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Champlin Park Beats Maple Grove for Section 5AAAA Title
Friday, June 6, 2025
The evening didn’t start out well for the Champlin Park baseball team, but in the end the Rebels came out on top, beating Maple Grove to win the Section 5AAAA title. Maple Grove, with one loss in the double elimination tournament, came into the night needing two wins for the championship, while Champlin Park just needed to win once. Game one went Maple Grove’s way, with a five-run second inning providing all of the scoring in a 5-0 win.
Preston Berg hit a solo homerun for the Crimson, while Beckett Shimpa was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI’s. Evan O’Dwyer pitched a complete game three-hitter for the Crimson. Each team scored a run in the first inning of game two. Maple Grove grabbed a 3-1 lead on two-run double by Shimpa in the third, but Champlin Park erupted for five runs in the fourth on the way to a 6-3 win. Evan Nordby pitched 6 1/3 solid innings to earn his third win over Maple Grove this season. Kellan Oligmueller was 2-for-4 with an RBI and got the final two outs on the mound for the Rebels. Champlin Park is headed to state for the fifth time, and first since 2017. The state class AAAA tournament starts Wednesday at CHS Field in St. Paul.
Champlin Park Baseball Beats Maple Grove to Advance to Section Final
Monday, June 2, 2025
The Champlin Park baseball team stayed unbeaten in the Section 5AAAA tournament with a 7-2 win over Maple Grove in the winner’s bracket final Saturday. The Rebels scored single runs in the first and third innings on sacrifice flies. They added two runs in the fourth and put it away with three in the sixth on the way to the win. Evan Nordby pitched a complete game for the Rebels, allowing one earned run.
Champlin Park advances to the section final round, needing one win to qualify for state. Maple Grove, Mounds View, and Osseo are still alive in the loser’s bracket.
@MSHSBCA (MN Baseball Coaches)
@MSHSBCA (MN Baseball Coaches)
"Congratulations to Maple Grove's Connor Johnson on being named a Metro North All Star!"
minnesota state high school baseball coaches association
Waconia, Minnesota—It was cold. The kind of cold that cuts straight through layers of any high-tech fashion conceived by humans.
The weather shifted quickly heading into the weekend. First came the wind. On Thursday, a strong northerly wind that carried the remnants of arctic air back into the overheating prairies uprooted a tent installation in the parking lot of Waconia’s Lions Field and flung it toward a neighboring county. Tents, signage, and untethered small children ran the risk of being whisked away by a gust of wind. Rain followed on Friday; a slow drip blanketed the region and dampened everything the eye could see. By late Friday night, the insidious cold had infested the community.
Awaking Saturday morning, teams checking their weather apps would be greeted by highs reaching only the upper 40s while a “feels like temp” in the 30s would hit harder than any chirp from the dugout. As one observer noted, this would be fantastic weather in late March to get the players some outdoor reps. But for late May? After a week of upper 80s temps? Woof.
Nevertheless, Baseball Day Minnesota 2025 persisted, because Minnesotans are tough.
Besides, this weather was no different than the kind the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers play 80% of their season in. The northern warriors disembarked the bus in their long sleeves, layers, and shiesties. The Thunderhawks from Montevideo, straight west of Waconia, did the same. Minnesota players are just built different. A little chill was not going to stop them.
It also did not stop thousands of people from entering the gate at Lions Field, and using the $1.7 million grandstand to provide ample windbreak. It did not stop the hundreds of Waconia-based volunteers from being gracious hosts and caretakers at their crown jewel facility. It did not stop the St. Paul Saints’ Mudonna and the Minnesota Twins’ TC Bear from entertaining the shivering masses. It did not stop the eight schools from providing the fans with high quality on-field action.
Baseball Day Minnesota would not be stopped.
