LEWISTOWN — In a unanimous decision made at the Mifflin County School Board regular voting meeting on Thursday, Ray Hoppel was officially named the new varsity baseball coach of the Huskies.

Hoppel is a familiar face within the local baseball community, having served as the head coach for the Lewistown High School baseball team during the final seven years of the program’s existence from 2005 to 2011.

Hoppel was the assistant coach under John Bell when the Panthers seized the Class 2A PIAA Championship in 2002, a testament to his significant experience and understanding of the sport. Beyond baseball, Hoppel has also proven his coaching abilities on the softball field.

Hoppel spent last year as a JV assistant coach under former varsity coach John McGonigle. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the Mifflin County baseball program, which struggled recently, finishing the past season with a 5-16 record.

The unanimous appointment of Hoppel shows the board’s confidence in his capabilities to guide the team in a new direction and improve the Huskies’ performance in the coming seasons. His extensive coaching history and familiarity with local baseball programs are invaluable assets as he steps into this new role.