Spearfish Post 164 endured a tough day on the road Wednesday, dropping both games of a doubleheader to Brandon Valley Post 131. Brandon Valley claimed a 10-0 victory in the opener before holding off Spearfish 4-2 in the nightcap.
Brandon Valley Pulls Away Late in Opener
For five innings, Post 164 remained within striking distance despite Brandon Valley holding a lead. But a seven-run sixth inning by the home team turned a competitive game into a runaway victory.
Brandon Valley opened the scoring in the first when Grady Gindorff drew a bases-loaded walk. Gindorff later added a solo home run to left field in the third inning to extend the lead.
Spearfish struggled to generate offense against Brandon Valley pitching, managing just two hits in the contest. Walker Viessman and Bray Bowar accounted for the team’s only hits.
Bowar kept Spearfish in the game through five innings, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out three. However, Brandon Valley’s offense erupted in the sixth, scoring seven runs on eight hits. Ryder Mueller delivered two RBI singles during the inning, while Bryton Stroh added a two-run single as Brandon Valley sealed the 10-0 win.
Mueller finished with three hits, while Gindorff and Mueller each drove in two runs for Brandon Valley. The home team also put pressure on the bases, stealing eight bases and drawing seven walks.
Early Lead Slips Away in Game Two
Spearfish bounced back with a stronger effort in the second game and grabbed an early lead in the opening inning.
Viessman delivered an RBI single to score the game’s first run, putting Post 164 ahead 1-0.
The game remained tight until the fourth inning, when Brandon Valley pieced together a four-run rally. Will VanLeur drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt before Jacob Halseth, Bryce Plucker, and Max Peters each contributed RBIs to put Brandon Valley in front 4-1.
Post 164 continued to battle and cut the deficit in the late innings. Sean Sewell and Viessman each drove in a run, while both players collected two hits to lead the Spearfish offense.
Viessman also turned in a strong performance on the mound despite taking the loss. The right-hander worked all six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out seven and walking just two.
Defensively, Spearfish played a clean game without committing an error. Owen Bruner led the way in the field with eight defensive chances.
Brandon Valley’s offense was paced by Plucker, Cooper Veld, and Taylor Melby, who each recorded two hits. Peters, Plucker, and Halseth each drove in a run in the victory.
Looking Ahead
Post 164 will look to bounce back when it travels to face Watertown Arrows Post 17 next Wednesday.
