Prep Blog: This Weekend's Top High School Match-Ups
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After a brief stint with some rough spring weather, the state's high school spring sports have been back in action lately as we get ready to head to the postseason.
The state's best track and field competitors in various events survived wet and cool conditions last week for the Hamline Elite Meet. It's essentially a preview of what's to come later this spring at the State High School Track and Field Championships, which will also be hosted by Hamline University.
The prep baseball, softball and golf seasons are also taking shape with a few weeks to go before we have playoff brackets and sectional play. Here's a look at some of the big games Friday on the high school sports scene.
Friday Boys Baseball: East Ridge (9-6) at Cretin-Derham Hall (11-3)
There will be a great match-up, weather allowing, in St. Paul Friday as No. 3-ranked Cretin-Derham Hall hosts East Ridge in Suburban East Conference play. The Raiders are in a battle with Mounds View for the top spot in the league. Cretin-Derham Hall has won three straight and four of their past five games. The Raptors have won four of their past five games, including a 6-3 win over Roseville on Monday. it should be a great game between two talented teams. The last time they met, the Raiders snuck out with a 7-6 victory.
Friday Boys Baseball: Edina (7-7) at Eden Prairie (9-4)
A pair of rivals square off in conference action Friday afternoon as No. 5-ranked Eden Prairie hosts Edina in what should be an exciting baseball game. The Eagles are one of the state's top teams and entered the week on a four-game win streak. It's also been a hectic week for Eden Prairie with scheduled games against Shakopee, Anoka and Chaska leading up to Friday's contest. The Hornets haven't been quite as consistent but have won four of their past five games.
Friday Girls Softball: Maple Grove (13-2) at Osseo (7-6)
The Maple Grove girls softball team was on a tear to start the spring, winning its first 12 games. The Crimson just snapped a two-game losing streak, and they'll host rival Osseo on Friday in Northwest Suburban Conference action. The Orioles have recovered from an 0-5 start, going 7-1 since. Friday's game against Maple Grove caps off a busy week of games against Irondale, Totino-Grace and Centennial. The Crimson are ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. It should be a fun game between rivals. Maple Grove is looking to have a state championship season after getting to the state title game last year and losing to Lakeville South.
Friday Girls Softball: Elk River (8-4) at Rogers (12-2)
The Rogers girls softball team has had a strong spring with just two losses in its first 14 games, and the Royals will get one of their biggest tests of the season Friday against No. 10-ranked Elk River. The Elks started the season 8-1 but are looking to snap a brief losing streak. Their final four games are all winnable before they head to the postseason and attempt to make a run to get back to the state tournament. It should be another fun game between rivals.
Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally at about 10:20 p.m. Friday as Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and David McCoy keep you updated on all the spring action.
