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

Hamlin Defeats Tri-Valley 16U in Five Innings

June 28, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Hamlin scored in every inning and defeated Tri-Valley 16U in five innings by a score of 13-3 on Thursday, June 24th.

Hamlin scored two runs in the bottom of the first, four in the bottom of the second, four in the bottom of the third, and three in the bottom of the fourth for their 13 runs.

Tri-Valley got a run in the top of the second when Everett Althoff scored on a wild pitch. Cole Focken had an RBI single in the top of the third inning, and Kaden Egger scored on a passed ball in the top of the fourth inning for the three Tri-Valley runs.

Focken had two of the four Tri-Valley hits with an RBI. Althoff had the other two hits. Egger pitched two innings allowing six runs, three earned, on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Aidan Heitkamp also pitched two innings allowing seven runs, three earned, on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Tri-Valley 16U	0	1	1	1	0	X	X	3	4	7
Hamlin 16U	2	4	4	3	X	X	X	13	10	2

Two Big Innings Lead to Win for Dell Rapids Legion

June 28, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

After seeing an 8-1 lead shrink to 8-7, Dell Rapids scored seven unanswered runs for a 15-7 win over Volga on Thursday, June 24th at Rickeman Field in Dell Rapids.

Landon Ruesink put Dell Rapids on the board first with a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning. Volga got one run in the top of the second inning, but Dell Rapids responded with one of their two big innings in the bottom half of the inning. Andrew Van Dam had an RBI sacrifice fly to score Zeb Schumaker. Connor Libis scored on a steal of home. Ruesink had a two-run triple and then scored on a wild pitch. Josh Deknikker and an RBI double, and Dell Rapids led 8-1 after two innings.

The scored remained 8-1 heading into the top of the fifth inning. That’s when Volga scored six times on four hits and cut the Dell Rapids lead down to one run at 8-7. Dell Rapids got one back in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI sacrifice fly by Libis.

Dell Rapids then put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth by having another six-run inning. Ruesink scored on a balk. Brady Larson had an RBI sacrifice fly out. Deknikker had an RBI ground ball where he reached via an error. Deknikker later scored on a wild pitch. Van Dam had an RBI single, and Libis scored on another wild pitch to give Dell Rapids a 15-7 lead. Volga loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but was unable to score.

Ruesink had two hits, a home run and triple, and had four RBIs. Van Dam had two hits and two RBIs. Libis had two hits and an RBI. Deknikker had a double and an RBI. Schumaker had a double, and Kaeden Eastman had a hit. Larson had an RBI.

Noah Swartwout pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing seven runs, but only one earned, on four hits with seven walks and two strikeouts. Ruesink pitched the final 2 1/3 innings allowing one hit with three walks and four strikeouts.

Dell Rapids will host Canova on Tuesday, June 29th

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Volga Legion	0	1	0	0	6	0	0	X	X	7	5	1
Dell Rapids Legion	2	6	0	0	1	6	X	X	X	15	9	2

Garretson Snaps Dell Rapids 16U Winning Streak

June 28, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Garretson scored six runs in the first two innings on the way to a 9-0 win over Dell Rapids 16U on Thursday, June 24th in Dell Rapids. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Dell Rapids.

Garretson scored a run in the top of the first inning, but five more in the top of the second for the 6-0 lead. They added a run in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings.

Dell Rapids was held to just two hits in the game. Ethan Kringen had a triple and Aiden Boechler had a single.

Will Jaton pitched four innings allowing seven runs, but just one earned, on eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Joe Rechtenbaugh pitched three innings allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.

Dell Rapids travels to Tea on Monday, June 28th.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Garretson 16U	1	5	0	1	0	1	1	9	9	0
Dell Rapids 16U	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2

West Central Royal 14U Gets Walk-off with Big Inning

June 28, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

West Central Royal 14U scored seven times in the bottom of the fourth inning to get a 13-12 walk-off win over Castlewood at home on Wednesday, June 23rd.

Castlewood scored six times without a hit in the top of the first inning for an early 6-0 lead. West Central cut the lead in half with three runs in the bottom of the first. Stone Loof had an RBI ground out. Gavin DeHaven had an RBI single and then scored on a wild pitch to make the score 6-3. Castlewood continued to score runs on minimal hits. They scored two runs in the top of the second with one hit and then scored four more runs on just one hit in the top of the third for a 12-3 lead.

West Central got things rolling in the bottom of the third. DeHaven scored again on a wild pitch. Ty Sichmeller had an RBI groundout, and Quincy Stephens had an RBI single to cut the the Castlewood lead in half at 12-6.

