Foley vs. Pierz

4:30 p.m., Friday, April 13

Pierz defeated Foley in the Class 2A, Section 6 finals last season, helping continue a postseason run that ended with the Pioneers finishing as the state runner-up behind Minnehaha Academy.

This year, the Falcons are ready to swoop in on an inexperienced Pierz team and gain footing as an early section favorite with a victory on Thursday — one that will end the Pioneers' winning streak.

Pierz defeated Foley four times last season, but the Pioneers graduated four of their top five hitters from the state tournament lineup, including Class 2A player of the year Matt Tautges.

Preston Rocheleau seems primed to take over the heavy lifting. Last year, he batted cleanup while posting an 8-0 record with a 0.12 ERA on the mound, the St. Cloud Times reported.

Foley counters with a battery returning its top two pitchers from a team that won 17 games a season ago. Alex Foss and Alec Dietl combined for a 1.52 ERA across 77 innings, while St. Cloud State commit Eon VonWald is the anchor behind the plate for the Falcons.