Hopkins vs. Maple Grove
4:30 p.m., Friday, April 21

MaKenzie Merritt struck out six against Wayzata on April 13 for her third win, keeping Hopkins (3-0, 1-0) undefeated. Natalie DenHartog has been locked in at the dish in the early season. In the 7-1 against Orono on April 11, DenHartog hit a home run and drove in five runs.

Maple Grove, a three-time Class 3A state runner-up, looks to get over that hurdle and capture a state championship. A rugged conference schedule along with a solid non-conference slate and an appearance at the Eastview tournament will help prepare the Crimson for a postseason run.

Maple Grove (1-1, 1-1) dropped the second game of the season 9-1 to Totino-Grace on April 12. The day before, Sophie Culhane finished 2-for-2 and drove in all four runs in a 4-0 Crimson win over Champlin Park.