Watertown Legion Baseball Blanks Rapid City Post 320, Advances in South Dakota Class A State Tournament

Northeast Radio SD News – Rapid City, SD – Watertown kept its season alive Thursday with a commanding 7-0 victory over Rapid City Post 320, powered by a four-RBI performance from Markus Pitkin and a complete-game shutout from Jackson McClemans in the Class A American Legion Baseball Tournament.

Watertown wasted no time seizing control. Pitkin blasted a three‑run home run in the first inning, igniting an early surge. Moments later, Ashton Rabine ripped a two‑run double to push the lead to 5‑0 before Post 320 recorded its third out.

Pitkin continued his standout night in the second inning, driving an RBI double into the gap to make it 6‑0. He later scored on a Rapid City error, capping Watertown’s seven‑run outburst across the first two frames. Pitkin finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs.

Jaxon Falak, Jonathan Lake, Carter Buisker, Cole Hansen, and Rabine each added a hit as Watertown’s offense produced seven runs on seven hits.

McClemans handled the rest. The right-hander scattered six hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out four and never allowing Post 320 to build momentum.

Rapid City’s Ben Hassett delivered a strong individual performance, going 3-for-3 at the plate and tossing four scoreless innings in relief. Starter Noah Wald took the loss, charged with seven runs—four earned—on six hits in two innings.

With the win, Watertown advances to another elimination matchup Friday at 5 p.m. against Sioux Falls West. The winner will move on to Saturday’s Class A State Championship game.

Other Thursday Results: Yankton eliminated Brookings with a 10-1 victory, while Rapid City Post 22 rolled past Sioux Falls West 12-2.

Friday Tournament Schedule 

• Watertown vs Sioux Falls West – 5 p.m.

• Rapid City 22 vs Yankton – 8 p.m.

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