By Nick Gerhardt
Scoremonster Contributor
The landscape of the Class B rankings remained largely the same as the season has started. Two-time defending champion Miesville remained at No. 1 largely behind a 2-1 season-opening win over Northfield (and the fact the Mudhens have won the last two state championships). Last year’s runner-up Chanhassen stayed at No. 2 and have opened this year 2-0 behind a 7-5 win over Forest Lake and a 4-1 win over Jordan. Moorhead, which opens the year Wednesday, stayed at No. 3 based on last year’s finish and Dundas remained at No. 4. The Dukes have gone 6-1 to start the year, knocking off Class A teams the Minneapolis Cobras and St. Louis Park in that span.
Perennial contender Cold Spring moved into the No. 5 spot, displacing Northfield, which fell 2-1 to Miesville Sunday. The Springers have an impressive 9-4 victory over last year’s Class A champion Minnetonka, along with a 6-4 win over Raymond, the 2016 Class C champion.
Blaine climbed a spot to No. 6 and started its season Tuesday while Northfield dropped to No. 7 despite winning two of its first three games.
Chaska moved up two spots to No. 8 after a 5-1 start and Elko claimed the No. 9 spot after defeating Dundas 4-3 May 18. The Express have a three-game winning streak after beginning the year 1-3. Sauk Rapids grabbed the No. 10 spot and will begin its season Saturday against St. Joesph.
Matt Marek – Champlin
1. Miesville
2. Chanhassen
3. Moorhead
4. Dundas
5. Cold Spring
6. Northfield
7. Blaine
8. Chaska
9. St. Cloud Beaudreau’s
10. Shakopee
Kelly McMonagle – Fargo/Moorhead
1. Miesville: Two-time defending champs keep rolling along
2. Chanhassen: Redbirds firing out the gate to start the season with some quality wins
3. Moorhead: Open the season on Wednesday hosting Fergus Falls
4. Cold Spring: Talented Springers begin the year with three straight Ws- among them wins over Raymond and Minnetonka
5. Blaine: They always field a top notch schedule and rack up a plethora of wins. I hear they added some quality pitching to boot as well.
6. Dundas: The Dukes open the year winning six of seven
7. Northfield: Close loss to Miesville on Sunday
8. Chaska: Nice start for the Cubs has them at 5-1
9. Shakopee: After a tight victory over Coon Rapids they fall to Jordan on Sunday
10. Elko: Handed Dundas its only loss – they play a tough schedule every year
Aaron Olson – Shakopee
1. Miesville
2. Chanhassen
3. Moorhead
4. Cold Spring
5. Blaine
6. Dundas
7. Sauk Rapids
8. Chaska
9. St. Cloud Beaudreau’s
10. Elko
Eric Kraushar – Chaska
1. Miesville – Nice 2-1 win to open things versus Northfield May 20 (10)
2. Chanhassen – 10-runned St. Michael and Maple Lake, topped Forest Lake and Jordan, too (9)
3. Dundas – Already 6-1 with nice win over Champlin, a couple Class A teams (8)
4. Moorhead – First games this week
5. Northfield – My team to watch in 2018. Beat Hampton and Hastings, lost 2-1 to Miesville
6. Cold Spring – 3-0 start including win over Minnetonka
7. Elko – Blown out in three of first four games, rebounded to defeat Dundas, Eagan and Faribault
8. Blaine – 3-0 start
9. Chaska – 5-1 start. Won a well-played 2-1 ball game Sunday vs. St. Peter
10. Shakopee – 3-1 record, including win over Coon Rapids
Class B Rankings (As of May 22)
Tiebreaker went to the team with the highest single vote
1. Miesville (40)
2. Chanhassen (26)
3. Moorhead (31)
4. Dundas (28)
5. Cold Spring (25)
6. Blaine (19)
7. Northfield (15)
8. Chaska (11)
9. Elko (6)
10. Sauk Rapids (4)
Others receiving votes: Shakopee, St. Cloud Beaudreau’s
