The Dell Rapids Phils claimed the 2023 South Dakota State B Legion title with a 5-2 win over Elk Point-Jefferson on Tuesday, August 1st in Redfield. The last legion title for the Phils was in 2018.
Elk Point-Jefferson scored two unearned runs in the top of the first inning, but Dell Rapids settled into the game after that. Brayden Pankonen bunted into an RBI fielder’s choice in the bottom of the third that scored two runs to tie the game. Aiden Boechler had an RBI sacrifice fly later in the inning giving the Phils a 3-2 lead. Drake Eastman added an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 4-2. Dell Rapids added one more run in the bottom of the sixth. Will Jaton had an RBI sacrifice bunt extending the lead to 5-2.
Elk Point-Jefferson tried to put together a rally in the top of the seventh. After starting pitcher Dylan Kindt got the first batter out on a strikeout, the next two batters reached on a walk and single putting runners on first and second with one out. Pankonen came into the game and picked off the runner at first for the second out. He then got the next batter to ground out to third base to end the game and secure the title.
Mason Stubbe finished with two singles. D. Eastman and Boechler each had a single and RBI. Jack Henry added a double. Kindt and CJ Smith both had one hit each. Pankonen had two RBIs, and Jaton had one RBI. Kindt pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs, both unearned, on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts. Pankonen pitched 2/3 of an inning throwing a total of six pitches.
Dell Rapids finished with a 29-3 overall record which also included a 28-game winning streak.
