Chatfield Gophers (three seniors, 15 juniors, one sophomore). Head Coach: Brian Baum. 2016: 9-7 in TRC, 14-10 overall (1AA East and Section Runner-Up), lost to Pine Island in Section final. Key returnees: Braden Brehmer (senior P/IF > All-1AA East), Nick Maki (senior OF), Jake Mandt (junior C/3B), Ben Ihrke (junior P/OF). Gophers graduated an 11-man senior class, All-TRC picks Aaron Paulson, Tristin Aguiar, and Carter Duxbury. There will be a lot of new influx.
FC/L Falcons (eight senior/juniors, three sophomores). Head Coach: Keith Larson. 2016: 5-12 (TRC), 10-15 (overall); lost to Chatfield 15-14 in eight (walk-off HR) in the Sub-Section Final Three. Key returnees: Samuel Peters (senior P/2B > All-TRC, All 1AA-East), Cole Schwichtenberg (senior P/3B > All-TRC, All 1AA East), Collin Scott (senior P/OF), Riley Means (senior SS/OF), Walker Ward (senior C), Colten Kraling (junior P), Logan Corson (junior 2B), Sam Rustad (senior 1B). FC/L started last year 3-13 (0-6 in one-run games), but finished 7-2. Peters, Schwichtenberg, Means, Scott, and Ward all started on 2015’s Section Third Place team.
GMLOK Bulldogs (three seniors, six juniors, five sophomores, seven freshmen). Head Coach: Jamie Fenske. 2016: 6-11 (TRC), 8-13 (overall); lost in 1AA West quarters. Key returnees: Zach Myhre (junior OF > All-TRC), Brenn Olson (senior P/2B), Zach Bubany (junior P/SS), Drew Copley (sophomore P/IF), Ethan Fenske (junior 3B). Bulldogs hosted a home play-off game last year. The eight wins was the most since 2006, and more than the previous four years combined. Olson, Myhre, and Bubany are third-year starters.
R-P Trojans (two seniors/sophomores, seven juniors, one freshman). Head Coach: Dan Mlsna. 2016: 3-14 (TRC), 5-16 (overall); lost in 1A East quarters. Key returnees: Ethan Anderson (senior 1B), Dawson Dahl (junior C), Shawn Marg (junior OF), Nolan Mueller (sophomore IF), Ben Ansell (junior P/3B), Carter Weidemann (sophomore C), Keagan Dittman (junior 2B). Trojans lost their sole All-TRC player Mason McManimon-Myers. Anderson is a fourth-year player. Dahl, Ansell, and Marg are third-year players.
Houston Hurricanes. Head Coach: Jamie Carrier. 2016: 3-7 in SEC, 3-16 overall; lost in 1A quarters. Key returnees: Jaytin Millen (sophomore), Joey Fishel (sophomore P), James Hongerholt (sophomore), Damon Carrier (junior 1B), Brady Happel (junior).
M-C Cougars (three seniors, four juniors/freshmen, two sophomores). Head Coach: Karl Urbaniak. 2016: 4-6 in SEC, 5-12 overall; lost in a 1A East quarter. Key returnees: Drew Wyffels (sophomore P/SS, All-SEC), Logan Richardson (junior P/IF), Mike Selness (junior P/IF), Parker Ingvalson (freshman IF), Talon Peterson (senior OF).