STURGIS, SD –Post 33 played host to Post 22 on Josh Weisz Memorial Night at Strong Field on Wednesday night and the game shaped up to be a pitcher’s duel through four innings, as Titan David Anderson faced Hardhat Jake Goble. A rain and lightning delay following the fourth inning dampened the pitching performances as the Hardhat offense came alive and Post 22 pulled away late for a 9-3 win over Post 33.
Former Sturgis Titan baseball player Josh Weisz was honored by the team in the middle of the third inning. Weisz’s family accepted a shadow box with Josh’s bat, jersey and some photos as a memorial to the young man who drowned at Orman Dam near Belle Fourche in July of 2020. The Titans retired Weisz’s #33 jersey during the game following a moment of silence in remembrance of the joy and skill with which he played the game of baseball.
“Being able to honor Josh was a big deal for our program and for our community,” said Titan head coach Dominic Bradford. “We’ve been putting things together since his tragic accident last summer. I was extremely happy with how everything went and the community showing up to support the Weisz family. Post 22 assistant coach Nick Ewing (Josh’s former Titan head coach) had some stories he shared about Josh with the crowd, everything about it was very well done.”
This was the second meeting in as many days between Post 33 and Post 22. The Hardhats defeated the Titans 9-2 on Tuesday night in Rapid City.
“I’m extremely proud of how the boys came out and competed the last two nights,” said Bradford. “Unfortunately, the games got away from us late but we have a lot of positives to build on heading into the playoffs.”
Both players pitching performances were dominant through four innings, as Anderson struck out four with Goble fanning seven. A thunderstorm delayed the game for about an hour and a half after the fourth inning, and when the game resumed neither pitcher could find their spots.
Post 22 third baseman Wyatt Anderson led off the top of the fifth and laced a double to the left field wall to get in scoring position. A wild pitch by David Anderson allowed Wyatt Anderson to move to third base. Blake Weaver hit a high pop fly to Titan center fielder Thor Sundstrom to bring home Anderson on a sacrifice fly to open the scoring. Anderson walked three of the next five batters and the Hardhats plated three more runs before Dustin Alan came in out of right field to relieve Anderson, who left the game after 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on two hits.
Goble had his own trouble in the bottom half of the fifth, walking David Anderson who advanced to second on a passed ball. Gage Murphey’s fielder’s choice single moved Anderson to third. Owen Cass then laid down a perfect bunt and Goble hesitated, allowing Anderson to score. Goble made a throwing error to his first baseman and Murphey rounded the bases, scoring from first. The Titans cut the Hardhat lead to 4-2 headed into the sixth.
Post 22 scored three more runs on two hits in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 7-2. Hardhat relief pitcher Blake Weaver shut down Post 33 in the bottom of the sixth with a 6-4-3 double play and a strikeout. Alan walked the first two Hardhats in the top of the seventh and leadoff hitter Harrison Good brought them home with a two-RBI single for some insurance runs to lead 9-2. The Titans managed a run in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t generate enough offense for a comeback and the Hardhats held on for a 9-3 win.
Goble got the win for Post 22, striking out eight with two walks and giving up no hits. Weave secured the save for the Hardhats. Post 22 had five hits, left eight on base and stole four bases with one error. Wyatt Anderson had two doubles and scored three runs for the Hardhats.
David Anderson took the loss for Post 33, striking out five, walking four and surrendering three hits. The Titans managed only two hits, left three on base and made one error. Anderson had one hit and scored two runs for Sturgis.
Post 22 improves to 26-23 on the season and is in action next on Friday at a tournament in Minnesota. The Titans fall to 10-17 and travel to Dickenson, ND on Friday for a weekend tournament. The Titans will wrap up their regular season next week with a doubleheader in Spearfish against Post 164 on Tuesday at Black Hills Energy Stadium.
“Going into the playoffs we are working on minimizing mistakes and trying to limit those big innings,” Bradford said. “We have been in a lot of games this year that if you take one inning away, it’s a totally different game. We’re going to need to keep the level of energy and intensity we’ve had the last two nights to give us a chance in the playoffs.”
