Like softball, the baseball season starts with section changes. Rushford-Peterson and Fillmore Central/Lanesboro move up to the 16-team Section 1AA with Chatfield, Cale-donia, Cotter/Hope Lutheran, D-E, Goodhue, GMLOK, La Crescent/Hokah, Lake City, Pine Island, PEM, Red Wing, Rochester-Lourdes, St. Charles, and Z-M. Section 1A is 17 teams, Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons, Blooming Prairie, Hayfield, Houston, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lewiston-Altura, Lyle/Pacelli, Mabel-Canton, Medford, NRHEG, Schaeffer Academy, Southland, Spring Grove, United South Central, Wabasha-Kellogg, and W-E-M.
Caledonia Warriors
Head Coach: Shawn Bauer
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Warriors went 12-3 in the TRC-East and finished the regular season at 14-6. They then won four playoff games, falling twice to Section 1AA champion Pine Island 8-2 and 6-0. The Warriors finished as 1AA runner-up with an 18-8 record.
Seniors: Landon O’Heron (P/3B), Jack Schmitz (P/1B/OF), Caden Hauser (OF/P), Will Allen (P/OF/IF)
Juniors: Tyson Ginther (SS/P), Jacob Klug (C/2B), Owen VonArx (2B/OF), Noah Augedahl (OF)
Outlook: The Warriors took second in the TRC-East and second in Section 1AA a year ago, getting six All-TRC picks. Garrett Konz (P/1B) and Reid Klug (P/SS) were two big graduations, as they were two of the three most used pitchers, two of the best hitters. Konz (team-best .418 average, eight 2Bs, 15 RBI, 17 R; 56 2/3 IP, 3-4 record, 50 H, 24 R, 14 ER, 23 BB, team-best 82 Ks, team-low 1.73 ERA) was thrice All-TRC. Klug (.375 average, four 2B, 19 RBI, 16 R; 41 1/3 IP, 5-1 record, 36 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 21 BB, 28 K, 2.03 ERA) was twice All-TRC. But four All-TRC picks return in Landon O’Heron (P/3B), Tyson Ginther (SS/P), Will Allen (P/OF/IF), and Jack Schmitz (P/1B/OF). O’Heron (43 IP, 41 H, 25 ER, 23 ER, 18 BB, 50 K, 3.74 ERA; .236 average, eight RBI, 16 R) is the top returning pitcher, having gone 6-1 on the mound last year. He has twice been All-TRC. Ginther (.375 average, four 2B, 23 RBI, 13 R), Allen (.363 average, five 2B, 3B, 25 RBI, 18 R, 18 SB), and Schmitz (.356 average, five 2B, 3B, HR, 22 RBI, 21 R) are the team’s top three returning hitters. Allen led the team in RBIs last year while Schmitz had the team’s sole home run, the big one to help send them to the 1AA finals. Jacob Klug also returns as starting catcher. They are also Caledonia’s five returning starters, as five total senior starters graduated. Schmitz (16 1/3 IP, 2-2 record, 19 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 16 BB, 30 K), Allen (16 1/3 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 13 BB, 23 K), and Ginther (7 1/3 IP all got some pitching experience last year. Coach Bauer’s pitching rotation won’t be so intimidating without the 6’6” Klug and Konz throwing, but the Warriors again have athletes and returnees to be formidable.
Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Falcons
Head Coach: Josh Jones
Where We Left Off in 2025: Coming off a 1-20 campaign in 2024, the Falcons added many more wins in 2025, going 6-9 in the TRC and 9-11 overall in the regular season. But they fell to Lewiston-Altura 2-1 in the 1A Round of 16 and finished 9-12 overall (an eight-game win improvement).
