RAPID CITY, S.D. — Top-seeded Rapid City Post 22 pounded out 13 hits to hand Watertown a 10-2 defeat in the opening round of the South Dakota Class A American Legion Baseball Tournament.
Watertown produced both of its runs in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Carter Buisker and a Rapid City error. The Arrows finished with eight hits, led by Sam Olson, who went 2-for-3, and Cole Hansen, who finished 2-for-4. Cain Everson, Jonathan Lake, Jaxon Falak and Buisker added a hit apiece.
Jackson McClemans took the loss for Watertown, allowing four runs on six hits over two innings. Kooper Heiser, Kasen Jensen and Ashton Rabine combined in relief to allow six runs on seven hits over the final four innings.
Kain McLeod paced the Hard Hat offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Aiden Roberts, Jaxson Reeder, Wyatt Reeder and Hadley Burrus each recorded two hits for Rapid City.
Brayden Stapert earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. Taten Gittings provided 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits.
Watertown moves to the elimination bracket to face Brandon Valley at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The game will be streamed live on YouTube by Hard Hat TV.
In other tournament action, Sioux Falls West shut out defending champion Harrisburg Gold 8-0, Brookings blanked Brandon Valley 3-0, and Rapid City Post 320 cruised past Yankton 9-0.
Wednesday Tournament Schedule
Elimination Games
Harrisburg Gold vs Yankton – 11am
Watertown vs Brandon Valley – 2pm
Winners Bracket
Rapid City 320 vs Sioux Falls West – 5pm
Rapid City 22 vs Brookings – 8pm
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