PIERRE, S.D. — Watertown Post 17 captured game one of a seesaw battle Wednesday, edging Pierre Post 8 5-4 in the opener of the Class A Super Regional at Hyde Stadium.
Sam Olson opened the scoring for Watertown with an RBI single in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Pierre answered in the bottom half as RBI singles from Tripp Lindekugel, Alec Eilers, and Bridger Babcock put Post 8 ahead 3-1.
Watertown responded when Olson drove a single into center field to bring home two runs and tie the game at 3. Will Danburg reclaimed the lead for Pierre in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single to make it 4-3.
In the fifth, Jonathan Lake leveled the score once more with an RBI double for Post 17. Moments later, Lake scored from second base on a wild pitch by Pierre reliever Porter Hunsley, giving Watertown a 5-4 advantage it would not relinquish.
Olson led the Watertown offense, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Lake added two hits and an RBI, while Carter Busker chipped in two hits.
Jackson McClemans pitched a complete game to earn the win for the Arrows, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out three.
Lindekugel led Pierre at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Danburg and Babcock also tallied two hits apiece.
Carter Templeton started on the mound for Pierre, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out five over 3 1/3 innings. Hunsley took the loss in relief, striking out four over 2 1/3 innings.
Game two of the best-of-three series is scheduled for noon Thursday. Watertown is seeking a return to the Class A State Tournament after hosting the event last season.
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