Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media, Author at Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Tri-Valley 16U Falls in Late Innings to Baltic

June 4, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Tri-Valley 16U team led 6-2 after five innings of play, but Baltic scored four runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game, and then eight in the top of the seventh to get a 14-6 win over Tri-Valley on Thursday, June 3rd.

After two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Tri-Valley scored two runs. Beau Keith scored on a bases-loaded walk to Barrett Althoff, and then Mason Hendrixson stole home for a 2-0 lead. Baltic scored a single run in the top of the fourth inning, but Kaden Egger pushed the Tri-Valley lead to 4-1 after a two-run double in the bottom of the inning. Baltic again cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the fifth inning, however, Tri-Valley got two more runs when Lawson Loiseau and Althoff scored on wild pitches to give Tri-Valley a 6-2 lead after five innings.

Baltic then took advantage of some Tri-Valley miscues in the top of the sixth inning. Baltic scored four times on one hit as Tri-Valley had four errors and two walks in the inning. Baltic then scored eight times on three hits in the top of the seventh taking advantage of seven walks.

Egger finished with a double and two RBIs. Althoff had a hit and an RBI. Loiseau had a double. Keith, Hendrixson, and Tanner Van Asselt all had a single in the game. Egger pitched the first five innings giving up two runs, both earned, on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Cole Focken pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing six runs, two earned, on two hits with two walks. Keith pitched 1/3 of an inning allowing six runs, five earned, on two hits with five walks. Hendrixson pitched 1/3 of an inning and gave up one walk.

Gamecocks and Wood Ducks Even in Early Cornbelt Season

June 4, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The 2021 Cornbelt League has gotten through four league games so far this season, and in those league games, the Hartford/Humboldt Gamecocks and Hartford/Humboldt Wood Ducks are both 2-2 in league games.

The Wood Ducks opened their league schedule on Sunday, May 16th with a 3-1 defeat to Lennox. They rebounded on Thursday, May 20th with a 10-7 win over Madison. Canova defeated the Wood Ducks 12-0 on Sunday, May 23rd, and then the Wood Ducks defeated Salem 12-2 on Thursday, June 3rd.

The Gamecocks opened their league season with a 4-3 win over the Dell Rapids Mudcats on Sunday, May 16th. Salem defeated the Gamecocks 16-3 on Wednesday, May 19th. The Gamecocks got a big win over Dell Rapids PBR 22-5 on Sunday, May 23rd, but then they lost to Flandreau 13-2 on Thursday, June 3rd. The Gamecocks have also played five non-league games and have gone 3-2 in those games for an overall record of 5-4.

Cootie Days Excitement Brewing

June 4, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The 100th annual Cootie Days celebration is just days away in Dell Rapids. This year’s event will have an extra day added and is looking to be a fun time. The fun begins on Friday, June 11th and will run through Sunday, June 13th.

Thomas Carnivals will be providing the midway entertainment. Advanced ride ticket vouchers are available at T&C as well as J&R Alterations. The cost of the voucher is $15.00, which is good for a wristband valid all day and redeemable at a carnival ticket booth. The wristband is good for the entire day. Individual tickets will also be available for purchase. Thomas Carnival will also be providing carnival games, and the games will be a cash payment at the game. The hours of the midway will be Friday 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Organizers are also hoping the Avera Careflight helicopter will be able to land at city park for a chance for people to see the aircraft up close. Tentative plans are to try to have the helicopter at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. If that plan does not work, they will try for Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Dell Rapids 13/14s Drops Two Exhibition Games

June 2, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids 13/14 Teeners added two exhibition games against Brookings on Tuesday, June 1st. The first game lasted five innings and the second game was four innings. Dell Rapids had a chance to tie or win the game in the final inning in both games, but came up short in both. Brookings won the first game 6-5 and took the second game 7-5.

Brookings scored the first five runs in the first two innings in the opening game, but Dell Rapids battled back strong. They scored three times in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 5-3. Brookings got a run in the top of the fourth. Dell Rapids scored two times in the final inning, but the game ended with the tying run on third and the winning run on second.

Kenny Swanson had two hits and an RBI. Jack Paterson, Connor Hanson, and Noah Larson all had a hit and RBI. Carson Maeschen added a double in the game.

