Pierre Post 8 would finish the regular season with a hard earned split on the road against Brandon Valley in a 18-4 loss in game one and 11-3 win in game two.
The Eights would give up an 11 run second inning in game one and a grand slam from Sam Senjoha would drop the Eights who trailed 18-0 after four innings. Pierre did not get a base runner until the top of the fifth, but would score four runs as Matthew Coverdale would drive in the first run with a double before George Stalley would drive in two along with an RBI from Matt Hanson.
The four run fifth inning would be a big key to start the second game. Not mailing in the at-bats would spark the Eights to score twice in the first inning on a Jett Zabel RBI double and Jonny Lyons RBI single. However, Brandon Valley would score three in the bottom of the first and force Pierre behind again after the first. The Eights would score five times in the third as Carter Sanderson was hit by a pitch with bases loaded, Ridge Leimbach would drive in two runs, Coverdale with an RBI groundout and then Leimbach would score on a wild pitch to put the Eights up 7-3. With an 8-3 lead in the seventh, Spencer Easland would put the finishing touches on the final game of the regular season with a three run homer, the first of his career. Zabel would get the win on the mound going 4 and 2/3 innings allowing all three runs while Miles Doyle would slam the door getting the final seven outs.
The Eights finish the season at 6-18 in South Dakota games and 9-26 overall. Pierre will wait to see their fate after games complete on Monday and the bracket is set on Tuesday. The Eights will play on Thursday and Friday in a best two-of-three series on the road for a chance to qualify for the state tournament. Coverage will be on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports with Jon Winkler on the call.
