St. Paul Park got an excellent warm-up for the looming substate playoffs with a decisive 11-0 American Legion baseball victory over Burnsville at Alimagnet Park in the regular-season closer Friday.

Park pitcher Jackson Powers allowed just one hit through five and a half innings to earn the win.

“Jackson Powers, JP, had a really good job pitching,” said Park coach Dan Harrison. “My scorebook said it was a onehit shutout through five innings and then the guys had a little fun in the sixth and closed it out.”

Park outhit Burnsville 9-2 in the contest.

“They did a really nice job of base running, we stole some bases and got guys in scoring position,” said Harrison. “Some timely hitting came through with guys on base and that was nice.”

Clayton Beaurline got Park stared with a solo home run in the first inning. He had a walk, reached on an error and scored two runs.

Cole Krichner was perfect at the plate with a two-run double, two singles, walked and scored two runs. Sam Janski and Brady Strand each hit a pair of singles.

Park led 3-0 after three innings, 4-0 after four, then broke the game wide open with seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

“It’s a great way to go into the playoffs,” said Harrison. “The guys are confident, they’re playing loose, they’re having fun and that’s kind of baseball, right.”

The Legion substate playoffs are this week at Burnsville’s Alimagnet Park. Park will play Wednesday in the opening round.

Cole Krichner of Park successfully slides into second base ahead of the tag against Burnsville Friday in American Legion baseball. Photo by John Molene

Park second baseman Sam Janski scoops up the ball and throws to first for an out against Burnsville Friday. Photo by John Molene