Seniors: Thomas Pikula (P/IF), Clayton Schoepski (utility), Reid Olson (utility), Jarek Schultz (3B/P), Levi Rogers (P/C)
Juniors: Bridon Bahl (OF), Gavin Miller (IF), Joey Pederson (SS/P), Jackson Hildebrandt (OF), Hunter Goellner (OF) Logan Illg (utility/P), Carson Nagel (3B)
Outlook: FC/L improved greatly from 2024 to 2025 and graduated just three seniors. They return most of last year’s line including the squads two All-TRC picks in Joey Pederson (Jr. SS/P) and Levi Rogers (Sr. P/C). Rogers is a fourth-year player (.349 average, two 2B, HR, 14 RBI, 8 R; 13 2/3 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 24 K, 2.56 ERA) while Pederson was the Falcons most used pitcher last year (47 2/3 IP, 50 H, 29 R, 19 ER, 14 BB, 44 K, 2.79 ERA; .304 average, 14 RBI, team-high 18 R). From there, three All-TRC HM picks return in Clayton Schoepski (Sr. utility > team-best .350 average, 16 R), Bridon Bahl (Jr. OF > .288 average, three 2B, 3B, team-high 15 RBI, 8 R), and Thomas Pikula (Sr. P/OF > 32 1/3 IP, 6.71 ERA; 15 R). The latter was All-TRC in 2024. Starter Reid Olson (Sr. utility > 8 RBI) plus Jackson Hildebrandt (Jr. OF) and Jarek Schultz (Sr. P/3B) also played a lot last year. In Pederson, Pikula, Schultz, and Rogers, FC/L returns four arms to throw at least 13 innings. The continuity should help FC/L again win some (more) games, but they have moved up to Class AA for the post-season.
Chatfield Gophers
Head Coach: Brian Baum
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Gophers went 8-6 in the TRC-West, tying for second with PEM (8-6, 9-10) behind St. Charles (9-5, 17-8). Chatfield lost its opening round playoff game to Lourdes 12-2 and finished at 9-12.
Seniors: Kaisen Johnson (C/OF), Sam Ruskell (IF/OF), Jackson Bernard (P/1B), Brody Whalen (OF), Andrew Eickhoff (P/1B), Ryan Eickhoff (P/SS), Caden Voeltz (3B)
Juniors: Sam Carrier (SS), Ethan Bosma (OF), Max Ruskell (OF), Landon Horsman (1B), Cody Ramaker (C), Colter Milander (P/OF), Julian Peterson (OF), Paycey Ferguson (IF), Owen VanBuskirk (3B), Sean Kirchner (P/IF)
Outlook: Coming off a middle-of-the-road overall finish, though amidst TRC-West title contention, the Gophers had three All-TRC picks last year with two graduating, Westin Nolte (P/1B > .266 average, 11 RBI, team-high 15 R) and Chase Johnston (P/IF > team-high 43 1/3 IP, 3-3 record, 2.91 ERA, 38 H, 33 R, 18 ER, 35 BB, 45 K; 7 RBI, 12 R). Eight total seniors moved on. The Gophers’ sole returning All-TRC pick is Kaisen Johnson (Sr. C/OF), as he led the team in hitting last year (.290 average, 10 RBI, 12 R). Sean Kirchner (Jr. P/IF > .262 average, four 2B, 11 RBI; 21 1/3 IP, 3.28 ERA) also returns as he was All-TRC HM. Andrew Eickhoff (Sr. P/1B > 21 2/3 IP, 3-0 record, 12 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 13 BB, 24 K; .650 ERA), Brody Whalen (Sr. OF), and Jackson Bernard (Sr. P/1B) are three other notable returnees, but the Gophers have a ton on influx of new guys in new spots. Kirchner and A-Eickhoff are the top two returning pitchers while Johnson, Kirchner, and Whalen are the only returnees to see 50 or more plate appearances last year. Numbers are good though with 17 combined juniors and seniors.
Mabel-Canton Cougars
Head Coach: Paul Tollefsrud
Where We Left Off in 2025: Mabel-Canton went 7-7 in the SEC and 8-12 overall in the regular season. They then lost to Southland 3-1 in the 1A Round of 16 to finish at 8-13 overall.
