The Pierre Governors would rattle off 14 wins in a row culminating Saturday with the first ever state championship in program history, beating the Harrisburg Tigers 4-2 in Sioux Falls.
In the state semifinal against Brandon Valley Jonny Lyons had a two out, two RBI single in the bottom of the first to give Pierre a 2-0 lead and it would hold up as the only runs of the game in the 2-0 win. Lincoln Kienholz, who won the Class A player of the year and announced before the game, went six and 2/3 innings allowing just five hits and one walk with nine strikeouts. JJ Bucholz would come in and throw one pitch to retire the only hitter he faced and sent the Govs to the championship game. In the championship game, Jack Merkwan would get a two RBI single to put Pierre up 2-1 in the bottom of the third immediately after Harrisburg scored its first run of the game. Harrisburg would inch closer in the top of the fifth with Max Carlson single to make it 3-2, but it was Lyons again coming up clutch with a base hit to extend the lead right back to 4-2. Jackson Edman went four innings in the start giving up eight hits, two runs, and four strikeouts. Bucholz would come in relief again for the final three innings and allow just two hits and three strikeouts. Harrisburg had first and second with two outs in the top of the seventh and the go-ahead run at the plate, but it was Bucholz to deliver one final pitch…
Cody Sharrow, coach of the Governors spoke highly of the work Bucholz did to close out the game and what he did all season…
For Sharrow, it’s been a fun ride to be along with Steve Gray and Ryan Krueger, two coaches who have been through plenty of seasons with the Pierre Governors…
The Governors finish the season after starting 0-5 at 14-5, claiming the first ever state title in program history.
