The 2010 Minnesota high school baseball season is in full gear. A warmer spring with less rain, wind and even snow has kept the season moving along nicely. In fact, it's been one of the best springs in recent memory, and that has coaches, players and fans enjoying the start of the season.
The baseball season in Minnesota is traditionally one of the shortest seasons of all high school sports. Games kick off in early to mid-April and the playoffs start in late May with the state tournament concluding
things in June. This year's state tournament has a new twist: All state championship games will be played at the new Target Field in downtown Minneapolis on June 19.
But before we get to the state championship games, there are plenty of games to be played. Here is a look at some of the top performances thus far and teams to watch this spring:
Class AAA leaders
Among the top teams in the early spring in Minnesota's big school class are Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Centennial (Circle Pines), Irondale (New Brighton), Prior Lake, Rosemount, Brainerd, Grand Rapids and Osseo.
Minnetonka was ranked No. 1 in the state as of April 21, and Prior Lake had won seven of its first eight games. Gary Mariscal had a .542 batting average (13-for-24) with five stolen bases and eight walks to lead Prior Lake. Matt Arends was hitting .429 (12-for-28) with a team-leading six RBI. Mike Hadden (.429), Ryan Mestnik (.423) and T.J. Larson (.375) were also among the batting leaders for Prior Lake. Meanwhile, the pitching staff has been led by Larson (3-0, 0.37 ERA), Mestnik (2-1, 0.57 ERA), Chris Kelly (1.56 ERA) and Kyle Repinski (1.56 ERA). Larson has struck out 20 batters in 19 innings.
Tough to repeat
St. Michael-Albertville, last year's Class AAA state champion, opened the season ranked No. 1 in the state in the coaches poll. However, the Knights have slumped of late. After winning its first three games by a
combined score of 18-1, STMA has lost three of four heading into Friday's game against Sauk Rapids-Rice. The Knights return a number of players with state tournament experience, including Jared Dehmer, Bryton Carlson and Blake Schirmers among them.
STMA senior pitcher Alan Frank almost pitched a no-hitter in the season opener, losing it in the seventh and final inning. Frank still earned the complete-game shutout in the 1-0 win over Sartell-St. Stephens. The Knights have fallen out of the top in the coaches poll, proving just how hard it is to repeat.
St. Louis Park power
On Thursday, St. Louis Park exploded for 14 runs in a 14-4 win over North Branch. Scott Foltz was 3 for 5 with a home run, a double and three runs scored. Mark Bearmon was 4 for 5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.
Class AA
Among some of the teams to watch in 2A this year are Litchfield, the top-ranked team in the latest coaches poll. Other teams playing well to start the season include La Crescent, the 2009 state champions, Staples-Motley, Delano, New Ulm, St. Cloud Cathedral, St. Anthony Village (Minneapolis), Orono (Long Lake) and Fairmont. In a key early-season game in the Wright County Conference, Litchfield defeated Delano 7-5, handing Dealno (6-1)
its only loss of the season thus far.
Guetter getting it done
Fairmont's Conner Guetter is off to a fast start this season. He's batting .769 and has 10 runs scored, seven RBI and four stolen bases for the 6-0 Cardinals. The fast start has also helped Fairmont earn the No. 9 ranking in
the Class 2A rankings.
Class A
MACCRAY (Clara City) and Wabasha-Kellogg met in the Class A title game last year, with MACCRAY winning 3-1 for its first state title. Those two teams are among the teams to watch in Class A this year. Wabasha-Kellogg is ranked No. 1 in the state, while MACCRAY fell from its season-opening No. 1 ranking to No. 6 in the latest coaches poll. Other teams to watch include New Ulm Cathedral, Adrian, Hawley, Eden Valley Watkins, MACCRAY, Fosston, St. Bernard's (St. Paul) and Southland (Adams).
MaxPreps Leaderboard
Batting Average
Conner Guetter, Fairmont .769
Sam Cantwell, Academy for Sciences and Agriculture, .600
Jackson Gohl, Armstrong, .600
Sean Graff, North Branch, .586
Josh Hanson, Marantha Christian Academy, .586
Home Runs
Jackson Gohl, Armstrong 3
Sean Graff, North Branch 3
Nate Trelstad, Minneapolis South, 3
Strikeouts
Josh Hanson, Marantha Christian Academy, 39
Carlton Littlejohn, Minneapolis North, 37
Justin Hutchinson, Minneapolis North 35
Tyler Ockuly, Champlin Park 33
Nate Trelstad, Minneapolis South, 31
If you have news and notes or a feature story idea, email Max Preps writer Matt Krumrie at mattkrum@yahoo.com.