GAME SUMMARY
Josten’s Player of the Game: Evan O'Dwyer
+ Maple Grove opened the scoring in the bottom of the third when third baseman Preston Berg drew a bases-loaded walk off of reliever Sawyer Shewmake to score Kaden Harney. + First baseman Connor Johnson would expand the Crimson lead with a solo shot in the third. That marked Johnson’s third home in as many games. He would finish the day 2-for-4 with an RBI, stolen base, and two runs scored. + Later that same inning, Vince Lenmark would score Oliver Taynton on a sacrifice fly to center while Joey Limric would plate Connor Wihlm with a single through the right side to put Maple Grove up 4-0. The Crimson would add one more in the 6th on an RBI single from Wihlm, scoring Johnson. + Mounds View was limited to just one hit, a fly ball single in the 3rd by Robbie Price that fell in no-man’s land in shallow left. Overall, the Mustangs put just six men on base.
UNCOMMITTED STANDOUTS
+ Evan O’Dwyer (2026, RHP) was a tough puzzle for Mounds View to solve. The righty was up to 87 from a lower three-quarter slot and flipping in sweeping breaking balls to keep hitters off balanced.
+ Connor Johnson (2025, 1B) is technically planning on attending St. Thomas but not necessarily for baseball. With the heater he is on, the right-handed hitting first baseman may want to reconsider. He’s now hitting .356/.472/.678 with 5 home runs on the season.
+ Joey Limric (2026, OF) was summoned from the Maple Grove [JV] team just nine games ago and has been making his presence felt all over the field. In center, he made two spectacular catches to save extra base hits, including one on the warning track. He also barreled a ball through the right side of the infield for an RBI single. He’s hitting .357/.419/.429 in 33 plate appearances and giving the Crimson a new dimension.
Baseball Day Minnesota 2025: Takeaways, Key Moments, Committed & Uncommitted Standouts
May 19, 2025
Parker Hageman
Upper Midwest, Prep Baseball
May 10, 2025
Theo Tollefson
Special to Prep Baseball Minnesota
Two of the top teams in Class 4A, Section 5AAAA will go head-to-head during the upcoming Baseball Day Minnesota, as Maple Grove and Mounds View square off in a highly anticipated matchup.
Maple Grove is coming off a .500 season, where they dropped six one-run games and were eliminated in the second round of the section tournament—ironically, by Mounds View. The Mustangs, meanwhile, rebounded from a first-round state exit the previous year to finish as the Class 4A runner-up in 2024, falling just short to East Ridge in the championship game.
“We were in all the games last year,” said Maple Grove head coach Jeff Peterson. “It was just the growing pains—mistakes you make as a sophomore or freshman at the varsity level. This year, though, we’ve got high expectations with a strong group of juniors ready to lead.”
One of the youngest teams in the Northwest Suburban Conference last season, Maple Grove returns with more experience and a hungry core, led by junior captain Evan O’Dwyer.
“There’s a core group of us who’ve played together for eight, nine years,” said O’Dwyer. “We know each other well—what we’re good at, what we need to work on. This year, there’s a fire in us. We’re antsy to get back at it. Last year ended too soon, and we want another shot at CHS Field.”
Maple Grove last reached the state tournament in 2022, when O’Dwyer was an eighth grader watching from the stands. That year, his older brother Brian O'Dwyer helped lead the Crimson to a third-place finish. Brian now plays infield at UW-Superior, while Evan, now a team captain, is focused on bringing his own squad back to Target Field for a shot at the title.
“Just being in the stands back then, part of that Crimson wave... bringing back a state championship would be an amazing feeling,” he said.
The rematch with Mounds View in this year's Baseball Day Minnesota is more than just an exhibition—it’s a chance for redemption.
“Playing them is always a grind. It’s actually our last game before sections start, so it’s always a great battle,” said Peterson. “Even last year, when we were young, we played them tough.”
O’Dwyer echoed the sentiment.
“There’s definitely a rivalry with Mounds View. We’ve got a lot of motivation to beat them after the last couple of years. It’s going to be a competitive game—we’re all excited for it.”
Regardless of the outcome on May 17, Peterson says the opportunity to represent Maple Grove in Baseball Day Minnesota is an honor.
“Our baseball programs took a hit after COVID, but that 2022 state run really brought excitement back,” said Peterson. “Events like Baseball Day are helping grow the game again in our community.”
