SIOUX FALLS, SD (HubCityRadio.com) – The Aberdeen Smittys hit I-29 to Sioux Falls this weekend and fell short in all four games, three of them in heartbreaking fashion.
On Friday, the Smittys dropped a 9-8 decision against Shakopee in ten innings to open the weekend and in their second game, fell 3-1 to Brandon Valley Post 131.
Against Shakopee, the Smittys took a 6-0 lead going into the bottom of the 4th, but that lead would not stand up. Shakopee struck for six in the bottom of the frame and tied things up; Aberdeen responded with two of their own in the top of the 5th, but again, Shakopee would respond with two of their own in the bottom of the 7th to send the game into extras, where they’d win in 10 innings. At the dish, Grant Beyer went 2-3 with a run scored and three runs batted in.
The Smittys would take on the team that ended their season last year in the regional playoffs, the much like last year, it was a low-scoring pitcher’s duel. Brandon struck for one in the bottom of the first, and added one more in each of the fifth & sixth innings for insurance. Aberdeen got their lone run on a Jehiel Aviles sac fly.
On Saturday, the Smittys fell to North Winnipeg 9-7 in their lone game of the day. Aberdeen struck for two in the top of the first, but the Canada squad responded with six runs in the first two innings to take the lead that they would not relinquish. Joe Cogley took the loss on the hill going an inning and third and surrendering five hits, six earned runs and four walks. Five different Smittys each drove in a run in the loss: Waldo, Aviles, Ladner, Dutenhoeffer & Borge.
Then on Sunday, Aberdeen fell 13-3 to the Post 400 Stars. Although the final score seemed non-competitive, the Smittys trailed 5-3 going into the top of the 7th inning and then Post 400 put up eight innings to put the game out of reach.
Aberdeen will return to the diamond against Yankton Post 12 on Wednesday for a late afternoon twinbill. Of the Smittys losses they’ve registered this year, ten of them have been by four runs or fewer and five of them have been by just one run.
Following the weekend, head coach Nathan Gonnelly shared his thoughts, “It was a gritty weekend for our guys. We faced some tough competition, and while we didn’t come away with everything we wanted, I’m proud of the way our team competed. We had a few moments where we showed a lot of character…big defensive plays, clutch hits, and pitchers stepping up in pressure spots. These are the kinds of games that build us for the postseason.”
FRI SCHEDULE
HIGH SCHOOL
Legion Baseball
Aberdeen Smittys @ Dakota Classic
Aberdeen Smittys 8 – LP: Jaxon Ladner 5.2IP. 4H. 2R. 2ER. 2BB. K. Grant Beyer 2-3, run + 3RBI.
Shakopee 9 F/10
Aberdeen Smittys 1 – LP: Michael Dutenhoeffer 3.2IP. 1H. 1R. 1ER. 3BB. K. Jehiel Aviles 0-2 RBI.
Brandon Valley Post 131 3 F/7innings.
SAT SCHEDULE
HIGH SCHOOL
Legion Baseball
Aberdeen Smittys @ Dakota Classic
Aberdeen Smittys 7 – Joe Cogley 1IP. 5H. 6R. 6ER. 4BB. K. Karson Borge 3-4, run + RBI.
North Winnipeg Pirates 9 – Put up 5 runs in bottom of 2nd inning and led from there.
SUN SCHEDULE
HIGH SCHOOL
Legion Baseball
Aberdeen Smittys @ Dakota Classic
Post 400 Stars 13 – Put up 8 runs in top of 7th inning to put game out of reach.
Aberdeen Smittys 3 – LP: Karson Borge 3.2IP. 3H. 5R. 4ER. 4BB. K. Jared Klootwyk 1-3 run + RBI.