87th Annual
South Dakota Amateur
Baseball Tournament Special supplement of the Daily Republic | August 2019
2
STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB
2019 South Dakota
Amateur Baseball Tournament Cadwell Park Mitchell, S.D. • August 7-18
August 2019
WHAT’S INSIDE Using the whole Gang.... 3 Team previews................... 4 Class B Bracket.................. 8 Home runs...........................13 Special for many reasons....................14 Pitchers put to the test.............................15
Cover and page design: Sara Slaby Section editor: Marcus Traxler Contributors: Daily Republic Sports Staff Photos: Matt Gade & Sports Staff
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB 3
August 2019
Using the whole Gang Canova hopes well-rounded team brings back-to-back state titles
Parkston’s Will Lutjen safely steals second as Canova’s Tim Gassman is just a hair late applying the tag during a game in the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Tournament in Sioux Falls.
Matt Gade / Republic
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So many things have to go right to win a state championship that you can’t go in there overconfident. We are certainly not going in there overconfident.” Canova rolled through the Cornbelt League without a loss, outscoring opponents 25589, and displaying a well-rounded squad. The Gang has averaged .347 as a team and 10.6 runs per game, with Justin Miller (.474 average and 24 RBIs), Jared Miller (.471 and 35 RBIs) and Gavin Gassman (.435 and 14 RBIs) head-
lining a team that has eight players hitting .300 or better with a minimum of 50 at-bats. The pitching staff has been improved, however, accumulating a 2.42 earned run average. Although Derek Miller (3-0) and Trey Krier (5-0) have logged more than 40 innings each, Canova has three more pitchers with at least 20 innings and two more with more than 10 to add a balance to the team. “This is the most pitching we’ve had in quite a few years,” said catcher Garrett
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Gassman, who has four home runs and 35 RBIs. “We have two really good starters and a couple of really good guys go after them and we have a lot of good relief pitching. This year has been the first year in a long time that we’ve had enough pitching.” One area to watch for the Gang is team speed on the basepaths and in the cavernous outfield at Cadwell Park. Canova does not steal bases frequently, but its 21-for22 when they do, including a perfect 8-for-8
from Cole Gassman. That speed also comes into play in tracking balls in the outfield defensively, while also getting an extra base when hitting a ball into the alleys. “It’s a definite advantage to cover a lot of ground in a large park like that,” Dave Gassman said. “As deep as the park is and as much room as there is to hit the ball, there is more of an extra punch to take an extra base when you have speed like that. I think speed is a definite advantage.”
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ting back to the state tournament after missCANOVA — Whether ing out in 2017. Regardless of the cirCanova can duplicate its performance in the Class cumstances, the Gang B state amateur baseball won’t approach the tournament is unknown, tournament any difbut the start of the tour- ferently than last year, nament will be much knowing the regular season is not always different this year. The Gang enter the indicative of how the tournament on Aug. postseason plays out. “You’ve got the 7-18 at Cadwell Park as the defending state imprint of being the champions this season, state champion on your and coupled with a 22-2 back,” Canova head record, that means that coach Dave Gassman none of their opponents said. “But as far as we’re will take them lightly. concerned, we’re going Last year, meanwhile, in there and just playCanova was simply get- ing one game at a time.
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB
4
August 2019
State amateur baseball capsules A team-by-team look at the Class B state field By The Daily Republic For a baseball fan in South Dakota, it’s 12 of the best days of the year. The South Dakota State Amateur Baseball Tournament gets underway on Aug. 7, with 32 teams fighting to make it to Championship Sunday, and the road to the title once again goes through Cadwell Park in Mitchell. A few things will be certain: there will be strong pitching, timely hitting, burgers and beer will be sold and upsets will eliminate favorites and elevate contenders. Here’s a team-by-team look at the Class B field:
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Canova returns to the state tournament looking to defend its title. The Gang enter coming off just their third loss of the season, though, falling 6-4 to Flandreau in the District 4B championship game. Still, Canova (22-3) has had plenty of success, going a perfect 18-0 in Cornbelt League play. Jared Miller enters the tournament leading the Gang with 41 hits, though Justin Miller’s .469 batting average and .574 on-base percentage are both team bests. Garrett Gassman (37), Derek Miller (34) and Cole Gassman (31) have all topped 30 hits, too. Six different players have multiple home
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The Rebels are making their second straight appearance in the state tournament. Akron earned a state tourney berth with a win over Canton in the District 7B play-in game. The Rebels finished with a 4-7 mark in the State Line League. After edging Volga 2-1 in the opening round last season, the Rebels fell to State Line League foe Garretson 3-0 in the second round. The Rebels play Canova at Canova at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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Alexandria’s Pierce Smith throws the ball to first base to complete an out against Parkston on June 20 in Alexandria.
