Grand Forks' Brody Sorenson takes unique route to start pro baseball career (2024)

GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks native Brody Sorenson has driven to Sioux Falls twice in the last week.

Both times he's made the drive to sign a pro baseball contract in the American Association and neither time to actually sign with Sioux Falls.

Sorenson, a pitching product of Grand Forks Red River and Minnesota-Crookston, has had a unique start to his pro baseball path.

He signed with the RedHawks on June 15, was released on June 18 and has since signed with the Chicago Dogs.

After the UMC baseball spring season ended, Sorenson saw a pair of his teammates join Fargo-Moorhead.

The first two were both East Grand Forks natives in Jake Hjelle and Jake Osowski.

"I always dreamed of playing pro baseball somewhere, and I had a successful season, as did (Osowski)," Sorenson said. "We figured we wouldn't get a call right away, but we were going to try to play as long as we could. Jake and I were training together for three weeks, and he got the call and I was super excited for him.

"I continued training and then last Thursday night I was getting ready for bed at like 11 and couldn't fall asleep. I got a text from (UMC baseball coach Steve Gust) at about 12:03 a.m. He asked if I was awake, and I thought this is either really good or really bad."

Gust then called Sorenson to tell him the RedHawks were looking to add a pitcher. Ten minutes later, RedHawks coach Chris Coste messaged Sorenson to meet the team in Sioux Falls for the next series.

"I said, 'absolutely,'" Sorenson said. "I didn't get to throw in any of those three games, but I was more than happy to be there. On Tuesday, I got to Newman and was ready to throw."

But Coste called Sorenson to his office and said the team was going to release him in hopes of adding a left-handed arm. Coste told Sorenson he was welcome to hang around and throw some live pitching to players who weren't seeing regular at-bats.

After playing catch with some RedHawks players before the game that night, though, Sorenson received a text message from a coach with the Chicago Dogs.

"They were looking to add arms to the bullpen," Sorenson said. "It was crazy how that turned around."

Sorenson, who had had no prior contact with the Chicago Dogs, then made the drive back to Sioux Falls and made his league debut on Wednesday.

"It was a little rocky, but I'm ready for the next one," Sorenson said. "It was a crazy last week."

Sorenson retired two batters, gave up five hits and three runs. He struck out one.

"It's definitely been a blur," Sorenson said. "I'm ecstatic to be with the guys. The Chicago Dogs have been very welcoming. That's how it was at Crookston. The guys are behind me and the coaching staff is behind me. It's a surreal feeling, and I'm loving it."

Sorenson was a two-time all-NSIC second team pick at UMC. As a senior in 2024, he went 7-1 with a 4.48 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched. He struck out 69 to just 11 walks.

Cadyn Schwabe, a Thompson native and former North Dakota State outfielder, has signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Schwabe appeared in 149 games with 147 starts over three seasons in Fargo. He's the all-time stolen bases leader in Bison history with 57.

Schwabe also had 180 hits with 115 runs during his NDSU career.

Schwabe made his professional debut on Wednesday night against Lake Country. He joins former Bison Peter Brookshaw and Parker Harm on the RedHawks roster. Harm was signed to the roster earlier this week after spending four seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization.

Thompson girls basketball player Addy Sage will play in the 2024 USA Basketball Club Championships on July 27-29 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Sage, a North Dakota Division A all-state first-team pick, plays AAU basketball for the Sanford Sports 16-U Black team.

Sage's team is one of 24 teams nationwide to receive an official invitation to the event.

The team is made up of nine players from the Midwest with four South Dakotans among the group, including Wagner’s Ashlyn Koupal — currently listed No. 20 in ESPN’s Class of 2026 national rankings. The NCAA will cover the 16U team’s travel, lodging, and meal expenses.

“What a tremendous opportunity for our girls to showcase their skills on a national stage,” said head coach Barry Jacobsen. “This is the only event Division I coaches can attend during the late July evaluation period, and we’re excited to get down to South Carolina and compete with the best of the best.”