Anoka at Spring Lake Park
4:15 p.m., Monday, April 27

With No. 1-3A Maple Grove and No. 8-3A Elk River showing no signs of slowing in the Northwest Suburban Conference race, No. 4-3A Anoka and No. 6-3A Spring Lake Park need to play nearly flawless in the second half of the season to keep pace. They'll rely on sophomore slingers down the stretch.

The Tornadoes are 5-0 in conference play. Sophomore Amber Elliot threw a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits and striking out 12 Totino-Grace batters in a 7-0 win on April 13.

Spring Lake Park shot off to an 8-0 start before suffering a 2-0 loss to Maple Grove on April 20. The Panthers responded with a 7-0 victory over Park Center on April 22 to improve to 5-1 in league play. 

Sophomore pitcher Halley Jones ranks among the state's best with an 8-1 record (tied for second in wins) and 77 strikeouts (fifth-most). She's allowed 24 hits and walked only nine in 41 innings. Her six runs allowed have all been earned, giving her a 1.02 ERA.