Pierre Post 8 started out in Minot on a roll winning both games on Friday but fell to Mandan twice on Saturday being eliminated in the semifinals and finishing 2-2 in the tournament.
Post 8 did not trail on the first day as they rolled to a 7-1 and 7-2 wins over Watertown, Minnesota and the Minot Vistas. Bennett Dean went deep for his first home run of the year in the first game while Cade Hinkle hit a long ball in game two against Minot. Dean drove in four of the seven runs in the first game win going 3-4. Isaac Polak threw another five innings of shutout baseball for the Eights and have now gone four straight outings without allowing an earned run for Pierre. Gary Nedved picked up a complete game win over Minot to close out day one. Pierre clinched the top seed after the second win Friday night.
The Mandan Chiefs beat Pierre 6-1 on Saturday to close out the round robin portion of the tournament for both teams. Lucas Burgum for the Chiefs drove in three runs including a home run to beat the Eights. Mandan, although beating the Eights were still the fourth seed of the four teams to face Pierre again after a game break. A 10 run top of the fifth was the downfall for Pierre as they fell 12-8 in the semifinals. Maguire Raske and Jayden Wiebe each had two hits while Jack Merkwan finished 3-4 with 2 RBIs in the second game. In the top of the fifth, all nine men came to the plate and reached base before the first out was recorded.
The Eights are now 17-11 on the season and will play two South Dakota opponents this week starting with Brandon Valley on Tuesday and then Mitchell on Friday, both on the road. You can listen to all Post 8 games on KCCR, kccrradio.com and watch on YouTube at KCCR Sports. Coverage will begin at 4:40 on Tuesday in Brandon with a 5:00 first pitch.
