In a game that had everything — offensive fireworks, lead changes, two lightning delays, a record-setting crowd, and a dramatic finish just before midnight — the Spearfish Sasquatch delivered one of the most memorable victories in franchise history Thursday night.
Playing in front of more than 900 fans, the largest crowd ever to attend a Sasquatch game, Spearfish outlasted the Capital City Aviators 12-11 on a walk-off walk at Black Hills Energy Stadium.
After nearly four hours of baseball and weather interruptions, the Sasquatch sent the home crowd home happy when Carter Towns drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning, forcing home the winning run and ending the contest shortly before midnight.
The victory improved an already festive atmosphere on a night that repeatedly tested the patience of players and fans alike.
Spearfish struck first in the opening inning when Braden Smith lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the game’s first run.
Capital City responded with a three-run second inning. Brody Oyloe drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Sam Fassbender ripped an RBI triple and Curt Heath added a run-scoring single to put the Aviators in front.
The visitors continued to build their lead in the third. Cahill tripled and later scored, while Caleb Chai added an RBI single to make it 5-1.
Capital City appeared to take command in the fourth inning when Ryan Deveraux launched a three-run home run to right field, extending the Aviators’ advantage to 8-1.
But the Sasquatch slowly chipped away before exploding for a seven-inning rally that turned the game around.
Spearfish surged ahead 10-8 in the bottom of the seventh inning, fueled by clutch RBI singles from Noah Betanco and Smith as the home team completed an impressive comeback.
Just when it seemed the Sasquatch had seized control, the Aviators answered one more time.
Heath delivered the biggest swing of the night for Capital City in the top of the ninth, blasting a go-ahead home run to right field that gave the visitors an 11-10 lead.
Still, Spearfish had one final rally left.
Showing remarkable patience at the plate, the Sasquatch loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Consecutive walks forced in the tying and winning runs, with Towns drawing the decisive free pass to secure the dramatic 12-11 victory.
Spearfish racked up 14 hits and 12 walks in the offensive showcase.
Noah Betanco and Malakai Lopez paced the lineup with three hits each, while Bo Iandoli and Maddox Morrison added multiple-hit performances.
Smith and Sam Kwapnioski anchored the middle of the order, driving in three runs apiece. Towns reached base repeatedly and finished with three walks, including the game-winning RBI.
On the mound, Colter Wilson earned the victory despite surrendering three runs over the final two innings. The reliever struck out three and navigated several high-pressure situations before the Sasquatch offense bailed him out in the ninth.
Starter Aidan Bahn worked two innings, allowing three runs while striking out two. Spearfish also received valuable scoreless relief appearances from Mac Hibben, Karver Partlow and Evan Hesse.
Capital City collected 11 hits of its own. Heath led the Aviators by going 2-for-5 with four RBIs, while Chai, Deveraux and Cahill each added two-hit performances.
The game featured plenty of offense, a double play by each team, two lengthy lightning delays and enough twists to keep the record crowd on edge throughout the evening.
When the final pitch was taken for ball four just before midnight, the fans who stayed through the weather and the late hour were rewarded with a walk-off celebration and a new chapter in the Sasquatch franchise history.
With the win, the Sasquatch sweep the Aviators in the four-game home series. Spearfish will look to carry that momentum into Friday’s road matchup against the Casper Spuds.
