The Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches' Association released state rankings Thursday and set the course for a meeting between the potential top two teams in Class 3A to decide a conference title.
Class 3A
As if an impending game between Mankato West and Faribault needed any more flavor, it got it as the Scarlets held down the No. 1 spot in the Class 3A rankings while Big 9 Conference foe Faribault curiously moved up to the No. 2 ranking.
The Falcons have risen through the rankings despite starting the season unranked and cracked the top 10 in the April 27 poll after being No. 23 the previous week. Faribault continued climbing, going from No. 6 to No. 3 to finally reaching its current spot. The move means the Falcons' May 18 matchup with the Scarlets could be a battle for the No. 1 ranking.
There hasn’t been a Big 9 champion outside the city of Mankato since 2005. Faribault (14-0, 9-0) could earn its first league title in school history and become the first team since Rochester Mayo to displace Mankato West and Mankato East from finishing the regular season atop the conference standings.
The Falcons face two league opponents -- Rochester Mayo on May 15 and Owatonna a day later -- before meeting Mankato West (13-1, 9-0) in Faribault, while the Scarlets have only Northfield left on the conference schedule.
Hermantown (10-1) slipped to No. 3 in the rankings following a 4-1 loss to Eagan in the Eastview Great 8 Tournament on May 6.
Chisago Lakes (11-4, 8-3) stayed at No. 4 but shares the spot with Rocori (14-1, 9-0).
Check out the complete rankings here.
Class 2A
The top three teams in Class 2A retained their spots, highlighted by No. 1 Maple Lake (16-0, 11-0), which has been downright dominant. The Irish have outscored opponents 42-8 in its past three games, a run that follows six straight shutouts.
Pipestone (17-0, 8-0) remained at No. 2 after defeating No. 1-1A Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian 12-3 and 5-2 in a doubleheader on May 8, as the Arrows passed one of their toughest tests of the season.
Chatfield (14-0, 13-0) stayed at No. 3 after keeping its undefeated season intact with a 6-4 win over Hayfield on May 8. However, a matchup with Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland still looms for the Gophers in their regular-season finale.
Park Rapids (15-0, 6-0) moved up one spot to No. 4, powered by an offense that has scored 20 or more runs four times this season.
Rochester Lourdes (16-1, 10-0) climbed to No. 5 after coming in at No. 8 last week. The Eagles have allowed just five runs in their past six games.
Class 1A
Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian moved back into the No. 1 spot in the Class 1A rankings after being displaced by Randolph last week. The Flying Dutchmen (13-3, 6-0) dropped a doubleheader to No. 2-2A Pipestone on May 8 but bounced back for a 15-5 win over Murray County Central the following day.
New York Mills (15-0, 13-0) jumped to the No. 2 following a doubleheader sweep (9-0 and 6-3) of Wadena-Deer Creek on May 9.
Sleepy Eye Saint Mary’s (14-2, 7-2) rose to No. 3 but saw its 12-game winning streak come to a close with a 12-11 loss in the second game of a doubleheader with Wabasso on May 9.
Maranatha Christian Academy (14-2, 9-0) and Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (13-1, 13-1) shared the No. 4 spot.
Class 4A
Chanhassen stayed at No. 1 in the Class 4A rankings, though it suffered its first loss of the season on May 10 -- a 3-2 defeat to Bloomington Jefferson. The stumbled dropped the Storm (15-1, 9-1) into a tie with the Jaguars atop the Metro West Conference standings and showed that Chanhassen may not be as invincible as many once thought.
Anoka (15-0, 9-0) remained at No. 2 after surviving a scare from Champlin Park in a 10-8 victory on May 8.
Prior Lake (14-2, 11-1) stayed at No. 3 despite a 3-0 loss to No. 8 New Prague on May 5. The Lakers followed the loss with three straight victories in which they allowed a total of four runs.
Farmington (14-3, 10-2) held steady at No. 4 but is was joined by Forest Lake (12-4, 9-4) and Park of Cottage Grove (11-4, 8-3), which moved up one spot.
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