The Spearfish Spartans walked away with a split Tuesday in a road doubleheader against the Gillette Riders, dropping the opener 11–1 before responding with an explosive 14–4 victory in the nightcap at Hladky Memorial Stadium.
Gillette 11, Spearfish 1 (Game One)
Gillette used a six‑run fifth inning to put the first game out of reach, securing an 11–1 win. Spearfish struck first when Tucker Olson delivered an RBI single in the top of the first, but the Riders answered immediately. A double by Carmine Newman and a two‑run homer from Caisen Schilling put Gillette ahead 3–1 after one.
The Riders added two more in the second on an error and an RBI double from Ethan Hecker, then broke the game open in the fifth. Gillette scored six runs on just two hits, capitalizing on a walk, a groundout, and a pair of RBI singles from Carrson Percifield and Schilling.
Gillette starter Hunter Schaffer earned the win, striking out eight over five innings while allowing just three hits. Spearfish’s Walker Viessman took the loss despite six strikeouts in four and a third innings.
Olson, Sean Sewell, and Darin Crooks each recorded one hit for the Spartans. Schilling led Gillette with four RBI and two hits.
Spearfish 14, Gillette 4 (Game Two)
Spearfish flipped the script in Game Two, erupting for 14 runs on 11 hits behind a dominant offensive performance from Darin Crooks, who went 3‑for‑5 with a solo home run and two singles.
The Spartans jumped out to a 4–0 lead in the first inning, scoring on a hit‑by‑pitch, an error, and back‑to‑back walks. They added five more in the second, highlighted by a two‑run single from Connor Johnson, another two runs on an error, and an RBI single from Cooper Chase.
Johnson continued his strong outing with another RBI single in the third, extending the lead to 10–0. Crooks added his solo homer in the fourth after a six‑pitch at‑bat.
Bray Bowar earned the win, allowing four hits and three runs—only one earned—over four innings. Jack Scharf closed the game in relief.
Sewell and Johnson each drove in four runs, while Scharf added two hits. Olson drew three walks as Spearfish showed patience at the plate, finishing with seven free passes.
Gillette collected five hits in the loss, with three different Riders driving in runs.
The Spartans return home Friday to host Belle Fourche. Fans can listen live on KDSJ 980 AM, 103.5 FM, kdsj980.com, the KDSJ Sports Mobile App, or watch the game on KDSJ-TV on YouTube and on KDSJ’s Facebook Live.
