Dell Rapids Mudcats Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Jr Mudcats Finish 3rd at 10U State Tournament

July 21, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Jr Mudcats (10U) placed third at the 10U State VFW Tournament on Friday, July 15th, through Sunday, July 16th, in Humboldt.

Dell Rapids started the tournament with a win over the Madison Bulldogs on Friday night. Dell Rapids scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Madison answered with a run in the fourth inning, but Dell Rapids scored three times in the fifth inning. Madison scored another run in the sixth inning, but Dell Rapids hung on for the 4-2 win.

The Mudcats then faced West Central on Saturday morning. Dell Rapids scored the first run of the game in the second inning on a bases-loaded RBI walk. The Mudcats added another run in the fifth inning. West Central scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Dell Rapids scored two times in the top of the sixth inning, but West Central scored three times for the 5-4 win over the Mudcats.

Dell Rapids rallied later in the day with a win against Dakota Valley 8-6. Dakota Valley led Dell Rapids 5-2 after the first inning. The Mudcats, however, scored six unanswered runs in the game to take the lead 8-5, allowing only one more run to Dakota Valley for the win. Dell Rapids finished pool play with a 2-1 record and the number one seed.

The Mudcats faced Vermillion on Sunday in the championship bracket. Vermillion took an early 4-0 lead after the first two innings, but Dell Rapids would cut the lead in half on a two-run triple in the fourth inning to make the game 4-2. The Mudcats would rally in the sixth by adding another run to cut the lead to 4-3, but the rally fell short as Vermillion hung on for the win.

In the final game of the tournament, Dell Rapids played against Lennox. The Mudcats scored four times in the bottom of the first inning for an early 4-0 lead. Lennox answered with a run in the top of the second and another run in the top of the third to cut the Dell Rapids lead to 4-2. The Mudcats were able to add another run in the bottom of the third and hung on for a 5-2 win to finished the tournament in 3rd place.

Riley Schultz finished the tournament 4-11 from the plate with five RBIs, Lincoln Fersdahl went 5-11 with six runs scored, and Tad Tjaden had eight innings pitched giving up just one run while striking out 15 batters. Tjaden had one win and two saves for the tournament.

Mudcats Beat PBR at Take Me Out to the Ballgame

June 27, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Mudcats defeated Dell Rapids PBR during the annual “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on Friday, June 24th at Rickeman Field. The game was one of the events that kicked off the Quarry Days weekend in Dell Rapids.

The Mudcats got on the board in the first inning after Aaron Johnson drove home Jimmy Bauer. Bauer then drove in the next Mudcat run in the second inning with an RBI single driving in Colin Karst. Nate Henry hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend the lead to 4-0. The Mudcats would add two more runs in the seventh and went on to win 6-0.

Karst earned the win pitching seven innings of shut out baseball. Karst only gave up two hits in his seven innings while striking out five batters. Bauer and Johnson each had three hits. Henry had two hits, and Grant Olson, Mark Houck, and Karst each had one hit. Bo Behrend, Kevin Krull, and Zane Schumacher had hits for PBR. Preston Davis took the loss.

The Mudcats earned another win over the weekend by defeating Humboldt 8-0 on Sunday, June 26th. The Mudcats are currently in second place in the Cornbelt League standings with a 7-2 league record. PBR dropped another game on Sunday, losing 7-1 to Canova. PBR is still looking for its first league win.

Dell Rapids Mudcats Heading Back to State

July 31, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

A four-run seventh inning lifted the Dell Rapids Mudcats over the Madison Broncos 4-3 at the District 4B Amateur Baseball Tournament in Flandreau on Thursday, July 30th. The win qualified the Mudcats for the State B Tournament in Mitchell August 5-15.

Madison jumped on Matt Wilbur and the Mudcats right away in the first inning. The Broncos scored three times on four hits and two Mudcat errors. Madison would leave the bases loaded, but took an early 3-0 lead. The Mudcats struggled to find their offense as they were only able to get two total hits through the first six innings.

Madison, meanwhile, threatened to add to their lead in just about every inning. The Broncos had at least one hit in every inning through the first six innings, but were unable to push across any more runs. The momentum seemed to shift Dell Rapids way in the top of the sixth inning. Madison had three hits in the inning, but had a runner thrown out at home, and they again left the bases loaded.

The Mudcats finally got to Brandon Burg in the seventh inning. Joe Lewellen reached on a one-out single. Jimmy Bauer hit a two-out double to put runners on second and third. Travis Peters drove in the Mudcats’ first run with an RBI single. Kris King drew a walk, and the Mudcats had the bases loaded with two outs. Madison made a pitching change bringing in Chris Brozik to face Nate Henry. Henry drove a double off the base of the wall to drive in three runs to give Dell Rapids a 4-3 lead.

Wilbur got through the final two innings to get the complete-game win and send Dell Rapids to the state tournament. Wilbur gave up three runs, two earned, on 11 hits while striking out 10 and walking four. He was able to pitch Dell Rapids through a rough night in the field as the Mudcats committed five errors.

