The South Dakota American Legion baseball all‑stars took the field at The Pond in Parkston on Monday, delivering a doubleheader that swung back and forth between two tightly contested games. Team Black and Team Red each posted a win, but the outcomes hinged on late‑inning heroics and an explosive opening burst that defined the second contest.
Game 1: A Walk‑Off Thriller
Team Black edged Team Red 6‑5 in a game that was decided by a walk‑off RBI single from Watson Grantham in the eighth inning. The hit capped a rally that began after Frank Soukup, who earned the win for Black, limited the opposition to two hits and one run over three innings while striking out six. Earlier, Bennett Eisenbeisz had surrendered seven hits and four runs for Black, but timely hitting from Grantham and an RBI from Kaden Holzbauer kept the lead alive until the final out.
Game 2: Red’s Early Onslaught
Team Red answered with an 11‑9 victory, fueled by a 10‑run bottom of the first inning that set a commanding tone. Cooper Pommer went 4‑for‑4 and drove in multiple runs, while Drew Braley and Volga’s Braden Danziesen each delivered RBI singles. The offense exploded for 12 hits in the first two innings, with Lennox’s Cole Spieler cracking a three‑RBI double that stretched the lead.
Pitching for Red, Ryan Brandenburg tossed five innings, scattering four hits and three runs while striking out two, and Kaden Holzbauer contributed an RBI earlier in the game. The win was sealed by Cannon Speer’s three‑inning relief effort, allowing only three hits and two earned runs, while Talen Eich finished with two stolen bases to underscore the team’s aggressive baserunning.
Standout performances extended beyond the scoreboard, as Aberdeen’s Jehiel Aviles collected three hits and four stolen bases, and Chamberlain’s Isaac Shepherd tied the first game at 5‑all with an RBI single in the sixth. Additional contributors such as Kash Neugebauer, Quincy Phillips, and Brett Milton added RBIs, while pitching depth from Kirby Olson and Dell Rapids’ Ryan Brandenburg highlighted the depth of talent on display.
The split results underscore the competitive balance within the South Dakota Legion ranks, with both squads demonstrating the ability to rally under pressure and capitalize on early opportunities. As the season progresses, the experiences gained at The Pond will likely shape future matchups and provide a deeper pool of talent for upcoming tournaments.