Two of the best teams in the Granite Ridge Conference collide for the first of two regular-season meetings on Tuesday when No. 3-2A Albany hosts No. 8-2A St. Cloud Cathedral.
St. Cloud Cathedral opened its season on April 10 with a 5-0 victory over Little Falls. The Crusaders got three hits from Grant Wensmann in the win, and teammates Steven Ellingson and Caleb Leinz tallied two hits apiece, while starting pitcher Andrew Rott threw five innings, recording five strikeouts, two walks and two hits surrendered.
The Crusaders (1-1, 1-1) dropped their next game to Foley in a 2-0 decision on April 15 and they look to bounce back against the rival Huskies.
Albany (2-0, 1-0) outscored its first two opponents of the season 24-1, highlighted by Huskies pitcher Ethan Navratil racking up 13 strikeouts in five no-hit innings in an 11-0 blowout of Mora on April 15.