SHELBY, N.C. – The Burnsville American Legion baseball team broke open a scoreless game with four runs in the seventh inning Friday and went on to defeat Napoleon, Ohio, 4-0 in the opening game of the Legion World Series.
Tyler Hanson, who will play for the Gophers, and Aaron Rozek combined on a nine-hit shutout for Burnsville, with Rozek taking over pitching duties midway through the eighth inning. Hanson was an all-state pitcher and infielder at Burnsville High School in the spring.
Rozek will play baseball for Minnesota State Mankato.
After Burnsville loaded the bases in the seventh on a walk, single and fielder's choice, catcher Camden Traetow doubled to left field to score all three runners. Eric Watters drove in the other run with a single.
Burnsville will play at 4 p.m. Saturday. Its third game in the double-elimination tournament is scheduled for Sunday, with the time depending on the outcome of Saturday's game.
STAFF REPORTS
