SBLive's Minnesota softball Power 25: Champlin Park jumps into the top 5

SBLive's Minnesota baseball Power 25: Eastview makes jump into top 10

1. Rosemount (7-0)

Last week’s ranking: 1

This week’s games: April 28 at No. 9 Shakopee (2-1), April 29 doubleheader vs. Apple Valley (0-4)

Ranking rationale: The Irish are playing like a No. 1 team right now. There’s no sense of panic when Rosemount rarely trails in a game. On April 18 vs. previous No. 5 Hopkins (2-1), Rosemount overcame a 2-0 deficit through two and a half innings and 2-1 going to the bottom of the fifth. Not only did Rosemount come back, but it won by mercy rule. 

Eleven came around to score in the frame to turn the tide in a major way and keep the Irish undefeated. 

Some sloppy Hopkins defense made an impact, but Rosemount’s lineup filled with future collegiate talent still had a lot of success against a Division I prospect on the other side, Hopkins pitcher and Northwestern commit Signe Dohse. Due to weather, that was Rosemount’s only game last week.

2. Stillwater (5-0)

Last week’s ranking: 2

This week’s games: April 24 vs. Mounds View (1-1), April 26 vs. East Ridge (1-2), April 27 at Woodbury (1-3), April 28 at No. 15 White Bear Lake (2-2)

Ranking rationale: The Ponies took care of business in their lone game last week, winning 15-0 in five innings vs. Irondale (1-2). It was their second opponent shutout of the season. 

Stillwater’s game scheduled for April 20 at Woodbury was postponed to April 27. Stillwater owns two wins over top-25 foes and can pick up some more this week to keep No. 1 Rosemount in sight.

3. Brainerd (2-0)

Last week’s ranking: 4

This week’s games: April 24 at Rocori (2-0), April 25 vs. St. Cloud (1-1), April 27 at Willmar (1-3), April 28 vs. No. 8 Centennial (3-1)

Ranking rationale: At long last, Brainerd’s season is underway. The Warriors were one of the last teams in the state to open up April 17 at Moorhead (2-2). You could tell they were bursting at the seams. It did take all seven innings, but the Warriors downed the Spuds 14-3. 

Elsa Borchert went 3-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored and one driven in. Only five innings were needed in a 10-0 victory April 21 in the home opener vs. Alexandria (1-3). Josie Kappes had the three-hit day this time, going 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI. Brainerd lost a lot of production from last season’s one-loss team. 

Its ability to replenish the lineup will be tested with a ranked matchup coming up at the end of the week.

4. Hopkins (2-1)

Last week’s ranking: 5

This week’s games: April 24 at Minnetonka (1-2), April 26 vs. Edina (1-1), April 27 at Lakeville South (1-2), April 28 vs. No. 25 Wayzata (2-1)

Ranking rationale: Starting with the good for Hopkins last week, the Royals clobbered previous No. 12 and unbeaten Maple Grove (4-1), 7-1 April 17 in Maple Grove. The bad is Hopkins lost 12-2 in five innings the next day at No. 1 Rosemount (7-0). 

The result wasn’t as bad as it looked, as Hopkins actually led 2-0 after two and a half innings and 2-1 going into the fifth. That’s when things went awry as the Royals’ defense collapsed and the Irish plated 11 runs in the frame to win in walk-off fashion. Signe Dohse hit a two-run home run and deserved a better fate than she received as pitcher. 

There’s a good chance to pile up some wins this week before the schedule picks back up.

5. Champlin Park (2-0)

Last week’s ranking: 9

This week’s games: April 25 at Robbinsdale Armstrong (1-0), April 27 at Andover (3-1), April 28 vs. No. 10 Maple Grove (4-1)

Ranking rationale: Champlin Park has had to sweat it out to stay perfect on the season. It won 7-6 April 18 at home vs. Spring Lake Park (1-3). 

In the Rebels’ first game outdoors, Reese Reimler led with a 3-for-4 day at the plate and a complete game with just three earned runs allowed. An April 21 game at Anoka was postponed, so it was just a one-game week.

6. Winona (5-0)

Last week’s ranking: 8

This week’s games: April 24 at Rochester Mayo (4-2), April 25 at Owatonna (3-0), April 27 vs. Faribault (1-5), April 29 vs. No. 19 Park of Cottage Grove (4-1)

Ranking rationale: I’ve got Winona as the top team in Class 3A right now, as well as the best in softball-rich southern Minnesota. It took until the fifth game of the season to finally allow a run. 

It proved inconsequential as Winhawks won their lone game last week 14-1 April 18 at Rochester Century (1-4). Credit to Century for putting a scare in Winona leading 1-0 after two innings, but Winona scored four runs in the third, five in the fourth and five in the seventh to pull away. 

