Maple Grove at St. Michael-Albertville
4:30 p.m., Friday, May 13

Maple Grove's offseason move into Class 4A, Section 8 means this season's matchup with St. Michael-Albertville takes on even more significance.

The two enter the week favorites to earn the top seed in the section tournament, and the winner will likely hold the advantage when deciding the No. 1 seed.

The first week of May has seen the Crimson and Knights performance at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Maple Grove (10-3) has been on fire offensively, averaging 9.6 runs per game while winning three of four.

St. Michael-Albertville has struggled find the formula that helped it win 11 games in a row. After opening May with two wins, the No. 3-4A Knights (11-3) stumbled with back-to-back 5-4 losses to Monticello and section rival Brainerd.

In last year's matchup, Maple Grove’s left-handed pitcher and Golden Gophers commit Charlie Horton struck out 10 in a 2-0 victory.