The South Dakota High School Baseball Association (SDHSBA) will host its Class A state tournament on May 22‑23 at Ronken Field on the campus of Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
Tournament Landscape
Eight of the state’s top teams will battle in a single‑elimination format, each game carrying the weight of a season’s ambition.
Brandon Valley, seeded second, is chasing a historic milestone. The Lynx aim to become the first squad since Brookings in 2015‑16 to capture back‑to‑back Class A crowns, a feat that has added pressure to their already hot streak.
Sioux Falls Jefferson, ranked third, enters the tournament on a ten‑game winning streak that includes victories over three tournament opponents, while Yankton, seeded fourth, has mounted an eight‑game run of its own, though its recent wins have not come against fellow state quarterfinalists.
Harrisburg arrives with the state’s most acclaimed arm, senior pitcher Kade Wede. Despite his reputation as arguably the best pitcher in South Dakota, Wede is expected to see limited action, likely throwing in only one game during the event.
Rapid City Stevens, sitting at fifth, has compiled an 11‑2 record since mid‑April but did not face Yankton during the regular season, leaving their head‑to‑head matchup an intriguing unknown. Meanwhile, sixth‑seeded Pierre and seventh‑seeded O'Gorman possess the depth and experience that could translate into surprise upsets.
Analysts and coaches alike point to Brandon Valley as the tournament favorite, citing a blend of talent, recent momentum and championship pedigree. If the Lynx can maintain their composure, they are poised to extend their dominance and write another chapter in South Dakota baseball lore.