{KXLG – Pierre, SD} Watertown Post 17 and Pierre Post 8 split a doubleheader Friday afternoon at Hyde Stadium, with Watertown taking the second game 9-4 after Pierre secured a walk-off 6-5 victory in the opener.
In game two, Watertown Post 17’s offense ignited, securing a 9-4 win. Jonathan Lake was a key contributor, collecting three hits in four at-bats, including a triple in the seventh inning and singles in the second and sixth. Mitch Olson, Markus Pitkin, Kaden Rylance, and Ashton Rabine each added two hits, contributing to Watertown’s total of 13 hits for the game. Jackson McClemens earned the win on the mound for Watertown, pitching a complete game of seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.
The first game of the doubleheader was a tight contest, with Pierre Post 8 ultimately claiming a 6-5 victory. The game was tied at five runs apiece heading into the bottom of the eighth inning when Pierre’s Dawson Getz delivered a game-winning single that scored one run. For the Watertown Arrows, Mitch Olson, Hayden Ries, and Nathan Briggs each recorded two of the team’s 10 hits. Kaden Rylance pitched four and a third innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out four. Nathan Briggs and Cain Everson provided relief, combining for three runs on eight hits.
Following these games, Watertown Post 17’s season record stands at 29-25 overall and 18-13 in league play. The team is set to return home to Watertown for Senior Night on Tuesday, July 15, where they will host Brookings in a doubleheader. Games are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Post 17 TV.