Mankato West has stormed through the first part of the season, winning six consecutive games and outscoring opponents 86-18.
But the No. 1-3A Scarlets' road goes through Faribault on Thursday, and the top-ranked team in Class 3A is not likely to run roughshod through the defending Class 3A state champions and senior pitcher McKayla Armbruster.
Mankato West (6-0, 4-0) hasn't scored fewer than 11 runs in any game this season, and Scarlets coach Don Krusemark is worried about scoring runs against No. 2-3A Faribault (8-0, 6-0). "We have to figure out a way to get on base ... and how to scratch out one to two runs," Krusemark said.
His apprehension is justifiable. Armbruster has a 0.34 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. And the Falcons won 3-2 the last time these teams played in the Section 2 championship last spring.
The Scarlets offense starts with fifth-year starter Kenzie Grunst. The senior third baseman is batting over .600, as is leadoff hitter Madi Mueller, a junior outfielder. Jailssa Stoltzman and Bri Stoltzman both are hitting around .500.
Mankato West's pitching was mostly untested before this season, but the trio of junior Kayla Grunst and freshmen Abbi Stierlen and Lauryn Douglas has performed well. Douglas threw a two-hitter in a 15-0 victory over Owatonna.
"This team might be the most athletic team I've had in over 20 years," Krusemark said. "We have a ton of multisport athletes. This is a very competitive team."