Burnsville wins the championship at the Div. I Jr. State Tournament

By Tim Engstrom
The Burnsville Post 1700 Rattlers pose with their distinctive championship trophy at the Div. I Jr. State Tournament in Bloomington on Aug. 3.

BLOOMINGTON — The Burnsville Post 1700 Rattlers took home the trophy in the Minnesota American Legion Baseball Div. I Jr. State Tournament at Red Haddox Field on Sunday, Aug. 3.

Junior Legion Baseball is for players 17 and under. Div. I are teams from schools with more than 400 enrollment in grades 10-12. The Rattlers won 13-2 in the title game over Bayport Post 491.

Eden Prairie defeated Bemidji Post 14 10-5 to capture the third-place plaque. With a score of 5-3, Excelsior Post 259 beat New Ulm Post 132 to win consolation champ.

Other teams that made it to state were St. Michael Post 567 and Bloomington Post 550 (as host). Post 550 received the Ron Nenovich Sportsmanship Trophy, named after their former program manager and coach. He was a veteran who also served as 1st vice commander and athletics officer for Post 550.

Outstanding Player in the Tournament went to Burnsville shortstop/catcher Liam Henke.

Bayport Post 491 took home to second-place trophy.