But most coaches also know that oftentimes, mastering the regular season does not translate to mastering the postseason – where dominant pitching and hot streaks often prevail, and records and reputations can potentially become a burden.

Throughout the last two months, Maple Grove has shown it is capable of winning all kinds of games in all sorts of ways. Now, with a stunningly dominant season behind it and perhaps the state’s most challenging section ahead, the only question remains whether the Crimson will be able to weather the pressure, the competition and the unique playoff format to turn their undefeated season into a state crown.

“I think getting to the state tournament takes a combination … of very good players, good coaching … and sometimes a little luck,” said Coon Rapids’ coach Jerry Coe, who faced the Crimson twice this year, losing two close games and could potentially see them again in 5AAA sectional play.

He’ll be the first to say Maple Grove has combined all of those things thus far this season, which has accounted for their dominance. The team has scored in double digits and eeked out one-run games, sprayed homers and pushed guys along with steals and bunts. But while the Crimson, coached by Darby Carlson, have always been highly respected around the league, most – including the Crimson themselves -- were not calling for a lossless season from any team in the highly competitive Northwest Suburban Conference.

“I knew we’d be competitive, but I don’t think you go into any season thinking you’re going to run the table,” Darby said. “We’ve played some good baseball on our end and we’ve gotten some breaks on the other end – I guess, that we’re undefeated, maybe that would be a surprise.”

Added Totino Grace coach Mike Smith--whose squad lost in section quarter finals: “It’s not a surprise they were really good. But to go through that schedule and not even drop one – that’s the part that’s kind of amazing.”

The challenges do not stop now. One of the unique characteristics of the Crimson is that while they have a rotation full of solid pitchers—all obviously perfect in record-- they don’t have a true ace, something other teams could benefit from, especially in the state tournament this season, in which there is a four-day gap between the semi-finals and the championship game.

“It is what it is for us,” Carlson said. “It’d be nice to have a Division 1 pitcher and a knockout guy that you could put out there but we don’t, so we don’t worry about it.”

Before then, Smith said, that quality could help the Crimson.

“It’s also kind of nice when you have seven or eight guys that you can kind of just roll out there and know they’ve done the job all year,” he said.

Another test for Maple Grove will be handling the widely targeted role that comes with owning the best record.

“Everybody kind of wants to be the team that gives them their first loss, especially this time of year,” Smith said.

Coe pointed out that because of that reputation that ensures every opponent’s best game and best pitcher, sometimes it’s not the team that has been the best all season that wins out in the playoffs. In 2008, Coon Rapids came into the postseason with a record hovering around .500. But with not much expected of them, they breeze through the playoffs and ended up winning the state tournament.

“I was saying the other day, maybe had they lost one or two along the way, they might be better off,” Coe said.

But Crimson senior Karl Sorensen insists pressure isn’t even a factor with his team.

“We kind of know that we have a bullseye on our chest … but I don’t think that bothers us,” he said. “The last couple years, I feel like we’ve been on the verge, but this season has just given us confidence that this is the year. I hope it is.”