North St. Paul at Hill-Murray
4:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 5

North St. Paul finished last season 16-6 overall after losing to Woodbury in the Class 3A, Section 4 playoffs. The loss kept the Polars, a 12-time state tournament participant and two-time state champion, from planning a trek to Caswell Park in North Mankato.

North St. Paul, however, boasts a lineup that should put the Polars in position to vie for another state tournament trip.

Returners include catcher Megan Rubbelke and second baseman Kallie Stepaniak, who were named to the Class 3A all-state honorable mention team by the coaches association last year.

Also back is senior outfielder Lily Langevin and sophomore third baseman Sophie Cave, who each earned Metro East all-conference honors last season.

North St. Paul, which ended last year ranked No. 7 in Class 3A, won't have to wait long to see how it matches up against its new postseason competition. The Polars visit Hill-Murray on Tuesday, a game that pits programs that moved into Class 4A and compete in Section 4 this year.

The Pioneers return Metro East all-conference infielder Katie Johnson, along with five other seniors from a 12-11 team.