Watertown Post 17 Hurt by Seven Errors in Doubleheader Sweep by Pierre
- Steve Jurrens
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Defensive struggles and missed offensive opportunities proved costly for Watertown Post 17 on Tuesday, as Pierre Post 8 swept the Arrows in a road doubleheader, winning 4–3 and 4–1.
Watertown committed seven errors across the two games, a key factor in both losses.
Game 1: Pierre 4, Watertown 3
Despite allowing just one hit, Watertown starter Jackson McClemans was saddled with the loss after Pierre capitalized on multiple defensive miscues.
Pierre opened the scoring in the third inning on a Carter Schiefelbein sacrifice fly. Two Watertown errors in the same frame allowed two additional runs to score.
Watertown responded in the bottom half:
· Cain Everson delivered an RBI single
· Carter Buisker added another RBI single
· A Pierre error allowed the tying run to cross
Pierre regained the lead in the sixth on another Watertown defensive misplay.
The Arrows threatened in the seventh, putting the tying run on second after an Everson single and the winning run on first when a pitch hit Markus Pitkin. But Schiefelbein, now pitching, struck out Sam Olson to end the game.
McClemans threw a complete game, allowing four runs (one earned) on one hit with four strikeouts and three walks. Everson and Buisker each finished with two hits and an RBI.
Pierre’s Carter Templeton earned the win, allowing three runs on three hits over six innings. Will Danburg recorded Pierre’s lone hit.
Post 17 coach Ryan Neale said Pierre played sharper.
“Credit to Pierre. They came over here, and they were just more prepared and wanted this one a little bit more.”
Neale said the seven errors reflected mental lapses.
“We just weren’t there… The mental challenges that this team is going to have because we are good — and being able to come through adversity and stay in it each pitch… it’s just disappointing to come out with this result.”
Game 2: Pierre 4, Watertown 1
Pierre’s offense found its rhythm in the nightcap, collecting 10 hits to secure the sweep.
Tripp Lindekugel, Will Eilers, and Will Danburg each had two hits, with Lindekugel, Eilers, and Schiefelbein driving in runs.
Watertown’s lone run came in the second inning on a Jaxon Falak sacrifice fly.
Neale said the Arrows had chances but couldn’t convert.
“We had all kinds of opportunities… Bases loaded, one out, we didn’t score. First and second, nobody out, didn’t score… We just couldn’t get base runners on.”
Everson again led Watertown with two hits. Olson, Jonathan Lake, and McClemans each added one.
Kooper Heiser took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits. Kasen Jensen threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Danburg earned the win for Pierre, allowing one run on four hits over five innings. Ryker Edson pitched the final two frames for the save.
Postseason Impact
The sweep puts No. 8 Watertown at 31–20 overall and 16–12 in league play, tightening the race for postseason seeding with only six regular‑season games remaining.
“What this does to us point‑wise is going to put our backs up against the wall,” Neale said. “Basically, it’s going to force ourselves to win out to be able to have a chance for us to be at home for super regionals.”
Up Next
Watertown travels tonight to face No. 10 Renner in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m., looking to rebound and stabilize its postseason position.
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