Diamond Dish is a weekly column by Aaron Wilberding that updates the action across the state. If you have a feature that you feel should be mentioned here, e-mail aaron@prepsonthenet.com

You wouldn’t know it by the weather, but it is spring. The snow that was supposed to cover most of the state didn’t arrive as those so-called weather “experts” predicted over the weekend, so this week’s outdoor spring sports seem to be going off as planned.

While Major League Baseball takes the field (or does what many high school teams want to do and postpone games because of the cold) high school teams are doing the same, only with a couple more added layers.

So is the start of the spring sports season as the weather is predictably unpredictable. Be sure to get out and support your teams as they start the season.

LET US KNOW ABOUT TOP PERFORMERS

We rely on you here at Preps On The Net. If a player on your team has a game you feel is worthy of the accolades and a mention in this space, e-mail aaron@prepsonthenet.com or call 262.338.8888.

Also, if you don’t see your team’s rosters, schedules, standings and stats updated, be sure to have your coach e-mail them to stats@prepsonthenet.com.

BIG GAME HUNTING (SOFTBALL)

Ladies first! Here are the ones to keep an eye on in the early going.

1. Burlington at New Berlin Eisenhower, tonight: The reigning WIAA Division 2 state champion Lions take the field for the first time this season.

2. Winnebago Lutheran Academy at St. Mary’s Springs, Tuesday: What better way to get amped up for an early season game, than to take on your cross-town rival?

3. Appleton West at Stevens Point, Thursday: Maybe not the most compelling matchup, but the reigning WIAA Division 1 state champs open up defense of their crown with most of the key pieces back from last year. The rest of the state should take notice.

BIG GAME HUNTING (BASEBALL)

Time to play some hardball! Here are some early-season ones to watch.

1. Marathon at Wausau West, tonight: The WIAA Division 3 state champions get an early-season litmus test against one of the top teams in the always tough Wisconsin Valley Conference. Both teams should benefit regardless of the outcome.

2. Burlington Catholic Central at Racine Lutheran/The Prairie School, Tuesday: The Midwest Classic Conference is one of the best in the state for medium to small schools. The defending WIAA Division 4 champion Hilltoppers showed what the conference is made up at the end of last season by winning the crown.

3. St. Mary’s Springs at Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Tuesday: This is a Wisconsin Flyway Conference matchup that could help set an early-season landscape of what to expect. The Lancers are picked by the coaches to win the conference title, but the Chargers have other ideas and will be in hot pursuit.

4. Appleton West at Madison Edgewood, Wednesday: One of the premiere nonconference matchups of the season right here. The No. 7 ranked team in the WBCA’s Division 1 poll travels to take on the top-ranked team in the WBCA’s Division 2 poll.

5. Hurley vs. Medford Area, Friday: What better way to spend Good Friday morning at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. These two small-town schools get together to get a chance to get some early-season action and see where they stand at this point.