Rogers at Buffalo
4:30 p.m., Friday, April 8

The season's opening week features plenty of interesting matchups, including this one on Friday between Mississippi 8 Conference co-champions as Buffalo hosts Rogers.

The teams finished atop the league standings with 11-1 records last year, but the Bison emerged from section play with a bid to the Class 3A state tournament - the first in program history.  

Buffalo, which went 19-8 overall, moved up to Class 4A this season and was placed in Section 8, where it will compete will Rogers and Elk River for a section title.

The Bison bring back a majority of their contributors from last season, including sophomore Emily Hansen. Sophomore outfielder Sarah Hudson and junior catcher Autumn Senger also return, along with senior Kallie Wycoff and junior Mackenzie Johnson.

With starting pitcher Payton Speckel graduated, Buffalo turns to Morgan DeMarais. The sophomore threw well in a relief appearance against Eastview at the state tournament, holding the Lightning to one run on three hits in five innings.

The Royals, who finished 21-5 overall after a loss to Maple Grove in the Class 3A, Section 5 championship, will counter with senior pitcher Katelyn Kemmetmueller, who has twice been named the conference pitcher of the year.