He added: “When I talk to people around here, I compare it to Hockey Day Minnesota—and hockey is huge in Maple Grove. One of the biggest associations in the country. But our youth program, OMEGA, has been fired up about baseball lately. This event is a great chance to keep building that momentum.”
#𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐌𝐍𝟐𝟓: 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞
Tickets are now on-sale for this year's 𝘽𝘼𝙎𝙀𝘽𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙉𝙀𝙎𝙊𝙏𝘼.
Secure your tickets in advance and save $2. Kids 12 & under wearing their baseball/softball jerseys are free!
Waconia Senior High School Events http://loom.ly/2_H2ERk
BASEBALL DAY MINNESOTA - PRESALE | Baseball - Boys Varsity | Sat, May 17, 2025
Wayzata Baseball Keeps Bats Hot, Knock Off Maple Grove
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
The Wayzata baseball team kept their hot streak going, defeating Maple Grove 13-7 to earn their seventh win in their last eight games.
The Trojans scored in all but two innings, including a five-run third inning that was highlighted by a Cruz Sturm grand slam. Kieran Leatherman also had a multiple RBI game including a solo home run in the second inning. Maple Grove did get some scoring later in the game with a 2-RBI single from Kaden Harney and a 2-run home run from Connor Johnson, but the Trojans were too much, earning the non-conference win. Elias Leach earned the win on the mound.
Champlin Park Baseball Edges Maple Grove in Pitchers' Duel
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
In a game where pitching and defense took center stage, the Champlin Park baseball team beat visiting Maple Grove 2-1 Tuesday. Champlin Park’s Evan Nordby pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out six. Matthew Kuno of Maple Grove was just about as sharp, allowing five hits and striking out four in six innings. Christian Dull drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning for the Rebels.
Champlin Park improved to 9-5 while Maple Grove dropped to 5-8.
** To watch our full coverage, click here **
Looking to get back in the win column after an inconsistent start to the season, Maple Grove Baseball gave a good effort attempting to rally for a come-from-behind win against Robbinsdale Armstrong but it fell two runs short.
Connor Wihlm (two) and Maddex Van Slooten recorded Maple Grove’s only hits of the game as the Crimson lost 6-4. Vince Lenmark had the only RBI. Beckett Shimpa, Brody Berglin, Gavin Kustermann and Van Slooten scored. Beckett Shimpa (L) allowed two unearned runs with two strikeouts in two innings. Ian Schock struck out seven batters in 4.1 innings but allowed four runs. Berglin struck out a batter in 0.2 innings out of the bullpen.
In a 2-1 game entering the seventh, Robbinsdale Armstrong scored four in the top of the frame, increasing the lead to five. With one out, Berglin and Gavin Kustermann drew walks and the bases were loaded after Van Slooten was hit by a pitch.
Berglin and Kustermann scored after Lenmark and Shimpa both drew bases-loaded walks. Van Slooten brought the Crimson within two after he scored on a wild pitch but that’s where the rally ended. Wihlm drew another walk after Van Sloot scored but a strikeout and a fly-out ended the game.
Totino-Grace beat the Crimson 4-1 on April 29. Shimpa drove in Ian Farley during the bottom of the third. Farley and Berglin had doubles. Evan O'Dwyer (L) struck out seven in five innings and allowed three unearned runs. Matthew Kuno had one K over two innings. Maple Grove (4-7) played Rogers at Crimson Field on May 5. They played at Champlin Park on May 6 and at Blaine on Thursday, May 8. They begin a four-game over a five-day stretch when the Crimson hosts Wayzata on Monday, May 12, and Coon Rapids on Tuesday, May 13. They play at St. Michael-Albertville High School on Wednesday, May 14 and Edina on Thursday, May 15. After a one-day break, the Crimson play Mounds View at Lions Field in Waconia on Saturday, May 17. The regular season comes to an end at Castle Field on Wednesday, May 21, against Anoka.
