Prior Lake at Apple Valley
4:15 p.m., Monday, April 13

The South Suburban Conference also picks up play this week with two of its stronger programs going head-to-head when Apple Valley hosts Prior Lake on Monday afternoon.

Prior Lake graduated seven starters and four of its top five pitchers from a team that went 14-10 overall (12-5 in the league). The Lakers return power at the plate with seniors Tommy Keating (.350, three homers, 18 RBI) and Nick Vaage (.325, four homers, 11 RBI) in the lineup. They’re both committed to colleges (Keating to Southeastern and Vaage to the University of Memphis), along with senior Justin Lembeck, who is headed to St. Cloud Technical College.

But the Lakers' pitching hopes rest on untested players, although junior Nick Hanson is considered one of the state’s best power pitchers in his class and could take a huge step forward.

Apple Valley finished a few games back of Prior Lake in the South Suburban last year, but the Eagles look to make up some ground with several returning starters who have three years of varsity experience, according to coach Jeremy Hendrickson. Three-year starter Brady Casperson (.409, 20 RBI) has hit well for the Eagles, but offense otherwise has been an issue in recent years for the program. Seniors Cole Johnson (University of St. Thomas) and Josh Rehwaldt (University of Sioux Falls) will head off to college ball after this season.