Both teams scored three runs each in the first inning of the second game. Brookings scored two runs in the second and two more in the third for a 7-3 lead. Dell Rapids again added two runs in the bottom of the final inning, and had the bases loaded with two outs, but Brookings was able to get a ground ball out to finish the game.

Atticus Miles and Hanson both had a hit and an RBI in the second game. Tristan Welch, Logan Donovan, Miles, Larson, and Maeschen all scored runs in the game.

West Central Takes Second at State Baseball Tournament

June 2, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

West Central’s bid for a high school state baseball title ended just a little short at Sioux Falls Stadium on Tuesday, June 1st. West Central fell to Dell Rapids, a Region 3B foe, in the championship game 9-2 taking the 2021 South Dakota High School Baseball Association runner-up spot.

West Central’s run through the state tournament started on Monday, May 31st. They opened the tournament against Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian/White Lake/Corsica/Stickney and advanced after an exciting 6-5 win.

West Central scored the first three runs of the game. Zach Madsen hit an RBI single in the top of the second inning. West Central added two more runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Dylan Sherrard and Loren Jacobson. PG/DC/WL/C/S tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but West Central added three in the top of the seventh. Grafton Stroup had a two-run double, and Jacobson scored on a wild pitch to give West Central a 6-3 lead. They needed all three runs as PG/DC/WL/C/S scored two times before Stroup was able to get the final out on the mound.

Ryan Healy, Jacobson, Madsen, Seth Gabbert, and Sherrard all had singles in the game. Jacobson, Madsen, and Sherrard all had an RBI. Stroup had a double and two RBIs, and Noah Hohn had a triple. Gabbert pitched five innings allowing three earned runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Stroup pitched the final two innings allowing two earned runs on three hits with one strikeout.

West Central defeated Vermillion in the semifinals on Tuesday. West Central scored six runs over the last three innings to secure the 9-4 victory to send them to the championship game.

They had three runs in the top of the first inning and led 3-0 until Vermillion scored a run in the bottom of the fourth. West Central added two runs in the top of the fifth, but Vermillion responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning to make the score 5-3 after five innings. West Central again added two runs in the top of the sixth inning for a 7-3 lead. Vermillion picked up a run in the bottom of the sixth, but two more runs by West Central in the top of the seventh put the game out of reach.

Healy and Madsen both had two hits and an RBI in the game. Jacobson also had two hits, including a double. Stroup had a triple and two RBIs. Hown had a double and an RBI. Ben Sebert and Gabbert both had a hit. Sherrard had a hit and three RBIs. Braden Herr pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Stroup pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing one run, which was unearned, on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. Hohn pitched the final inning allowing no runs on two hits.

West Central then faced Dell Rapids in the title game on Tuesday evening. West Central scored two times on three hits in the top of the first inning to put the pressure on Dell Rapids early. Hohn had an RBI single, and Adam Parsons had an RBI ground out in the inning. West Central, however, was held to just one hit the remainder of the game as Dell Rapids scored a run in the bottom of the second, five more in the third, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth for the win.

Jacobson had two of the four hits for West Central, including a double. Hohn had a hit and RBI, and Healy had the other hit in the game. Hohn pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing eight runs, only three earned, on 10 hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Jacobson pitched the final 1 2/3 innings allowing one earned run on four walks and a strikeout.

West Central finished the season with a 12-5 record and as the State B runner-up.

State High School Baseball Title Returns to Dell Rapids

June 2, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley

The Dell Rapids high school club baseball team captured the 2021 South Dakota High School Baseball Association Class B title with three great games at Sioux Falls Stadium on Monday, May 31st and Tuesday, June 1st. Dell Rapids last won the state championship in 2017.

Dell Rapids opened the tournament against Gregory County on Monday and jumped out to a big lead early. Dell Rapids scored three times in the bottom of the first and six more in the bottom of the second for a quick 9-0 lead. They cruised from there as they defeated Gregory County 10-3 to advance to the semifinals.

Kaeden Eastman had the hot bat for Dell Rapids in the game. K. Eastman went 3-4 with three singles and three RBIs. Brayden Pankonen also had three hits with an RBI. Treyse Eastman finished with two hits. Landon Ruesink and Aiden Boechler both had an RBI in the game. Jack Henry pitched five innings giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits with eight walks and 11 strikeouts. Pankonen pitched the last two innings allowing no hits and had one strikeout.

