Watertown Post 17 Goes 1–3 at Lewis & Clark Tournament

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Watertown Post 17 opened the Lewis & Clark Tournament with a strong win but dropped its next three games, finishing the weekend 1–3 against a slate of regional opponents.

Post 17 defeated Blair Post 154 in Friday’s opener before falling to West Fargo, Scotland/Menno/Freeman/Canistota Post 152, and host Yankton.

Coach Ryan Neale said the tournament offered valuable opportunities despite the results.

“It was nice to step away from conference action this weekend and face some different competition while also giving a few guys an opportunity to get some rest and others a chance to contribute in bigger roles,” Neale said. “Tournaments are always a lot of fun because they give you the opportunity to compete against quality teams, and I thought we did that very well in Games 1 and 4.”

Game 1: Watertown 9, Blair 5

Leading 6–5 entering the bottom of the fifth, Watertown added two insurance runs on a wild pitch and a Cole Hansen RBI single to secure the win.

·         Cole Hansen: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs

·         Carter Buisker & Tripp Jorgenson: 2 hits each

·         Ashton Rabine: Win, 4 1/3 IP, 5 runs, 5 hits

Blair’s Hudson Hamm took the loss. Colton Flynn and Parker Jennings each recorded two hits.

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Game 2: West Fargo 7, Watertown 3

Despite outhitting West Fargo 10–7, Watertown couldn’t overcome a five-run fifth inning and two defensive errors.

·         Jackson McClemans, Markus Pitkin, Jaxon Falak: 2 hits each

·         Kooper Heiser: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 5 runs, 6 hits

West Fargo’s Mason Wickham earned the win with nine strikeouts. James Medbery went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

Game 3: SMFC 16, Watertown 8

SMFC used a seven-run second inning and a five-run fourth to pull away.

·         Lincoln Schutt: 2-for-3, 3 RBIs

·         Maxx Sears: Loss, 3 1/3 IP, 14 runs (7 earned), 4 hits, 7 walks

Riley Tschetter earned the win for Post 152, allowing five runs over three innings.

Game 4: Yankton 2, Watertown 1

A pitcher’s duel ended in walk-off fashion when Yankton’s Tate Beste singled in the bottom of the seventh to break a 1–1 tie.

Neale said the matchup lived up to expectations.

“Game 4 was really the marquee matchup for both Watertown and Yankton,” he said. “Both starting pitchers…are First Team All-State players, and they both brought their A-game.”

·         Jackson McClemans: 6 1/3 IP, 2 runs, 7 hits, 5 strikeouts, 107 pitches

·         Markus Pitkin: 2 hits, 1 RBI

·         Carter Buisker: 2 hits

Yankton’s Sam Gokie allowed one run on five hits over 93 pitches. Beck Ryken earned the win in relief.

Up Next

Watertown (22–13, 7–5) continues its road stretch Wednesday with a doubleheader against Brandon Valley Post 131.