The Big 9 Conference has consistently been one of the best softball leagues in the state. The conference's success is led by a number of programs, including Winona and Faribault.
The Winhawks enter the season as the defending Class 3A champions. Winona has played in the last two Class 3A state championships and won 60 games in the last three years.
Winona, however, has the challenge of replacing ace pitcher and Ms. Softball finalist Ashton Hoeppner this season if it's to continue its supremacy. Annika Anderson aims to pick up the slack. The junior brings a career mark of 9-0 with 101 strikeouts in 72.2 innings pitched to the circle, where she'll start for the Winhawks.
Faribault, which finished second in the Big 9 standings last year after losing just one league game (to league champion Mankato West in the regular-season finale), enters the season with two players who were all-state selections a season ago: junior pitcher McKayla Armbruster and senior first baseman Cassie Swanson.
Both will be counted on to help the Falcons challenge for a Big 9 title.