Sartell’s American Legion baseball team rolled past Sauk Rapids 13‑0 in a Sub‑State 11 playoff contest on Tuesday, a result that not only underscores the squad’s offensive firepower but also positions them for a showdown with Willmar later this week.
Second‑inning surge
The turning point came in the bottom of the second inning, where Sartell erupted for six runs on just two hits, a burst that shifted the momentum irrevocably in their favor.
Nolan Hemker opened the game on the mound, delivering 2‑2/3 innings of crisp baseball that featured four strikeouts and just two walks, all while preserving a clean sheet. His effort set the stage for Luke Lance, who closed out the game with 2‑1/3 scoreless frames to earn the win.
Key contributors
Offensively, Sartell compiled eight hits and distributed the runs across a balanced lineup. Hemker himself was a dual threat, going 2‑for‑2 with a triple and three RBI, while Mateo Segura added a 1‑for‑3 performance that included a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
Brady Thompson contributed three runs, and the duo of Daylon Holter and Keaton Landowski each drove in two runs on single hits. The offensive onslaught was enough to overwhelm Sauk Rapids, whose lone hit came from Tavin Gohman.
With the victory secured, Sartell now turns its attention to an upcoming matchup against Willmar, while Sauk Rapids faces a do‑or‑die elimination game against Cold Spring. The stakes are high, but the confidence in Sartell’s roster is palpable.