Tri-City United accomplished in seven contests this season what it took the entire regular season last spring to do — win six games.
The biggest difference begins with the Titans' most veteran player, senior pitcher and shortstop Elly Novak, a fifth-year starter who has committed to play at St. Benedict's.
Novak is a solid hitter and a formidable pitcher. She has more than 600 career strikeouts, but has struggled to win games throughout her career due, in part, to walking too many batters, including 42 last season.
But Novak has been on point this season, walking only five batters through her first five games, and with sophomore leadoff hitter Brooke Blaschko (right field) batting over .500 this year, Tri-City (6-1, 4-1) is on pace for its best regular-season record since the school's inception in 2012. The Titans went 10-9-1 in their inaugural season but have not had a better-than-.500 year since.
Defending Minnesota River Conference champion Norwood-Young America should provide a nice test for the Titans.
Seniors Sadie Erickson and Audrey Steinhagen, both hitting over .600, lead a No. 7-2A Raiders squad (5-0-1, 3-0) that has outscored opponents 71-10. Erickson, the Raiders' primary pitcher, has been particularly impressive with a bat in her hand, with four home runs and 11 RBI through her first four games.
"I hope to continue to build off of the early momentum we have and see where it takes us," Norwood-Young America coach Joe Kley said.