Spearfish Post 164 Senior Legion baseball earned a split in Monday’s doubleheader against the Helena, Montana Post 2 Senators at Black Hills Power Sports Complex, rallying for a 5-3 win in game one before dropping game two, 12-2.
In the opener, Helena struck first in the third inning, getting RBI production from Keaton Troyer and Tyler Kaiser to take a 2-0 lead. Spearfish answered quickly in the bottom half, as Tucker Olson delivered a two-run triple and Owen Bruner followed with an RBI single to give Post 164 a 3-2 advantage.
Helena tied the game in the fifth on a solo home run by James DeMers, but Spearfish held firm down the stretch. Olson earned the win in relief, tossing four strong innings while allowing just one run on four hits, striking out six without issuing a walk.
Olson also led the offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Walker Viessman added two hits, and Spearfish applied pressure on the basepaths with six stolen bases while playing error-free defense.
Game two saw Helena respond in a big way. The Senators jumped out early with a first-inning home run from Troyer and capitalized on defensive miscues to build momentum. Spearfish briefly tied the game in the bottom of the first with an RBI groundout from Olson and a run-scoring double by Jack Scharf.
However, Helena took control in the third and broke the game open in the fifth, scoring six runs in a decisive inning that featured timely hitting and more Spearfish errors. The Senators went on to a 12-2 victory.
Walker Viessman took the loss for Spearfish despite striking out seven over four and a third innings. Olson, Scharf, and Viessman each recorded a hit, while Carson Wood drew two walks to help lead a patient effort at the plate.
Spearfish will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they travel to face Sturgis Post 33. Fans can catch the game live on KDSJ-TV on YouTube and the Black Hills Gold Hits KDSJ Facebook page.
Game #1 Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/s2zjpkqz-k4?si=lQ9Kogewf5Zdvf3Z
Game #2 Replay: https://www.youtube.com/live/FbJlpV2Qtq8?si=1MzyY3x4iUHvVEBp
