Spearfish Post 164 closed out its home schedule in emphatic fashion Sunday, sweeping rival Sturgis Post 33 in a doubleheader at Black Hills Power Sports Complex.
The Post 164 seniors used dominant pitching, timely hitting, and clean defense to secure a 10-0 victory in Game 1 before completing the sweep with a 7-4 win in game #2.
Game 1: Spearfish 10, Sturgis 0
Spearfish wasted no time setting the tone in the opener, jumping out to a quick lead in the first inning. Owen Bruner drove in a run with a groundout, and Sean Sewell followed with an RBI single down the left-field line to make it 2-0.
Post 164 broke things wide open in the third, plating five runs on just three hits. Carson Wood’s RBI single highlighted the inning, while Jackson Peters-Hatten drew a bases-loaded walk. Sturgis miscues also proved costly, as an error brought in a run, and Peters-Hatten later scored after tagging up.
That offensive outburst was more than enough for Wood, who delivered a steady performance on the mound. The right-hander scattered six hits over six scoreless innings, striking out five and walking two to earn the win. He was awarded the player of the game from Superior Auto Solutions.
Spearfish’s lineup produced consistently throughout the game. Sewell, Tucker Olson, Wood, and Cooper Chase each tallied two hits, while Peters-Hatten drove in a team-high two runs from the eighth spot in the order.
Defensively, Post 164 backed its pitcher with flawless play, committing no errors and turning two double plays. Tucker Viessman led the way with six chances in the field.
Sturgis was led offensively by Jeren Andrzejewski, who went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in the losing effort.
Game 2: Spearfish 7, Sturgis 4
Game #2 proved more competitive, but Spearfish again found a way to prevail.
Post 164 opened the scoring in the first inning when Walker Viessman lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in the game’s first run. Sturgis answered in the second, taking a brief 2-1 lead behind RBIs from Vin Vatne and Xander Heller.
Spearfish quickly countered. Carson Wood grounded out to score a run and tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second. In the third, Post 164 capitalized on another Sturgis error to take the lead, then added to it when a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded pushed the advantage to 4-2.
Walker Viessman earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs on three hits over three innings while striking out three. Tucker Viessman provided a solid relief effort, covering the final four innings and giving up two runs while striking out three.
Although Sturgis starter Landon Lyons pitched into the sixth inning, defensive struggles hurt the Titans. Of the seven runs he allowed, only one was earned.
Spearfish’s offense was more balanced in Game 2, with Tucker Olson, Owen Bruner, Darin Crooks (player of the game), and both Viessmans each recording a hit. Walker Viessman also drove in a run.
Once again, defense played a key role. Spearfish did not commit an error in the game, with Bruner leading the team with six defensive chances.
Sturgis was paced by Brody Royer, who had a standout game at the plate, going 4-for-4. Royer, Andrzejewski and Vatne each drove in a run for the Titans.
Looking ahead
With the sweep, Spearfish builds momentum heading into its next matchup, a road game against Rapid City Post 320 Stars on Thursday. The game will be broadcast live on KDSJ Radio, with video coverage available on KDSJ-TV via YouTube and Facebook Live.
Game #1 Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/i8-VuUniLZg?si=JfFGdbyihdqIHfrK
Game #2 Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/aG18fcVP8nE?si=vP3RujA2EOEYuPs1
