Pierz and Maple Lake have dominated the Central Minnesota Conference the past two seasons.
They shared the conference crown last spring, and Pierz went 20-4 in Central Minnesota play the last two years while Maple Lake put up an impressive 23-3 mark over that same span. They both also had consecutive Class 2A state tournament bids during that span
In fact, the only league losses these teams suffered last season were at the hands of the other, when they split a doubleheader.
Both teams look just as strong this year with a combined 8-0 record while outscoring opponents by an astonishing 123-15, setting up our featured Top Game of the Week.
The Pioneers (3-0, 2-0) have left scorched earth in their offense's wake. Led by Alex Funk, the Pioneers have scored 59 runs in three games. Funk was 4-for-4 with a double, triple and five RBI during a 24-2 win over Milaca last Friday.
The Irish (5-0, 4-0) bats are similarly hot, with them coming off a 13-0 throttling of Norwood-Young America last Friday.
Meanwhile, Maple Lake's defense has held opponents to one run or less five times already this season, a stout trend it'll hope to extend when facing Pierz.
In two starts, senior Grant Mergen has pitched nine innings — all scoreless — allowing three hits, one walk and striking out 17 for the Irish.
-- Second game to follow.