Softball begins in earnest this week with several important section and conference games already on the slate in the opening stages of the season.

Among the most contentious of the conference races is in the Metro West, with Bloomington Jefferson beginning its campaign for a third-consecutive conference championship. Last season, the Jaguars went undefeated and held off a hungry Chanhassen team to retain the league title.

St. Louis Park got off to its best start in more than a decade last season but went on to finish 10-12 overall. The Orioles are seeking to finish above .500 for the first time in over a decade, and after graduating only two seniors, they have the experience to make that push. 

Though the battle for the Metro West Conference has come down to Chanhassen and Bloomington Jefferson the past two years, an upstart and experienced St. Louis Park squad is looking to take part in the conversation this season, starting with the opener against Jefferson. This early meeting between two conference contenders that could dictate the league title race makes Bloomington Jefferson vs. St. Louis Park our pick for the Top Game of the Week.

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