Softball Game Preview: Maple Grove Crimson vs. Mankato East Cougars

The Maple Grove Crimson will challenge the Mankato East Cougars at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Maple Grove comes in on three and Mankato East on nine.

Maple Grove had to skate by with only a one-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 12-run drubbing they dealt Osseo on Tuesday. The Crimson were the clear victors by a 13-1 margin over the Orioles. The contest marked the Crimson's most dominant victory of the season so far.

Meanwhile, Mankato East made easy work of Owatonna on Tuesday and carried off a 9-3 win. Fans of the Cougars have seen this all before: every one of the games they've played this season has ended in a blowout of 6+ runs.

Kylinn Stangl was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 14 batters over seven innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off six hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than one earned run any time she's pitched this season. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Those three hits gave her a new career-high.

In other batting news, Maddeline Beaty was excellent, going 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs. Another player making a difference was Kenley Staunton, who went 1-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.

Mankato East pushed their record up to 4-0 with the victory, which was their tenth straight at home dating back to last season. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.0 run on average over those games. As for Maple Grove, their victory bumped their record up to 4-1.

Maple Grove suffered a grim 13-4 defeat to Mankato East in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Will the Crimson have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.