Seniors: Kale Tollefsrud (OF/P), Issac Underbakke (IF/P), Darian Hershberger (IF/OF/P), Milton Hutchinson (1B/P)
Juniors: Kale Eiken (IF/OF/P), Brayden Helgeson (OF)
Key Returning Underclassmen: Brevyn Tollefsrud (So. C/IF), Nolan Garness (So. P/IF)
Outlook: M-C had four seniors last year with only All-SEC honorable mention pick Tyler Larson (C/P > 23 2/3 IP, 26 H, 21 R, 19 ER, 25 BB, 25 K, 5.62 ERA) playing in every game. The Cougars return both of their pure All-SEC picks, their top two pitchers, Issac Underbakke (Sr. P/SS) and Nolan Garness (So. P/IF). Underbakke repeated as All-SEC (40 2/3 IP, 3-5 record, 48 H, 40 R, 23 ER, 26 BB, team-best 54 K, 3.96 ERA; three 2B, team-best 19 R, 9 RBI, 14 SB). Garness was the most used pitcher as just a freshman (46 IP, 2-3 record, 39 H, 36 R, 14 ER, 22 BB, 51 K, team-best 2.13 ERA; .238 average, 11 R, 7 RBI). From there, regulars Kale Tollefsrud (Sr. OF/P > team-best.299 average, three 2B, HR, 12 RBI, 13 R), Kale Eiken (Jr. IF/OF/P > .268 average, 10 RBI, 11 R), Milton Hutchinson (Sr. 1B/P > .239 average, HR, 8 RBI, 7 R), Darian Hershberger (Sr. IF/OF/P > 29 IP, 3-1 record, 20 H, 10 R, 4 ER, 16 BB, 33 K; 6 RBI, 8 R), and Brevyn Tollefsrud (So. C/IF > 9 R) are returning starters. On top of their top three pitchers (Garness, Underbakke, Hershberger), the Cougars return their top six hitters by average (albeit none hit over .300). And it basically the same crew that led football to state and basketball to its best win-total in decades. By that measure, the Cougars should tilt somewhere on the plus side of .500 and try to make a run back to Austin like in 2024. M-C has 14 guys ages sophomore thru senior.
Rushford-Peterson Trojans
Head Coach: Blake Lea
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Trojans went 7-8 in the TRC and 8-12 in the regular season, falling to Wabasha-Kellogg 4-1 in the 1A Round of 16. R-P finished at 8-13.
Senior: Zach Baker
Juniors: Cayden Lea (P/SS), Carson Johnson (P/C/OF), Owen Lange (C/3B), Layne Peterson (OF), Grant DeGeorge (OF), Elias Johnson (P), Trevin Sublett
Outlook: R-P was just below five hundred in the TRC and overall last year, graduating four seniors. Two made All-TRC, Caden Johnson (P/1B > team-high 41 1/3 IP, 2.37 ERA; .245 average, 7 RBI, 10 R) and Jonah Bunke (team-best .343 average, six 2B, 12 RBI, 18 R, 16 SBs). Bunke was a two-time All-TRC pick. The sole returning All-TRC pick is Cayden Lea (Jr. P/IF > .319 average, 12 RBI, 6 R; 26 2/3 IP, 33 K, 2.60 ERA, .174 batting average against). Additionally, Carson Johnson returns after making All-TRC HM (Jr. C/OF/P > .288 average, 7 RBI, 10 R, 11 SB). Owen Lange (Jr. 3B/C > .246 average, 6 RBI), Elias Johnson (Jr. P > 40 1/3 IP, 3-2 record, 2.95 ERA), and Layne Peterson (OF) are three more key returnees. Lea and E-Johnson are the top returning pitchers. But on top of losing two starters from last year to graduation, some other would-be returnees are not of for baseball. Plus, returning starter Zach Baker (.250 average, four 2B, 13 RBI, 11 R), the teams’ only senior, hurt his knee is football and at best will not be back until very late in the season. Coach Lea’s team has the five experienced returnees, but he’ll get all his roles filled by 18 non-seniors. And the Trojans are now Class AA.
