Photos: Bri Duerre
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Markus Pitkin hit for the cycle over a two-day span, and a pair of stellar pitching performances guided Watertown to a weekend sweep of Sioux Falls Lincoln in the Super Regionals, punching the Arrows’ ticket back to the SDHSBA Class A State Tournament.
Watertown opened the series Friday with a 9-5 victory before securing the sweep Saturday afternoon with a 6-1 win.
“I think there’s just a lot of upside and a lot of unknowns with us,” Watertown coach Ryan Neale said. “We’re going to play loose. We’re playing with house money at this point, so I feel very comfortable with our guys going into the tournament.”
Game 1: Watertown 9, Sioux Falls Lincoln 5
Hunter Halajian set the tone in the opener Friday night, racking up six strikeouts while allowing just two runs and four hits over 6 1/3 innings.
The Arrows jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Pitkin extended the advantage in the third with a solo home run, the first piece of his weekend cycle. Watertown blew the game open in the sixth, pouring on six runs to build a commanding 9-0 lead.
Cole Hansen, Pitkin, Sam Olson, Jackson McClemans, Ashton Rabine, and Cain Everson all recorded hits for Watertown.
Halajian was pulled after a 104-pitch effort, giving way to Lincoln Schutt in relief. The Patriots mounted a late rally against Schutt in the seventh, scoring five runs—highlighted by a three-run homer from Colin Lunders. However, Schutt induced an Opland Sonnichsen pop-out to end the game.
Cooper Hicks and Jude Timat led Lincoln with two hits apiece. Carter Brady took the loss, allowing five runs on two hits and four walks over five innings.
“Hunter kept them off balance,” Neale said. “You can’t say enough good things about Hunter Halajian. The way he came out and pitched tonight, there will be good things for him moving forward. That’s why we had the confidence in him in game one.”
Game 2: Watertown 6, Sioux Falls Lincoln 1
On Saturday, Pitkin finished off his two-day cycle by going 3-for-4, finishing just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle in a single game. He collected a triple, a double, and a single to lead the Arrows’ offense.
Carter Buisker, Olson, Maxx Sears, and Rabine each added hits for Watertown.
“He’s really a game-changer,” Neale said of Pitkin. “You saw him run that ball down in the first inning here today. He covers a lot of ground, and he’s just a five-tool player that can do a lot of special things. We’re happy he’s on our team.”
McClemans delivered another gem on the mound, matching Halajian’s longevity by pitching 6 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on nine hits while striking out six. Buisker entered in the seventh to earn the save.
“It starts with Jackson McClemans and his effort on the mound tonight,” Neale said. “What he was able to do against a very potent and dangerous Sioux Falls Lincoln lineup—he was outstanding.”
Sonnichsen went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Lincoln, while Timat and Jacksyn Raak each had two hits as part of a 10-hit afternoon for the Patriots. Owen Lechtenberg suffered the loss, giving up five runs on six hits and five walks in five innings.
Up Next
Watertown (13-7) enters the SDHSBA Class A State Tournament as the No. 8 seed. The Arrows opponent is yet to be determined for May 22 at Augustana University’s Ronken Field.
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