Watertown Post 17 Baseball Finishes Third at 2026 Class A American Legion State Tournament
- Steve Jurrens
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Entering the 2026 Class A American Legion State Tournament as the No. 10 seed, Watertown Post 17 knew the path would be difficult. But after sweeping Pierre in the Super Regionals, the team arrived in Rapid City with momentum — and a belief that it could compete with anyone.
“When the lights are on and the stage is big, these guys have kind of stepped up in the right moments,” head coach Ryan Neale said following the regional victory.
That confidence was tested immediately against top‑seeded and tournament host Rapid City Post 22, which had already swept Watertown during the regular season. Post 22 continued its dominance in Wednesday’s opening round, collecting 13 hits in a 10‑2 win.
Jackson McClemans took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits over two innings. Neale said the early pitching change was intentional, made with the tournament’s pitch‑count rules in mind.
“Looking back, that decision ended up playing a big role in our tournament run,” Neale said.
Post 17 Responds in Elimination Bracket
The loss sent Watertown to the elimination bracket, where it faced Brandon Valley, another team that swept Post 17 during the regular season.
After surrendering three runs in the first inning, Hunter Halajian settled in and delivered one of the best pitching performances of the season. The right‑hander scattered five hits while throwing seven scoreless innings and striking out six, keeping Watertown within reach.
“After a shaky start, he settled in and gave us seven outstanding innings, allowing our offense time to find its rhythm,” Neale said.
Watertown tied the game in the seventh when Cain Everson executed a safety squeeze to score McClemans.
With two outs in the eighth, Jaxon Falak delivered the biggest hit of the game — a two‑run single to right field — giving Post 17 its first lead at 5‑3. Carter Buisker closed the door in relief, securing the comeback win and earning a redemption moment after taking the loss in the high school state championship game.
The victory advanced Watertown to another elimination matchup Thursday against Rapid City Post 320.
Pitkin and McClemans Power Post 17 Into Final Four
Watertown wasted no time taking control. Markus Pitkin blasted a three‑run home run in the first inning and finished 2‑for‑3 with four RBIs to pace the offense.
On the mound, McClemans returned on short rest and dominated, allowing six hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out four in a 7‑0 victory.
“Because we managed Clem’s pitch count in the opening game, he was ready to come back, and that proved to be a huge advantage,” Neale said.
The outing capped a historic season for McClemans, who finished with a 1.22 ERA, breaking the Watertown Baseball record of 1.26 set by Spencer Waites in 1996.
The win pushed Watertown into the state tournament’s final four.
Post 17’s Run Ends in Semifinals
Watertown’s postseason run ended Friday with an 8‑0 loss to Sioux Falls West, which later fell to Rapid City Post 22 in the championship game.
“Our only two losses came against the two teams that eventually played for the state championship,” Neale said. “I couldn’t be more proud of what this team accomplished. To finish tied for third in the state after entering the tournament as the No. 10 seed says a lot about the character of this group.”
Watertown closed the season with a 23‑17 record.
“To finish as the Class A high school state runner‑up and then come back to earn a tie for third at the American Legion State Tournament makes this one of the most successful seasons Watertown Baseball has had in a long time,” Neale said.
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