The Dell Rapids Phils 28-game winning streak came to an end at the state tournament on Monday, July 31st. Elk Point-Jefferson took the win in extra innings 5-4 to keep themselves alive in the tournament. This was the first loss for Dell Rapids, and since they were the last team to be beaten, they will play in a winner take-all championship game.
Drake Eastman put Dell Rapids in front 1-0 with an RBI single in the top of the second. Treyse Eastman added an RBI sacrifice bunt in the top of the fourth for a 2-0 advantage. Elk Point-Jefferson cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the inning. Dell Rapids added to the lead with an RBI triple by Aiden Boechler who then later stole home pushing the lead to 4-1. Elk Point-Jefferson then had a three-run bottom of the fifth to tie the game 4-4.
The Phils had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the seventh, but a strikeout ended the inning. Elk Point-Jefferson put runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh, but they were unable to score, and the game went into extra innings. The Phils put together another threat in the top of the ninth. Dylan Kindt lead off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brayden Pankonen. Kindt moved over to third on an sacrifice fly by Jack Henry. He was then thrown out at the plate on a steal attempt of home. Elk Point-Jefferson loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth. A fly out to centerfield was not deep enough to score a run and was also the second out. The winning run, however, scored on a wild pitch.
D. Eastman hadd two hits and an RBI. Mason Stubbe finished with two hits. Boechler had a triple and an RBI. CJ Smith and Henry both had a double. Kindt and Pankonen each had a single. T. Eastman pitched five innings and allowed four runs, two earned, on four hits and five walks with five strikeouts. Will Jaton pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed an unearned run on a hit and four walks with two strikeouts.
The 2023 South Dakota Legion State B championship game will start about 3:30 p.m. in Redfield.