Dell Rapids was then matched against Dakota Valley in the semifinals in their first game on Tuesday. Dakota Valley was one of the few class B teams that defeated Dell Rapids during the season, 8-1 on April 5th.

Austin Henry and Jake Pruchniak put on a pitching display for the fans. The two starting pitchers combined for no runs, three total hits, and 18 strikeouts through five innings of play. As the game moved forward, the intensity increased.

Dell Rapids put pressure on Dakota Valley in the bottom of the sixth inning. A. Henry started the inning with a double, but he was unable to advance as Pruchniak got out of the jam. Dakota Valley then got a one-out single in the top of the seventh inning, but that runner was stranded on first base. Dell Rapids had a lead-off hit to start the bottom of the seventh inning from Boechler, but again, Dell Rapids could not bring him home and the game went into extra innings.

Dakota Valley was retired in order in the top of the eighth inning. Dell Rapids, for the third inning in a row, got their leadoff hitter on base. Pankonen started the bottom of the eighth with a double. A. Henry was intentionally walked, and Ruesink followed with a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. K. Eastman came to the plate and dropped a single in front of a diving center fielder for the game-winning single giving Dell Rapids a 1-0 extra-inning win and sending them to the championship game.

Ruesink and Boechler both had two hits in the game. A. Henry and Pankonen each had a double. K. Eastman had a single and RBI. A. Henry pitched six innings giving up just one hit with five walks and 14 strikeouts. Pankonen pitched two innings to get the win allowing one hit and had one strikeout.

Dell Rapids met West Central in the championship game Tuesday evening.

West Central struck first in the top of the first inning scoring two runs on three hits and a walk for an early 2-0 lead. Dell Rapids cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second inning. Ruesink scored on an RBI groundout by J. Henry.

Dell Rapids then took advantage of one small slip by West Central in the bottom of the third. West Central got the first two batters out, but T. Eastman reached on an error with two outs. That error sparked Dell Rapids. Pankonen singled, A. Henry doubled, Ruesink singled, K. Eastman singled, and J. Henry doubled all after the error, and Dell Rapids scored five times to take a 6-2 lead after three innings of play.

Ruesink then put an exclamation point on the game with a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning to push the Dell Rapids lead to 8-2. Dell Rapids added one more run after an RBI sacrifice fly by Ruesink in the bottom of the sixth. Dell Rapids won the game by a final score of 9-2.

Ruesink was 3-3 in the game with a double and home run and four RBIs. K. Eastman had two more hits and an RBI. J. Henry had a double with two RBIs. A. Henry had a double and RBI. T. Eastman, Pankonen, and Will Jaton also had hits. T. Eastman pitched a complete game allowing two earned runs on four hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

Dell Rapids’ championship season ends with a 21-6 overall record.

Dell Rapids Community VBS Invites Children to Rocky Railway VBS: Jesus’ Power Pulls us Through

May 30, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

A summer kids’ event called Rocky Railway VBS will be hosted at Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids from July 18 through July 21, 2021. At Rocky Railway, kids discover through life’s ups and downs that Jesus’ power pulls us through. Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, engage in fun snack-eating experiences, take part in one-of-a-kind Bible Adventures, learn about Bible Memory Buddies to remind them to trust Jesus, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with the Rock Wrap-Up that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 8:15 pm.

Dell Rapids Community VBS’s mission will be to collect food for the local food pantry.

Rocky Railway is for kids age 5 (or going into kindergarten) through 5th grade (going into 6th grade) and will run from 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm each day. Please note we will not be serving a meal nightly this year but instead a snack during the games and snack station.

Registration for the event can be done by clicking here: http://bit.ly/dellsvbs

Questions can be emailed to the VBS board at drcommunityvbs@gmail.com

Dell Rapids 13/14 Teeners Finish 1-2 at Brandon Tournament

May 30, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids 13/14 Teener baseball team finished 1-2 in three games at a tournament in Brandon on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th. Dell Rapids played two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday.

In the opening game of the tournament, Dell Rapids lost to Brandon Valley 14U by a score of 8-5. With the game tied 1-1 after two innings, Brandon Valley scored seven times in the bottom of the third for an 8-1 lead. Dell Rapids scored four times in the top of the fifth inning, but they were unable to complete the comeback.

