Top-ranked Burnsville Splits Legion Doubleheader

There wasn’t much to separate the top-ranked Burnsville Cobras and the visiting Lakeville North Panthers in an American Legion baseball doubleheader Tuesday evening at Alimagnet Park.

Lakeville North won the opener 6-5 in a game that could have gone either way.

The Cobras took the nightcap 7-6, also in a game that could have easily been won by either team.

Tied 6-all in the second game of the doubleheader, Burnsville scored on a passed ball for a 7-6 lead in the top of the seventh inning. Matt Stemper rapped a leadoff single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Justin Threlkeld. After a ground out to first by Brian Vanderwoude, Stemper scored what would turn out to be the winning run.

Lakeville North made it exciting in the bottom of seventh, however. Travis Evanson reached base and went to second on an error. Adam Alexander moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt. A walk to the next batter put runners on the corners with one out. But on the next play Evanson got caught and nailed at third base as he tried to steal home. Jake Berg’s hard hit was fielder for the final out.

Andy Leiser had two this and two RBIs in the second game. Derek Johnson also had two RBIs.

Bo Hellquist got the pitching win in relief of starter Adam Lambrecht. Joel Klinkhammer took the loss.

Lakeville North led most of the second game. The Panthers were up 2-0 after two and 6-3 after three, but the Cobras kept battling.

“North didn’t quit, and we let one get away,” said Cobras head coach Greg Nesbitt said of the doubleheader.

“We made some uncommon mistakes today, but this is a very tough team that doesn’t quit,” Nesbitt said.

Burnsville improved to 11-4 on the season and 4-2 in district games. Lakeville North coaches were unsure of their team’s record.