Winona vs. Mankato West
5 p.m., Monday, April 17

Winona and Mankato West last met in last season's Class 3A state title game, which was a pitcher’s duel between Winhawks standout Ashton Hoepnner and Scarlets ace Lexi Schoper. Mankato West held out for a 4-3 victory.

Schoper has since graduated and Briggs Carlson has taken on a new role as the team’s starting pitcher. She’ll face Hoeppner this time after scoring the game-winning run against Hoeppner last season.

Hoeppner’s likely had the matchup on her mind and is coming into the meeting on the heels of one of her best performances. The senior, who will play next season at the University of Wisconsin, Plateville, threw her second career no-hitter last Thursday against Austin. 

The Scarlets (3-1, 1-0) already have a blemish on their record after going 26-1 last season, but there is no doubt that they are locked in with hopes to repeat as state champions.