Knights put up six runs, Crimson late rally not enough

Box Score 4/20/2026

STMA 6, Maple Grove 5

Senior Evan O'Dwyer (GS L 5IP 8H 6R 3ER 0BB 3K) started on the bump for Maple Grove, working hard against a strong southerly wind blowing out to left field, as well as some STMA bats ready to play. O'Dwyer gave up single runs in the first, second, and third innings, while the Crimson bats struggled to get going, producing only one base-runner (via walk) in the second inning - a runner who was subsequently erased on a questionable double play call.

In the bottom of the fifth, an error and a single set the stage for a two-out, three-run home run from STMA's Taylan Siens (his second of the game). Now facing a six-run deficit, the Maple Grove offense awakened. After a one-walk from senior Preston Berg (0/1 3BB), senior Oliver Taynton (1/4 HR R 3RBI) lofted a long fly ball to left center field for his first home run of the season. The Crimson followed the long ball by loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch for senior Connor Wilhm (2/3 2RBI), a single by junior Damian Seubert (1/4), and a walk from sophomore Kellen Sargent (0/3 BB). However, a pop out and a ground out ended the fifth-inning rally.

Sophomore Brogan Stowe (IP 0H 0R K) sent the Knights down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth, and MG continued their scoring in the seventh. Senior Ian Farley (2/4 2B R) led off with a double down the left field line and two subsequent walks loaded the bases. Taynton followed with an RBI ground out to first and Wihlm's two-run single to right brought the defecit to a single run. At 6-5, STMA's reliever finally found his groove and squashed the rally with two strikeouts, ending the comeback and the game.

Next up for the Crimson: Edina comes to Gleason, 4:30pm, Wednesday

2026 Minnesota High School Preview: Maple Grove

March 14, 2026 | Andy Judkins | State Director, Prep Baseball Minnesota

The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement is building throughout Minnesota. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there is no shortage of talented players and teams across the land of 10,000 lakes. Prep Baseball Minnesota strives to be the most comprehensive source of player information across the state. Prep Baseball is the number one resource for high school baseball in each state that we cover through various events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, and multimedia platforms. Our multimedia platforms and events work together, creating each state's most potent high school baseball promotion source. While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state. Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our Player of the week and Diamond Notes, covering all the bases across the state of Minnesota.

Maple Grove Crimson

High School: Maple Grove
Conference: Lake Conference
2025 Record (Finish): 14-11 (2nd in Section 5AAAA)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

+ Evan O'Dwyer - Augustana University commit

+ Joey Limric

+ Beckett Shimpa - Stanford commit

+ Preston Berg - Bethel University commit

+ Connor Wihlm

+ Oliver Taynton - Marshalltown Community College commit

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

+ Max Wegwerth

+ Brogan Stowe

ALUMNI IN COLLEGE

+ Aiden Hansen - North Carolina A&T

+ Chayton Fischer - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

+ Ethan Zimmerman - St. Scholastica

+ Zane Vitense - Ohio-Wesleyan

+ Cole Newell - Concordia-St Paul*

+ Brian O'Dwyer - University of Wisconsin Superior*

+ Sam Kliber - University of Minnesota Duluth*

+ Zac Ruhr - St Olaf College*

+ Ian Schock - Dakota County Technical College*

+ Maddex Van Slooten - Hamline*

ALUMNI IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL

+ Isaac Collins - Kansas City Royals (MLB)*

*additional alumni who were not listed in prep baseball minnesota article

TEAM OUTLOOK

“We return a deep pitching staff and a lot players with Varsity experience. The boys are excited going into the 2026 season playing in a new conference and have high expectations.” – Jeff Peterson, head coach

Find more information on the 2026 Maple Grove program below:

+ Follow them on X: @BaseballCrimson
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Minnesota, 2026 HS Team Previews

Congrats to our current college commitments: Oliver Taynton ('26) - Marshalltown (IA), Beckett Shimpa ('27) - Stanford (CA); Preston Berg ('26) - Bethel (MN); Evan O'Dwyer ('26) - Augustana (SD); Ian Farley ('26) - Marshalltown (IA)