The Spearfish Sasquatch erased an early seven-run deficit with an explosive offensive performance Wednesday night, rallying for a 17-7 victory over Bison Baseball at Black Hills Energy Stadium and taking a 2-0 lead in the three-game series.
After falling behind 7-0 through the first two innings, the Sasquatch responded with 14 unanswered runs over the next two frames to completely turn the game around.
Leading the charge was Sam Kwapnioski, who drove in four runs and collected three hits. Kwapnioski delivered a two-run single during Spearfish’s six-run second inning and added another two-run single in an eight-run third inning that put the Sasquatch in front for good.
Bison Baseball came out swinging early, plating six runs in the opening inning. Anthony De Luca started the scoring with an RBI double, while John Perry, Joseph Krahner, Nyte Teeter, and Harrison Simpson also contributed runs as the Bison built a commanding lead. Remington Hart added an RBI double in the second inning to make it 7-0.
Spearfish answered immediately.
The Sasquatch scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the second. Aiden Meverden drove in a run with a groundout before Kwapnioski’s two-run single highlighted the inning. Braden Smith added an RBI single, and Crew Moeller capped the rally with a two-run double to pull Spearfish within one run.
One inning later, the floodgates opened.
Spearfish erupted for eight runs in the third inning, collecting four hits and taking advantage of multiple walks. Kwapnioski once again delivered the key hit, driving home two runs as the Sasquatch surged ahead 14-7.
The offense never slowed down.
Spearfish finished with 17 hits, placing multiple hitters in the spotlight. Along with Kwapnioski’s three-hit night, Crew Moeller collected three hits and four RBIs. Kendrick Aragon, Braden Smith, Wilson Kieffer, and Lucas Terilli each recorded multiple-hit games as the Sasquatch lineup produced contributions throughout the order.
The Sasquatch also showed patience at the plate, drawing 10 walks. Noah Betanco, Malakai Lopez, and Kieffer each earned two free passes. Lopez added two stolen bases as Spearfish swiped four bases overall.
On the mound, Carter Baete was instrumental in shutting the door after the early deficit. The right-hander earned the win with six strong innings of relief, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four and walking one.
After surrendering seven runs in the first two innings, Spearfish pitchers held Bison Baseball to only one run the rest of the way.
Bison finished with nine hits, led by Simpson’s three-hit performance. De Luca, Krahner, Teeter, Perry, Simpson, and Hart each drove in runs for the visitors.
With the victory, the Sasquatch now hold a 2-0 lead in the three-game series and will look for the sweep when they host Bison Baseball in the finale Thursday night in Spearfish.
