The Brainerd Legion, seeded No. 6 in Sub‑State 12, earned a hard‑fought 5‑2 win over Alexandria that propelled them into the Minnesota American Legion Baseball State Tournament. The victory marks a turning point for a squad that has been steadily climbing the ranks throughout the season.
Coach Brad Amundson, who has steered the team from the outset, attributes the success to relentless improvement and a culture of resilience. He highlights the daily work ethic of his players and singles out assistant coaches Levi Becker and Keaton Lingenfelter for their contributions to the program’s growth.
Gold Pool Outlook
Brainerd now faces a challenging Gold Pool that includes Marshall, Farmington and Elk River. The top two teams from that pool will advance to the championship bracket, making every game critical for the Legion’s title hopes.
The team’s journey has been punctuated by notable wins over Alexandria, Perham and Moorhead. Perhaps the most memorable moment came after an earlier loss to Moorhead, when the Legion rallied to secure a comeback victory that cemented their place in the state tournament.
Roster construction draws heavily from the Brainerd Warriors high school program, and the last time Warriors alumni reached the Legion State Tournament was in 2014 with Nisswa Legion. That historical context adds extra significance to the current campaign.