Pierre opened up a 5-0 lead after the top of the third but the Brookings Bandits were able to come back and win 6-5 in eight innings with a walk-off single to defeat Pierre in game one of the state tournament.
Jett Zabel drove in the first run in the game of the game in the top of the first before George Stalley walked in the second run to give Pierre a 2-0 lead after one. Matt Hanson drove in two runs on an RBI single in the second to up the lead to 4-0. Lincoln had an RBI double in the third to give Pierre a 5-0 advantage and the Eights looked to be off and rolling. However, Brookings would score four runs in the fourth behind RBIs from Lincoln Hardin, Breck Hirrschoff and Justin Coffel to pull within 5-4. In the bottom of the sixth an RBI double from Coffel would tie the game on his second RBI and third hit of the game. Henry Hammrich, who was 0-4 came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, drove in the game winning run as Jack Merkwan just missed a diving catch.
Kienholz went five innings allowing four runs on seven hits, one walk and four strikeouts. Merkwan went two innings giving up two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
Pierre will face the loser of the Brandon Valley and Sioux Falls East on Thursday at 11:00 AM Central Time. Coverage will start at 10:45 on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports with Jon Winkler on the call.