Totino-Grace Starts Fast, Beats MG for 3rd Straight Win
Tuesday, April 28, 2025
Three runs scored in the first inning propelled the Totino-Grace baseball team to a 4-1 win on the road at Maple Grove. Tommy Heifort’s stand-up double in the first inning was the kickstart for the Eagles; that was followed by a Tyler Hand 2-run single. Totino-Grace added some insurance in the top of the sixth when Brady Keane’s single drove in another run.
Kellan Westphal earned the win on the mound for TG while Joe McGeary came in to close. The Crimson’s lone run came from an RBI single from Beckett Shimpa in the third inning.
The Eagles are now 8-2 on the season while MG drops to 4-6.
Maple Grove Baseball Falls to Buffalo
Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Maple Grove baseball team lost its third straight game Wednesday, falling 7-2 to Buffalo in a non-conference game.
Nolen Mullenbach hit a two-run double in the third inning and Caleb Johnson bashed a three-run homer in the fifth to lead the Buffalo hitting attack. Aiden Marconett pitched five innings for the win for the Bison. Oliver Taynton knocked in both of Maple Grove’s runs with a fourth-inning single.
Maple Grove is now 3-4 with the loss; Buffalo improved to 3-2.
Maple Grove Baseball Doubles-Up Eden Prairie
Monday, April 14, 2025
Maddex Van Slooten recorded three RBI’s, with Connor Wihlm and Brody Berglin each adding two RBI’s in Maple Grove baseball’s 10-5 win over Eden Prairie.
After the Eagles scored on a home run in the first inning, the Crimson rattled off seven unanswered runs. Wihlm hit two ground-rule doubles over the fence, first in the fourth inning and then again in the sixth. Ian Schock earned the win on the mound, striking out five and only giving up three runs.
Over the weekend, Maple Grove lost to Mahtomedi 4-3.
Maple Grove Baseball Preps for Strong Season
Friday, April 4, 2025
The Maple Grove baseball team is still fairly young but has a lot of experience returning, led by a strong junior class.
The Crimson enter the season ranked seventh in the class AAAA pre-season coaches poll.
They’ll have a good pitching staff and strong defense; improving the hitting from last season being a primary goal.
Among the key players to watch: (SS) Kaden Harney, (1B/P) Evan O’Dwyer, and (C) Connor Wihlm, all juniors; plus senior (OF/P) Brody Berglin.
Brewers' Isaac Collins: Secures Opening Day spot
By RotoWire Staff Mar 26, 2025 at 12:09 pm ET
The Brewers announced Wednesday that Collins will be included on the Opening Day roster, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Collins brings good speed to the table and has the ability to play the outfield as well as second base and third base, all of which were factors in the Brewers' decision to carry him on the Opening Day roster as a bench player. He posted a .329 OPS over 11 games in the majors in 2024 and is unlikely to see significant playing time while he's up with Milwaukee.
March 14, 2025 | Andy Judkins | State Director, Prep Baseball Minnesota
MAPLE GROVE CRIMSON
MAPLE GROVE CRIMSON
Head Coach: Jeff Peterson (3 seasons, 42-30)
Class: 4A
Conference: Northwest Suburban
2024 Record: 11-11
X: @BaseballCrimson
Impact Players:
Evan O'Dwyer, RHP, 2026
4-1, 1.63 ERA, 43 IP, 41 K
Beckett Shimpa, LHP/1B, 2027
22 IP, 28 K, 2.60 ERA
Brody Berglin, RHP, 2025
4-0, 2 S, 18 IP, 25 K
Matt Kuno, RHP, 2025
18 IP, 18 K
Ian Schock, LHP, 2025 (DCTC commit)
Gavin Kustermann, SS/RHP, 2026
Coach's Comment:
"We are returning most of our starters this season and have a strong group of returners who have grinded for two seasons at the varsity level the past two seasons as Freshman and Sophomores. Our pitching will be our strong point, if we can put runs on the board we will have a successful 2025 campaign. We have a ton of arms returning this season as sophs and juniors who are very good on the hill. Our pitching should be really good! Got to hit the ball and we can go a long ways."
Crimson Alum Isaac Collins Debuts with the Crew
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