Photos: Bri Duerre for WTNSports.com
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Watertown Post 17 used a massive six-run fourth inning in game one and a 12-hit barrage in game two to secure a doubleheader sweep over Sioux Falls East, winning 8-1 and 12-6.
Watertown 8, Sioux Falls East 1
In the opener, Jonathan Lake broke a scoreless tie in the fourth with an RBI single, igniting a six-run onslaught. Tripp Jorgenson drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, followed by a two-run single from Cain Everson. Carter Buisker added an RBI single, and an error allowed another run to cross. The Arrows tacked on two insurance runs in the fifth to seal the victory.
Jackson McClemens earned the complete-game victory on the mound, limiting Sioux Falls East to just one run on five hits while striking out six.
“Jackson just was on cruise control and offense got going the second time through the order,” Watertown coach Ryan Neale said. “Jackson doesn’t walk a lot of guys, which allowed us to play clean defense and take control of the game.”
Buisker led the game-one offense, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Lake and Sam Olson each recorded multi-hit games, while Everson and Jaxon Falak drove in two runs apiece. Colin Lunders went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Sioux Falls East, and Carter Brady took the loss.
Watertown 12, Sioux Falls East 6
In the nightcap, Watertown capitalized on four Sioux Falls East errors and collected 12 hits to claim the victory.
Markus Pitkin paced the Arrows, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Everson compiled a three-hit night, while Cole Hansen and Olson each added two hits. Kye Paulson contributed two RBIs.
“For us to be able to get some crooked numbers on, I think we had the feeling this was going to be an opportunity where we were probably going to score a lot of runs,” Neale said. “We just didn’t want to hand-gift them some of those opportunities.”
Hunter Halajian, who announced his college commitment to Northeast Iowa Community College earlier in the day, started on the mound for the Arrows, striking out four over 2 1/3 innings. Kasen Jensen earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on two hits over 2 2/3 innings, before Buisker and Pitkin each threw an inning of relief to close it out.
“The bullpen did awesome,” said Neale. “They only had five hits overall tonight. We just didn’t want to give up a lot of free passes, and make them put it in play, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Ethan Knettel, Kale Meyer, Jacob Madsen, Lunders, and Jude Timat each had a hit for Sioux Falls East. Cooper Wasmund took the loss, allowing nine runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Up Next
Watertown (31-18, 16-10) heads into the final two weeks of the regular season with a crucial doubleheader against Pierre on Monday at home. Post 17 TV will broadcast both games on its YouTube channel beginning at 5 p.m.
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