Speak with members of the Prior Lake softball team and you get a heavy dose of what sounds like a science class.

"A lot of our strengths comes from the chemistry, the trust and the faith that we have from each other from batting to [playing] in the field," junior shortstop Libby Bingham said. "If I make an error, I know my team is there to back me up."

Head coach Meghan Potter calls the players' chemistry some of the "best I've seen on any of the teams I've coached."

Players stress the importance of sharing a close bond and show a deep understanding of their positions along with everybody else's role on the team.

"We could put them all in new positions, and I'd be confident that we'd still win the game," Potter said. "If we have an injury, I know that we have people that can play more than one spot and understand what it takes to play that spot."

Prior Lake began the season 6-1 and stood at 7-4 overall after Monday's conference win over Apple Valley. The win, along with two key victories against Eastview and Burnsville, have the Lakers at 6-2 and in third place in South Suburban Conference play.

Things got rough last week. The Lakers endured a 3-1 loss to No. 1-ranked Bloomington Jefferson, a 5-2 conference loss to second-place Lakeville North and a 4-1 nonconference defeat against Centennial on Friday night in the Polar Classic tournament in North St. Paul.

Despite that tough stretch, Potter sees the challenging schedule as an opportunity for her young squad to get better.

"Playing in the South Suburban sets us up so that we know what it takes and that we're ready to face any team, because we've had such good competition the whole season," said Potter, in her second year as the head coach. "It also shows these young kids what it takes."

Just two years removed from the Lakers' third state tournament appearance, this year's Prior Lake squad aspires to make another run at state.

"Our team can definitely do that," senior pitcher Tori Workman said about making state. "We're a strong team and we're coming at each game way different than last year. We have a lot of talent that will bring us far."

Last year Prior Lake went 11-9 during the regular season before losing to Shakopee and Mankato West in the Class 3A, Section 2 final four.

Players of all ages have played pivotal roles for Prior Lake this season. The team has only three seniors and four juniors.

Workman brings stability and experience as the team's ace. She had pitched well this year, posting a 2.53 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings through Monday's matchup against Apple Valley.

"She can bring the heat," Potter said. "The minute she let's go of it, she has total faith in those eight players that are out there with her. That actually makes a huge difference in pitcher's mentality."

Sophomore catcher Kara Lattery, an all-state second-team player last year, continues her strong play behind the plate this season. She was hitting .474 after Monday's game.

"Her biggest thing is her bat and bat speed," Potter said. "She definitely comes up with key hits for us, but her arm, she's been throwing people out by a wide margin. We kind of want to dare other teams to run off her because we know she'll be able to get them.

Justus Perry, an eighth-grader, plays multiple positions in the field, providing versatility on defense. Batting .387 through Monday, she also displays power and has the capability of providing pitching relief.

"Her mental game, for how young she is, nobody would realize she's only in eighth grade," Potter said. "She can play anywhere I ask her. I'm very excited to have her for another four years."

Calvin Swanson is a University of Minnesota student on assignment with the Star Tribune.