Spring Grove Lions
Head Coach: Chris Strinmoen, 10th season
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Lions were 8-6 (third place) in the SEC and 11-8 during the regular season, including a run-rule win at eventual section champion Hayfield. In the 1A opener, they defeated United South Central, 5-1, before falling to Blooming Prairie, 5-4, and Lewiston-Altura, 6-0, to finish at 12-10.
Seniors: Gabe Klug (P/3B), Kolton Nerstad (P/SS), Tysen Moen (1B), Jacob Solum (CF), Christian Bjerke (RF), Cashton Newgaard (3B), Karson Betcher (OF/P)
Juniors: Sam Klug (C), Gabe Van Minsel (IF/OF)
Key Returning Underclassmen: Ezra Konkel (So. LF/SS/P), Weston Ingvalson (So. 2B/P/OF), Ethan Rask (Fr. OF/P)
Outlook: Graduation claimed Class A All-State catcher and Lion M.V.P. Ezra Griffin (.411 average, .607 slugging, 15 RBIs, 2 HR; 17 IP, 2.06 ERA, .935 fielding percentage), who led SG in every batting statistic. Also graduated were a pair of two-time All-SEC standouts Ben Udstuen (43 2/3 IP, 4.03 ERA, .892 fielding) and Brandon Jahnke (31 1/3 IP, team-best 1.79 ERA plus team-bests 22 runs scored, 18 batting walks and .991 fielding) as well as outstanding outfielder Zach Brumm (.905 fielding, 14 SBs). Returning is All-SEC third baseman Gabe Klug (Sr. > .282 average, 13 RBIs; 18 1/3 IP, 1.91 ERA, 15 K, 10 BB, 2-0 record). Again, he will anchor the infield along with shortstop Kolton Nerstad (Sr. > .902 fielding; 25 2/3 IP, 19 K, 16 BB, 2-1 record). They are also the two most experienced pitchers, last year relievers, this year starters. Junior Sam Klug (.276 average, 10 RBIs, .965 fielding) returns with solid experience at catcher. Tysen Moen (Sr. 1B > .278 average, .444 slugging) and Weston Ingvalson (So. 2B > .200 average) start on the other side of the infield. Cashton Newgaard backs up Klug at third base. Two starting outfielders are back: Jacob Solum (Sr. > .246 average, 9 SBs) and Ezra Konkel (So. > .218 average, team-most 16 SB), the latter also a pitcher and backup at short when Nerstad pitches. Also due for outfield duty are senior Christian Bjerke and freshman Ethan Rask. Seven seniors are among 19 varsity players, including two 8th graders. SG has placed third in the SEC for six of the past eight seasons behind juggernauts Lyle/Pacelli and Southland.
Houston Hurricanes
Head Coach: Gabe McDowell (new)
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Hurricanes went 6-7 in the SEC and 7-12 in the regular season, falling to Goodhue in the 1A Round of 16 by 5-2 final. They finished at 7-13.
Seniors: Axel Vix (1B), Grayden Beckman (C/OF/IF)
Juniors: Hector Steinfeldt (P/IF), CJ Wruck (IF/OF/P), Elliott Frauenkron (OF/IF), Ryan Riederer (OF/C), Lincoln Stinson (OF/P), Coltin Groth (3B/P)
Key Returning Underclassmen: Archer Semling (So. OF/P).
