BRANDON The Huron 13/14U Tigers finished the regular season on a four-game winning streak and continued those winning ways in the opening rounds of the state tournament this weekend at First National Bank Field in Brandon.
Hurons first game on Friday found them coming from behind as Spearfish jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first two innings. Huron scored three in the top of the third to briefly take a lead, but Spearfish responded with five in the third and one in the fourth to head into the fifth inning with a 8-3 lead over Huron.
Colt Culver opened the top of the fifth with a foul pop to catcher, but then the next eight Huron hitters all reached base, five by walk, scoring six runs before Culver came up for the second time in the inning and actually again fouled out, this time to the first baseman.
Noah Koops walked, scoring Joshua Gilbert, and then Quincey Rashaad scored with Ryker Shelton at the plate on a wild pitch to open up a 10-8 lead for the Tigers.
Huron would add one more run in the top of the sixth for the final 11-8 margin.
Joshua Gilbert pitched the entire game, going six innings, allowing eight runs, only one of which was earned as Huron survived in spite of 10 errors in the game, on six hits and three walks, striking out two.
Huron had 19 baserunners, including 15 walks. Koops walked four times and Shelton walked three times. Gilbert reached base three times on a single and two walks. He also stole two bases.
Parker Bischoff had a double and a single as the only Huron hitter with multiple hits. Ernest Wallette had two walks and was hit by pitch. He also stole two bases.
Jimmie Martin added a steal.
Huron then faced Sioux Falls Post 15 on Saturday, and again the Tigers had to come back from behind. Sioux Falls jumped out to a 7-0 lead after the top of the third. Huron scored a pair in the bottom of the third, trailing 7-2 going into the bottom of the fourth.
Sean Janes opened the inning with a well-struck ball to right field that was turned into an out. Jayden Ryman followed with a walk and Wallette then reached on an error to put runners on first and second.
Martin singled to load the bases before Gilbert reached on an error that scored both Ryman and Wallette and moved Martin to third. Gilbert stole second and then Rashaad lifted a fly ball to left that was misplayed, leading to Martin scoring.
Bischoff slapped a single up the middle to load the bases and Culver then walked to score a run. After Koops fouled out to the third baseman, Janes walked to drive in Rashaad and tie the game at 7-7.
Shelton pinch hit for Ryman and drew a walk to draw Bischoff, giving Huron an 8-7 lead.
Post 15 scored a pair to re-take the lead in the top of the fifth, but Huron knotted things at 9-9 with a run in the bottom of the inning.
After keeping Post 15 off the board in the top of the inning, Huron came up with a chance to win the game in the bottom of the inning.
Koops opened the inning with a sharp ground ball to third for a ground out. Janes followed with a double, and Shelton then singled to left. A misplay by the left fielder allowed Janes to score the winning run, and Huron walked off with a 10-9 victory, clinching a spot in Sundays semifinals.
Culver went all six innings on the mound, allowing nine runs on seven hits and five walks, striking out three.
Martin had three hits from his leadoff spot to pace the offense.
Rashaad had a double, single, and a pair of stolen bases.
Culver walked twice. Janes had a double and a walk while Bischoff and Shelton each had a single and a walk. Bischoff added a stolen base.
Gilbert swiped a pair of bags.
The Huron offense exploded in the opening inning against Brandon Valley for nine runs.
Martin opened the inning with a single, stole second, and then advanced to third on a groundout by Gilbert. Rashaad followed with a single to drive in Martin.
Rashaad stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Bischoff drove him in with a single to left. Bischoff then stole second ahead of a Culver walk. Shelton singled to score Bischoff and he and Culver advanced to second and third on the throw home.
Koops followed with a single to right that scored both runners. Janes singled and he and Koops advanced to second and third on a wild pitch.
Martin singled for the second time in the inning, scoring both runners. Martin moved up to second on the throw home and then scored on a Gilbert double after Brandon made a pitching change. Gilbert scored as Rashaad reached on an error by the first baseman, pushing Hurons lead to 9-0.
Brandon Valley scored a pair in the top of the second and three more in the fourth to narrow the lead to 9-5. The teams traded runs in the fifth inning to make it 10-6.
Brandon Valley scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth as Huron pitcher Jimmie Martin labored in the final inning of his 135-pitch game, but Martin was able to coax the last out with the bases loaded to secure a 10-6 win and put Huron in the title game.
Martin completed six innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits and 11 walks, striking out seven. He had a big day at the plate, with a double, two singles, and two stolen bases.
Bischoff was the only other Huron hitter with multiple hits, knocking two singles and stealing a base. Culver and Shelton each had a single and a walk. Culver added a stolen base.
Gilbert smacked a double and Rashaad had a pair of stolen bases.
Huron moves to 12-25-2 on the season heading into Sundays championship game, which was completed after press time.
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