YANKTON, SD (HubCityRadio.com) – The first season for head coach Josh Steinwandt at the helm for the Aberdeen Smittys has come to a close.
The Aberdeen Smittys gave a valiant effort on Thursday against the Yankton Post 12 squad, but ultimately fell 8-1 in the second game of a best-of-three game series & lost the series two games to none. Yankton Post 12 has qualified for the state tournament, out west in Rapid City.
Aberdeen drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning as Jackson Post would plate Joe Cogley and the Smittys took an early 1-0 lead after the first frame. Unfortunately, Post 12 would respond with a three spot in the top of the second and they’d add another in the fourth & put the game out of reach in the top of the 7th inning with four runs to make it an 8-1 ballgame.
In the brief two game series, it was tough sledding for the Aberdeen offense, as they would only be able to plate one run in the course of the two games. Although, the Smittys did out-hit the Bucks 7-6 on Thursday, they just couldn’t get those base runners to cross home plate.
Branson Peterson took the loss on the hill for Aberdeen; he went five and two thirds innings and scattered four hits, four runs (all earned) while walking four & striking out two. On the flip side, Yankton’s Kaden Hunhoff picked up the win; he went three and a third innings, gave up four hits, one earned run and fanned two.
HC Josh Steinwandt on yesterday’s game: “It was good to jump out to the early lead in the first inning. We hit the ball hard all day, (but) it just went to people; we just couldn’t string multiple hits together. Branson did his job on the mound, we just couldn’t scratch enough runs by.”
HC Josh Steinwandt on the whole season: “We had a lot of fun this year and it was a good group of fellas to be around. I couldn’t have aksed for a better group of guys for my first year. All these boys are good ball players (but) we just couldn’t find different ways to win ball games. It’s hard to win with 10 guys in this league. But, I hope nothing but the best for the seniors and I thank them for all they have done for the program; I’m (already) excited for next season!”
The Smittys season wraps with an overall record of 12-24.
Yankton Post 12 8 – WP: Kaden Hunhoff 3.1IP. 4H. 1R. 1ER. 4BB. 2K.
Aberdeen Smittys 1 – LP: Branson Peterson 5.2IP. 4H. 4R. 4ER. 4BB. 2K. Jackson Post 1-3 RBI single.
[Game 2; best of 3 series: Post 12 wins series 2-0]
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Other Legion playoff action:
Region 1B Tournament in Milbank, SD – Double elimination tournament [Day 3 of 3]
Groton Post 39 2 – Wins the 1B Tournament
Sisseton Post 50 1
Region 6B Tournament in Webster, SD – double elimination tournament [Day 3 of 3]
Britton Post 80 0
Clark/WL 10
– Loser is eliminated / winner gets Volga [Volga with zero losses so far in tournament]
Clark/WL 6
Volga Post 114 4 – First loss of the tournament / next game will be ‘winner take all’
Clark/WL 7
Volga Post 114 9 – Advance to state tournament.