Then came West Central’s big inning in the bottom of the fourth. CJ DenBoer singled to lead off the inning and later scored on an error. DeHaven reached on an error scoring Loof. Anthony Lanham had an RBI single. Lanham later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 12-10. Sichmeller and Stephens scored on wild pitches to tie the game 12-12. Preston Hostetler drew a walk and eventually made is way to third base. While DenBoer was at the plate, Hostetler scored on yet another wild pitch to end the game 13-12.

Lanham had three hits and an RBI. DeHaven finished with two hits. Stephens had a hit and RBI, and DenBoer also had a single. Loof and Sichmeller had RBIs.

Sichmeller pitched one inning allowing six earned runs on three walks and six hit batters with one strikeout. Loof pitched three innings allowing six runs, four earned, on two hits with five walks and eight strikeouts.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Castlewood 14U	6	2	4	0	X	X	X	12	2	4
West Central Royal 14U	3	0	3	7	X	X	X	13	7	4

Two Late Runs Gives West Central Gold 14U the Win

June 28, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

West Central 14U Gold took advantage of four errors in the bottom of the sixth inning and scored two runs to get a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Baltic on Wednesday, June 23rd.

Baltic scored their run in the top of the first inning when Beau Breece scored on a steal of home. The score remained 1-0 through most of the game as the two starting pitchers combined to strikeout 17 batters through six innings of play.

Cooper Mulder started the sixth inning by reaching on an error on a fly ball to left field. Nick Lorang followed by reaching on an error by the second baseman. Both Mulder and N. Lorang stole a base later in the inning. Evan Jaton hit a ground ball to shortstop, but reached on an error as Mulder scored the tying run. Seth Lind followed that at bat with a ground ball to second base also reaching on an error that allowed N. Lorang to score the go-ahead run.

West Central was held to just two hits in the game. Zach Lorang and N. Lorang both had singles. Brody Jacobson pitched six innings allowing one earned run on two hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. Caden Alfson pitched the final inning for the win by striking out all three batters.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Baltic 14U	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	4
West Central Gold 14U	0	0	0	0	0	2	X	2	3	2

Dell Rapids Community Blood Drive Scheduled July 8th

June 26, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids, SD – Community Blood Bank (sponsored by Avera Dells Area Hospital) will host a community blood drive on Thursday, July 8 between 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the CPA / Law Office (301 East 4th St.). Donors are encouraged to give blood to support the needs for local patients. Note change: To schedule an appointment log onto www.cbblifeblood.org, select “events”, then July 8 and Dell Rapids Community Blood Drive or call 605-331-3222. For information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org. All who donate receive an All American blood donor t-shirt.

“There have been times, throughout the last 6 weeks, where we have been extremely concerned about how we will meet the demands placed on the blood supply throughout the day,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We have been close to facing difficult decisions on how to disperse the limited inventory and the fine line to keep enough blood available to address emergency situations. We continue to see a large volume of elective surgeries, as the community seeks out medical treatment after the pandemic. At this point we are using anywhere from 18 – 30% more blood per week than before the pandemic began.”

Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form), weigh 110 lbs or more and be in good general health. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating blood. Please bring an ID with you at the time of donation.
Community Blood Bank is not affiliated with other blood bank organizations and takes pride in being a self-sufficient organization, thanks to the generosity of our local blood donors.

Thomas “Whitey” Klein

June 26, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Thomas “Whitey” Klein, age 71, of rural Dell Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 4-6:00 PM Sunday at the church, with a Christian Wake Service and Rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. The service will be livestreamed on Whitey’s obituary page at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.

Whitey was born on September 30, 1949, to Arthur and Irene (Lamberty) Klein. He grew up in the Dell Rapids area and graduated from St Mary High School in 1967. On November 28, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Susan Bunkers, the love of his life. Together they raised their three girls, Molly, Jody and Annie. Whitey enlisted in the National Guard shortly after high school and farmed until 1986. He then worked construction before retiring from Jerry’s Electric in 2014. After retirement, he enjoyed and took pride in maintaining the family farm. His five grandchildren were his pride and joy. Whitey loved spending time watching their sports and music events and cooking meat together on the smoker. He lived for gatherings and campouts at the farm while enjoying stories around the campfire with family and friends. He dedicated his life to teaching the value of hard work, traditions, and unconditional love. Whitey’s generosity did not go unnoticed, and his good humor always brought a smile… you always knew what White Dog was thinking!

Whitey is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue; daughters: Molly (Brett) Ritter, Sioux Falls, and their daughter Rachel; Jody (Eric) Hass of Chester, and their children Logan and Chloe; and Annie (Matt) Bettcher of Hartford, and their children Peyton and Dylan; siblings: Dick (Delores) Klein, Dell Rapids, Art (Joan) Klein, Colorado Springs, CO, Jerry Klein, Dell Rapids, Don (Cheryl) Klein, Dell Rapids, Dave (Barb) Klein, Dell Rapids, Betty (Tom) Goddard, Sturgis, Butch (Connie) Klein, Dell Rapids, Virg (JoEllen) Klein, Dell Rapids, Steve (Bridget) Klein, Sioux Falls, Sue (Scott) Ahlers, Dell Rapids, and Judy (Doug) Swartz, Baltic; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Danny Klein and Chuck Klein and his wife, Rosie; and a sister-in-law, Judi Klein.