The Angels are back fresh off a 4-0 win over Mount Vernon in the District 5B championship game. Alexandria (15-6) ended the season going 14-2 after losing four of its first five games to start the season. Cole Wenande has paced the Angels at the plate, hitting .371 with a .430 on-base percentage. He also tied with Tyson Gau for a team-high five home runs, while leading the team in hits (36) and RBIs (22). Gau had 26 hits as one of six Angels to top 20 hits this season. Matt Wilber and Pierce Smith both hit three bombs, too. Ethan Davis (55.1 innings/3.58 ERA) and Gau (52.2/2.05) have been Alexandria’s workhorses on the mound. However, Jordan Gau also has a 2.02 ERA in 35.2 innings, while Trever Vermuelen hasn’t allowed a run in 13.2 innings after joining the team mid-season. Tyson Gau leads the team with 62 strikeouts. An incredible run of six straight
appearances in the final four of the Class B tournament, and five straight championship game appearances came to an end last year with a 4-3 loss to Flandreau in the quarterfinals. Alexandria opens the tournament versus Lake Norden at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB 5
August 2019
CAPSULES
appearance since 2014. In its win over Volga, Steve Koehn went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Harrison Wookey also had two hits as Clear Lake finished with eight in the win. Matt Larson picked up the win, striking out seven and allowing two unearned runs in 4.1 innings of relief. Justin Cassels started, lasting 4.2 frames, and holding Volga to an earned run on three hits and eight walks. Clear Lake faces Menno at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the first round of the state tournament.
From Page 4
runs, but Garrett Gassman and Justin Miller both have four. Derek Miller owns a 2.72 ERA over a team-high 46.1 innings, which has also seen him fan 47 batters. Trey Krier has also topped 40 innings, striking out 38 batters and owning a 3.61 ERA in 42.1 frames. Kendall Gassman (1.03 ERA) and Cole Gassman (0.75) both have been contributors on the mound, too. Canova plays Akron (Iowa) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to open state tourney play.
CHAMBERLAIN MALLARDS Chamberlain is back in the state tournament for a second consecutive year. It knocked off South Central, 12-0, on July 31 to clinch its spot. The Mallards also took down Kimball/ White Lake in the first round of the District 3B tournament. Riggs Priebe picked up two hits in the Mallards’ win over South Central, while Jayce Byre and Colton Anderson each drove in a pair of runs. Mike Schwartz struck out five batters over 6.1 shutout innings in his start. The Mallards lost to eventual state champ Canova, 12-1, in the opening round last season. This season, Chamberlain plays Milbank at 1 p.m. Friday in the first round.
CLARK TRADERS Clark defeated Groton, 17-2, in the first round of the state tournament last season, but enters as losers of three of its past four contests. The Traders are 10-7 this season. Brent Griffith has provided power with a team-high four home runs for the Traders, while still hitting .340 and having his 17 hits rank second on
CORSICA-STICKNEY HORNED FROGS
Corsica-Stickney made the most of its second chance in the District 5B tournament when Wagner was disqualified. It doubled its win total on the year, taking down Dimock/ Emery, 7-3, on Aug. 1 to clinch a berth to its third-ever state tournament. This is the second straight season the Horned Frogs (4-15) have made the tournament. Ryan Buck leads the team at the plate, hitting .356 with a .472 on-base percentage. Buck, Aaron Groeneweg and Luke Bamberg all have 21 hits, while Kris Menning has recorded 20. Bamberg has also hit a team-best three home runs and Menning has driven in 13 runs. Ryan Deal / Republic The Horned Frogs have relied on Canova’s Trey Krier delivers a pitch against Salem on July 3 in Canova. numerous arms, with five pitchers recording double-digit innings. Ross the team. Griffith has a 7.18 ERA over who opens the state tournament at 1 Kortan has tossed a team-high 47 31.1 innings, too. p.m. Saturday against Redfield. frames, owning a 3.45 ERA. He also Zach Toben leads the team with leads the team with 37 strikeouts. 21 hits, helping him hit .500 with a Menning has whiffed 30 batters, too, .596 on-base percentage. He has also over his 31 innings. gone deep three times and has been Corsica-Stickney fell 5-0 to HarrisClark’s workhorse on the mound. His burg last season in the opening round. Clear Lake defeated Volga, 4-3, on It’ll look to keep its Cinderella run 53 innings leads the team as he has 36 July 31 to clinch its second straight going against Wynot (Neb.) at 7:30 strikeouts and a 5.09 ERA. Jay Huber has a team-best 3.69 ERA state tournament berth. Last season, p.m. Wednesday. in his 31.2 innings. Rhett Florey has it fell 5-4 to Lennox in the first round smacked two bombs for the Traders, as the Slough Sharks made their first CAPSULES: Page 6
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB
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August 2019
CAPSULES From Page 5
CROFTON (NEB.) BLUEJAYS The No. 1 seed in the District 6B tourney, Crofton was upset by Freeman in the opening round. The Bluejays knocked off Lesterville (8-3) and Tabor (9-3) to earn another trip to state. In the game against Tabor, James Kaiser went 4-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs and scored four runs. Nick Hegge finished 2-for-4 with a home run. Crofton finished 11-5 in South Central League games this season. The Bluejays were defeated by Alexandria, 6-3, in last year’s opening round. Crofton plays Harrisburg at 11 a.m. on Thursday to open state tourney action.
