Champlin Park vs.

Totino-Grace

4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3

The Northwest Suburban Conference has become a proving ground for several Class 4A contenders, including Anoka (three consecutive state tournament appearances; runners-up a year ago and in 2015), Maple Grove and Spring Lake Park.

Facing that type of competition in league play has honed Class 3A's Totino-Grace into a legitimate threat to its larger-school foes, including Champlin Park, who the Eagles welcome on Thursday.

Totino-Grace is coming off a third-place finish at state and while the Eagles haven't played a game this season, they remain a force thanks to the return of players such as senior second baseman Lauren Scheneman. She's a four-year letter winner and was recently named the school's 2018 Athena Award winner. As a junior, Scheneman hit .450 and was named to the All-Northwest Suburban Conference team.

Champlin Park graduated eight players from last season's team, but its offense has continued to thrive with 74 runs scored this season. The Rebels (4-3, 2-1) are led by junior shortstop Holly Blaska, who is hitting .667 with a home run, six RBI, six stolen bases and 15 runs scored.