Farmington softball coach Paul Harrington has the Tigers’ program on the upswing.

The Tigers won their first five South Suburban Conference games and eight of their first nine overall. They haven’t had a winning record in the conference since joining the 10-team league in 2015.

Farmington, which has climbed to No. 4 in the Class 4A rankings, has split two games with Prior Lake. It defeated the Lakers 5-2 in conference play and dropped a 7-0 decision in the championship game of the Mankato East tournament.

“Up to this point, we had good defense, pitching and some timely hitting,” Harrington said. “It’s a long season, so hopefully we can keep doing the same.”

Softball field dedicated

Shakopee has had only one softball coach, Neil Johnson, in the history of the program.

The longtime mentor, in his 42nd season, was honored this past week when the school’s softball complex at Shakopee West Junior High School was renamed in his honor.

Johnson began this season with 541 career victories.

Top performances

The Minnesota River Conference recently had two walk-off home runs, one each in baseball and softball. Belle Plaine senior Brody Curtiss launched a two-run shot with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving the Tigers a 3-1 nonconference baseball victory over St. Peter. In softball, Jordan junior Ansley Miller belted a two-run blast with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Jaguars rallied for an 8-7 triumph over Norwood Young America in league play.

RON HAGGSTROM