DELL RAPIDS MUDCATS It took 12 innings for Dell Rapids to outlast Salem, 9-8, on Aug. 2 to clinch a state tournament berth after missing out last season. The Mudcats picked up a trio of wins in the District 4B tournament. Chad Hunt led the Mudcats at the plate in district play, amassing eight hits en route to a .444 average and .545 on-base percentage. Elijah Story (6), Travis Peters (5) and Trevor Freudenthal (5) all had at least five hits, too. Nate Henry drove in five runs in the team’s past four games. Jordan Johnson (15 innings) and Andrew Story (11) pitched the bulk of the innings for the Mudcats. Johnson struck out 10 batters as he had a 3.60 ERA in district play, while Andrew Story finished with a 3.27 ERA. Dell Rapids has a rematch against Dimock/Emery at 11 a.m. Sunday in the first round of the state tournament. The Mudcats defeated the Rap-
Ryan Deal / Republic
Winner/Colome’s Austin Richey celebrates with teammate Reed Harter after scoring a run against Dimock-Emery on June 27 in Emery. tors in the same round in 2017.
DIMOCK-EMERY RAPTORS For the 13th straight season, Dimock-Emery (18-10) will play in the state tournament. The Raptors defeated Parkston, 5-2, in the final win-or-go-home game of District 5B play on Aug. 3. They ended the regular
season as winners of five of their last six games. Phil Johnson has made an impact at the plate and on the mound. His 66.2 innings leads the team as he’s fanned 56 batters and owns a 4.73 ERA. Johnson is also one of three players with at least 30 hits and has hit four of the Raptors’ nine home runs. Drew Kitchens’ 38 hits leads the team, while Jared Schmidt also has 30 hits. Schmidt has a .323 batting
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average and 3.09 ERA in 46.2 innings. Jason Schmidt (48) has topped 40 innings, too, striking out a team-high 68 batters to go with a 4.69 ERA. Dimock/Emery defeated Canton in the state tournament last season before being beaten by Flandreau. This season, it opens against the Dell Rapids Mudcats at 11 a.m. Sunday after falling to it in the first round in 2017.
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB 7
August 2019
CAPSULES
Brad Hand led Four Corners with three hits. Justin Allen, Brian Grave, From Page 6 Spencer Sarringar, Justin Lester and Jason Overweg each had a hit. Overweg drove in two runs. Four Corners fell to eventual state runner-up Flandreau, 15-0, in the Flandreau fell just short of a state opening round of last year’s tournatitle last season when it fell to Corn- ment. Four Corners will play Madibelt League rival Canova, 10-2, in the son at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the openchampionship game. However, it got ing round. its revenge in the recent District 4B title game, defeating the Gang, 6-4. Flandreau is headed to its seventh straight state tournament. After a one-year absence, FreeAgainst the Gang, Kasen Grengs man is back in the state tournament. earned the win after tossing 6.1 The Black Sox defeated Irene, 10-8, innings in relief, allowing two runs to qualify for the state tournament. (one earned). Jake Patterson, Keith Despite a 5-14 record, Freeman won Cutler, Luke Gassman and Beau three of its final four games heading Severtson all had two hits, as well. The into the state tournament. Cardinals finished with 11 in the win. Lee Scherschligt leads the team Flandreau has developed two rival- with 24 hits, while Brett Scherschligt ries in recent years. One is naturally has team bests of a .328 batting averCanova, with the two teams playing age and .423 on-base percentage. Phil four times in 2018, including in the Madsen also has a .421 on-base perchampionship game and three more centage for the Black Sox. Brett Schertimes this season. schligt, Lance Friesen and Nathan The other is with Alexandria. The Weier all have two home runs, as well. Cardinals and Angels have played in Nathan Broehm has a 2.51 ERA five of the last six state tournaments, despite tossing a team-high 43 and while the Angels had won their innings. He also has 59 strikeouts to meetings in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 18 walks. The Black Sox have a 4.42 2017, Flandreau exacted some revenge team ERA, though allow 10.4 hits per with a 4-3 quarterfinal win over the game. Angels last year in Sioux Falls. FlanFreeman plays Flandreau at 7:30 dreau opens the tournament at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the p.m. Saturday against Freeman. state tournament.
FLANDREAU CARDINALS
FREEMAN BLACK SOX
in District 7B play. No one on Garretson has 20 hits, but Brett Fischer leads the team with 18 as he’s hit .409 with a .480 on-base percentage. Brad Ulmer (.412) and Derek Fischer (.407) are both hitting over .400, while Nick Bonte is second on the team with 15 hits and owns a .357 batting average. Scott Splett has four home runs. Dustin Steckler (26.2) and Bonte (22) are Garretson’s only pitchers with 20-plus innings. Steckler has a 6.08 ERA and Bonte has 40 strikeouts and a 2.05 ERA. Garretson has yet to allow a home run and holds teams to a .197 batting average. It battles Groton at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the first round of the state tournament.
