Legion Baseball Roundup: Cold Spring Shuts Down Willmar, While Other Teams Fight for Survival

On a crisp Friday night in Sartell, the Willmar American Legion squad saw their season evaporate in a 7‑0 defeat at the hands of Cold Spring Post 455. It wasn’t a blow‑out in the usual sense—Cold Spring’s ace, Jace Griffin, threw a one‑hit masterpiece, racking up a single strikeout and keeping the walk column at zero.

Eli Hagen managed Willmar’s sole hit, a lone ray of hope that quickly faded. For Cold Spring, Nolan VanLoy was the spark plug, going 3‑for‑4 and scoring twice, while Noah Olmscheid contributed a solid 2‑for‑4 line with three RBIs. Max Fredin and Blake Kelly each added two hits, rounding out a well‑balanced offensive outburst.

Following that game, Cold Spring kept the momentum rolling, beating Sartell 3‑1 after the Post 455 eliminated Willmar. The scoreboards reflected the story: Willmar 0‑0‑0, Cold Spring 0‑1‑4‑x‑7.

Meanwhile, the Central Sub‑State Division II bracket saw New London‑Spicer exit after a 10‑6 loss to Holdingford. Ethan Nelson’s two‑run effort wasn’t enough; Holdingford’s Patrick went 3‑for‑3 with three RBIs and a stolen base, helping his club advance.

Further south, Granite Falls rode a wave of offense in the Division II South Sub‑State playoffs. Caysen Lien turned a perfect 3‑for‑3 night into three runs and three RBIs, while Caleb Klassen’s homer gave Montevideo a brief spark before the Falls took a 8‑3 victory. The home crowd will now host BOLD later Tuesday at 6 p.m.

On Bird Island, BOLD’s ace Edgar Kopel mirrored Griffin’s performance, delivering a one‑hit shutout, 11 strikeouts, and just one walk to propel his team to a 7‑1 win over Madison. Ayden Buboltz and Marcus Benson each chipped in with two hits, cementing the victory.

Lastly, the MACCRAY Patriots clinched a 2‑1 win over the Prinsburg Orioles, securing their spot deeper into the South Sub‑State tournament. Nolan Thissen went 0‑2, but Zayden Nurmi’s 2‑3 line kept the Patriots alive.

These games illustrate the fierce, unpredictable nature of Legion baseball in central Minnesota. One pitch, one hit, one moment can flip a season—just ask Willmar after that one‑hit gem from Cold Spring.