Tad Tjaden, Lincoln Fersdahl, and Grady Lamer each had a hit in the game. Fersdahl also had an RBI. Cooper Frost pitched 2 2/3 innings giving up eight runs, four earned, on two hits with six walks and four strikeouts. Talan Millage pitched 1 1/3 innings and didn’t allow a hit while walking three and striking out two.

Dell Rapids then played Harrisburg 14U Maroon, but again came up a little short as they fell by a score of 8-6. Dell Rapids had a lead of 2-1 and 5-3, but Harrisburg scored five times in the bottom of the third inning, which was enough to hold the lead for the win.

Fersdahl, Frost, and Millage all had two hits in the game. Millage had a double and an RBI. Lamer had a double and two RBIs. Kenny Swanson also finished with a hit and RBI. Tjaden pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing eight runs, four earned, on three hits with eight walks and seven strikeouts. Millage again pitched the final 1 1/3 innings allowing two hits with one walk and one strikeout.

In their only game on Sunday, Dell Rapids scored in every inning and got a 14-3 win over Sioux City. Dell Rapids scored four runs in the first, two in the second, three in the third, and five in the fourth inning.

Fersdahl had two hits and two RBIs. Millage had two hits and an RBI. Frost finished with one hit and three RBIs. Cole Ruesink had a double and two RBIs. Tjaden had a hit and RBI, and Ethan Vanderwerf also had a hit. Fersdahl pitched three innings giving up one run, which was unearned, on one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. Ruesink pitched the final inning allowing two runs, both unearned, on one hit with one strikeout.

Season Ends at State for Tri-Valley Track Teams

May 29, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Tri-Valley Mustang track team ended their 2021 season at the state meet at Lyle Hare Stadium in Spearfish on Friday, May 28th and Saturday, May 29th.

The boys team finished with eight total points. The 4x100m relay team of Niyongabo Yohana, Levi Hanson, Dustin Sees, and Jaden Siemonsma placed fourth. The 4x200m relay team of Sees, Hanson, Preston Wieman, and Siemonsma had an eighth place finish. Michael Beyer had an eighth place finish in the 300m hurdles. Alex Andresen finished eighth in the shot put.

Individual Results

Girls Results

100m Hurdles – Jessica Masgai – 16th – :17.36
100m Dash – Madelyn Wenzel – 17th – :13.42
4x200m Relay (Madelyn Wenzel, Paige Jewett, Lauren Grinde, Jessica Masgai) – 15th – 1:51.57
Triple Jump – Jessica Masgai – 12th – 32’9.75″
4x100m Relay (Madelyn Wenzel, Jessica Masgai, Lauren Grinde, Pagie Jewett) – 11th – :52.25
4x200m Relay (Madelyn Wenzel, Paige Jewett, Lauren Grinde, Jessica Masgai) – 15th – 1:51.57
Shot Put – Ellie Pearson – 22nd – 29’1.5″

Boys Results

110m Hurdles – Michael Beyer – 12th – :16.58
4x800m relay (Porter Jensen, Zachary Powell, Everett Althoff, Noah Haynes) – 23rd – 9:13.76
4x200m Relay (Dustin Sees, Levi Hanson, Preston Wieman, Jaden Siemonsma) – 8th – 1:32.99
100m Dash – Jaden Siemonsma – 11th – :11.35;
- Niyongabo Yohana – 14th – :11.39
4x100m Relay (Niyongabo Yohana, Levi Hanson, Dustin Sees, Jaden Siemonsma) – 4th – :44.34
400m Dash – Owen Snethen – 18th – :53.99
300m Hurdles – Michael Beyer – 8th – :42.28;
- Carter Sorenson – 9th – :42.49
Discus – Connor Christensen – 16th – 116’2″
Sprint Medley Relay (Riley Haynes, Porter Jensen, Isaac McFarland, Nate Hargreaves) – 15th – 3:55.17
800m Run – Nate Hargreaves – 20th – 2:08.46
200m Dash – Jaden Siemonsma – 15th – :23.31
4x400m Relay (Riley Haynes, Owen Snethen, Alex Andresen, Nate Hargreaves) – 9th – 3:36.40
Shot Put – Alex Andresen – 8th – 46’8″;
- Connor Christensen – 14th – 44’5″
Long Jump – Niyongabo Yohana – 17th – 18’11”;
- Dustin Sees – 19th – 18’8.5″

West Central Girls Track Team Captures Team Title, Boys 9th

May 29, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The West Central Trojan girls track team captured the 2021 State A Track title with 82 total points at the state meet at Lyle Hare Stadium in Spearfish on Friday, May 28th and Saturday, May 29th. Custer finished second with 66 points.

