud State University puts up every season. They are a winning team and I am glad to be able to be a part of it!
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate baseball?
LT: I have always had a passion for baseball since I was a little kid playing t-ball. I really started thinking about college baseball my sophomore year of high school when I started pitching for our varsity high school team. I then started putting in the work in the off-season and bettering myself. I then knew I had the potential to play and with my love for the sport there is nothing I would've rather done than keep playing baseball for another 4 years.
HA: How did you go about staying sharp baseball-wise during the COVID-19 related halting of the 2020 season?
LT: I was lucky enough to be able to play for our New Prague summer DRS baseball team. We had games every weekend which kept my arm in shape through most of the summer. Also, lifting kept my body in shape and ready to come up to college!
HA: You were part of the Minnesota Baseball Association Region 3C championship New Prague Orioles this summer that entered the region tournament as the 6-seed and went on to go undefeated. What was that tournament experience like?
LT:Â The tournament experience was very fun overall, even though we did not get the outcome we expected. It was a fun run with the team and many memories were made. It is some great competition as you keep moving farther and farther on, and ultimately that is what everyone wants when playing baseball. We will be back next year!Â
HA: As a junior, you were also part of the first New Prague High School state tournament appearance since 1980. Knowing how long it had been since the program had reached the tourney, how memorable was the clinching moment?
LT: The memories and flashbacks I get on a daily basis from knowing we were the first team to go to state in 40 years at New Prague is uncountable. It was the most surreal experience being able to clinch State with the last strikeout against Lakeville North as I was on the mound in Dundas, Northfield. It was a feeling I will never forget and wish I could go back to those days! The championship game was an amazing atmosphere, and really showed the support our town gave us. Coming off the mound in the fifth inning and seeing the whole third base line full of New Prague fans was a sight I will never forget. The outcome was not what we wanted, but I wouldn't have traded the team I was on for anything. Great memories and friendships were made that will all last us a lifetime.
HA: How have the upperclassmen helped you make the transition from high school to college?
LT: The upperclassman have been nothing but helpful to me, as a freshman moving on to campus. They are always there to answer any questions I have and always incorporate us with them, whether it is throwing, or hanging out at their houses.Â
HA: How cool is it to continue playing with fellow New Prague High School class of 2020 graduate Jake Deutsch here at SCSU?
LT:Â It is pretty cool to be playing with a teammate I have had since I was just a little kid. It has been fun to see us grow as baseball players and am excited to see it continue.Â
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the collegiate level?
LT: My parents have been 2 very important people in my life that have helped me be the person I am today and helped me reach my collegiate baseball goals. They have always been there for me no matter what and did whatever it took to make me a better baseball player. They have taught me very well as a young kid, and I look up to them everyday!
HA: What are some athletic goals you hope to achieve while at St. Cloud State?
LT: A few athletic goals I have for myself is to be a starting pitcher on the team by sophomore year, and possibly Spring of my freshman year. Another goal I have is to stay consistent in the weight room and gain some weight, which will help me gain velocity and overall be a better pitcher. Lastly, I want to get my velo up to the low/mid 90's, this has always been a goal of mine, and I will keep pushing myself until I reach all of these goals.
HA: What career field are you interested in?
LT:Â My major is currently General Business, and I plan on minoring in Management. I would love to start my own company when I am older. I would like to follow in my dad's footsteps and start a landscaping business.
Hit-and-Runs
Favorite baseball team: Twins
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
Go-to karaoke song: Fireball
Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street
Most underrated song: Talkin' Tennessee
Ranch or ketchup?: Ketchup
Preferred playing surface: Grass
Go-to late night meal: Nacho's
Glove brand you grew up with: Rawlings
If you were stranded on the island from Castaway, which two teammates would you want to have with you?: Trevor Koenig and Avery Stevens
If Doc Swendra was an actual doctor, what kind of doctor would he be?: Physical Therapist
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