The Pierre Governors couldn’t get timely hits in game one and were stymied to just three hits in game two as the Mitchell Kernels picked up a doubleheader sweep on Opening Day with wins at 6-4 and 5-0.
Pierre had seven hits in game with four going for extra base hits as Spencer Easland and Brecken Krueger both doubled while Lincoln Kienholz and Matthew Brewer each had a triple. However, the Govs failed to hit with runners in scoring position and had five unearned runs against in the loss. Kienholz, Jack Merkwan, Jonny Lyons and Easland all drove in runs. Mitchell had just two hits in the game, but three errors and 11 free passes allowed six runs to score for the Kernels. Jackson Edman picked up the loss going two innings allowing four unearned runs on two walks and five strikeouts. Ridge Leimbach and Easland each threw two innings in relief.
In game two, Mitchell’s Peyton Schroder threw a three hit shutout allowing two walks and four strikeouts. Schroder was able to spread out the three hits in three different innings. George Stalley, Kienholz and Lyons were the only ones to pick up a hit in the loss. Jett Zabel was tagged with the loss giving up three runs on two hits in an inning of work. Kienholz came in relief striking out nine in three innings. Dylan Soulek hit a two run home run in the bottom of the fifth to seal the win and doubleheader sweep for the Kernels.
Pierre will look for its first wins this weekend when they travel to Augustana to take on O’Gorman on Friday and Roosevelt on Saturday. Friday’s games will begin at 5:00 and Saturday’s at 10:00 AM. All four games will be on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports with Jon Winkler on the call.
