The 2026 South Dakota VFW State Baseball Tournament came to a close Sunday in Belle Fourche, with the Area Dinos completing an impressive championship run and claiming the state title with a 7-5 victory over Mobridge Post 4 Crusaders.
Representing a combined roster of athletes from Clark, Willow Lake, and Hamlin County, the Area Dinos overcame an early deficit and then held off a late Mobridge rally to secure the championship.
The Crusaders struck first in the opening inning when Easton Eisemann delivered an RBI single, but the Dinos answered immediately. Watson Grantham tied the game with an RBI single before Jakob Steen followed with an RBI double to give The Area a 2-1 advantage.
The Dinos continued to build their lead throughout the middle innings. Max Bratland added an RBI single in the second, while Damian Severson and Ky Vandersnick each drove in runs during a two-run third inning that stretched the lead to 5-1. The Area eventually built a five-run cushion before Mobridge mounted a late comeback attempt.
Mobridge chipped away with four runs, fueled by patience at the plate that resulted in eight walks, but the rally fell short. Caleb Drenth earned the win for the Area Dinos, allowing just two runs over five innings while striking out five. Severson led the champions offensively with two hits and two RBIs, while Bennett Pommer also added a pair of hits. Steen created additional pressure on the bases, stealing three bags.
The runner-up finish capped a strong tournament for Mobridge, which was led in the championship game by Eisemann’s two-hit performance.
MVP Titans Capture Third Place
Earlier Sunday, Mount Vernon-Plankinton’s MVP Titans secured third place with a convincing 12-2 victory in five innings over the W.I.N. Gators, the cooperative squad made up of players from Warner, Ipswich, and Northwestern.
The Titans broke the game open with an explosive eight-run third inning. Tyce Feistner, Tanner Baker, Mason DeGeest, Ethan Hoffman, and Keagan Hill all contributed RBI hits during the decisive frame.
Hill was dominant both on the mound and at the plate. The right-hander struck out eight over 4⅔ innings while limiting the Gators to two unearned runs, and he also collected three hits offensively. Hoffman, Baker, and Feistner each drove in two runs as MVP finished with 12 hits.
For W.I.N., Beckett Halvorson and Chays Mansfield each recorded an RBI in the loss.
Belle Fourche Broncs Finish Fifth at Home
Host Belle Fourche closed its tournament on a high note, earning fifth place with a 12-2 victory over West Central VFW Trojans.
The Broncs received major contributions from the bottom of the lineup. Carsyn Hahne, Urijah Hamilton, and Graham VanderBoom combined for five hits, five runs scored, and two RBIs, helping Belle Fourche control the game from the opening inning.
VanderBoom was especially productive, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the ninth spot in the order while also pitching 3⅔ scoreless innings in relief. Daven Kracht added two hits, while Caeyn Howard drove in a team-high two runs.
Belle Fourche showcased aggressive baserunning throughout the contest, stealing six bases, including two by Tate Thomsen. The Broncs also drew nine walks and turned a double play on defense.
West Central managed four hits in the game, with Carson Johnson, Hayden Whiting, Taylon Sichmeller, and Cooper Ball each recording one hit.
Final Tournament Placings:
2026 South Dakota VFW State Tournament
State Champions: Area Dinos (Clark/Willow Lake/Hamlin County)
Runner-Up: Mobridge Post 4 Crusaders
3rd Place: MVP Titans (Mount Vernon-Plankinton)
4th Place: W.I.N. Gators (Warner-Ipswich-Northwestern)
5th Place: Belle Fourche Broncs
6th Place: West Central VFW Trojans
After several days of competition in Belle Fourche, the Area Dinos emerged as the last team standing, completing a championship run that showcased timely hitting, strong pitching, and depth throughout the roster on their way to the 2026 South Dakota VFW State title.
Fans who missed any of the action, or would like to relive the tournament, can rewatch every game from this year’s South Dakota VFW State Tournament on the KDSJ-TV YouTube channel or through the Black Hills Gold Hits KDSJ Facebook page.
Rewatch every game here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD15tJ9LSoq8&si=2Fgxe-fvm7zK4Y6E
