The Humboldt/Hartford Gamecocks defeated the Flandreau Cardinals 8-4 on Tuesday, July 26th at Rickeman Field in Dell Rapids. The win moves the Gamecocks into the District 4B championship game and also the South Dakota State B Amateur tournament.
The game was scoreless through three innings of play. The Gamecocks got one run in the bottom of the fourth. Brandon McKnight had an RBI ground out to break the tie. Flandreau would take the lead in the top of the fifth with four runs. The Gamecocks, however, would respond with a big inning of their own in the bottom of the fifth.
Joe Hanisch had a two-run single to cut the lead to 4-3. Devon Garry addd an RBI single. Broc Haldeman scored on an error to give the lead back to the Gamecocks, 5-4. Noah Vettrus drew a bases loaded walk. Chad Morrison added an RBI ground out, and Humboldt/Hartford led 7-4 after the fifth inning. Hanisch scored on an error in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 8-4.
Haldeman had three hits, including a double. Garry had two hits and an RBI. Hanisch and McKnight both had a single and two RBIs. Kyle Bailey finished with a single. Vettruss and Morrison both had an RBI. Cole Barthel pitched five innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Drew Maras pitched four innings and allowed four hits with one strikeout.
The Gamecocks will face Canova in the district championship on Saturday, July 30th, at around 6:30 p.m. at Rickeman Field in Dell Rapids.