Park of Cottage Grove vs. Forest Lake
4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 12

Featuring a cast of mainly underclassmen last season, Park of Cottage Grove proved its mettle by navigating through a rugged Suburban East Conference to win the league title.

Madi Meduna was an all-state honorable mention last season as a freshman and Alayna Silvis was a first-team all-state selection for the Wolfpack, who ended the season ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. Park of Cottage Grove (2-0, 1-0) also returns both of its pitchers from last season, Hanna Mortenson and Bryanna Olson.

The Wolfpack beat Forest Lake three times last season, including 8-0 in the Class 4A fifth-place game.

The Rangers reached the state tournament for the first time since 2013 by upsetting Anoka in the Class 4A, Section 7 championship and went on to finish sixth at state.

Forest Lake brings back Megan Baniecke, who hit seven home runs last year, and Mia Schmidtke, who hit three. Baniecke, a pitcher, also struck out 117 hitters.