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For the sixth time in seven years, Groton has made the state tournament. To qualify this year, it advanced to the District 2B championship game, but fell 21-11 in eight innings to Redfield on Aug. 2. It defeated Northville in the semifinals. A Pony Hills League member, Four Garretson is hoping this is finally Groton led the title game 6-2 before Corners returns to the state tour- the year it breaks through. The Bluenament for the fifth straight sea- jays (12-2) have made three straight Redfield sent 16 batters to the plate son. Four Corners finished second to final four appearances in the state during a 10-run third inning. It failed to get closer than Plankinton in the District 3B tourna- tournament, though lost to the evenment. tual champion Canova, 10-7, last sea- six runs again. Groton failed to make noise in last The Hayes-based club finished with son, Larchwood (Iowa) in the semifia 11-3 record in Pony Hills League nals in 2017 and to Alexandria in the year’s state tournament, when it fell 17-2 to Clark in the first round. It faces regular season action, with two losses 2016 championship. coming against the Bankers. The Bluejays have defeated Akron Garretson at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the In the District 3B championship, (Iowa) (9-4) and Harrisburg (10-0) first round of the state tournament.
FOUR CORNERS
GARRETSON BLUEJAYS
HARRISBURG WOODIES
Harrisburg has started to develop some consistency in the Class B tournament, reaching the state event for six years in a row, and reaching the Class B semifinals two years in a row. Last year, the Woodies were on the wrong end of a 7-2 loss to Flandreau in the semifinals. This season, Harrisburg punched its ticket to state with a 5-4 win in 12 innings on a walk-off double in the District 7B tournament. The Woodies were blanked 10-0 by Garretson in the district championship game. Harrisburg is battling .288 as a team and have nine home runs a team. Mark Abrahamson has belted a team-high three home runs, is batting .306 and has 12 RBIs. J.T. Miller leads the team with a .483 batting average and has driven in 10 runs. Dalton Allen (5-1) powers the pitching staff with a 1.73 ERA and has struck out 79 batters this season. Harrisburg plays Crofton (Nebraska) at 11 a.m. Thursday in the opening round this season.
CAPSULES: Page 9
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB
August 2019
STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB 9
August 2019
The Plankinton Bankers celebrate scoring a run during the District 3B tournament on Aug. 1 in Plankinton.
CAPSULES From Page 7
KIMBALL/WHITE LAKE NATIONALS
After a two-year hiatus, Kimball/White Lake is back at state. The Nationals knocked off Wessington Springs in the District 3B tourney to secure a spot. Kimball/White Lake went 6-8 in the Pony Hills League during the regular season. On June 6, Zak Wallner struck out 22 batters in Kimball/ White Lake’s 2-1 win over South Central in a Pony Hills League contest. Wallner also recorded a 10-strikeout game against Colome in the District 3B tourney. In Kimball/White Lake’s last trip in 2016, it defeated Milbank (15-3) and lost to Colman (5-3) in the second round. This year, the Nationals open against Tabor at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
LAKE NORDEN LAKERS
Lake Norden is back in the state tournament after a one-year absence. It defeated Volga, 8-4, in District 1B play to qualify this season. In Lake Norden’s win over Volga, Matt Stevenson and Jesse VanOverbeke both picked up two hits. Asa Stiles recorded three RBIs and Tony Campbell drove in a pair of runs to help lift it to the win. Kale Stevenson went the distance on the mound, striking out 10 batters and holding Volga to four earned runs on eight hits. The Lakers last made the state tournament in 2017 when it defeated Miller/Wessington in the first round before falling to Garretson. They lost to Plankinton in the first round of the 2016 tournament, as well. Lake Nor-
den takes on Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. up the win after holding the Gamecocks to one earned run in a three-inThursday. ning start. Sweeter tossed the final six innings as they combined to strike out seven batters. Lennox finished 3-15 in Cornbelt League action this season. Lennox Larchwood took down Akron (Iowa), lost to Harrisburg by a 12-0 decision 14-4, on July 31 in District 7B play to in last year’s second round. Lennox clinch a spot in the state tournament. plays Winner/Colome at 5:30 p.m. on The Diamonds (11-7) won five of their Wednesday in the first round. last seven games after starting the season 6-5. Micah Linn leads the team with 20 hits, while Keaton Grevengoed is Madison earned another trip to second with 19 but has team highs state with a 13-10 win over Lennox of four home runs and 19 RBIs. Scott Only One in the District 4B tournaErickson has also driven in 12 runs. ment. James Van Beek is hitting .364 for the The Broncos are hitting .310 as a Diamonds. Cody Groskreutz has post- team and have belted 16 home runs. ed a .349 batting average to go with a Brian Miller leads the team in home .481 on-base percentage. runs (six), RBIs (30) and batting averOn the mound, Patrick Sinnema has age (.429). Greg Biagi is hitting .423 paced Larchwood. He owns a 1.35 ERA and has 15 RBIs. Nick Bird (.421/17 and has 34 strikeouts over a team- RBIs) and Matt Burpee (.354/17 RBIs/3 high 33.1 innings. Trent Roose (2.22 home runs) bolster the offense. Mitch ERA) has fanned a team-best 42 bat- McNary has driven in 20 runs and is ters, though. hitting .346. Larchwood has had mixed results Bird has logged a team-high 47.2 at the state tournament the past two innings. He’s posted a 1.38 ERA and years. It fell to Parkston in the first posted 21 strikeouts. Hunter Jamison round last season but made it to the (3-2) has registered 26 strikeouts and championship game in 2017 before a 1.50 ERA in 38 innings. Alexandria defeated it. This year, The Broncos fell to Harrisburg by it takes on Mount Vernon at 11 a.m. a 6-4 decision in last year’s third Friday. round. Madison plays Four Corners at 1 p.m. Sunday to start the tournament.
