ABERDEEN – Post 74 built a 4-0 lead through 5 1/2 innings, but couldn’t hold on as the Smitty’s rallied for a 5-4 American Legion win over the Bandits on Monday night at Fossum Field.

Brookings scored three runs in the second after Tanner Shepardson singled with one out and moved to second when Preston Helmbolt drew a walk. Tyler Kreutner’s ground ball to second was misplayed, allowing Shepardson to score, Helmbolt move to third and Kreutner to get all the way to second on the error. With two outs, Rhett Zelinsky hit a two-RBI double to left for a 3-0 lead.

Zelinsky picked up another RBI in the sixth when his infield single allowed Helmbolt to score from third, but that would be all the runs that the Bandits could put across as Aberdeen rallied.

The Smitty’s scored once in the sixth; twice in the seventh; and then pushed across single runs in both the eighth and ninth to pull out the win.

Brock Luze suffered the loss in relief after giving up two runs – one earned – on four hits and a walk with one strikeout over the final 1 2/3 innings.

Jameson Meyer allowed three runs – two earned – on eight hits and a walk with five strikeouts over the first seven frames.

Isaac Van Orman earned the win after throwing two shutout innings of relief, with one strikeout.

Brandon Kusler started and gave up four runs – one earned – on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Brookings, 6-12 on the season, travels to the Gopher Classic on Wednesday.

ABERDEEN 5, BROOKINGS 4

Brookings 030 001 000  –  4   9  2

Aberdeen 000 001 211  –  5  12  2

Jameson Meyer, Brock Luze (8) and Justin Devine, Brock Luze (5), Justin Devine (8); Brandon Kusler, Isaac Van Orman (8) and Drew Geier. W – Van Orman. L – Luze. 2B: B, Rhett Zelinsky; A, Derek Hunstad, Drew Geier.