SIOUX FALLS – The Bandits went 0-2 in pool play of the Dakota Classic in Sioux Falls Friday. They fell 5-3 against Rapid City Post 22 and lost 4-1 against Columbus, Neb.

• Rapid City 5, Brookings 3

Brookings jumped out to an early lead but were unable to hold on against Rapid City Post 22.

The Bandits took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Tyler Kruetner led off the inning with a single and Justin Devine got on base with a walk. Kruetner was able to advance to third on a wild pitch and Jacob Schoon then hit a ground ball and Kruetner scored. Devine then scored on a ground out from Parker Rykhus.

Rapid City scored two runs in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Ryan Bachman and an RBI single from  Braasen Keuhl to tie the game at 2-2. They would then take a 4-2 lead in the fifth when Thomas Maguire scored off of an error by Devine and a RBI single from Matt Hegre.

The Bandits scored one run in the sixth. Rykhus scored on a ground out from Tanner Shepardson to make it 4-3.

Rapid City picked up an insurance run in the seventh inning when Bachman flew into a double play, but Drew Messer scored to make it 5-3.

In the bottom of the inning Jackson Krogman was able to get on base for the Bandits after being hit by a pitch to begin the inning. Cole Mahlum was the next batter and he lined into a double play. Kruetner ended the game with a ground out to third.

Schoon pitched a complete game for the Bandits and gave up five runs, three earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Rhett Zelinksy went 2-for-3, Krogman and Mahlum went 1-for-2 and Shepardson and Schoon each had an RBI.

RAPID CITY 5, BROOKINGS 3

Brookings 200  000  1 – 3 5 3

Rapid City 000  220  1 – 5 7 3

Jacob Schoon; Jake Goble and Ted Scherpenske (6). W – Goble. L – Schoon. 2B: Brookings, Rhett Zelinsky;  RC, Mason Messinger, Ryan Bachman (2).

• Columbus (Neb.) 4, Brookings 1

The Bandits were unable to get their bats going and struggled in the field and fell 4-1 to Columbus.

Both teams went scoreless in the first two innings before Columbus scored the first run of the game in the third inning. CJ Fleeman hit an RBI single that scored Sam Nelson.

Columbus picked up another run in the fourth inning. Kaden Young scored on a sacrifice fly from Trey Kobza.

Brookings finally scored in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the lead to 2-1. Zelinsky hit an RBI single that scored Schoon.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings and Columbus took command in the seventh inning by scoring two runs to make it 4-1. Brent Beard reached on an error by Rykhus allowing Kobza to score and Nelson scored on a sacrifice fly from Eric Mustard. 

Zelinsky got on base with a one out single in the bottom of the seventh, but Shepardson grounded into a fielder’s choice and Trevor Berreth flied out to center field.

Kruetner picked up the loss for the Bandits. He pitched six innings giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Berreth pitched one inning giving up two runs, neither of them were earned, on one hit with no strikeouts or walks. The Bandits had three errors on the day.

Zelinsky went 3-for-3 with one RBI. Kruetner, Devine, Schoon and Berreth all went 1-for-3.

Brookings will face Kindred, North Dakota today at 1 p.m.

COLUMBUS 4, BROOKINGS 1

Brookings 000  010  0 – 1 7 3

Columbus 001  100  2 – 4 5 0

Tyler Kreutner, Trevor Berreth (7); Cole Wilcox. W – Wilcox. L – Kreutner. 2B: Trey Kobza.