The Dell Rapids Phils had their 2026 season come to an end at the 2026 South Dakota State B Legion Tournament in Madison on Monday, August 3rd. The Phils took an 11-7 lead into the bottom of the seventh innings, but Madison rallied for five runs to steal a 12-11 victory and end the season for Dell Rapids.
Gauge Bunkers put the Phils in the lead, 1-0, with an RBI single in the top of the first. Madison took the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the inning. AJ Brandenburg tied the game with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the second. Madison would go back in front, 4-2, with a two-run bottom of the third inning.
The Phils put together a big rally with two outs in the top of the fourth. AJ Brandenburg scored on a wild pitch, Ryan Brandenburg had a two-run double, Jake Heinitz followed with an RBI single. Heinitz later scored on an error for a 7-4 score. Bunkers added an RBI double in the top of the sixth, and Heinitz had an RBI single to extend the lead to 9-4. Madison cut the lead to 9-7 with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Connor Hanson brought home two with a single in the top of the seventh to make the score 11-7.
The first six batters for Madison reached base safely to start the bottom of the seventh and make the score 11-10. Dell Rapids was able to get the next two batters out while keeping the bases loaded and maintaining an 11-10 lead. On a 3-2 count, a single to right field brought home two runs to win the game for Madison.
Hanson had three hits with two RBIs. Bunkers and R. Brandenburg each had two hits, one a double, and two RBIs. Heinitz had two singles with two RBIs. Tommy LaVoy added two hits. Charlie Bollock and Haiden Kaffar each had a single. AJ Brandenburg had an RBI.
Bollock pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed eight earned runs on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts. Hanson tossed 1/3 of an inning and allowed two earned runs on a hit and two walks with a strikeout. AJ Brandenburg pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk with one strikeout.
