Dell Rapids PBR will be playing for the 2024 South Dakota State B Amateur Baseball title in Mitchell on Sunday, August 19th at 2:00 p.m. Dell Rapids got two more big wins on Thursday and Friday to put them into the title game against Platte
PBR 7, Canova 3
In the quarterfinal game, PBR pulled away late in the game for the 7-3 win over the Gang. Canova scored a run in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 lead. PBR tied the game in the top of the second. Canova regained the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the third. PBR again tied the game in the top of the fourth. After a scoreless fifth inning, PBR took the lead for good in the sixth inning. They pushed two runs across home for a 4-2 lead. Canova cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, but PBR got another run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to secure the win.
Brayden Pankonen had three hits and an RBI. Heith Williams added two hits, one a double, with three RBIs. Conner Spindler had two hits and an RBI. Drew Sweeter and Weston Hansen both had two hits each. Zach Puetz finished with a solo home run. Nate McKee had a double, and Riley Hoffman had a single. D. Sweeter pitched 8 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs on 12 hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Pankonen got the final out and had one walk.
PBR 5, Garretson 3 – 12 innings
Dell Rapids tied the game late to force extra innings and then broke through with two runs in the top of the 12th in an exciting 5-3 semifinal win over Garretson. Garretson took a 2-0 lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. PBR would tie the game with two runs in the top of the fifth. The Blue Jays went back in front 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the sixth. After loading the bases with one out in the top of the eighth, Riley Calhoon delivered an RBI ground out to tie the game 3-3.
PBR had a chance to go in front on the top of the ninth. They loaded the bases with one out, but were unable to get a run. They loaded the bases with again, this time with two outs, in the top of the 10th, but were denied a run. Both teams were retired in order in the 11th inning. PBR broke through in the 12th. Pankonen hit a single to right field, and Matt Gillogly was able to score on a error on the play. Williams followed with an RBI bunt back to the pitcher to give PBR a 5-3 lead. Garretson again was retired in the bottom of the inning.
Puetz had two hits and an RBI. D. Sweeter, Hansen, and Pankonen all had two hits each. Williams and Calhoon both had a single and an RBI. Spindler, Hoffman, and CJ Smith all finished with a single. Trey Randel pitched seven innings and allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits and two walks and five strikeouts. Pankonen pitched five innings without allowing a hit or walk while striking out five batters.
