A Night of Drama in District 3B
The final game of the District 3B amateur baseball tournament turned into an instant classic when Four Corners rallied in the bottom of the eleventh inning. Garrett Stout stepped up with the bases loaded and delivered a walk‑off RBI single that flipped a 9‑8 deficit into a 9‑8 victory. The win was especially sweet because Four Corners had been outhit 15‑11 and had committed three errors earlier in the game, yet managed to stay alive through clutch pitching and timely hitting.
Relief pitcher Noah Hainy was the linchpin of that comeback, tossing two scoreless innings while fanning six batters. His performance kept the opposition’s momentum in check and gave the offense the breathing room it needed to mount the final rally. Ethan Hoffman, who had paced Plankinton’s offense with three hits and an RBI, could only watch as the game slipped away in the extra frame.
Other District 3B Results
The tournament also featured dominant displays from Kimball/White Lake, which rolled past Chamberlain 15‑0 in five innings. Cooper Leiferman and Keaton Christensen combined for a two‑hitter and nine strikeouts, showcasing a pitching duo that was nearly untouchable. Meanwhile, Burke shut out Colome 3‑0, with Gannon Thomas delivering a complete‑game masterpiece that included eight strikeouts and no walks issued.
Perhaps the most heart‑stopping finish came when the Winner Demons erased a one‑run deficit in the top of the ninth to beat Wessington Springs 8‑7. The comeback underscored the unpredictable nature of the tournament, where any team could swing the momentum with a timely hit or a timely pitch.
District 4B Highlights
Across the state line, District 4B delivered its own fireworks. Canova erupted for a 17‑10 win over Hartford/Humboldt Gamecocks in a game that saw both teams combine for 34 hits, turning the scoreboard into a shooting gallery. Dell Rapids PBR followed with a 10‑0 blanking of Salem, where Brett Mogen tossed a two‑hitter and struck out four batters, while Dell Rapids Mudcats cruised past Flandreau Cardinals 11‑1, fueled by Carter Gullickson’s three‑hit, three‑run performance.
The final District 4B matchup pitted Madison against Hartford/Humboldt Wood Ducks in a low‑scoring duel that ended 2‑1. Chris Burke delivered a complete‑game effort, fanning eleven opponents and allowing just one run, illustrating that even in a high‑scoring district, pitching excellence can still decide the outcome.