Makayla Steffes pitched a complete game three-hitter with no earned runs and 11 strikeouts. She also went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. The Winhawks have feasted on inferior competition thus far, but that changes this week.

7. Bloomington Jefferson (3-0)

Last week’s ranking: 15

This week’s games: April 24 vs. New Prague (3-1), April 26 vs. No. 20 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (1-1), April 28 at Orono (1-0)

Ranking rationale: Bloomington Jefferson is beating its opponents by a combined 39-9 score, and the Jaguars have yet to play a home game. The big win was a 10-run drubbing of previous top-10 Chanhassen a couple weeks ago. Jefferson didn’t have a let down by winning 9-3 April 17 at Osseo (0-5) and 16-2 in five innings April 18 at St. Louis Park (1-2). 

Six runs in the final three innings helped the Jags pull away at Osseo. Carly Larson had two hits and a RBI. Maria Torp pitched a complete game with just two earned runs allowed. Jefferson scored 10 in the third against SLP. Remi Rudquist led with three hits and three RBI. 

Aaliyah Lawrence had two hits, including a home run. Lizzie Jeschke earned the win pitching four innings. Having multiple capable arms is a nice advantage.

8. Centennial (3-1)

Last week’s ranking: 10

This week’s games: April 25 at No. 10 Maple Grove (4-1), April 27 vs. Osseo (0-5), April 28 at No. 3 Brainerd (2-0)

Ranking rationale: The Cougars’ April 20 game at Coon Rapids was postponed, so they just got one game under their belts last week. Centennial won its third straight game by an 8-4 final April 18 at previous No. 7 Blaine (0-1). 

Lily Gilmore was a home run away from the cycle. Riley O’Connell pitched a complete game four-hitter with eight strikeouts. The Cougars led 4-0 after one inning and were up 8-2 going to the bottom of the seventh. 

After a season-opening loss indoors to current No. 5 Champlin Park (2-0), Centennial’s looked strong.

9. Shakopee (2-1)

Last week’s ranking: 6

This week’s games: April 26 at Apple Valley (0-4), April 27 vs. Burnsville (3-1-1), April 28 vs. No. 1 Rosemount (7-0)

Ranking rationale: The Sabers couldn’t complete the Lakeville sweep last week. After winning 4-3 at April 14 at Lakeville South (1-2), Shakopee fell by the same score April 19 at Lakeville North (3-1-1). 

It was a bit of a surprise as North tied with unranked Burnsville and lost to unranked Eagan leading in. Weather postponed Shakopee’s first two home games April 15 vs. Burnsville and April 21 vs. Eastview. 

It’ll look to find some rhythm before a big one coming up at the top dog and conference favorite, Rosemount.

10. Maple Grove (4-1)

Last week’s ranking: 12

This week’s games: April 25 vs. No. 8 Centennial (3-1), April 27 vs. No. 14 Blaine (0-1), April 28 at No. 5 Champlin Park (2-0)

Ranking rationale: Maple Grove went 1-1 last week. The Crimson opened up with a 7-1 loss at No. 4 Hopkins (2-1) before bouncing back with a 2-0 win the next day at Anoka (0-1). 

That was the third out of five games scoring one or two runs. The offense may have to pick up to be able to hang onto a top-10 spot.

11. Mankato East (4-1)

Last week’s ranking: 17

This week’s games: April 24 vs. Faribault (1-5), April 25 vs. Rochester John Marshall (1-2), April 27 at New Ulm (1-1)

Ranking rationale: It always feels good to beat your rival. Mankato East notched a big win last week by downing previous No. 11 Mankato West (4-1) 3-2 April 18 at a neutral site at Minnesota State University, Mankato. East jumped out to a 2-0 lead through three innings before West rallied to tie it with two in the top of the seventh. 

Peyton Stevermer saved her only hit of the game for the right time with a walk-off double in the bottom half. Kylinn Stangl pitched a complete game allowing just five hits.

12. Mankato West (4-1)

Last week’s ranking: 11

This week’s games: April 24 at Jordan (2-3), April 25 at Faribault (1-5), April 27 vs. Owatonna (3-0)

Ranking rationale: The Scarlets drop a spot, but they can’t hang their heads too much after dropping a hard-fought rivalry game. The bats were quiet in an April 18 game vs. current No. 11 Mankato East (4-1) until West rallied to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the seventh inning. Unfortunately for West, East had the response in the seventh to win 3-2. Madelyn Bode had a triple and Landry DuBeau had two RBI.