Averi Schmeichel had a state record time and first place finish in the 100m hurdles. Her prelim time of :14.64 bested the state record time. She finished with a time of :14.85 in the finals. Schmeichel also won the 200m dash, 300m hurdles, and long jump. The 4x100m relay team of Jada VanOverbeke, Lily Sidel, Rylee Haldeman, and Emma Goehring placed first. The 4x200m relay team of Goehring, Sadie Berg, Sidel, and Molli Thornton placed second. Sidel had a second place finish in the long jump.

Schmeichel captured the Outstanding Female Athlete award.

The boys team finished ninth overall with 31 points.

Derek Eidsness placed first in the high jump with a jump of 6’3″. The sprint medley relay team of Layton Johnson, Mason Berens, Eidsness, and Justin Schumacher had a third place finish. The 4x400m relay team of Johnson, Schumacher, Jude Jarding, and Eidsness also had a third place finish.

Individual Results

Girls Results

100m Hurdles – Averi Schmeichel – 1st – State record :14.64 (prelims), :14.85 (finals)
100m Dash – Emma Goehring – 15th – :13.36;
- Rylee Haldeman – 21st- :13.53
4x800m Relay (Tessa VanOverbeke, Jazelle Jarding, Clara Nelson, Ellie McDonald) – 19th – 10:40.68
4x200m Relay (Emma Goehring, Sadie Berg, Lily Sidel, Molli Thornton) – 2nd – 1:44.88
High Jump – Jada VanOverbeke – 12th – 4’10”
4x100m Relay (Jada VanOverbeke, Lily Sidel, Rylee Haldeman, Emma Goehring) – 1st – :50.68
400m Dash – Sadie Berg – 4th – 1:00.46
300m Hurdles – Averi Schmeichel – 1st – :45.24
SPrint Medley Relay (Jada VanOverbeke, Emma Goehring, Molly Anderson, Jazelle Jarding) – 22nd – 4:44.34
200m Dash – Averi Schmeichel – 1st – :25.80;
- Sadie Berg – 3rd – :26.09
4x400m Relay (Sadie Berg, Keighlor Nolz, Melissa Anderson, Molli Thornton) – 14th – 4:20.00
Long Jump – Averi Schmeichel – 1st – 17’10.5″;
- Lily Sidel – 2nd – 16’9.5″;
- Molli Thornton – 4th – 16’9″
Shot Put – Aysia Hall – 20th – 32’8″

Boys Results

110m Hurdles – Tommy Berg – 13th – :16.62
4x800m Relay (Dylan Sherard, Ben Strunk, Jude Jarding, Justin Schumacher) – 11th – 8:40.28
100m Dash – Mason Berens – 20th – :11.69
4x200m Relay (Layton Johnson, Wyatt Nielsen, Mason Berens, Derek Eidsness ) – 7th – 1:32.83
3200m Run – Ben Strunk – 18th – 11:03.27
100m Dash – Mason Berens – 20th – :11.69
High Jump – Derek Eidsness – 1st – 6’3″
Triple Jump – Gunnar Cuka – 14th – 40’3.25″
1600m Run – Ben Strunk – 19th – 4:53.47
4x100m Relay (Isaiah Colon, Braden Dierickx, Justin Zirpel, Mason Berens) – 9th – :45.62
Sprint Medley Relay (Layton Johnson, Mason Berens, Dereck Eidsness, Justin Schumacher) – 3rd – 3:41.37
200m Dash – Wyatt Nielsen – 22nd – :23.93
4x400m Relay (Layton Johnson, Justin Schumacher, Jude Jarding, Derek Eidsness) – 3rd – 3:33.17
Shot Put – Josh Livermore – 6th – 48’4.25″
Long Jump – Gunnar Cuka – 5th – 20’10”

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