Minnetonka at Maple Grove
4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 5

Minnetonka graduated three starters, but returns a core of players who garnered Lake Conference honors last season, including four all-conference and three honorable mention selections.

St. Louis University recruit Ben Livorsi is one of six Skippers committed to collegiate programs, as well as one of the state’s top juniors. The catcher anchors Minnetonka's deep battery, one that boasts plenty of strong arms.

Junior Nate Shoemaker clocked an 89 mph fastball at the Prep Baseball Report’s Preseason All-State combine, while teammates Sam Thoresen and Mitchell Oehme each ranked in the top 5 for velocity at the event by throwing 88 and 87 mph, respectively.

Maple Grove spent a week in St. Petersburg, Florida, fine-tuning its play in good weather before the season opener. The Crimson graduated just four seniors and return the majority of their starters, including Charlie “Bubba” Horton.

Horton has been a menace to varsity batters since he was a freshman. The junior, who posted a 0.93 ERA, 20 strikeouts and four victories last year, had the highest velocity of any left-hander at the PBR Preseason All-State combine.

Minnetonka defeated Maple Grove 7-2 last year, led by senior Jack Kuzma, who went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in three runs.