RAPID CITY, S.D. — After surrendering three runs in the opening frame, Hunter Halajian locked down on the mound to set up a dramatic late-game comeback as Watertown Post 17 topped Brandon Valley 5-3 in eight innings at the 2026 South Dakota Class A American Legion Baseball Tournament.
Halajian scattered five hits and struck out six across seven scoreless frames following the rocky first inning, keeping Watertown within striking distance.
Post 17 began its comeback in the fifth inning. Carter Buisker lined a single to center to drive in Watertown’s first run, and a Brandon Valley error on the same play allowed a second runner to cross, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Watertown drew even in the top of the seventh when Cain Everson laid down a squeeze bunt to drive in the tying run, forcing extra innings.
With two outs in the top of the eighth, Jaxon Falak came through with the game’s biggest hit, driving a line drive to right field to score two and give Post 17 its first lead of the day at 5-3.
Buisker, who finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs at the plate, entered in relief in the bottom of the eighth to record the final two outs and secure the save.
Cole Hansen, Jonathan Lake, Jackson McClemens, Buisker, and Falak each registered one of Watertown’s five hits. Falak matched Buisker with two RBIs on the day.
For Brandon Valley, Grady Gindorff, Brayden Knutson, Bryce Plucker, Jack Blomgren, and Max Peters accounted for the team’s five hits. Luke Felderman started on the mound, giving up two runs on three hits while walking six over five innings. Caleb Severin took the loss in relief, allowing three runs on two hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Watertown stays alive on the elimination side of the bracket and plays Thursday at 1 p.m. Mountain time (2 p.m. Central) against the loser of Wednesday night’s matchup between Sioux Falls West and Rapid City Post 320. The game will be streamed live on YouTube by Hard Hats TV.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Yankton eliminated defending champion Harrisburg Gold with a 7-6 victory. Wednesday night’s championship bracket schedule features Rapid City 320 against Sioux Falls West, followed by Brookings taking on Rapid City 22.
Thursday Games
Elimination Games
Watertown vs TBD – 1 p.m.
Yankton vs TBD – 4 p.m.
Winners Bracket
TBD – 7 p.m.
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