Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley
The Dell Rapids High School baseball team is headed back to the State B title game after a 7-0 win over Madison in the semifinals at Canary Stadium on Tuesday, May 31st. Another strong performance both offensively and defensively has Dell Rapids one game away from back-to-back championships.
In what’s been a common theme most of the season, Dell Rapids got on the board first. Brayden Pankonen reached on a walk to start. He then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Landon Ruesink then brought him home on an RBI ground out for an early 1-0 lead.
Dell Rapids added two more runs in the bottom of the third. Dylan Mathis had an RBI single scoring Ruesink. Mathis later scored on an error for a 3-0 advantage. The big blow by Dell Rapids came in the bottom of the fourth. Treyse Eastman had an RBI single. Pankonen followed with an RBI single. Mathis brought home another run with a base hit to left field, and Jack Henry delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 7-0.
Starting pitcher Tad Tjaden gave Dell Rapids everything they hoped for on the mound. Tjaden pitched six innings allowing just three hits and four walks while striking out nine. Will Jaton pitched a scoreless seventh inning while walking one and striking out one.
Mathis had two hits and two RBIs. Henry also had two hits with an RBI. Ruesink finished with a triple and an RBI. Pankonen and Eastman both had a single and an RBI. CJ Smith added a double in the game.
Dell Rapids will play Wednesday, June 1st at 6:05 p.m. against Dakota Valley for the 2022 South Dakota High School Baseball Association State B title at Canary Stadium.