Rapid City Stevens broke open a tight game with a three-run fifth inning and went on to defeat the Spearfish Spartans 5-1 Friday night at Black Hills Power Sports Complex.
The Raiders struck first in the top of the fourth when Tucker Waddell delivered an RBI single to give Stevens a 1-0 lead. Spearfish answered in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of a Stevens error to tie the game at 1-1.
Stevens regained control in the fifth. Caidan Comparetto singled in the go-ahead run, and Jace Thompson followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 4-1. Stevens added another run later to seal the win.
Trevor Schlosser earned the victory on the mound for Stevens, allowing just one hit and one unearned run over five strong innings. He struck out nine and did not issue a walk. Austin Flohr picked up the save with two scoreless innings in relief, striking out two.
Bray Bowar took the loss for Spearfish after pitching five innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out three and walking two.
Offensively, Stevens was led by Thompson, who drove in two runs, while Waddell collected two hits. For Spearfish, Tucker Olson went 1-for-3 at the plate, accounting for the Spartans’ lone hit. Spearfish also turned a double play defensively.
Spearfish is scheduled to play at Douglas on Saturday, while Stevens returns to action Tuesday at Rapid City Central.
