Marshall at Fairmont
5 p.m., Friday, May 8

The top two teams in the Big South Conference — and two of the best Class 2A programs in the state — collide this Friday night when No. 4 Marshall (12-1, 9-0) visits No. 3 Fairmont (14-1, 12-1).

Fairmont looks primed to return to the Class 2A championship game, where the Cardinals lost to St. Cloud Cathedral last year. Fairmont has won 14 of its first 15 games this spring, but that lone loss was a 5-0 defeat at Marshall on April 21. The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and held on for the win. Dylan Criquet-Danielson went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Drew Hmielewski earned the victory after pitching 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts. Nate Hoeft tossed the final 1 2/3 innings, striking out two without allowing a hit.

Since that loss, Fairmont has won its last six games, including a 2-1 victory at Windom Area on May 2.