BROOKINGS – Brandon Valley scored in each of the final three innings to rally for a 16-12 nine-inning win over the ‘Chutes in Junior American Legion baseball action on Wednesday at Bob Shelden Field.
Post 131 scored two runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 12-12; added a pair of runs in the seventh; and then tacked on single runs in both the eighth and ninth for the four-run win.
Brandon Valley drew first blood with a run in the first, but the ‘Chutes answered with three runs in the bottom as Trevor Berreth and Parker Rykhus sandwiched a pair of base hits around a walk by Parker Beers. With two outs, three straight base on balls – to Tanner Shepardson, Cayden Jacobsma and Kohji Numata – plated the first three batters for a 3-1 lead after one frame.
Both teams batted around in the third with Post 131 sending 10 batters to the plate and Brookings sending 12 as both teams plated six runs to make it 9-7 through three. Beers and Shepardson came up with the big hits as Beers plated two runs with a single and Shepardson drove in a run with a base hit.
Brandon took the lead again with a three-run fourth, but the ‘Chutes responded with three in the bottom half to go back up, 12-10. Berreth singled; moved to second when Beers was hit by a pitch; and then scored on a double by Rykhus. Beers scored on a wild pitch as Rykhus advanced to third, and then, Zelinsky singled to plate Rykhus.
But that was the last ‘Chute to touch home as Brandon Valley scored six unanswered runs to rally for the win.
Theo Burns suffered the loss in relief of Shepardson.
Shepardson gave up 10 runs – six earned – on seven hits and seven walks with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of work. Burns allowed three runs – two earned – on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 2 1/3. Zelinsky tossed the final three frames and gave up three runs – one earned – on three hits and two walks with one strikeout.
The ‘Chutes, 3-10 on the season, play host to Watertown on Friday in a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Shelden.
BRANDON VALLEY 16, BROOKINGS 12
Brandon Valley 106 320 211 – 16 12 3
Brookings 306 300 000 – 12 10 5
Will Brown, Alex Bute (3), Connor Knecht (5) and Dellke, Erkonen (4), Finn (5), Scholten (8); Tanner Shepardson, Theo Burns (4), Rhett Zelinsky (7) and Rhett Zelinsky, Koby Bartels (7). W – Knecht. L – Burns. 2B: BV, Connor Knecht, Dayne Peyton; B, Parker Rykhus. HR: BV, Thomas Scholten.
