Wayzata reached the state Class 3A tournament last spring where it ran into a quarterfinal roadblock in Coon Rapids. Star Tribune file photo
State baseball championships are exceedingly difficult to defend. The last team to win back-to-back titles was Cretin-Derham Hall in 1997-98.
That's bad news for Mounds View, last season's champ, but an encouraging history lesson for teams such as Lakeville North and Wayzaa. The high-powered Panthers and Trojans, both of whom reached last year's state Class 3A tournament, are among this year's many title contenders, and they meet on Thursday in a key early season matchup.
Lakeville North junior shortstop Angelo Altavilla apparently returned from Florida with his swing dialed in, as he went 4-for-4 and drove in what is believed to be a state single-game record 12 runs in Saturday's 15-0 victory over Eastview. The Panthers have won their first two games by an eye-opening combined score of 26-1.
Wayzata was thumped by Apple Valley 9-1 in its season opener last Thursday and will be pumped to rebound in a big way this week.
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