In Class A Faribault Bethlehem Academy moved up a notch due to a close game with Class 2A top rated Randolph last week. Fellow Gopher Conference member United South Central is still atop the smallest schools in the state.
Randolph, Bethlehem Academy, United South Central, Mankato East, Mankato West, Byron, Stewartville, Lyle/Pacelli, Southland, Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Prior Lake, are all rated.
Randolph had one senior on this year's title team. Mankato East repeated as Class 3A champion to continue the Big Nine Conference dominance of the class. 7 of 8 titles to 5 different Big Nine schools.
Winona plays in third place game of Class 3A. Blooming Prairie saw their great season come to an end at the State Fastpitch Softball Tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato.
Section 1 is represented by Blooming Prairie, Randolph, Winona and New Prague. All those teams did receive a top 4 seed with coaches in the tournament conducting the voting.
Bethlehem Academy Cardinals (20-2) opens with #5 seed Edgerton/SW MN Christian (16-6). #1 seed Randolph (22-1) have a very tough draw in Upsala (23-2).