13. St. Michael-Albertville (2-1)

Last week’s ranking: 13

This week’s games: April 24 at No. 18 Eden Prairie (4-1), April 26 at Elk River (2-1), April 28 vs. Edina (1-1), April 29 at West Fargo, North Dakota, April 29 vs. Moorhead (2-2) in West Fargo

Ranking rationale: The Knights got back to .500 in the Lake Conference with a 10-3 romp April 18 at Minnetonka (1-2). Taylor Tschida and Khendal Johnson each had three hits as part of 16 for St. Michael-Albertville. 

Kendra Behrens homered. Ella Luoto pitched a complete game and struck out five. After a surprise loss to open the season against current No. 25 Wayzata (2-1), STMA has looked solid.

14. Blaine (0-1)

Last week’s ranking: 7

This week’s games: April 24 at Robbinsdale Armstrong (1-0), April 25 vs. Elk River (2-1), April 26 vs. Totino-Grace (0-2), April 27 at No. 10 Maple Grove (4-1), April 29 vs. Edina (1-1)

Ranking rationale: It took all the way until April 18, but Blaine finally opened its season. Beginning with current No. 8 Centennial (3-1) was a tough task, as evidenced by the Cougars plating four runs in the top of the first. The Bengals settled in to halve the deficit through three innings, but three runs for the Cougars in the top of the seventh put the result out of reach. 

Emma Edwards had a double and two RBI to lead Blaine. She was the starting pitcher who struck out five with one walk and allowed three earned runs.

15. White Bear Lake (2-2)

Last week’s ranking: 14

This week’s games: April 24 vs. Woodbury (1-3), April 25 vs. Mounds View (1-1), April 26 at Mounds View (1-1), April 28 vs. No. 2 Stillwater (5-0)

Ranking rationale: The Bears ended up being idle last week due to Mother Nature causing havoc. Their originally scheduled games April 17 at No. 19 Park of Cottage Grove (4-1), April 19 vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (1-3) and April 21 at Irondale (1-2) was postponed.

16. Waconia (2-1)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

This week’s games: April 24 at No. 23 Chaska (1-1), April 26 vs. Orono (1-0), April 28 vs. New Prague (3-1), April 29 at Minnetonka (1-2)

Ranking rationale: There’s a lot of volatility this week in the top 25. Waconia debuts after an 11-4 thumping of previous No. 18 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (1-1) on April 18. 

The Wildcats’ only loss was 4-3 in the dome at current No. 18 Eden Prairie (4-1) in the season opener. Waconia 10-runned St. Louis Park the next game.

17. Forest Lake (2-2)

Last week’s ranking: 3

This week’s games: April 24 at Roseville (0-2), April 26 vs. No. 19 Park of Cottage Grove (4-1), April 27 at East Ridge (1-2), April 28 at Woodbury (1-3)

Ranking rationale: It’s not easy having a target on your back. The defending state champions are going to get everyone’s best shot. Fortunately for the Rangers, they can take solace in the fact that they have memories of saving their best ball for the end of the season. 

This team could get back to Mankato, too, but it will have to bounce back from a pair of tight losses in a row. In its lone game last week, Forest Lake fell 2-1 at Park of Cottage Grove (4-1), which jumped up six spots in the top 25 this week. The Rangers, headed by pitcher Hannah Tong, have held foes to a combined seven runs. 

The bats just aren’t heating up behind her. The junior held the Wolfpack to five hits and one earned run in a complete game. 

Tong also hit a solo home run and walked. It might be a bit of a steep drop in the ranking this week for Forest Lake, but there are plenty of opportunities to jump back up.

18. Eden Prairie (4-1)

Last week’s ranking: 22

This week’s games: April 24 vs. No. 13 St. Michael-Albertville (2-1), April 26 at Buffalo (0-3), April 27 vs. Eastview (1-4), April 29 vs. Le Sueur-Henderson (3-1), April 29 vs. North St. Paul (2-0)

Ranking rationale: A couple of the Eagles’ early-season wins have appreciated in value. A 10-2 win in the opener against current No. 19 Park of Cottage Grove looks good after Park recently knocked off defending the state champ, Forest Lake. 

Waconia, which Eden Prairie beat 4-3, just entered the ranking at No. 16 after downing previous No. 18 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (1-1). Last week, the Eagles rolled in their lone game of the week 14-0 at Edina (1-1). 

The Hornets were limited to five hits and just one extra-base hit, a double. EP’s only loss was on the road at current No. 23 Chaska (1-1)

19. Park of Cottage Grove (4-1)

Last week’s ranking: 25

This week’s games: April 24 at Irondale (1-2), April 26 at No. 17 Forest Lake (2-2), April 28 at East Ridge (1-2), April 29 at No. 6 Winona (5-0)

Ranking rationale: After losing big in the season opener to current No. 18 Eden Prairie, Park of Cottage Grove has looked quite impressive. The Wolfpack won their fourth in a row by winning their lone game last week by a 2-1 final April 18 vs. previous No. 3 Forest Lake. 

