WATERTOWN, S.D. — Jonathan Lake drove in five runs to power Watertown to a 12-5 opening victory over Brandon Valley on Saturday, before the Lynx roared back to take the nightcap 18-8 in six innings.
The split featured a ceremony between games honoring the 2026 Watertown Baseball Hall of Fame. Inductees Grant Osthus and Jason Adams threw out the ceremonial first pitches. Fellow inductee Tanner Neale was unable to attend and will be honored with a banner raising at a later date.
Game 1: Watertown 12, Brandon Valley 5
Lake set the tone early for Watertown, launching a three-run home run in the first inning. He finished 3-for-4 at the plate. Markus Pitkin added two hits and three RBIs, while Cole Hanson contributed two hits in the win.
On the mound, Hunter Halajian earned the victory striking out eight batters over six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits.
Caleb Severin led the Brandon Valley effort with three hits in four at-bats, while Bryce Plucker added two hits and three RBIs. Brayden Knutson took the loss for the Lynx, surrendering six runs on four hits while striking out four.
“It started with Hunter Halajian; he was phenomenal,” said Watertown coach Ryan Neale. “He kept Brandon off-balance by being able to throw three pitches. That’s what you need against a good offensive team like that. The offense was able to manufacture runs and we played really, really good in game one.”
Game 2: Brandon Valley 18, Watertown 8 (6 Innings)
The Lynx offense ignited in the second game, racking up 14 hits to force a shortened six-inning contest. Brayden Knutson led the charge, going 3-for-3, while Jack Blomgren and Maxwell Peters each drove in three runs.
Caleb Sevrin, Bryton Stroh, Blomgren, and Peters all recorded multi-hit games for Brandon Valley. Mason Veld earned the win, striking out six and allowing three runs on two hits.
Watertown’s Markus Pitkin provided a bright spot in the loss, finishing 4-for-4 with an RBI. Kooper Heiser took the loss, surrendering 10 runs on seven hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings. Kasen Jenson pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief.
“We walked too many guys, we left too many guys on, and we left plays out in the field,” Neale said. “One step forward, two steps back type mentality and a little bit deflating at the end of the day. But at the same time, we have an opportunity to rebound and go back at it again tomorrow.”
Up Next
Watertown hosts Yankton on Sunday for a doubleheader starting at noon. Both games will be broadcast on Post 17 TV.
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