A week ago, the Eden Prairie High School softball team lost another heartbreaker to another top ranked team.

If you’ve heard the story before, it’s because it’s already been told, four other times actually.

Last Thursday, the shoe was on the other foot as the Eagles pinned Rosemount with a heartbreaking loss.

Had the tide turned? Had the softball gods decided to even things out?

Tuesday, the No. 4 seeded Eagles opened Section 2AAA play in Mankato against Shakopee, the No. 5 seed.

“We won by the skin of our teeth,” said Eden Prairie Head Coach Dan Rubischko, of his team’s 2-1 victory.

Shakopee scored their only run of the game in fourth inning off a bloop single, a sacrifice bunt, and then a soft single to right field.

Try as they might, Eden Prairie couldn’t get anything going.

That would change, however, in the bottom of the seventh inning when Cally Roeser led off with a single, moved to second on Jaimie Nichols’ sacrifice bunt, and then moved to third when their pitcher overthrew the first baseman.

With runners on first and third, Maddie Bilsz was hit by a pitch. With bases loaded, Melissa Feste hit a chopper to the pitcher. After fielding the ball, the pitcher’s throw was late getting home.

With the game tied 1-1, Jenny McCann grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Bad karma?

Hailey Buchanan came up to bat with the bases loaded and one out. Instead of getting a hit, she got hit. As a result, the winning run was able to walk home.

Game over.

Scarlet fever

Thursday (today), Eden Prairie heads back to Mankato to play the No. 1 seeded Mankato West Scarlets.

“They’re 20-1,” said Rubischko, “they’re playing at home, they’re playing their biggest game of the year and they’re expected to win.”

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Eden Prairie gets no respect.

“We’re the 11-10 team no one talks about,” said Rubischko, “But I tell you what, we’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the state, we’ve faced some really good pitchers and we’ve dealt with a lot of adversity.”

Translation: Don’t count Eden Prairie out.

“We’ll have to play better than we did on Tuesday,” said the coach, “but I think we’ve got a chance.”

Thursday’s game, at Caswell Park in Mankato, begins at 7 p.m.

If Eden Prairie wins, they play again on Saturday. If Eden Prairie loses, they play again on Saturday, possibly twice.