{KXLG – Watertown, SD} Seven costly errors and a quiet offense proved to be the undoing for Watertown Post 17, which dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Pierre Post 8, losing 4-3 and 4-1.

Pierre 4, Watertown 3

In the opener, Pierre capitalized heavily on defensive miscues, securing the win despite being held to just one hit by Watertown pitcher Jackson McClemans.

Pierre struck first in the top of the third inning when Carter Schiefelbein hit a sacrifice fly. Two following Watertown errors in the frame allowed two more runs to cross.

The Arrows answered in the bottom half of the inning. Cain Everson and Carter Buisker each delivered RBI singles, and a Pierre error allowed the tying run to score.

Pierre regained the lead for good in the sixth inning on another Watertown defensive misplay. The Arrows threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting the tying run on second after an Everson single and the potential winning run on first after Markus Pitkin was hit by a pitch. However, Pierre reliever Carter Schiefelbein secured the save by striking out Sam Olson to end the game.

McClemans threw a complete game for the Arrows, allowing four runs on one hit while striking out four and walking three. Everson and Buisker finished with two hits and an RBI apiece.

Carter Templeton earned the win for Pierre, giving up three runs on three hits across six innings. Will Danburg recorded Pierre’s lone hit.

“Credit to Pierre,” Neale said. “They came over here and they were just more prepared and wanted this one a little bit more.”

Neale lamented the team’s seven defensive miscues, noting the mental hurdles.

“We just weren’t there, and whether that’s on us as coaches for not being able to prepare,” Neale said. “The mental challenges that this team is going to have because we are good—and being able to come through adversity and stay in it each pitch… it’s just disappointing to come out with this result.”

Pierre 4, Watertown 1

Pierre’s offense came alive in the nightcap, racking up 10 hits to secure the sweep. Tripp Lindekugel, Will Eilers, and Will Danburg each collected two hits, with Lindekugel, Eilers, and Schiefelbein driving in one run apiece.

Watertown’s lone run came in the second inning via a Jaxon Falak sacrifice fly. The Arrows’ offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities throughout the game.

“We had all kinds of opportunities,” Neale said. “Bases loaded, one out, we didn’t score. First and second, nobody out, didn’t score… We just couldn’t get base runners on. It kind of took us out of our game to an extent.”

Everson led Watertown with another two-hit performance, while Olson, Jonathan Lake, and McClemans each added a hit. Kooper Heiser took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits. Kasen Jensen pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

Danburg earned the win on the mound for Pierre, giving up one run on four hits over five innings. Ryker Edson pitched the final two frames to earn the save.

Postseason Implications

The sweep puts the Arrows (31-20, 16-12) in a tough spot regarding postseason seeding with just six games remaining in the regular season.

“What this does to us point-wise is going to put our backs up against the wall, unfortunately,” Watertown coach Ryan Neale said. “Basically, it’s going to force ourselves to win out to be able to have a chance for us to be at home for super regionals.”

Up Next

No. 8 Watertown will look to rebound tonight when they travel to face No. 10 Renner for a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.