A Summer of Baseball in Mitchell
The 2026 South Dakota State Class B Amateur Baseball Tournament kicked off on August 5 and will conclude on August 16 at Cadwell Park in Mitchell. The single‑elimination format pits teams from across the state against one another in a race to claim the championship title, drawing packed crowds and a palpable sense of excitement.
Quarterfinal Advances
Among the teams that have moved forward, the Volga Cormorants and the Clark Traders have each secured a spot in the quarterfinals with convincing wins. Volga’s journey included a 9‑7 victory over the Salem Cubs and a 7‑2 triumph against the Lennox Bandits, while Clark posted a 10‑3 win over the Tabor Bluebirds after a three‑run surge in the eighth inning against the Wessington Springs Owls.
Offensive and Defensive Highlights
Volga’s Bayley Colemer drove in three runs during the Salem game, and Dom Boerger struck out 12 batters in the Lennox matchup, underscoring the team’s balanced attack. The tournament’s pitching brilliance shone when Parkston Mudcats’ Taite Klumb and Landon Waddell combined for the ninth no‑hitter in tournament history, blanking the Kimball‑White Lake Nationals 5‑0. Adding to the excitement, Volga native Zack Puetz went 4‑for‑5 with a three‑run double and a grand slam homer that powered Dell Rapids PBR to a 16‑0 drubbing of Colome.
State A Competition
In the State A bracket, Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar, sitting at 12‑6, is set to face Tea Steam at 1 p.m. on August 14. Meanwhile, the defending champion Parkston Rays saw their title hopes dashed when they fell 2‑1 to the Hartford‑Humboldt Gamecocks, ending their tournament run.
All‑Star and Junior Legion Results
The S.D. Baseball Coaches Association’s American Legion All‑Star Games were held at Parkston on August 10, with Team Red emerging victorious over Team Black in Game 2. In the State B Junior Legion championship, Parkston defeated Volga 9‑1, capping a dominant performance that highlighted the depth of local talent.
The tournament concluded with a festive atmosphere as fans celebrated not only the on‑field achievements but also the community spirit that has defined the event. With standout performances from players like Zack Puetz, Bayley Colemer and the pitching duo of Klumb and Waddell, the 2026 edition will be remembered as one of the most exciting in recent memory.