The Minnesota American Legion Baseball State Tournament will feature a double‑header of local pride as the Sartell senior team and the St. Cloud Chutes junior squad both captured their respective sub‑state titles last week, earning invitations to the statewide field.
Sartell’s path to the tournament was sealed with a decisive 3‑1 victory over Cold Spring in the sub‑state #11 final, a performance that highlighted the team’s pitching depth and timely hitting. The win not only secured the championship but also guaranteed the team at least three games in New Ulm, with the possibility of additional contests should they advance through bracket play.
Opening Round Schedule
The senior division will open on Thursday morning in New Ulm, where Sartell is slated to face New Ulm at 10 a.m. The tournament format promises a minimum of three games for each team, and a strong showing could extend their schedule into the afternoon and evening sessions.
Meanwhile, the St. Cloud Chutes will travel to Glenwood for their first test in the second‑division bracket, meeting Rushford at 10 a.m. on Friday. The Chutes arrived at this stage after a dominant win over Holdingford that clinched the Legion D2 Central title, setting a confident tone for their opening matchup.
Both teams enter the tournament with momentum from their respective sub‑state finals, and the early games will serve as a litmus test for how the squads adapt to the higher level of competition. Fans in central Minnesota are expected to turn out in force as the state tournament kicks off, promising a series of tightly contested games that could reshape the regional baseball landscape.