Duluth Denfeld vs.

Duluth Marshall

7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 20

Duluth Marshall has been among the top small-school programs for several years now, competing in three consecutive Class 2A state tournaments culminating in the Hilltoppers winning the state title in 2019. 

But now the program enters a period of uncertainty. Between last year’s season being scrapped, and the departure of coach Joe Wicklund who’s now at Duluth Denfeld, the Hilltoppers are starting fresh again and could use a boost at the expense of their old skipper.

Duluth Marshall (1-1, 0-0) has flashed some offensive firepower so far this season. The Hilltoppers lost a 12-10 slugest to Hibbing in 11 innings on April 14 and they beat Two Harbors 15-5 two days later. 

Seniors Daniel and Vance Johnson, Finn Prell and Oscar Timm are holdovers from the Duluth Marshall team that won state two years ago.

The Hunters, who compete in Class 3A, also want to get back to the Twin Cities after making a tourney appearance in 2019. Owen Hilderman smacked an RBI single to score Andy Larson in the bottom of the eighth inning to power Duluth Denfeld (2-0, 1-0) to a 4-3 triumph over Grand Rapids on April 15.