The South Suburban Conference, boasting defending Class 4A champion Farmington, should be one of the state's most competitive conferences this season. The Tigers will likely be challenged by a slew of teams, including Burnsville and Eastview, which meet Wednesday in our Top Game of the Week.
Both teams are hoping for big seasons after falling short in recent years, and both will rely on their stars to lead the way.
The Blaze feature senior pitcher Megan Osterhaus, who had 195 strikeouts a year ago.
Eastview is led by seven returners, including senior catcher Abby Lien, an Iowa commit who comes into this season as the Lightning's all-time leader in home runs after she slugged six last year. She also struck out just once last season.
Lien will be catching for senior pitcher Grace Gall, who had a 2.43 ERA as a junior.