The Dell Rapids 15s Teener team qualified for the 15/16 State A VFW Teener Tournament by placing 2nd in the Region 3A tournament which was held in Dell Rapids at Rickeman Field July 27-29.
Dell Rapids 15s started the tournament on Monday, July 27th against West Central. West Central won the game despite outstanding pitching performances by Elijah Story (four innings) and Lealand Randel (two innings). West Central scored four runs on three consecutive Dell Rapids throwing errors in the third inning with two outs. Dell Rapids was only able to muster one run in the game and fell to West Central 4-1. Seth Spielmann and Story each collected two hits in the game.
Now in the loser’s bracket, Dell Rapids came back and won their next game over Dell Rapids 16s 9-0 on Tuesday, July 28th. Dell Rapids 15s turned two double-plays in the first and second innings. Austin Ellingson struck out 11 batters in a complete-game shutout. Story threw out two attempted base stealers at second during the game. Jeffry Schuch led the offense for Dell Rapids 15s going 3-4 with a double and five RBIs. Keegan Miller added two hits, and Ellingosn, Carter Gullickson, and Elijah Story each scored two runs.
Dell Rapids 15s earned a spot in the finals by defeating Tri-Valley 2-0 on Wednesday, July 29th, in an exciting pitching dual. Gullickson carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, which is when Tri-Valley would get their only hit of the game. Gullickson finished the one-hit shutout for the win by striking out six batters. The defense was solid for Dell Rapids as they did not commit an error in the game. Miller was 3-3 offensively with three singles. Spielmann went 2-3 and drove in both runs of the game.
Dell Rapids 15s met up with West Central again, this time in the championship game, on Wednesday, July 29th. After a sluggish start to the game, Dell Rapids was able to tie the game at 6-6 in the sixth inning. However, Dell Rapids would run out of steam and surrender seven runs to West Central in the seventh inning to fall 13-6. Story, Schuch, Spielmann, Cameron Bruhn, and Eddie Price all picked up a hit and scored a run in the game. Logan Ruesink was 2-4 with two RBIs.
Since West Central is hosting the 15/16 State A VFW Teener tournament and was already automatically qualified, the region bid in the state tournament went to Dell Rapids 15s after finishing second in regions.
The state tournament will be held in Humboldt August 7-9.