Pitkin’s Two‑Day Cycle, Dominant Pitching Send Watertown Back to State Tournament
- Steve Jurrens
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A historic offensive weekend from Markus Pitkin and back‑to‑back standout pitching performances powered Watertown to a Super Regionals sweep of Sioux Falls Lincoln, securing the Arrows’ return to the SDHSBA Class A State Tournament for the second straight year.
Watertown opened the best‑of‑three series with a 9‑5 win Friday night, then closed the door Saturday afternoon with a 6‑1 victory at home.
“It’s great to be back in the State Tournament for a second year in a row,” said head coach Ryan Neale. “It’s never easy to get to this point, and credit goes to our players for battling through the bumps and bruises early in the season to put themselves in a position to host this weekend and advance.”
Game 1: Watertown 9, Sioux Falls Lincoln 5
Hunter Halajian delivered one of his best outings of the season, striking out six and allowing just two runs and four hits over 6 1/3 innings. He exited after a 104‑pitch effort with Watertown leading comfortably.
The Arrows jumped ahead 2‑0 in the first inning, then extended the lead in the third when Pitkin launched a solo home run, the first piece of what became a two‑day cycle. Watertown broke the game open with a six‑run sixth inning, building a 9‑0 advantage.
Offensively, Cole Hansen, Pitkin, Sam Olson, Jackson McClemans, Ashton Rabine, and Cain Everson all recorded hits.
Lincoln mounted a late push in the seventh, scoring five runs — including a three‑run homer from Colin Lunders — but reliever Lincoln Schutt induced a pop‑out to end the game.
Cooper Hicks and Jude Timat each had two hits for the Patriots. Carter Brady took the loss, allowing five runs on two hits and four walks over five innings.
“Hunter kept them off balance,” Neale said. “You can’t say enough good things about Hunter Halajian. The way he came out and pitched tonight, there will be good things for him moving forward.”
Game 2: Watertown 6, Sioux Falls Lincoln 1
Pitkin continued his dominant weekend, going 3‑for‑4 with a triple, double, and single — completing his cycle across the two‑day series and finishing just a home run shy of a single‑game cycle.
Carter Buisker, Olson, Maxx Sears, and Rabine added hits for the Arrows.
“He’s really a game‑changer,” Neale said. “He covers a lot of ground, and he’s just a five‑tool player that can do a lot of special things. We’re happy he’s on our team.”
On the mound, McClemans matched Halajian’s durability, throwing 6 1/3 innings while allowing one run on nine hits and striking out six. Buisker entered in the seventh to close out the win.
“It starts with Jackson McClemans and his effort on the mound tonight,” Neale said. “What he was able to do against a very potent and dangerous Sioux Falls Lincoln lineup — he was outstanding.”
Lincoln finished with 10 hits, led by Opland Sonnichsen (3‑for‑4, RBI). Timat and Jacksyn Raak each added two hits. Owen Lechtenberg took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits and five walks in five innings.
Up Next
Watertown enters the SDHSBA Class A State Tournament as the No. 8 seed and will face No. 1 Harrisburg in the opening round at 5 p.m. on May 22 at Augustana University’s Ronken Field.
