'Chutes split with Brandon Valley 14-6, 12-1

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BROOKINGS – After dropping a 14-6 decision in the opening game on a Junior American Legion doubleheader to Brandon Valley on Monday at Bob Shelden Field, the ‘Chutes scored early and often to salvage a split with a 12-1 win in the nightcap.

Brookings plays host to Renner on Thursday in another doubleheader that is set to start at 5 p.m.

 Brookings 12, Brandon Valley 1

The ‘Chutes pounded out nine hits – five for extra bases – as Kyle Bauer kept Brandon Valley in check for the complete-game win.

Bauer gave up just one earned run on four hits and four walks to go along with three strikeouts for the win on the mound.

Brookings batted around in the bottom of the first inning – sending 12 batters to the dish and scoring eight runs to take control early.

Jackson Krogman’s RBI-double plated Max Kjelden, who drew a one-out walk. Cole Mahlum’s single put runners on the scoring before Cayden Jacobsma hit a bases-clearing, two-RBI double.

Caden Wright’s single to left didn’t allow Jacobsma to advance, but Bauer’s base on balls did to load the bases.

With two outs, Henry Hammerich wrangled a walk to force in Jacobsma across home for a 5-0 edge. Daniel Messerli cleared the sacks with a two-out, three-RBI double, and then scored on a Brandon Valley fielding error to make it 8-0.

Jacobsma drew a one-out walk in the second before Wright doubled to center field to put two runners in scoring position. Bauer’s single plated Jacobsma as Wright moved to third. Max Struck doubled to right to score Wright as Bauer held up at third.

Messerli singled with two outs to drive in Bauer and Struck to give the ‘Chutes a 12-0 advantage through two complete.

Brandon Valley’s Mike Chevalier singled to open the fifth; stole second; and then, scored on Jaxon Haase’s one-out single for the final margin.

BROOKINGS 12, BRANDON VALLEY 1

Brandon Valley 000 01    1   4  1

Brookings 840 0x    12  9  1

Ryan Barker, Hunter Marson (2), Alex Bute (3) and Jaxon Haase; Kyle Bauer and Cole Mahlum. W – Bauer. L – Barker. 2B: B, Cayden Jacobsma, Jackson Krogman, Daniel Messerli, Max Struck, Caden Wright.

 Brandon Valley 14, Brookings 6

Brandon Valley built a 6-1 lead over 3 1/2 innings before the ‘Chutes made it close with a four-run fourth.

But the visitors put up three in the fifth and then tacked on five in the seventh for the 14-6 win.

Kjelden, the starting pitcher for Brookings, helped himself out in the first inning when he singled and moved to second on a passed ball. Back-to-back walks to Krogman and Jamsion Honkomp loaded the bases before Kjelden scored on Mahlum’s groundout to third base.

In the fourth, Jacobsma led off with a walk before Nick Schefers and Struck both singled to load the bases. Messerli’s double plated Jacobsma and Schefers before Kjelden drew a walk. Krogman’s grounder to short resulted in Kjelden being forced at second, but the relay to first was offline and Messerli cruised to the plate from second to make it 6-5 through four complete.

The ‘Chutes added one more run in the sixth as Krogman walked to lead off the frame; moved to second and then third on consecutive bases on balls before scoring on a wild pitch.

Kjelden suffered the loss after giving up seven runs – five earned – on six hits and three walks with one strikeout over four innings.

Hammrich tossed the last three frames and gave up seven runs – four earned – on five hits and three walks with one strikeout.

BRANDON VALLEY 14, BROOKINGS 6

Brandon Valley 123 030 5    14  11  1

Brookings 100 401 0    6  7  6

Josef Zahn, Parker Reed (5), Ethan Kjenstad (6) and Dylan Dielke, Nolan Bertsch (7); Max Kjelden, Henry Hammrich (5) and Cole Mahlum. W – Zahn. L – Kjelden. 2B: BV, Alex Bute, Ryan Barker, Ty Sanow, Braden Wills, Jaxon Haase; B, Daniel Messerli.

Register photo: Daniel Messerli rips a single to right field during the second inning of the ‘Chutes’ 14-6 loss to Brandon Valley in the first game of a Junior American Legion doubleheader at Bob Shelden Field on Monday. Brookings salvaged a split with a 12-1 win in Game 2.