Irondale at Maple Grove
4:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 15

All-state pitcher Sydney Smith allowed five hits and struck out seven in seven innings in her 2015 season debut for Maple Grove - an 8-2 victory over Blaine. The Crimson swung a hot bat, scoring eight runs off 13 hits against the Bengals. Five batters had multi-hit games, including senior Megan Mulchrone, who went 2-2 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI.

A pair of 3-2 wins over Centennial and Hopkins has Irondale off to a hopeful start. The Knights have seven seniors on their roster, including sinkerball pitcher Maggie Schley.

Neither team has given up more than two runs in a game this season, so be prepared for a pitchers' duel. If Irondale can rattle Smith early, it has a chance to take down the Crimson, last year's Class 3A state runner-up, and create separation in the Northwest Suburban Conference standings.