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Hopkinton makes hire

When Steve Simoes resigned as baseball coach at Hopkinton High last May, the job opening was considered one of the most coveted in the state’s Division 2 ranks. In his 13 seasons, Simoes helped build Hopkinton into a perennial state title contender, with the team winning a state crown in 2004.

Hopkinton High athletic director Eric Karjel officially named Simoes’s successor today, promoting assistant Mark Stickney to the position.

Stickney, 48, has worked as an assistant to Simoes since 1998. His Hopkinton roots run deep, as he graduated from Hopkinton High in 1975.

“One of the things people might ask about is replacing Steve, and his legacy,” Stickney said on Tuesday. “People could see that as the biggest challenge, but I’m not looking at it that way. He’s still going to be very helpful and work with the kids when he can. He’s been a guiding force, building the program, and he always said the program belongs to the school and the kids in town. We’re going to try to continue that.”

Simoes is now an assistant coach in the college ranks, at Holy Cross.

Stickney, who works as a full-time consultant, also serves as an assistant coach for the Hopkinton football team.

Hopkinton competes in the Tri-Valley League, along with Ashland, Bellingham, Dover-Sherborn, Holliston, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norton and Westwood.