Pierre Post 8 will have their backs against the wall to start Thursday after Watertown would squeak out a 5-4 win in game one of the best-of-three series at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
After a controversial call in the top of the first led to a two out infield single giving Watertown a 1-0 lead, Pierre came back and struck for three runs in the bottom of the first with Tripp Lindekugel, Will Eilers and Bridger Babcock each having an RBI single to give the Eights a 3-1 lead. Sam Olson would have a two RBI single in the top of the third to tie the game at 3-3 as he went 3-4 with 3 RBIs in the game one win. Pierre would take the lead again in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single from Will Danburg, but the Eights would fail to get a base runner the rest of the way as Jackson McClemans would finish a complete game giving up four runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Johnathan Lake had a two out RBI double in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 4-4 before the bases would be loaded and a wild pitch gave Post 17 the lead. Pierre used three pitchers with Carter Templeton leaving the game in the fourth inning with an apparent injury. He went three and one third innings allowing three runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Ryker Edson would be charged with two runs on two hits with three walks and a strikeout. Porter Hunsley would strikeout four in the final two and one third innings. Lindekugel had a double.
Post 8 will have to win both games on Thursday with Watertown needing just one win to get the series win and advance to the state tournament. Coverage on Thursday begins at 11:40 with first pitch at 12:00 on KCCR and on YouTube at KCCR Sports with Jon Winkler on the call.
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