LARCHWOOD (IOWA) DIAMONDS
MADISON BRONCOS
Ryan Deal / Republic
dropped an 11-10 decision against Wynot in the final. Menno is making its second straight trip to state. Menno finished 8-8 in South Central League action on the season. The Mad Frogs dropped an 8-2 decision against Garretson in last year’s opening round. Menno plays Clear Lake at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
MILBANK FIRECHIEFS
Milbank, which is in the tournament for the 10th straight year, made a run to the tournament quarterfinals a season ago, before falling 5-2 to Garretson. The Firechiefs (11-6) won the District 5B tournament with a 7-1 decision over Clark in the title game. Taylor Boerger (5-1) has logged a team-high 56.2 innings and has a 3.653 ERA. He’s posted 71 strikeouts. Dominique Boerger, a Dakota Wesleyan University pitcher, has struck out 55 batters and has a 3.374 ERA this season. Boerger (3-2) was the Great Plains Athletic Conference pitcher of the year and an NAIA honorable mention All-American selection this past season. Boerger is also batting .344 and has 17 RBIs. Lance Frogner (1-1) has a 2.739 ERA and has fanned 2.739 ERA. Frogner is also hitting .305 and has 14 RBIs. Offensively, Jesse Krause is batting .390 and has driven in 10 runs. Brady Krause has knocked in 12 runs and is hitting .324. Tristan Hall has clubbed four of the team’s seven home runs, Lennox Only One earned a second while hitting .339. He’s driven in a straight trip to state with a 16-6 win team-high 20 runs. over the Humboldt/Hartford GameThe Firechiefs dropped a 5-2 deciMenno’s spot in the state tourcocks in the District 4B tournament. nament was locked up with a 5-4, sion against Garretson in the quarterJustin Reilly and Drew Sweeter both 11-inning win over Freeman in the finals of last season’s state tournahad three hits in the win, while Chris District 6B semifinals on July 30. The ment. Milbank plays Chamberlain at Krouensk and Matt Hansen each had Mad Frogs advanced to the cham- 1 p.m. Friday. a pair. pionship game against tournament On the mound, Chad Reilly picked host Wynot (Neb.) on Aug. 4. Menno CAPSULES: Page 10
LENNOX ONLY ONE
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB
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August 2019
CAPSULES From Page 9
MOUNT VERNON MUSTANGS
The Mustangs (16-5) are back in the tournament after a oneyear hiatus. Mount Vernon was 10-4 in the Sunshine League during the regular season, and finished third in the league, which is its best finish since taking the Mustangs name in 2015. In the District 5B championship game, Mount Vernon fell to perennial power Alexandria, 4-0. The Mustangs did defeat Alexandria, 10-3, on July 16. Cameron Deinert and Chase Hetland both belted home runs against the Angels. Hetland and Briggs Havlik both recorded three hits. In a 10-0 win over Wagner this season, Eric Giblin hit for the cycle and drove in six runs. Mount Vernon plays Larchwood (Iowa) at 11 a.m. Friday in the opening round of state.
NORTHVILLE MERCHANTS
Representing District 2B, the Merchants are playing in their sixth straight state tournament. Northville defeated Groton Locke Electric (13-11) in the opening round of the district tourney. The Merchants lost to Redfield in the next round by a 9-0 score. Northville later dropped an 8-5 decision against Groton. Northville fell to Miller/Wessington by 9-1 decision in last year’s opening round. Northville plays South Central at 11 a.m. Saturday. Ryan Deal / Republic
Mount Vernon’s Eric Giblin, left, tags out Alexandria’s Cole Wenande on June 9 in Mount Vernon.
