Lightning delays, missed opportunities, and a late-night thunderstorm made for a frustrating evening for Spearfish Post 164, which dropped both games of a road doubleheader to Post 320 Stars on Thursday at Pete Lien Memorial Field.
The Stars claimed the opener 4-3 on a walk-off hit before taking the nightcap 8-1 in a game called midway through the fourth inning due to weather.
Game 1: Walk-Off Ends Spearfish Comeback Bid
An hour-long lightning delay in the seventh inning preceded a heartbreaking finish for Spearfish in the opener, as Post 320 Stars 18U earned a 4-3 walk-off victory.
Post 320 seized the early advantage with three runs in the first inning. Colton Mehlhaff drove in the game’s first run with a single before Anders Lockhart delivered a two-run triple to make it 3-0.
Spearfish answered in the fourth inning, rallying to tie the contest at 3-3. Tucker Olson’s RBI single and Owen Bruner’s run-scoring double highlighted the comeback, while Walker Viessman also drove in a run.
The Post 164 appeared poised for a potential go-ahead rally at the top of the seventh, but a sequence of events swung momentum in favor of the Stars. Leading off the inning, Olson was ruled out on an interference call involving the Post 164 first-base coach. Bruner followed with a single to put the tying run aboard, and Sean Sewell then launched a deep drive that was tracked down at the fence for the second out. Bruner attempted to advance on the play but was caught on the basepaths, resulting in an inning-ending double play.
Moments later, lightning arrived in the area, sending both teams off the field for an hour-long delay.
When play resumed, the Stars capitalized in the bottom half of the inning. With the game still tied, Ben Hassett delivered a walk-off RBI single to score the winning run and hand Post 320 a 4-3 victory.
Darin Crooks and Tucker Viessman led Spearfish offensively with two hits each. Olson, Bruner and Walker Viessman each drove in a run.
Sean Sewell started on the mound for Post 164, allowing three runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings while striking out one and walking five. Bray Bowar took the loss after allowing the winning run in relief.
Lockhart earned the victory for the Stars, tossing 3 1/3 hitless innings with three strikeouts. Max Speed paced Post 320 offensively, going 3-for-3 and stealing two bases, while Lockhart finished with two RBIs.
Game 2: Early Outburst Powers Stars Before Storm Ends Contest
The second game never reached its conclusion as another lightning delay and thunderstorm forced officials to call the contest midway through the fourth inning at approximately 10:15 p.m. MT.
Spearfish grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Walker Viessman’s sacrifice fly brought home a run.
The advantage was short-lived.
Post 320 responded with a five-run bottom of the first inning, collecting four hits and taking advantage of a Spearfish error that drove in one run. The Stars continued to build their cushion in the second inning behind an RBI fielder’s choice from Adam Jansen and an RBI double by Laken Uttecht.
Walker Viessman started on the mound for Spearfish and allowed five runs — just one earned — on four hits in one inning of work.
Noah Wald earned the win for Post 320, limiting Spearfish to one unearned run on two hits over 3 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking none.
Viessman accounted for Spearfish’s lone RBI. Tucker Olson and Darin Crooks each recorded a hit for Post 164.
Uttecht led the Stars with two RBIs, while Tegan Sayles and Max Speed collected two hits apiece. Post 320 played a clean defensive game without committing an error, with Speed recording five defensive chances.
The doubleheader sweep sends Spearfish Post 164 into its next matchup looking to rebound when it travels to face Yankton Post 12 on Tuesday.
Game #1 Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/dYC8tPyaZuQ?si=ML70LeED81Tp3wr0
Game #2 Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/N0nU1L2acto?si=16gGcxN-k-Kg4XcW
