Pipestone Area at Le Sueur-Henderson (doubleheader)
4:30 p.m., Friday, April 8

The season's first Class 2A poll hasn't been released, but Le Sueur-Henderson has to be a hands down favorite for a top ranking.

The Giants are coming off two impressive seasons. They finished second at state two years ago and won the consolation title last season. LeSueur-Henderson, which ended last year ranked No. 3, had no seniors on the roster and return one of the state's top pitchers in Carlie Brandt, who has signed with the Gophers.

Brandt, who was an all-tournament team and all-state selection, went 22-3 last year with a 0.43 ERA and 330 strikeouts. She also threw four no-hitters, which included striking out 20 of 21 batters in a victory over Mayer Lutheran. The Gophers commit also hit .524 with 27 RBI on the season.

The Giants also welcome back Mandy Doerr, who hit .351 with 22 RBI and 23 runs, while Sammy Winter and Katherine Cronk each drove in 16 runs last year.

Third baseman Taylor Nesvold was a first team all-state selection last year for Pipestone, which finished the regular season ranked No. 10 in Class 2A but lost the Big South Conference Small School Division championship on a coin flip with Jackson County Central.

The Arrows feature just two seniors and should contend for the Section 3 title once again while hoping for a different outcome. Pipestone has lost to New Ulm in the championship game the past four years.