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August 2019
CAPSULES From Page 10
PLANKINTON BANKERS Plankinton returns to the state tournament for a seventh straight year coming off its third consecutive District 3B title. The Bankers defeated Four Corners, 9-5, to complete its 17-game winning streak to end the season and claim the 3B crown. Newcomer Alex Loes has led Plankinton (18-1) at the plate this season. He has team highs of 44 hits, 14 doubles, 42 runs and a .587 batting average with a .684 on-base percentage. Loes also has three home runs, though Tyler Waddle, who had 40 hits, leads the team with five bombs and 30 RBIs. Chris Hill, Trevor Salmonson and Trevor Boyd all have 22 hits, too. On the mound, Josh Engquist and Travis Gant have provided a one-two punch for the Bankers. Engquist has 113 strikeouts and a 1.18 ERA in 68.2 innings, while Gant has fanned 73 batters over 47.2 innings to help him own a 0.94 ERA. Loes has tossed 28.1 innings with a 1.59 ERA. Plankinton has been knocked out in the first round in each of its past two appearances. The Bankers open the tournament against Salem at 1 p.m. Thursday.
REDFIELD PHEASANTS
Jeremy Karll / Republic
Corsica-Stickney’s Dylanger Pierson (38) catches a throw to get the force out at first base to retire Mount Vernon’s Austin Redfield is back at state after a one- Graves in a Sunshine League game on Thursday in Mount Vernon.
year hiatus. The Pheasants defeated Groton Locke Electric 21-11 in eight innings in the District 2B championship game. Redfield erupted for 10 runs on just four hits in the third inning of the title game. Kaleb Rogers hammered a grand slam in the inning. In 2017, Redfield dropped a 9-7 decision against Mount Vernon in the opening round. Redfield plays Clark at 1 p.m. Saturday in the first round.
SALEM CUBS
Cole Cheeseman has racked up 26 hits, helping him hit .317 with a .363 on-base percentage for Salem. He’s On Aug. 3 in District 4B play, Salem joined by David Novak (19), Jon Fornotched a 3-2 win in 11 innings over ster (18) and Cory Struck (17) as the Humboldt/Hartford Wood Ducks Cubs with at least 15 hits this season. to qualify for the state tournament. Struck and Brian Duxbury have each The Cubs (11-13) are set to make their driven in a team-high 14 runs, too, first appearance since losing to Crof- while Cheeseman and Landon Neugeton (Neb.) in the first round of the bauer both have 12 RBIs. Tyler Earls is 7-1 with a 1.85 ERA 2017 tournament.
over 73 innings for the Cubs. He also has 59 strikeouts, with no other Cub pitchers fanning more than 20 batters. David Novak owns a 6.27 ERA over 33 innings and Struck has a 4.71 ERA over 21 innings. Salem makes its return to the state tournament at 1 p.m. Thursday against Plankinton.
CAPSULES: Page 12
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August 2019
CAPSULES From Page 11
SOUTH CENTRAL STORM South Central will get a taste of the state tournament this season. The Storm (7-8) needed an 11-7 win over Wessington Springs on August 3 in District 3B play to clinch their spot in the field. After starting the season 3-6, the Storm have turned their season around by winning four of their last six games. Blake Boes has been a consistent presence on the mound. He has a 2.82 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 51 innings this season. Paul Taggart has tossed 47.2 frames, posting an 8.31 ERA and fanning 62 batters. At the plate, Aaron Vomacka has a team-best 15 hits as he owns a .366 batting average and a .395 on-base percentage. He also has six RBIs, but Tom Groves and Boes lead the Storm with seven runs driven in apiece. Boes has scored 10 runs, too. South Central takes on Northville at 11 a.m. Saturday in the first round of the state tournament.
TABOR BLUEBIRDS
WINNER/COLOME PHEASANTS
Ryan Deal / Republic
Dimock-Emery’s Drew Kitchens fires a ball to first base to complete a double play against Winner/Colome on June 27 in Emery. Winner/Colome’s J.J. Farner is sliding into second base. .973 ERA. Derek Graesser (4-0) has recorded 39 strikeouts and has a 1.862 ERA. The Pheasants lost to Larchwood 10-4 in the first round of last year’s state tournament. Winner/Colome faces Lennox in the opening game at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
A state-tourney regular, Winner/ Colome took a longer road to state this season. The No. 2 seed in District 5B tourney, the Pheasants were upset by Wagner in the opening round. They responded with shutout wins over Platte (6-0) and Parkston (8-0) to earn another berth at state. The Pheasants (15-4) are dangerous at the plate. They’ve hit 18 home runs and are batting .328 as a team. Reed Harter paces the offense with a .478 average and has crushed seven home runs on the season. He hit three home runs in two different games this season. Kelly O’Bryan (.412) and Austin Calhoon (.411/20 RBIs) are also batting over .400. Dillon Lambley (.358/17 RBIs), Derek Graesser (.333/15 RBIs/3 home runs), Austin Richey (.333/17 RBI/4 home runs) and Zach Harter (.316/20 RBIs) also add pop to the lineup. On the mound, Connor Hopkins sports a 3-0 record and has logged 44 innings. He’s fanned 57 batters and has a 3.682 ERA. J.J. Farner (3-2) has struck out 58 batters and has a
l
WYNOT (NEB.) EXPOS
The Expos finished 9-7 in South Central League games during the regThe District 6B champs, Wynot is back ular season. The Expos were eliminated in last in the state tournament once again. The Expos outlasted Menno, 11-10, year’s opening round, falling 3-2 in the district championship game on against Madison. This season, Wynot Aug. 4. Wynot’s Jackson Sudbeck was plays Corsica-Stickney at 7:30 p.m. on the District 6B MVP. Wednesday in the first round.
