New London-Spicer Posts 537 & 545 wins the Div. II Sr. State Tournament

By Tim Engstrom
The Wildcats of New London-Spicer Posts 537 & 545 pose with the championship trophy for the Minnesota American Legion Baseball Div. II Sr. State Tournament.

ELY — In the Minnesota American Legion Baseball Div. II Sr. State Tournament, New London-Spicer Posts 537 & 545 won the title by a score of 8-1 against Montevideo Post 59.

Luverne Post 123 took home third place, beating Sibley East 4-1. Sibley East is affiliated with Gaylord Post 433.

Esko captured the title of consolation champion, beating Ely Post 248, the host, 10-3. Esko lacks a Legion post and is affiliated with Esko Baseball Association instead.

Other teams in the state tournament were Dilworth Post 397, which draws from Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School, and La Crescent Post 595. Those two teams met in the seventh-place game, with Post 397 winning 6-4.

Pitcher and shortshop Griffin Epema was named Outstanding Player of the Tournament. At the tournament banquet, Zach Haala of Sleepy Eye Post 7 was presented with the Coach of the Year plaque. Sleepy Eye Post 7 won the state championship in 2024.

Tournament Director Slick Miller stands with the umpires during the playing of the national anthem.