Fairmont at Belle Plaine
5 p.m., Friday, April 15

Fairmont's roster boasts seven seniors who led the Cardinals to a 22-4 record last year. That team ultimately lost in the Class 2A, Section 3 semifinals to defending section champion Marshall.

Buena Vista commit Tyler Tennyson will be at first base for the No. 7-2A Cardinals. He batted 32-for-67 last season with a team-high 28 RBI and three home runs as a junior.

Three regulars also return to Fairmont’s bullpen in seniors Nathan Gillis, Clayton Maakestad and Kale Fritz. The trio’s combined record last year was 11-1.

Belle Plaine (2-0) had a successful opening week, upsetting No. 2-2A Minnehaha Academy 9-7 and East Grand Forks 5-2 in their tournament last Saturday. The Tigers are looking to three-peat as Minnesota River Conference champions behind a 12-man senior class and two juniors who will likely face their toughest challenge yet in a nonconference matchup with Fairmont.

All-conference honorees Aiden Ladd and Luke Narveson are back for No. 14-2A Belle Plaine. Ladd, a catcher, batted .333 last season and drove in 16 RBI while Narveson, an outfielder, hit .357 and had a team-high eight stolen bases.