Foley at Pierz
4:30 p.m., Thursday, Apr. 6

Pierz finished third in the Class 2A state tournament last season and is looking for more this season. The Pioneers will have an early test when they face section foe Foley. The Falcons took third in the Class 2A, Section 6 tournament last spring, but the return of six of nine starters could give them an edge this season. 

Pierz took home its second-straight Central Minnesota Conference championship last season and went on to win its first state tournament games in school history before falling to eventual champion Minnehaha Academy 4-2. This season, offensive leader Lane Girtz and pitcher Matt Kummet will try to keep the momentum in going despite losing nine seniors from the 2016 roster.

Foley seniors Noah Winkelman and Tanner Brosh are set to start the climb to the Falcons' first Granite Ridge Conference title after they finished runner-up to state-bound Little Falls last season. Winkelman, a Rawlings Preseason All-American honorable mention, is the main offensive weapon and can throw in the low-90's off the mound, said Foley coach Mike Beier in a story for Prep Baseball Report.