The Dell Rapids High School baseball team defended their title and claimed the 2022 South Dakota High School Baseball Association State B championship for the second year in a row. Dell Rapids defeated Dakota Valley 11-5 on Wednesday, June 1st at Canary Stadium. The final score does not tell the story of this game. This year’s championship game was a close, tense battle between the two teams.
Runs Come Fast and Furious in First Two Innings
The two teams combined for nine runs in the first two innings, and it seemed offense might be the story of the game. Dell Rapids scored four times in the top of the first inning. Brayden Pankonen reached on an error and then scored on an error. Jack Henry had a two-run triple and then scored on an RBI ground out by Aiden Boechler. Dakota Valley got a run after a fly ball single and diving attempt by Pankonen. Pankonen was able to recover and throw a runner out at home for the last out of the inning.
After Dell Rapids went down in order in the top of the second, Dakota Valley scored four times in the bottom of the inning with two outs. The Panthers got a single followed by two walks to load the bases. A triple cleared the bases to tie the game, and then a double gave Dakota Valley a 5-4 lead.
Pitching and Defense Takes Over
After the nine quick runs in the first two innings, pitching and defense took control of the game for the next few innings. The two teams combined for just two hits and just four base runners over the next three innings. The score remained 5-4 in favor of Dakota Valley heading to the top of the sixth inning.
Dylan Mathis started the Dell Rapids sixth inning with a single. Mathis was able to steal second, and then advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Henry. Boechler brought home Mathis on an RBI ground out to first base to tie the game 5-5.
Pitching and defense continued to be the story. Dakota Valley got two singles in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Pankonen picked off one runner at first and kept the Panthers off the board. Dell Rapids went down in order in the top of the seventh. The Panthers got a one-out single, but a caught stealing and strikeout ended a threat, and the game went to extra innings.
Extra Innings
Dell Rapids looked to have a rally started in the top of the eighth inning after a one-out single by Henry, but Henry was caught stealing second. Boechler drew a two-out walk, but was left at first base. Pankonen dazzled on the mound striking out five in a row between the eighth and ninth innings. Dell Rapids got a lead-off single by Will Jaton in their half of the ninth. CJ Smith moved him over to second on a sacrifice bunt, but a line out and fly out ended the Dell Rapids threat.
The tenth inning didn’t go the way Dell Rapids would have liked offensively. They again were retired in order, but the pitching and defense continued to be strong. After a one-out single, Pankonen got a strikeout and another pick off to end the inning and send the game into the eleventh.
Offense Comes Alive Again
The Dell Rapids offense came alive in the top of the eleventh inning. Boechler beat out an infield single to start the inning. Mason Stubbe was hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, Smith reached on an error by the second baseman that also scored Boechler. Treyse Eastman popped out to the pitcher for the second out, but Dell Rapids did not let the rally stop. Pankonen doubled scoring two runs. Landon Ruesink had an RBI triple, and Mathis added an RBI single for a 10-5 lead. Henry reached on an error, and Boechler had another infield single that brought home the sixth run of the inning.
Dakota Valley got a lead-off walk to start their half of the eleventh inning, which ended the night on the mound for Pankonen. Ruesink struck out the first batter he faced, and then got the next batter to ground out in a double play to end the game and win the championship.
Game Stats
Mathis had four hits, one a double, and an RBI. Boechler had two singles and three RBIs. Henry had two hits, one a triple, and two RBIs. Pankonen had a double and two RBIs. Ruesink finished with a triple and an RBI. Jaton had two singles, and Mason Stubbe had a hit.
Eastman started the game on the mound pitching 1 2/3 innings allowing five earned runs on three hits and four walks with one strikeout. Pankonen got the win pitching 8 1/3 innings in relief allowing six hits and one walk while striking out 10. Ruesink pitched one inning with one strikeout.
Pankonen was named the game’s MVP.
Dell Rapids championship season ends with an 18-2 record.