The Dell Rapids 13/14 Teener team took third place in the State A Tournament with a win over Madison 8-5 on Sunday, July 27th, in Winner, SD. Dell Rapids was lead by some terrific defensive plays and a strong first two innings at the plate.
In the first inning, Madison had runners on first and second base when Mason Schmidt made a tremendous diving catch in left field for out number one to set the stage defensively for the game. In the bottom half of the inning, Dells scored four runs. Carter Gullickson scored with bases loaded on a fielder’s choice by Jeffrey Schuch. With runners on second and third, Austin Ellingson hit a two-run single and later scored on an RBI-single by Schmidt.
In the top half of the second inning, Eddie Price had a 1-2-3 inning striking out the side in 14 pitches. In the bottom half of the inning, Dells scored two runs on three hits before Madison made a pitching change. Dell Rapids led 6-0 after the second inning.
Madison, though, was not going to go away. In the third inning, Madison had two base running mistakes that were costly. After a single Price picked off the runner on first in a 1-3-6-3 rundown. The next batter walked and stole second. The third batter in the inning hit a ground ball to short where Ellingson pump threw to first as the runner on second broke for third. Ellingson threw it to Gullickson for the put out. With two outs Madison scored one run to cut the lead to 6-1.
Madison chipped away in the fourth inning. After a lead off walk and two strike outs, Madison scored on two passed balls. Madison was then able to draw a walk and a hit to put runners on second and third. Ellingson made a spectacular play deep in the hole at short to put out the next batter and end the inning. Adam Nagelhout scored, after he walked and stole 2nd, on a base hit by Price to give Dell Rapids a 7-2 lead after the fourth inning.
Madison again started another rally in the fifth inning. Madison lead off by reaching on an error and two walks. At that time Manager Danny Miller pulled Price and placed Logan Heim on the mound. Heim walked the frst batter he faced, forcing in a run. After striking out the next two batters, Madison scored two runs on a throwing error to cut the Dell Rapids lead to 7-4.
In the top half of the sixth inning, the Dells defense came through again. After a one-out walk, Dell Rapids turned a wonderful 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Dell Rapids then added to their lead in the bottom half of the inning as Seth Spielman scored on a passed ball to push the lead to 8-4.
Madison made one last attempt to pull off the comeback in the top of the seventh inning. After the first batter struck out, Madison was able to load the bases on a walk, an error, and a bunt single. The next batter hit into a 6-4 fielder’s choice scoring a run to cut the Dell Rapids lead to 8-5. Madison loaded the bases again after a hit batter, but Heim was able to get the final out on a ground out back to the mound to leave the bases loaded and give Dell Rapids the 8-5 win.
Price was the winning pitcher going four innings giving up four runs, all earned, on four hits while striking out five and walking seven. Heim pitched the final three innings giving up one run, which was earned, on one hit while striking out three and walking four.
