07/21/2026
Worthington Jr. Legion 15U Wrangle Victory From Mankato American Junior Legion After Back-And-Forth Game in 11 Innings
By GameChanger Media
Worthington Jr. Legion 15U and Mankato American Junior Legion 17U traded the lead back-and-forth on Tuesday, but eventually Worthington prevailed 14-8 in Jr Legion sub state playoff action. The game was tied at eight in the top of the eleventh when Keagan McCuen singled, scoring one run.
Jordan Thill collected three hits in four at bats in the win. Thill doubled in the eleventh inning, singled in the second inning, and singled in the tenth inning.
Worthington got on the board in the top of the first inning after McCuen singled to right field, and Kason Spartz grounded out, each scoring one run.
Mankato American Junior Legion jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Colton Stehr singled down the left field line, Colton McCormick singled to center field, and Rylan Page grounded out, each scoring one run.
Worthington jumped back into the lead in the top of the fourth inning after Dominic Larson flew out, and Mankato American committed an error, each scoring one run.
McCormick singled down the left field line, which helped Mankato American Junior Legion 17U tie the game at five in the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Mankato American Junior Legion 17U went back into the lead after Stehr tripled down the left field line, and Page hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run.
Worthington Jr. Legion 15U tied the game in the top of the seventh thanks to a walk by McCuen, and a fielder's choice by Tayton Thiner.
A single by Talen Turner gave Worthington Jr. Legion 15U the lead, 8-7, in the top of the tenth.
McCormick singled to center field on a full count, which helped Mankato American Junior Legion 17U tie the game at eight in the bottom of the tenth.
Worthington flipped the game on its head in the top of the eleventh, scoring six runs on three hits to take the lead, 14-8. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Thill that drove in two.
McCuen earned the win for Worthington. The hurler surrendered nine hits and seven runs over five innings, striking out three and walking four. Turner pitched six innings in relief for Worthington. The reliever allowed four hits and one run while, striking out five and walking three. Stehr took the loss for Mankato American. The pitcher went six innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out five and walking three.
Worthington collected 13 hits in the game. McCuen and Thill each collected three hits. McCuen and Thill each drove in two runs. Turner and Kaden Khamphanh each collected multiple hits for Worthington. Thill led Worthington with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying seven walks for the game. McCuen stole two bases. Worthington turned one double play in the game.
Worthington moves on to play top seed New Prague this evening.
