Burnsville Legion Bows Out Of State Tournament

The Burnsville American Legion baseball team ended its season with a pair of losses Friday to open up the Minnesota State Legion tournament in Eden Prairie.

The Cobras began the day with a 4-2 loss to Sauk Rapids, then dropped a 4-3 decision to Hopkins in their second contest of the day. The pair of losses ended Burnsville’s hopes of claiming both the Minnesota State High School League and American Legion state titles in the same season.

After a 4-2 loss to Sauk Rapids, the Blaze looked revitalized Friday afternoon against Hopkins and on pace to move on to Saturday. 

The Cobras took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, then tacked on a second run in the fifth inning when Daniel Motl crossed the plate. 

After Hopkins scored in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 2-1, Burnsville tacked on an insurance run in the seventh. Andrew Lieser singled home Motl and gave the Cobras a 3-1 lead.

But Hopkins wasn’t done.

Hopkins chased Burnsville starting pitcher Brian Vanderwoude with one out in the eighth inning and two runners on base. After a wild pitch by reliever Bo Hellquist advanced the runners to second and third, Joey Brettingen laced a two-run double to left-center that scored two runs and knotted the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, Hopkins worked the bases loaded, and Matt Sinderson scored on a wild pitch to give Hopkins the victory.

Burnsville entered the state tournament as one of three entrants from District 3. The Cobras were runners-up in the district tournament. District 3 champion Eastview went 1-1 on Friday and will play at 1 p.m. Saturday against Hermantown or Centennial. Lakeville North also went 1-1 on Friday and will face either Sauk Rapids or Fergus Falls at 1 p.m. Saturday.