Henry finished 1-3 with a double and three RBI. Peters was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Bauer, King and Lewellen also collected hits for Dell Rapids.

The Mudcats will enter the state tournament as the District 4B #2 rep. Pairings for the state tournament will be released after the conclusion of all the district tournaments.

Dell Rapids Mudcats Reach Semifinals

July 26, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Mudcats opened up the District 4B Amateur Baseball Tournament in Flandreau with a 4-1 win over Hartford/Humboldt. 10 total hits and three RBIs by 2nd baseman Nate Henry was all the run-support starting pitcher Jared Donahue needed to pick up his third win against H/H. Donahue gave up one run on three hits while fanning 15.

“He pitched real well for us today,” said Manager Jim Wilber. “It was real important to get this first win, and Jared did that. The lineup he faced was a very tough line-up and they hit the ball very well. Jared was great.”

The last time these two teams met, H/H scored 11 runs, however this time they were only able squeeze out one run.

The Mudcats started the scoring early in the bottom of the 1st inning. With one out Grant Olson doubled over the left fielders head. Kris King moved Olson over on a error by the H/H right fielder’s dropped ball. With runners on first and third, Henry drove in Olson on a fielders choice to second base.

The pitching duel continued as both teams made good plays out in the field, and both pitchers were able to locate the pitches they wanted. In the fourth inning, Donahue gave up a run. That would be the closest thing to a struggle for Donahue in the game. H/H scored after Rob Lind worked a one-out walk, only Donahue’s second walk of the game. After Danny Flahiee grounded out and moved Lind to second, H/H’s Cole Rockefellow reached on an error with two outs scoring Lind.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Mudcats put the only crooked number up on the scoreboard. Jimmy Bauer led off the inning with his second single of the game. Bauer stole second base. Olson then popped up to short, which then brought up King. King singled and drove in Bauer, which turned out to be the game-winning run. Henry came to the plate and lined a base hit to right field. When the throw to third came up wild, King was able to come home for another run.

The Mudcats added another run in the 7th when Henry drove in King again with a single after King singled and stole second base.

Donahue pitched a complete game with 15 strikeouts, only walking two. The run he gave up was unearned.

Bauer, King, Henry and Aaron Johnson each had two hits. Olson and Colin Karst each had a double.

The Mudcats will play Tuesday, July 28th, at 8:00 p.m. in Flandreau.

Mudcats Defeat PBR Behind Donahue’s 17 Ks

June 30, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Jared Donahue pitched 7 2/3 innings of two-hit baseball for the Dell Rapids Mudcats as they defeated Dell Rapids PBR 6-2 on Friday, June 26th, during “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” night as part of the Quarry Days celebration. Donahue gave up two runs on two hits while striking out 17 batters.

PBR jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Blake Harms drove in a Zane Schumacher with an RBI single. Harms came around to score on a Tanner Solberg RBI double. The Mudcats got one of the runs back as Jimmy Bauer scored on an error to make the score 2-1 PBR after the first inning.

The Mudcats tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd after Tom Pischke scored on an RBI single by Nate Henry. Bauer scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning after scoring on an error. The Mudcats led 3-2 after the fifth inning and went on to add three more runs in the eighth inning. Bauer scored for the third time in the game on an RBI sacrifice-fly by Henry. Kris King scored on an RBI singled by Mark Hauck. Aaron Johnson drove in Travis Peters for the third run of the inning.

The story of the game was the pitching by Donahue. Donahue faced seven batters in the first inning giving up two earned runs on two hits while walking two batters. He then hit Sheldon Davis with a pitch to lead off the second inning. However, Donahue did not allow another PBR base runner in his next 6 2/3 innings while striking out 15 batters in that stretch to earn the win. Colin Karst pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up no runs on no hits and struck out one.

Nate Alfson pitched a strong game for PBR giving up three runs, but only one earned, on four hits while walking one and striking out two over five innings. Dale Solberg pitched three innings giving up three runs, all earned, on five hits while walking one and striking out one.

PBR – Mudcat Rivalry Returns to Dell Rapids with Wild Finish

June 10, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids PBR and Dell Rapids Mudcat rivalry returned to Dell Rapids with the return of the Dell Rapids Mudcats amateur baseball team this season. The two teams met for the first time this year on Tuesday, June 9th, for the PBR home game between these two ball clubs. The game was another classic PBR-Mudcat game Dell Rapids has grown to love.

The first eight innings were a breeze as Nate Alfson for PBR and Matt Wilbur for the Mudcats put on a great pitching dual for the fans. PBR got to Wilbur in the fourth inning for a run as Blake Harms hit an RBI double driving home Sheldon Davis for a 1-0 lead. Alfson had a no-hitter going through 6 2/3 innings, but Nate Henry broke up the no-hitter and shut out with an RBI single knocking home Kris King to tie the game at 1-1 in the seventh inning.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the ninth inning, and that’s when things got interesting.

