The Willmar American Legion baseball team saw its opening lead slip away as Albany rallied to secure a 4‑3 victory.
Willmar struck first, plating two runs in the top of the first inning, but Albany answered with three runs in the bottom of the same frame, taking an early edge.
The momentum shifted again in the fifth when Albany added a single run, extending their lead to 4‑2 before Willmar trimmed the margin with a run in the seventh.
Key contributors for Willmar included Jordan Ellingson, who went 2‑for‑4 with a double and scored a run, and Alex Hoppe, who finished 2‑for‑3 at the plate.
Albany’s offense was anchored by Cohen Habben, who went 2‑for‑4 with two runs, and Hunter Boecker, who drew three walks and drove in two runs, while Cohen Habben earned the pitching win after throwing six and two‑thirds innings and Kyle Holm recorded a strikeout to seal the save.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Willmar is slated to play a series of games in the Gopher Classic, beginning with a matchup against Post 15 East from Sioux Falls, South Dakota at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Poppitz Field in Victoria, followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest with St. Michael Gold Post 567.
Saturday’s schedule includes a 11:30 a.m. game versus Wolfe Electric/Millard West of Nebraska and an evening showdown with Hamel, forming part of a busy weekend that features 80 teams spread across the Twin Cities and Mankato.