Springfield at New Ulm Cathedral
5 p.m., Tuesday, April 14

The week ahead features two games featuring top-5 teams in Class 2A and Class 1A, including this possible state tournament preview between No. 3-1A Springfield and No. 1-1A New Ulm Cathedral.

Springfield returns five starters from its state tournament team of a year ago, led by seniors Carter Erickson and Jacob Vanderwerf. Erickson won seven games on the mound and Vanderwerf anchored the lineup from centerfield.

The Tigers also put as much pressure on the opposing battery as any team in the state, setting a state record for stolen bases in a season by a team with 167. Junior Sam Baier led the way with 32 steals, while Erickson nabbed 24.

New Ulm Cathedral has the target on its back with the No. 1 preseason ranking in Class 1A. But the Greyhounds must get past last year’s playoff disappointment when it lost to BOLD in the section final. New Ulm Cathedral will put up runs with seniors Brandon Beranek (.338, four homers, 24 RBI) and Collin Helget (.473) and juniors Jack Schwartz (.339) and Gabe Knowles (.427, four homers) leading the way. Knowles, who has already committed to the University of Minnesota, also struck out 57 in 44 innings on the mound.