The Pierre Governors would show why they are the number one seed in the state winning both games on Saturday over the Douglas Patriots 20-0 and Lincoln Patriots 4-1.
The Governors wasted no time taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Douglas and then rolling in 14 runs in the second to lead Douglas 17-0 before finishing off the first round win. In game two, Lincoln Kienholz would get the start going five innings allowing a first inning unearned run on just five hits with three walks and striking out nine. Brecken Krueger would tie the game in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly before giving the Govs the 2-1 lead on a two out RBI single after Kienholz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Krueger would then score in the bottom of the fifth on the two out RBI double by Jonny Lyons to make it 3-1. JJ Bucholz would finish the game going the final two innings allowing just one base runner and striking out three to earn his second save of the season.
The Governors are now 12-5 on the season and on a 12 game winning streak heading into the semifinals as they reach the semis for the first time since 2018. Pierre faces Brandon Valley in one semifinal game after they beat Washington 13-8. The other semifinal will be Jefferson facing Harrisburg after Jefferson shutout the two seed Yankton 3-0 and Harrisburg had a walk-off wild pitch to win the first game 2-1 over Huron and a walk-off bases loaded walk to beat Mitchell 4-3 to reach the semifinals. Coverage of the Governors semifinals will be on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports on Saturday.
