One run was all that was needed to decide a winner between Dell Rapids 16U and Madison Maroon on Friday, June 16th. That one run, however, wasn’t scored until the ninth inning. The two teams battled through a scoreless tie through six innings without much of a threat.
Dell Rapids had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Tad Tjaden and Talan Millage had back-to-back singles with one out. Tjaden, however, got called out at home on a steal attempt. Madison got a runner to third in the top of eighth inning, but was unable to score. They again got a runner to third base with two outs in the top of the ninth, and once again, Dell Rapids held Madison to no runs.
Cole Ruesink drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ruesink stole second and third during the next two at bats. Lincoln Fersdahl drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and third with two outs. Madison elected to walk Tjaden intentionally to load the bases. Millage then poked a single to left field to bring home Ruesink and win the game.
Millage had two hits and the game-winning RBI. Tjaden also had two hits in the game. Drake Eastman had the only other hit for Dell Rapids. Tjaden pitched six innings allowing just one hit and two walks with 11 strikeouts. Eastman pitched the final three innings allowing no hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.
