Springfield vs. Sleepy Eye
3 p.m., Thursday, Apr. 6

Springfield returns to defend its first-ever Class 1A state title starting in the confines of U.S. Bank Stadium against Sleepy Eye, a Tomahawk conference rival that forced a split in last year's season series.

The Tigers return with almost all of last year's roster, including all-area and all-conference award winners, Branden Flock and Isaac Fink, who each had batting averages above .340 last season. Five pitchers are also returning from last year's team, including Willy Vanderwerf, who missed last year's state run with a knee injury.

Sleepy Eye returns a less roster that is less intact than the Tigers. The Indians had 10 seniors on last year's squad and will only have three on the 2017 team, including catcher Colton Gemmill.

No matter the varsity experience difference, U.S. Bank Stadium will look just as foreign to both teams as the Vikings' new home field opens to indoor baseball for the first time this season.