The Willmar American Legion baseball team closed out its regular-season schedule with a 12-2 victory over St. Augusta, a performance that underscored the squad’s depth on both sides of the mound.
Hudson Sjoberg opened the game on the mound, delivering nine strikeouts in three innings and limiting St. Augusta to a single hit, while Riley Laumer followed with a pair of strikeouts in the fourth and Aidan Paulson capped the outing by fanning two batters in the fifth.
The pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts over five innings, a showing that left opposing hitters scrambling and set the tone for the team’s postseason ambitions.
Offensive Surge in the Second Inning
Willmar exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the second, a rally sparked by Jordan Ellingson’s 2-for-3 performance that included a triple, two runs and two RBIs. Paulson also went 2-for-3, scoring twice and driving in two, while Sjoberg finished 2-for-2 with an RBI. Reese Christianson added a hit, three RBIs and a run, further padding the lead.
The offensive onslaught was not limited to Willmar; fifth-seeded New London-Spicer upset top seed Upsala/Swanville in the second round of the North Central Sub-State tournament, with Breck Schultz earning the win after striking out six in three relief innings and contributing a single, two runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Boston Heminover’s double, three runs and two RBIs, along with Abram Nenson’s three RBIs, highlighted the upset.
Tri-Town Black Sox also secured a win over Morris, opening with three runs in the first inning. Kyan Schroeder tossed a complete game, striking out four while allowing four hits and two walks, and added a run at the plate. Brayden Johnson contributed a hit and two runs, rounding out a balanced attack.
Postseason Outlook
With Sub-State 11 play on the horizon, Post 167 is turning its attention to the upcoming tournament, confident that the pitching depth demonstrated against St. Augusta and the offensive firepower displayed in recent games will carry them forward. The team’s blend of veteran arms and emerging talent positions it as a formidable contender as the postseason unfolds.