With Avery Muellner on the mound, it’s getting harder and harder to deny Forest Lake’s case as the No. 1 softball team in Minnesota. (Brennan Schachtner)

I gave serious consideration to making Mankato East and Forest Lake co-No. 1’s this week. It’s getting harder and harder to deny Forest Lake’s case, particularly after pitcher Avery Muellner’s 14-strikeout no-no in a 5-0 rout of Woodbury.

Mankato East has looked just as impressive, highlighted by a 6-1 victory over Class 4A Maple Grove. As long as the Cougars are undefeated and have Kylinn Stangl in the circle, the two-time Class 3A champion Cougars deserve the top spot.

For the complete list of this week's Minnesota Top 25, click here to read this story on startribune.com.