Heading into this season, both Buffalo and Chanhassen were considered two of the Class 4A teams to be reckoned with. Neither of these teams, however, have had a chance to play a game this season, but with the weather turning warmer, it looks as if the Bison and Storm will get to battle in this key nonconference matchup that's worthy of being our Top Game of the Week.
Buffalo enters this season looking for its fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament. Senior shortstop Emily Hansen leads the charge for the Bison. The Minnesota commit will likely be in the hunt for Ms. Softball after if she continues piling up impressive stats. She hit .685, including a stretch of 22 consecutive plate appearances without making an out, and had 33 RBI a season ago.
In the circle, Buffalo will rely on senior pitcher Morgan DeMarais. The South Dakota State commit has command of five different pitches and displayed them last season while posting a 2.56 ERA in 104 innings.
Chanhassen looks to senior pitcher Maddie Schwartz to fill the void left by Ms. Softball finalist Taylor Manno, who graduated after a solid career. Schwartz, a Wisconsin commit, has compiled a 22-1 career record pitching behind Manno. She also set the school record with 17 strikeouts in one game.
In the field, the Storm have a capable shortstop in Tori Tollefson. Though only a sophomore, Tollefson has plenty of experience, having played 53 softball games at the varsity level. She was also Chanhassen's starting point guard for the girls' basketball team last season.