Chaska at Chanhassen
7 p.m., Monday, April 27

Coming off difficult postseasons in which both teams lost on the road in the opening round of the Class 3A, Section 2 playoffs, Chaska and Chanhassen have been reborn this spring as they have a combined 15 wins in 16 games. Not that it’s been unexpected. Both were returning strong lineups that had the programs aiming in the right direction.

No. 7-3A Chanhassen (7-1, 4-1), which won only five games last year, has won seven straight since opening with a 4-1 loss to Robbinsdale Cooper. The Storm added a big transfer in senior shortstop Chad Clute, who hit .430 at Hawley as a junior. But it’s an improved pitching staff that has led the way, as Chanhassen has allowed just 21 runs in its eight games, including shutouts of Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Richfield. In the 3-0 win over Richfield, sophomore Justin Bonk pitched a three-hit shutout and Clute pounded a three-run homer.

Chaska’s pitching and defense has been its strength, as well, as the No. 4-3A Hawks (8-0, 6-0) have three shutouts in eight victories. Senior Blake Tritch, who’s headed to North Dakota State, allowed just two hits in six innings with seven strikeouts in the Hawks’ 8-3 victory at Benilde-St. Margaret’s on April 23.