While Wednesday's contest between Park of Cottage Grove and Stillwater may have been a rematch of last year's Class 4A State title game, there were a number of unfamiliar faces in both lineups.

But one familiar face, Wolfpack starting pitcher Sam Fohrman, took center stage in leading Park to a 4-2 road win.

Fohrman allowed just four hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, to help the Wolfpack, ranked No. 1 in the Class 4A coaches’ poll, earn the Suburban East Conference win.

The junior righthander pitched in relief in last year's state title game, but this year she said she is trying to accept a greater leadership role for the Wolfpack (7-1, 4-1).

"I need to be more aware of what my defense is doing," Fohrman said. "I need to be aware of what the batters are doing so I can warn the defense. For example, for one batter I told our third baseman, Emma [Ambroz], that the batter pulls off the ball, so she would pull the ball if I threw inside. I want to make sure the defense is prepared."

Fohrman walked the first batter she faced and had to pitch out of a two-on, one-out jam in that opening inning. Then in the third inning, Stillwater loaded the bases with two outs, then scored two runs on an infield hit and an error.

"I couldn't figure out what was going on with my grip — my hands were super waxy from using a new ball," Fohrman said. "But I settled in enough, and then I figured out I needed to use some chalk to improve my grip."

Fohrman got the final out in the third and did not allow another baserunner, retiring the final 13 batters she faced.

"She started figuring things out and doing better things with her riseball and curveball," Park coach Bob Loshek said of Fohrman. "She's such a competitor; when she competes, everyone follows suit."

Photo Gallery: Park of Cottage Grove vs. Stillwater

Fohrman finished with 10 strikeouts and two walks — one intentional — in the complete-game win. Seven of those whiffs came against the final 13 batters she faced.

"I figured out I needed to be less passive," Fohrman said. "I needed to be aggressive and just 'deal.' I couldn't let them score any more runs any more."