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Representing District 6B, Tabor earned another berth with an 11-1 win over Irene in the district tournament. Chris Sutera led Tabor with three hits, while Hunter Hallock and Zach Sutera had two hits apiece. Austin Wise struck out six batters and allowed three hits to earn the win. Tabor finished 10-6 in South Central League play this season. The Bluebirds fell to Colman by a 11-6 decision in last year’s first round. Tabor plays Kimball/White Lake at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB 13
August 2019
Home runs remain rare at state in wood-bat era
T
here’s a reason a T-shirt is given as the prize for hitting a home run at the South Dakota State amateur baseball tournament. Going deep at Cadwell Park, or anywhere else come state tournament time, is not as easy as it once was. That is, of course, mainly because wood bats have been the mandated hitting tool since 2012, when metal bats were pushed aside. An analysis of the last decade of Class B amateur baseball tournaments – which include 31 games each year – shows the tournament averages eight home runs per year. In the three years prior to the MARCUS TRAXLER 2012 change, there was no tournament with fewer than Sports editor 25 home runs in those same 31 games. So the home run era at the South Dakota state amateur baseball tournament is certainly over. But watch the amateur baseball tournament this month at Cadwell Park, and you’re not likely to hear anyone lament the loss of the long ball. Pitching and defense remain traits held in the highest regard among amateur teams, and one could argue that the pitching in South Dakota’s teams continues to remain as strong as ever. A string of three or four hits becomes much more meaningful, as does the ability to manufacture runs with good contact hitting, walks and wise baserunning. Home runs have become even more meaningful. A three-run home run is a devastating blow in any game, but especially among amateur players with wood bats. There’s no question the change had curtailed offense. In 2011 – which was the final year using metal bats in the state tournament – there were 460 runs scored in the 31 games of the Class B tournament, or more than seven runs per team per game. In 2012, there were 247 runs scored, a 47.3 percent drop, and fewer than four runs per team per game.
In recent tournaments, run-scoring has bounced back at the Class B state tournament, including teams averaging more than five runs per game in each of the last two tournaments and three of the last four. And just for fun, we know Cadwell Park has the largest outfield in South Dakota. An examination of the size of the outfield at Cadwell Park – which measures 340 feet down the lines, 374 feet to the power alleys and 420 feet to straightaway center field – measured at about 2.2 acres, which is about 12 percent larger than Sioux Falls Stadium (1.93 acres) and about 18 percent larger than Ronken Field at Augustana University (1.81 acres). The big outfield has likely been helpful with balls dropping in as hits, even if it has taken away some home runs. In the five previous tournaments played with wood bats at Cadwell, an average of 4.87 runs have been scored per team per game. In a small sample size (one year each), Sioux Falls Stadium yielded 4.16 runs per game per team and Ronken Field – which hosted for the first time in 2018 – allowed 5.42 runs per game last year. By no means is that scientific, but it does shed some light on how Cadwell Park has been able to remain a fair offensive park in the wood-bat era, with more room for hits and runs, even if home runs will be a tough task. All of the data points as a good sign for the health of the amateur state tournament. There’s probably a higher likelihood of a 2-1 game than a 12-11 contest, but both have proven to be fun just the same. And when there’s a home run at the state tournament, particularly at Cadwell Park, we know there’s even more reason to cheer.
