With a combined five hits between the two teams, Watertown scored three unearned runs beating Pierre 5-2 in the first round of the state tournament on Tuesday.
Watertown would score first in the bottom of the first taking advantage of two free passes as Kaden Rylance would single home a run with two outs. A bases loaded walk to Nathan Briggs made it 2-0 in the bottom of the second, but Pierre would fight back. Dawson Getz would get Pierre’s first hit of the game with a two out RBI single in the top of the third to pull Pierre within one at 2-1 and an error in the top of the fifth off the bat of Getz would tie the game at 2-2. But a two out error in the bottom of the fifth with runners at second and third would score two runs to put Watertown ahead for good with a 4-2 lead. Another two base error in the bottom of the sixth would help score an insurance run for Watertown leading to the 5-2 win. Ridge Leimbach would be tagged with the loss on the mound allowing four runs, two earned on two hits with eight walks and five strikeouts. Will Danburg threw 23 pitches in an inning and a third allowing an unearned run on a hit with a walk. He is available to throw on Wednesday if needed for Pierre.
The Eights will play at 1:00 on Wednesday in an elimination game against Yankton. Coverage will begin at 12:45 and first pitch at 1:00 on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports with Dylan Simmons on the call.
Other First Round Scores
Rapid City Post 320 4, Rapid City Post 22 1
Harrisburg 8, Yankton 0
Renner 6, Brandon Valley 2
Wednesday Matchups
Elimination Games
Rapid City Post 22 vs. Brandon Valley – 10:00 AM
Pierre vs. Yankton – 1:00
Second Round Games
Rapid City Post 320 vs. Renner – 4:00
Harrisburg vs. Watertown – 7:00
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