Two unbeatens square off Tuesday with the top spot in the Heart O'Lakes Conference standings at stake.
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (12-0, 7-0) has a talented and experienced trio of pitchers, and more than enough hitting to back them up. Mallory Leitner, a 6-foot junior, is the ace, while junior Taylor Aakre and senior Jena Bjelland would be welcome aces for many teams in the state.
The Rebels lost five one-run games in 2019, including two in the Class 2A, Section 8 tournament. This spring they're playing like a team that is motivated to not let that happen again. The No. 5-2A Rebels have had only one game, a 3-1 victory over Pequot Lakes on April 17, decided by fewer than four runs this season and they have outscored opponents 114-32.
Hawley (10-0, 6-0) has Northern State commit Abby Rux in the pitching circle and Addi Dauner behind the plate. The hard-hitting seniors lead a strong junior-dominated lineup.
Hawley has allowed just 11 runs this season. Rux, who set a school record as a sophomore with 18 strikeouts in one game, has two shutouts this season.