HOME RUNS IN CLASS B STATE TOURNEY, BY YEAR 2018 — 14 *2017 — 12 *2016 — 6 *2015 — 9
*2014 — 2 2013 — 6 *2012 — 7 (change to wood bats
for 2012 season) *2011 — 25 2010 — 49 *2009 — 38
*indicates tournament was at Cadwell Park
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB
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August 2019
South Dakota amateur baseball special for many reasons
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here’s just something special about South Dakota amateur baseball. ► It’s special for the nicknames. We’ve got everything from Killer Tomatoes to Mudcats to Horned Frogs to Outlaws to Bankers to Flying Squirrels and just about everything else in between. Each nickname is unique and fans beam with pride sporting their favorite mascot. ► It’s special for the fields. Towns with hundreds of people pump thousands of dollars into their ballparks for a few months of glory. Countless hours are put into making the fields shine on game days and fields serve as a point of
pride for the small towns. ► It’s special for the atmosphere. Little towns come alive on hot summer nights to gab, eat, drink and RYAN watch baseball. It epitomizes smallDEAL Sports writer town America and it brings communities together for a few hours on game days. ► It’s special for the support. Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, cousins and everybody else file into the ballparks to support their favorite teams. They load up on 50/50 raffle
tickets and play trivia. ► It’s special for the tradition. Amateur baseball in South Dakota dates back to the 1930s and it’s filled with history. There’s even a South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in Lake Norden. ► It’s special for the future. The fences are lined with kids and every foul ball is chased down for a buck or a freeze pop. The dugout is usually manned by a bat boy, who will one day be the town’s next big slugger. ► It’s special for the camaraderie. Players began battling against each other in teener and Legion ball. But there’s very little trash talk and instead fun chatter usually follows
after a double play or pop up. ► It’s special for the love of the game. There are no salaries and it’s all about playing for the guy next in the lineup. There are no airports or fancy hotels. Players travel hours for games and drive back that night with the dark South Dakota sky looking down on them. ► It’s special for the state tournament. After a one-year hiatus, it returns to Mitchell’s Cadwell Park this year. Mitchell is surrounded by these tiny towns that ooze baseball and it’s a perfect host for the tourney. Cadwell Park will come alive for 12 straight days of beer, bingo, burgers and baseball. Play ball.
A large crowd gathers in the Cadwell Park grandstand Aug. 13, 2017 for the Class B state amateur baseball championship game between the Alexandria Angels and the Larchwood Diamonds in Mitchell.
Matt Gade / Republic
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STATE AMATEUR BASEBALL TAB 15
August 2019
Alexandria’s Tyson Gau delivers a pitch. Matt Gade / Republic
Pitchers put to the test By Ryan Deal The Daily Republic The old adage you can never have too much pitching will again ring true at the South Dakota state amateur baseball tournament. Pitching in the 12-day, single elimination tournament comes down to strategically managing innings, arms and rest. But it all starts with the first game. “We look at game one, game two going in and decide what’s going to be our best option for game one, game two thought process and that’s really all the further we look from a strategy perspective,” Alexandria catcher/ manager Chris
Marek said. “Simply being it’s a single elimination tournament. You have to win the first one to play the second one. So you can’t overlook anybody.” Marek said the Angels start with their two-game plan and build off that. They will look at potential matchups after that, but “being single elimination those matchups may not take place simply because there’s upsets and teams get beat that maybe you don’t expect to get beat and so forth. Then it’s an in-game decision based on situation, run differential at that point and so forth.” Dimock-Emery manager Brad Bartscher shares the same philosophy. “The old saying is you have to win your first one to move on,” Bartscher said. “But I think you need to look ahead to prepare a little bit matchup-wise and who has had success against certain teams. My philosophy is to win the whole thing you do need to look ahead, although it is important to win that first game. But as far as looking ahead you need to have the right matchups to win those
Managing arms, innings key in state tourney
games.” Alexandria has used a strong pitching staff to make deep runs in recent state tournaments. The Angels have won state tournaments in 2013, 2016 and 2017, while also finishing as runner-ups in 2014 and 2015. Alexandria’s dynamite pitching staff starts with Tyson Gau and Trever Vermeulen, while Jordan Gau has also logged major innings in the past. Dakota Wesleyan University pitcher Ethan Davis joined the staff this season, while Alexandria added Parkston ace Brady Nolz as a pick-up player for this year’s state tourney. “I guess the depth of pitching is probably a key factor in our long running success at the state tournament, especially when you know you have arms you can trust in any situation to throw them in there and hopefully trust that they are going to get the job done,” Marek said. While starting pitching is crucial at state, depth among the staff is just as key for making a deep run. Dimock-Emery’s Phil Johnson is the staff’s workhorse, but Bartscher has also worked on establishing depth throughout the year. “Phil is obviously our ace and he’s our innings eater,” Bartscher said. “But Jason and Jared Schmidt, Drew Kitchens, Sam Pischke have been very, very important to us all year long. We played non-league games to get them more innings on the
mound. They haven’t thrown a lot lately, but they are going to be ready to go just because they’ve been on the mound for a certain amount of innings throughout the year.” And once teams get to state, there’s no holding back. There is no pitchcount rule and some hurlers will log major innings and sometimes going on short rest. “I would say it’s more guts and finding the desire of being able to do it,” Marek said. “That last weekend, you either have to play Thursday, Saturday, Sunday or Friday, Saturday, Sunday — potentially. That’s a tough little run there and you really can see who has the depth at that point in time. That is when it shows up.” Managers still keep track of pitches thrown. Bartscher likes to keep pitchers between 100 and 140 pitchers thrown, while also allowing his staff to do their thing out there. “There’s definitely a strategy behind it, but yet, when it comes down to it you give your horses the ball and let them go,” Bartscher said. “Everybody has those guys and obviously they are going to put the team on their shoulders and go out there. That’s where it starts and you have your other guys to bridge innings for you and piece it together. The teams that do that are going to have the success and have a chance to win the whole thing.”
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