Photo: Bri Duerre
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Watertown Post 17 utilized a “pitcher by committee” approach and unleashed a barrage of big hits to sweep a doubleheader against Groton Post 39 on Monday night at Watertown Stadium, winning 11-1 and 13-3.
Watertown 11, Groton 1 (5 Innings)
Cole Hansen went 3-for-4 at the plate and Jonathan Lake drove in three runs to power Watertown to an 11-1 victory in a game shortened to five innings by the run rule.
Cain Everson contributed two hits and an RBI to the offensive surge, while Ashton Rabine, Lincoln Schutt, and Carter Busker each chipped in a hit.
On the mound, Post 17 rotated through four different pitchers. Hunter Halajian started the contest, striking out two in one inning of work. Kasen Jensen earned the victory after throwing two frames, allowing two hits and striking out three. Jackson McClemans and Max Sears each threw one inning.
“I thought our pitchers did a good job of coming out and doing what they needed to do, and that was attack the strike zone,” Watertown coach Ryan Neale said. “There was a handful of guys that haven’t probably pitched in 10 days, and it was important to get out there and attack the strike zone and just get a feel for it again.”
Alex Abeln and Braedon Fliehs recorded the only hits for Groton. Jarrett Erdmann took the loss, allowing seven runs on six hits while walking six and striking out four over four innings.
Watertown 13, Groton 3 (6 Innings)
Lincoln Schutt finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs to guide Watertown to a 13-3 victory in the nightcap, which concluded in six innings due to the run rule.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning, McClemans broke the contest open with a bases-clearing, three-run triple. The clutch hit sparked a six-run explosion for the Arrows. McClemans finished the night 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Everson, Jaxon Falak, Sam Olson, Tripp Jorgenson, Kye Paulson, and Jensen each added a hit to the 11-hit attack.
“We did hit some balls hard tonight,” Neale said. “I think that was one of the things when you’re off for four days from competition and seeing live pitching, you really wanted to be able to track the baseball, and I think that’s what we did. Hopefully, that leads into some things for some of our guys moving forward.”
Pitcher-by-committee continued in game two. Rabine earned the win, striking out five and walking four over two innings of work. Buisker, Kooper Heiser, Markus Pitkin, and Everson each threw one inning.
Abeln and Carter Simon each collected two hits for Groton, while Erdmann, Gavin Englun, and Nick Groeblinghoff each drove in a run. Karsten Fliehs took the loss, surrendering 13 runs (12 earned) on 11 hits.
Up Next
Watertown (24-17, 9-7) travels to the Omaha metro area June 17-20 to compete in the Creighton Prep Tournament. The annual trip doubles as a team-bonding experience, as the players will attend College World Series games.
Neale emphasized that attending the tournament offers more than just entertainment.
“Being able to take guys down there, see these great teams that have made it this far and be able to see it in person, watch the stuff that happens on the field that the camera doesn’t show,” Neale said. “We’ll see a lot of different teams and play some nice facilities, let the boys watch a few games and enjoy the weekend.”
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