The Willmar American Legion baseball team fought its way into the Division I Sub‑State 11 final four with a 6‑2 win over Albany on Tuesday night. The victory marks a turning point after an earlier 5‑3 loss to Cold Spring in the opening round.
Jordan Ellingson led the offense with four hits, two runs and a stolen base, while Hudson Sjoberg contributed three hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Gavin Evenson added two hits and a double, driving in two runs. On the mound, Reese Christianson earned the win with five strikeouts over five‑two‑thirds innings.
Semifinal Matchup with Undefeated Sartell
Willmar now prepares to face Sartell, the tournament’s only unbeaten team, in the semifinals. Sartell has rolled through the bracket with wins over Foley, Cold Spring and Sauk Rapids, establishing itself as a formidable opponent.
The team’s resilience was on display earlier in the week when they edged Foley 7‑6 after dropping the first game to Cold Spring. A strong pitching performance by Dane Zeiher helped Cold Spring secure a 5‑0 victory, but Willmar’s bats have since come alive.
If Willmar advances, they will meet Cold Spring’s next challenger, top‑seeded Monticello, in a battle that could reshape the final standings. The tournament’s momentum continues to build, drawing attention from fans across Minnesota.