The preseason book on North St. Paul was that the Polars will once again field a solid lineup but have questions to answer in the pitching circle.
Polars coach Thomas Thole, who took over the program last season, isn't buying it. He's got a lot of faith in eighth-grader Madelyn Anthony and freshman Keely Routzahn.
So far, the young duo has been impressive. Anthony is 2-0 with 16 strikeouts and just two walks in 11 innings pitched, and Routzahn is 1-0 with five strikeouts and five walks in nine innings pitched, leading the Polars to a 3-0 start. Catcher Gabby Martinez, another eighth-grader, gives the Polars a promising battery for years to come.
The two pitchers certainly will be put to the test this week when North St. Paul plays six games in six days, ending with a three-team, four-game affair with LeSueur-Henderson and Eden Prairie.
The Polars, led by multi-sport athlete and Hamline commit Jenna Rubbelke, outscored their first three opponents 33-9 and will provide a solid test for Class 2A LeSueur-Henderson, which returns several players from the team that reached the state tournament consolation final in 2019.
The Giants (1-0, 1-0) have a lot of experience. Sophomore second baseman-pitcher Rhyan Fritz has been a starter since the seventh grade and senior Olivia Fritz, who plays third base, has been a starter since the eighth grade. Catcher Zoe Thomson and pitcher Chloe Brandt played in the 2019 state tournament.
This will be the third time the Polars and Giants have met in Eden Prairie. LeSueur-Henderson is 0-4 in those games, most recently losing 10-0 and 11-0 to North St. Paul in 2018 and 2019, respectively, but has gained experience against state tournament-quality teams.