Outlook: Houston had one of the area’s top players last year in Morgan Rohweder (P/SS > 45 IP, 3-2 record, 33 H, 38 R, 25 ER, 26 BB, 87 K, 3.89 ERA; team-high .475 average, seven 2B, 3B, HR, team-high 19 RBI, 18 R), a Class A All-State selection. He was one of two Hurricane All-SEC selections alongside Zach Olson (OF/IF > team second-best .397 average, three 2B, 3B, 10 RBI, team-high 22 R). Each were twice All-SEC, but each graduated. The Hurricanes return no All-SEC or All-SEC HM picks. Gabe McDowell takes over for long time coach Jason Carrier. Key returnees are Grayden Beckman (Sr. C/OF/IF > .356 average, 11 RBI, 12 R), Hector Steinfeldt (Jr. P/IF > .302 average, HR, 14 RBI, 11 R), CJ Wruck (Jr. IF/OF/P > 5 RBI, 11 R), Coltin Groth (Jr. 3B/P > .250 average, 8 RBI, 11 R), Ryan Riederer (Jr. OF/ C > .238 average, 8 R), Archer Semling (So. OF/P > 7 R), and Lincoln Stinson (Jr. OF/P). Steinfeldt (31 1/3 IP, 4.02 ERA), Groth (12 1/3 IP), and Semling (12 1/3 IP) are the most experienced returning pitchers. Rohweder threw 45 of a total of 119 2/3 innings last season. Houston had just three seniors last year, so everyone else is back to try to get team double-H on the plus side of .500 amidst a squad with eight combined junior and seniors, then underclassmen (only 20 out 9-12).
GMLOK Bulldogs
Head Coach: Brad Reiter
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Bulldogs went 7-7 in the SEC, 7-11 in the regular season. They fell to Pine Island 11-1 in the 1AA Round of 16 and finished at 7-12.
Seniors: Carter Strobel (P/OF), Jayden Smith (P/IF)
Juniors: Jackson Soltau (P/C/IF), Mason Janssen (P/IF), Aiden Wendt (1B)
Outlook: The Bulldogs had three All-SEC picks a year ago in Tyson Stevens (P/SS > .367 average, three 2B, three HR, team-high 21 R, 12 RBI; 34 1/3 IP, 3-2 record, 24 H, 32 R, 16 ER, 32 BB, 50 K, team-best 3.26 ERA), Caden Reiter (2B/P > team-best .370 average, three 2B, 14 RBI, team-high 19 R), and Blake Hershberger (P/C > team-high 38 2/3 IP, 36 H, 54 R, 29 ER, 33 BB, team-high 52 K, 5.05 ERA; .321 average, three 2B, 3B, 9 RBI, 11 R). All graduated with Stevens having accumulated four All-SEC nods in his time between Southland and GMLOK. Seven total seniors graduated and all played significantly. The Bulldogs return no honored players and have a very young squad with just five total juniors and seniors. Notable returnees are Carter Strobel (Sr. P/OF > .242 average, 5 RBI, 9 R), Jackson Soltau (Jr. P/C/IF > 8 R), and Mason Janssen (Jr. P/IF > .273 average in 15 plate appearances). The top four pitchers departed (Hershberger, Reiter, Stevens, Parker Johnson) as did the four guys to hit above .300, so it will be a major overhaul for Coach Brad Reiter. Completing the roster are six sophomores and nine freshmen.
Softball/Baseball: Gophers and Eagles Play 1-Run Games
On the same night, in the Dover-Eyota versus Chatfield rivalry, Eagle and Gopher baseball and softball teams each played one-run games. On the softball diamond, Chatfield was cruising, building a 5-0 lead. Junior pitcher Rylee Urban had no-hit bid ended with a one-out single in the sixth inning. But with the Gophers up 5-0 in the top of the seventh, after an out was recorded, five straight Eagles reached on two hits, two walks, and an error. D-E pulled to down 5-4 and had the tying run on third! The last out was recorded by strikeout on a foul-tip bunt. Chatfield held on by 5-4 final. Urban (7 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K, Win, 2-3, 2B, 2 R) led the way. Makenna Dornack (1-2, 2B, RBI, R) had one hit but it was the 100th of her career. Brynn Horsman (1-3, R), Kylie Sinn (1-3, RBI, R), Audrey Springer (1-2, 2B, RBI), and Ali Eickhoff (1-2, 2B) also contributed. D-E (11-3, 15-6) won the TRC-East over the Gophers (10-4, 19-6) last season. On the baseball diamond in Eyota, the teams went back-and-forth in the middle innings, Chatfield scoring five in the fourth to lead 6-3. D-E tied it in the bottom of the inning. Chatfield went ahead 8-6 in the top of the fifth only for the Eagles to go ahead 9-8 in the bottom of the frame. Gopher Sam Carrier drove in the tying run in the seventh to make it 9-9, but D-E loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame with no out and Owen Ihrke’s RBI-single was the game-winner. The Eagles prevailed 10-9. Ryan Eickhoff (4-4, RBI, 4 R) and Sean Kirchner (3-4, 3 RBI, 4 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 4 K) led the Gophers. Carrier (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Jackson Bernard (1-2, 2 R), and Andrew Eickhoff (1-3, RBI, R) helped. D-E walked seven and struck out nine. Chatfield walked 12 and struck out seven. It was both Gopher teams’ season openers.