Dell Rapids 14U Wins Exhibition Game over SEBA Connell

June 24, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids scored five times in the bottom of the first inning to take an early lead they would not lose on their way to a 13-8 win over SEBA Connell at Volunteer Field on Wednesday, June 23rd.

SEBA scored the first run in the top of the first inning, but Dell Rapids plated five runs in the bottom of the inning. Noah Larson, Ian Zelmer, and Ethan Vanderwerf all had RBI singles. Carson Crosby drew an RBI walk, and Tristan Welch scored on an error to give Dell Rapids a 5-1 lead. Both teams scored a run in the bottom of the second inning. Crosby drew his second bases-loaded walk for another RBI.

SEBA chipped away at the lead in the third and fourth innings. They scored one run in the top of the third and two more in the top of fourth inning to cut the Dell Rapids lead to 6-5. Dell Rapids, however, would score four times in the bottom of the fifth inning. Zelmer had an RBI sacrifice fly, and Welch had a three-run double to push the Dell Rapids lead to 10-5. SEBA scored two in the top of the sixth, but Dell Rapids scored three more times. Larson had an RBI single, Kenny Swanson scored on a passed ball, and Jack Paterson had an RBI bases-loaded walk to make the score 13-7. SEBA got one run in the top of the seventh.

Larson had two hits and two RBIs in the game. Welch had a double and three RBIs. Zelmer had a hit and two RBIs. Vanderwerf finished with a single and an RBI. Logan Donovan had a hit, Crosby had two RBIs, and Paterson had an RBI.

Swanson pitched two innings allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. Donovan pitched two innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on one hit with four walks and five strikeouts. Brandon Schmidt pitched three innings giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Big Inning Gives Madison Win over Dell Rapids Legion

June 23, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley

Madison had a six-run fifth inning that was the difference in the game as they defeated Dell Rapids 12-8 at Rickeman Field on Wednesday, June 23rd.

Jake Steineke gave Dell Rapids an early 3-0 lead with a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Madison got one run in the top of the second on back-to-back hits to start the inning. Madison got another run in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Dell Rapids lead to 3-2.

Then came the big inning for Madison. The first three batters reached on a double, triple, and then single to give Madison a 4-3 lead. Dell Rapids got the next two batters, but Madison followed with a triple, walk, single, and double to push the lead to 8-3.

Riley Peter had an RBI single for Dell Rapids in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Madison lead in half at 8-4. Madison padded their lead with four runs in the top of the seventh off of two hits while taking advantage of two walks and two errors.

Dell Rapids put together a rally with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Landon Ruesink had a two-run double. Steineke drove home two more runs on a double to cut the lead to 12-8, but the rally ended there for Dell Rapids.

Steineke had three hits, including a home run and double, and five RBIs. Noah Swartwout and Kaeden Eastman both had two hits. Ruesink had a double and two RBIs. Peter finished with a hit and an RBI. Josh Deknikker also had a hit.

Brady Larson pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits with one walk and one strikeout. Andrew Van Dam pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing four runs, one earned, on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Mudcat Rally in Ninth Falls Short

June 23, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Photo taken and used with permission by Kiley Stone

A ninth-inning rally by the Dell Rapids Mudcats fell just short as the Larchwood Diamonds snapped the Mudcat winning streak with a 10-9 win on Tuesday, June 22nd.

Larchwood scored two times in the top of the second inning, while the Mudcats plated one run. The same scenario played out in the third inning, and the Diamonds took a 4-2 lead into the fourth inning.

Neither team scored in the fourth, but the Mudcats took the lead in the bottom of the third with three runs. The Diamonds regained the lead again in the top of the sixth inning with two runs. Both teams had a big eighth inning scoring four times each. Larchwood led 10-9 heading into the ninth inning.

Dell Rapids was able to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, but a line drive off the bat of Grant Olson was caught at third base for the final out of the game, leaving the tying run just ninety feet away.

Trevor Freudenthal had two hits and two RBIs in the game. Dalton Allen had two hits. Chad Hunt had a double and RBI. Mark Abrahamson and Kris Regas both had doubles. Josh Roemen, Dalton Lehnen, and Jimmy Bauer all had singles.

Abrahamson pitched six innings, allowing six runs and five hits with six strikeouts. Roemen pitched one scoreless inning with two strikeouts. John Spaeth pitched two innings with four runs and three hits. Trevor Reinke went the distance as the winning pitcher for Larchwood.

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