Photo: Bri Duerre | WTNSports.com
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Kooper Heiser launched a three-run home run to trigger the run rule in the opener and the Watertown Arrows showed off their strong pitching in the nightcap to secure a doubleheader sweep of Tea Area on Thursday at Watertown Stadium.
Game 1: Watertown 10, Tea Area 0
The Arrows ended the first contest in the fifth inning following a seven-run outburst, highlighted by Heiser’s three run homer. Cole Hansen, Jaxon Falak, and Cain Everson each recorded two hits to pace an 11-hit contest.
Hunter Halajian earned the win on the mound, surrendering only one run and one hit over five innings while striking out five.
“The floodgates opened and we went whack-whack-whack,” Watertown coach Ryan Neale said. “We took advantage of an extra out and we put up a seven-spot to close the game out. Offensively, it was a very positive night from early on.”
Avery Hangman recorded the lone hit for Tea Area. Ethan Knettel took the loss, allowing 10 runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Game 2: Watertown 6, Tea Area 4
In the nightcap, Jaxon Falak drove in two runs and the Arrows’ aggressive baserunning—led by Markus Pitkin and Falak—resulted in seven stolen bases to complete the sweep.
Watertown relied on a “pitcher by committee” approach to navigate the second game. Jackson McClemans earned the victory after allowing four runs in three innings of work. Ashton Rabine and Cain Everson followed with scoreless innings of relief, and Kasen Jensen secured the save.
“That was designed to continue building arm strength for a lot of these guys,” Neale said of the pitching strategy. “They all threw the ball across the plate and made them put it in play. It was a good night from the staff overall.”
Tea Area saw hits from Easton Foudray, Zach Pies, Tyson Gilbert, Ethan Knettel, and Zach Rieland. Hangman took the loss, giving up five runs in 2 2/3 innings.
Up Next
Watertown (3-1) is scheduled to travel to Sioux Falls on Saturday for a pair of games against Roosevelt and Jefferson, weather permitting.
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