Non-Conference Baseball (3/30 & 3/31)
GMLOK 2, Dover-Eyota 13 [5] (GMLOK: Noah Tangen 1-3; Carter Strobel 3 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 5 K, Loss. The Bulldogs managed just one hit, scored two first inning runs. Leading 5-2, D-E scored eight in the bottom of the fourth)
Blooming Prairie 8, Houston 4 (H: Coltin Groth 4-4, 3 RBI; Hector Steinfeldt 2-4, 2B, 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K; Archer Semling 1-3, 2 R, 2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, Loss. *Houston stats based off BP’s gamechanger.)
Kenyon-Wanamingo 18, GMLOK 9 (GMLOK: Charlee Warren 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R; Lennon Falck 2-4, R; Mason Janssen 1-2, 2B, RBI, R; Tate Rasmussen 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI; C. Strobel 1-2, R; Easton Johnson 1-2, 2 R. Bulldog pitching gave up 19 hits and walked nine. K-W had a nine-run top of seven to break a 9-9 tie)
Three Rivers Conference Softball (3/31)
Caledonia 28, Fillmore Central/Lanesboro 0 [4] (C: A. Augedahl 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K, Win, 3-3, 3 RBI; A. Reinhart 3-3, two 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R; Elsa Blum 3-3, 2 RBI, 4 R; B. Proulx 3-3, two 2B, 5 RBI, 4 R; V. Kittleson 3-5, 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R; Adrienne Lange 2-3, 3B, RBI, 3 R; Paizley Lange 2-2, RBI, 3 R; Raiya Goetzinger 1-2, 2B, 2 R; Lily Wiebke 1-2, 2B, 2 R. Junior pitcher Augedahl was four-innings perfect, recording 11 of 12 outs by strikeout, as the Warriors scored 22 in the first two innings.)
Southeast Conference Softball (3/31)
Southland 1, Houston 17 [4] (H: K. Klunder 3-3, two 2B, 6 RBI, 3 R; Rylee Boldt 3-4, 2 RBI, R; Kylie Stinson 2-3, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R; Claire Frauenkron 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, Win (3-0), 1-1, 2 R; Hailey Stark 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R; Aspen Peterson 1-2, RBI, 2 R; Olivia Yohe 1-1, 2 RBI, 2 R; Caidence Frauenkron 1-1, 3 R. In a matchup of the teams that shared the SEC softball title last season, Houston scored 14 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to end it by mercy rule. They out-hit the Rebels 14 to 3)
Non-Conference Softball (3/30 & 3/31)
Fillmore Central/Lanesboro 3, GMLOK 18 [4] (GMLOK: H. Warren 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R; Jaelee Hagstrom 3-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R; Mollie Voigt 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R; Macy Runck 2-2, RBI, 3 R; Gaby Glocke 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Paisley Schlee 1-3, 3 R; Zoey Chase 1-2, 2 R. FCL: G. Lieb 2-2, HR, 2 R, RBI; Josie Corson 1-2, R)
Hayfield 2, Spring Grove 8 (SG: C. Sherburne 2-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, career-high 17 K, 10 BB, Win; I. Kaufmann 1-4, HR, 2 RBI; Brinley Middendorf 1-3, R; Kallyn Morken 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Braelyn Middendorf 1-2, RBI, R. Sherburne pitched a two-hitter. SG had a seven-run second inning. Three of six Lion hits went for extra bases. SG > 0-0, 1-0)
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