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Maple Grove takes down Centennial

By Shannon Brault, SportsEngine, 04/25/23, 7:00AM CDT

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The Crimson used a few bursts of offense to stifle the Cougars on Tuesday.


Crimson senior Faith Kreye (10) was a catalyst to a 4th inning ourburst of runs by getting on base and working her way around to score. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Maple Grove emerged victorious over Centennial in a Northwest Suburban Conference rivalry game on Tuesday. Through their teamwork, the Crimson scored six runs during two innings against their long-term rivals. 

The first three innings of the game appeared to be uneventful for both teams, keeping each other at bay. Before the game, the teams were ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the conference, only behind Andover five games into the season. 

During the fourth inning, the Crimson secured four runs in the span of three plays, bringing the first runs to the scoreboard of the highly contested game. Faith Kreye was the first hit of the inning and the first score for the Crimson. 


Photo gallery: Centennial vs. Maple Grove

When Kreye was asked what the best part of the game was for her, she said: “Our rally in the bottom of the fourth when we started connecting and getting hits.” 

Her teammate, Alissa Wernz, shared that sentiment.

“The best part of the game was when we scored 4 runs of them because even though it was on their errors, we were all so excited and so hyped for each other," Wernz said.

Maple Grove lost to Centennial last year at the Class 4A, Section 5 championship, missing their opportunity to go to the state tournament. The two teams have gone back and forth with who comes out as the winners when they meet, including conference games and section championships over the years. 

The Crimson hope to redeem themselves this year and become Section 5 champions once again. 

“I think, especially with the way the season has ended the last three years, we’re going to get them someday,” Kreye said. “Going into this we had a lot of energy, we had six practices straight and we’re working on getting perfect tight defense and working together.” 

After the four runs in the fourth inning, the Crimson secured two more runs from a home run by Wernz in the fifth inning. 

The Crimson worked together to emerge as the winners of the game, noting their hard work, practice, and pregame goals meetings. 

“We have a pregame meeting every time in the shed and we talk about our goals for the game, but we also try to come together and string hits together and not just for ourselves,” Wernz said. 

On top of goals, taking note of strengths and weaknesses, and practice, the team has been bonding according to Kreye. “If you work together as a team you can get it.”

Centennial lost in the quarterfinals at the Class 4A state tournament in 2022, but won the consolation game. While the Cougars didn’t score during Tuesday’s game, of the four games they had played prior during this season, they had won three. 


Maple Grove's Maddie Wihlm (16) pitched a complete game shutout against visiting Centennial on April 25. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First Report

Maple Grove came out victorious in the Northwest Suburban Conference rivalry game on Tuesday, beating Centennial 6-0. 

The first three innings of the game appeared to be uneventful for both teams, keeping each other at bay. Before the game, the teams were ranked two and three in the conference, only behind Andover five games into the season. 

The Crimson secured four runs in the span of three plays, bringing the first runs to the scoreboard of the highly contested game. Faith Kreye (10) was the first hit of the inning and the first score for the Crimson. With bases loaded, the Crimson were able to bring in three more runs to round off the inning and put a barrier between them and the Cougars. 

The Crimson were able to secure two more runs from a home run by Alissa Wernz (18) in the fifth inning. 

Maple Grove lost to Centennial last year at the Class 4A, Section 5 championship, missing their opportunity to go to the state tournament. The two teams have gone back and forth with who comes out as the winners when they meet, including conference games and section championships. 

Centennial lost in the quarterfinals at the State tournament in 2022, but won the consultation game. 


Centennial's starting pitcher Riley O'Connell went the distance Tuesday pitching for the Cougars at Maple Grove. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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