Eastview at Lakeville North
4:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 12

Eastview will rely on returners Sam Gall, Abby Lien, Jamie Reynolds and Hailey Monroe while turning to sophomore Grace Gall to take over pitching duties after Kerrigan Hoshaw graduated.

Lien is back in the leadoff spot for the Lightning after hitting .405 and tallying 14 runs batted in and three home runs in the regular season. While she spent her sophomore season catching, Lien will see more time at shortstop this season.

Sam Gall, who had two hits and the lone RBI for Eastview in a 1-0 victory over Maple Grove in the Class 3A state semifinals, will move to center field. Third baseman Reynolds (.285 BA, 17 RBI) and first baseman Monroe (.310, 8 RBI) hold down the corner infield spots.

Despite an early exit from the Class 3A, Section 3 tournament last season, Lakeville North figures to be in the mix this year behind a strong junior class led by shortstop Sarah Genz, a Notre Dame commit, and first baseman Hailey Forshee, a MSU-Mankato recruit.

Lakeville North also returns leadoff hitter Shayla Steinley, a Northern State University commit, but are guided by a new voice belonging to first-year coach Darwin Rasmussen.