The first two batters for the Mudcats singled off of Alfson, and Travis Peters followed with a one-out RBI single to give the Mudcats a 2-1 lead and chase Alfson from the game. Dale Solberg came in to pitch in relief of Alfson, and Henry hit a fly ball to left center that was dropped scoring King on the error. Mark Hauck followed with an RBI single, and then Aaron Johnson hit an RBI sacrifice fly to left to score the fourth Mudcat run of the ninth inning.

Kenton Welbig entered the game as a relief pitcher in the eighth inning and went back to work in the ninth with a four-run 5-1 lead. Welbig was able to get the first two PBR batters out, and the Mudcats looked to be in control to win the first meeting between these two Dell Rapids teams. Davis drew a walk. Harms drew a walk. Drew Eldeen hit a soft line-drive to right field to load the bases. All three runners advanced on a wild pitch, making the score 5-2. Luke Holt also drew a walk to re-load the bases for PBR. Tanner Solberg followed with his fourth hit of the game, this time a two-run single to score Harms and Eldeen. PBR all the sudden pulled within a run at 5-4 with two outs and had Holt and Solberg on base. The Mudcats made a pitching change and brought in Hauck to face the veteran Bruce Mogen. After fouling off a couple of pitches, Mogen laced a line drive to right center that Jimmy Bauer could not quite reach on a diving attempt. The double drove in both Holt and T. Solberg for the win….all on two outs.

D. Solberg earned the win pitching 2/3 of an inning giving up an unearned run. Welbig took the loss pitching 1 2/3 innings giving up five runs, all earned, on three hits while walking three and striking out one. Alfson pitched 8 1/3 innings in the no-decision giving up four earned runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two. Wilbur pitched seven innings in his no-decision giving up one earned run on nine hits while striking out four.

Peters, Henry, Hauck, and Johnson all had RBIs for the Mudcats. PBR was led by T. Solberg who went 4-4 with two RBI. Mogen was 3-3 with a double and two RBI.

South Dakota Magazine Features Dell Rapids Mudcats Manager

May 2, 2013 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Amateur baseball is a summertime tradition in small towns across South Dakota, but many fans don’t realize the commitment it takes to make each game a reality. In the May/June 2013 issue of South Dakota Magazine, writer Mel Antonen introduces readers to six managers — including Dell Rapids’ Jim Wilber — who have devoted their lives to keeping baseball alive in their towns.

Antonen, a Lake Norden native and former amateur baseball player who covers Major League Baseball in Washington, D.C., explains the dedication each man has for the national pastime and why they refuse to see the sport fade away, even if it means sacrificing their own time and money.

South Dakota Magazine is published in Yankton. It explores the history, arts, culture, sports and outdoors of the state. To order a copy or to subscribe, call 1-800-456-5117.

-30-

For immediate release (May 2, 2013)
Contact: John Andrews, (605) 665-6655

Clear Lake Upsets Mudcats

August 2, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Clear Lake picked up an upset win over the #1 team in Class B, the Dell Rapids Mudcats, in the opening round of the State B Amateur Baseball Touranment in Mitchell. Clear Lake held the Mudcat hitters to just three hits the entire game. Jesse Kurtenback and Matt Wilber led the team offensively each hitting a double in the game. Mark Houck had the other hit for Dell Rapids. Wilber took the loss pitching 6 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs, 1 earned, on 6 hits and striking out 6. Houck finished the game giving up 2 hits and striking out 5. Clear Lake was able to push across a run in the 3rd inning and 5th inning for the win. The Mudcat season comes to an end as they finish with a 27-5 record.

Mudcats and 3 Others Qualify for State

July 23, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Four of the 12 Cornbelt League teams have qualified for the State B Amateur Baseball Tournament in Mitchell on August 1st – 12th already. The Canova Gang, Dell Rapids Mudcats, Colman A’s and Madison Broncos all won quarterfinal games over the weekend in the District 4B Tournament in Salem. Canova defeated Lennox 9-2, Colman defeated Harrisburg 6-4, Madison beat Salem 6-1, and the Mudcats beat PBR 9-7 to qualify. These four teams will play out the winner’s half of the bracket to determine who will go in as the District 4B Champion, Rep #1, Rep #2 and Rep #3. Those games will be held Thursday and Saturday.

The rest of the eight teams are playing out the loser’s half of the bracket for the final three spots in the state tournament from the Cornbelt League. Those games will pick up again Tuesday evening and will also be played Wednesday and Friday evenings along with Saturday afternoon.

A complete list of games and the bracket can be found here: https://bigsiouxmedia.com/cornbelt-league-scoresstandings/

Mudcats and Canova 1, 2 in Polls

July 11, 2012 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Mudcats retained the top spot in the Class B South Dakota Amateur Baseball Polls this week, while Canova jumped to the number 2 spot. Crofton, NE is third this week followed by Redfield and Alexandria to round out the top five.

The Mudcats and Canova Gang will square off in a battle of the top two teams in the state and the top two teams in the Cornbelt League on Thursday night in Canova at 7:30 p.m. The winner of the ball game will take over first place in the Cornbelt League as both teams are currently 18-2 in league play.

Top 5 Class B Poll
1) Dell Rapids Mudcats
2) Canova
3) Crofton, NE
4) Redfield
5) Alexandria

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