The Rangers were held to five hits. Park has scored at least 12 runs in its other three wins.

20. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (1-1)

Last week’s ranking: 18

This week’s games: April 24 vs. Orono (1-0), April 26 at No. 6 Bloomington Jefferson (3-0), April 28 vs. Chanhassen (0-2)

Ranking rationale: After an impressive win to start the season vs. a top-20 St. Anthony Village (1-1) squad, Benilde-St. Margaret’s came back down to earth with an 11-4 loss April 18 at current No. 16 Waconia (2-1). The Red Knights can redeem themselves by showing well this week against a tough slate of teams. A 2-1 record vs. this upcoming trio might be enough to move up in the top 25.

21. St. Anthony Village (1-1)

Last week’s ranking: 19

This week’s games: April 25 at Bloomington Kennedy (2-1), April 26 vs. No. 5 Champlin Park (2-0), April 27 vs. Holy Angels (2-0), April 28 vs. Kasson-Mantorville (4-2)

Ranking rationale: St. Anthony Village got in the win column for the first time in its only game last week. The Huskies pummeled Richfield (1-1) 13-2. They quieted the Spartans’ bats that plated 17 runs in their season opening win against St. Paul Highland Park (1-4). St. Anthony’s loss was a close one to current No. 20 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (1-1). 

The Huskies drop due to other teams entering the top 25, but they can show more of what they’re made of with some tough games coming up this week.

22. Delano (2-0)

Last week’s ranking: 20

This week’s games: April 25 at Hutchinson (2-0), April 27 vs. Mound Westonka (1-1)

Ranking rationale: The Tigers remain undefeated after surviving a close one. Delano won its only game last week 1-0 vs. Holy Family (1-2). We know the bats are capable of high production with a 16-2 win at Jordan (2-3), but this was a step back with six team hits besting Holy Family’s five. Kaelyn Wittwer led the way with a triple and Rillie Schmidt had what proved to be the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the fourth. Kaitlyn Pink pitched a complete game with no walks and 11 strikeouts. Some new teams enter the top 25 this week, which contributes to Delano slipping a couple spots.

23. Chaska (1-1)

Last week’s ranking: 21

This week’s games: April 24 vs. No. 16 Waconia (2-1), April 25 vs. Minnetonka (1-2), April 27 at Chanhassen (0-2), April 28 vs. St. Louis Park (1-2)

Ranking rationale: Chaska suffered its first loss of the season, but it was to a New Prague (3-1) team in strong consideration for a top-25 spot this week. After beating current No. 18 Eden Prairie (4-1) in the opener a couple weeks ago, the Hawks lost 2-1 to the Trojans in eight innings. 

Corina Coppersmith and Ava Blake each doubled. Allana Benoit pitched well in defeat, going all eight innings with no earned runs allowed, four walks, three strikeouts and 116 pitches thrown.

24. North Branch (1-0)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

This week’s games: April 25 doubleheader at Princeton (0-1), April 27 at St. Francis (1-0)

Ranking rationale: North Branch not only defeated previous No. 23 Chisago Lakes (0-1) last week, but the Vikings also took the Wildcats’ honor as the Mississippi 8 Conference’s representative in the top 25. In the long-awaited season opener on April 18, North Branch won 3-0. 

Kaytlin Hammond had a double and two RBI and Peyton Verdon went 2-for-2 with a run scored and RBI. Hannah Bernier pitched a one-hit, one-walk complete game with five strikeouts. The Vikings were in or around the top 10 of the Class 3A coaches poll last season and are off to a good start in 2023.

25. Wayzata (2-1)

Last week’s ranking: Unranked

This week’s games: April 26 vs. Minnetonka (1-2), April 27 at Edina (1-1), April 28 at No. 4 Hopkins (2-1), April 29 vs. Osseo (0-5)

Ranking rationale: This early in the season, the case could be made for oodles of teams to be in the top 25. I’m rolling with Wayzata in the last spot as a 2-1 record in the Trojans’ early slate is a pretty good start. In the April 13 opener, Wayzata went on the road to blank current No. 13 St. Michael-Albertville (2-1), 2-0. 

The lone setback came the next day against current No. 10 Maple Grove (4-1), whose only loss was to No. 4 Hopkins (2-1). Wayzata bounced back to win its only game last week 7-3 April 18 at Buffalo (0-3). Ella Freeman led with a pair of hits and pitched a complete game with just one earned run allowed.