ABERDEEN, SD (Hub City Radio)- The Aberdeen Smittys push past Huron Post 7 with a sweep, winning game one 14-9, and game two 4-3.
In game one, the Smittys jumped out to an early lead scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Zane Backous came through in a big way with a two-RBI single to break it open. Backous finished the day 1-for-4 with two RBI’s and two runs scored.
Huron Post 7 chipped away at the 6-2 Smittys lead scoring five unanswered runs including a four spot in the top of the fourth. Josh Pederson drove in one with an RBI single and Connor Gilbert hit a bases loaded clearing double to give Post 7 a 7-6 lead. They added some insurance runs in the top of the sixth on a Trace Wenz two-run single and Post 7 took a 9-6 lead.
The insurance runs were not enough as the Smittys exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Casey Vining put the exclamation point on the inning when he drilled a three-run home run over the left field wall. Vining finished the game 1-for-3 three RBI’s and three runs scored.
Donnie Soderlund earned the win in relief for the Smittys. Soderlund pitched four innings and struck out three batters in his appearance on the mound. Cooper Eisenbiesz also had a huge day at the plate going 4-for-5 and four RBI’s.
In game two, it was the Drew Salfrank show. Salfrank threw a complete game to earn the victory, surrendering only three runs and striking out six Huron batters. The Smittys never trailed in game two, leading 4-0 after three innings.
The bottom of the lineup came through for the Smittys as well. Lance Siefken, Grant Beyer, and Charlie Philips (7, 8, 9) in the Smittys order, combined for four of the teams eight hits in the win. Beyer had an RBI single which turned to be huge in the contest.
Huron made a late inning comeback scoring two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as Salfrank closed the deal. The Aberdeen Smittys with the sweep are 24-7 this season and hosts the Harrisburg Gold (22-6) on Sunday afternoon at Fossum Field for a doubleheader.
Matt McClure- Hub City Radio Sports