Prior Lake proved itself as a legitimate contender last season, posting a 13-1 record and winning a league title in the highly competitive South Suburban Conference.
However, that was the only championship the Lakers could boast about. They were undefeated in the Class 4A, Section 2 tournament and reached the final but came up short of a title after losing twice to Chanhassen in the double-elimination bracket.
This season, Prior Lake not only looks like a team that can win a conference title but also earn its first state tournament bid since 2013. The Lakers are off to an undefeated start (3-0, 2-0) but a difficult test awaits as they host Farmington on Wednesday in our Top Game of the Week.
Pitching has been a big part of Prior Lake's early success this season, and senior Kailey Ahlstrom is the Lakers ace. The Middle Tennessee commit has posted a 0.82 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 17 innings this season.
Senior second baseman Jocelyn Kirk has helped pace the Lakers at the plate, hitting two home runs in an 11-1 win over Lakeville South on April 23.
Farmington finished second in the South Suburban standings a year ago, but the Tigers peaked in the postseason, resulting in their first state title following a 1-0, 10-inning victory over Anoka in the Class 4A championship.
Farmington graduated star pitcher Maddie Muelken, but the Tigers are expected to be competitive with several returners in the infield, including junior shortstop Olivia Hazelbaker.
The Augustana University commit went 2-for-4 in Farmington's 3-2, walk-off win against Apple Valley last Thursday. While the Tigers (2-0, 1-0) haven't had much of an opportunity to show themselves after the winter weather caused the cancelation of several games, they displayed the type of resilience that they'll need to claw their way back to the state tournament.