RAPID CITY, SD – Scooper pitcher Kain Peters dominated the Rapid City Stevens Raiders on Wednesday night at McKeague Field, striking out 14 on his way to a complete game shutout win, 3-0.
Rapid City Stevens was aggressive on the base paths early, as Cooper Morlang was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second and then attempted to steal second base. Scooper catcher Evan Stroud gunned him down with a perfect throw to Owen Cass for the second out. Peters walked the next batter, Luke Hanzlik, who also tried to swipe second, but Stroud threw him out as well to end the inning.
The game was scoreless through five innings until the Scooper bats came alive in the top of the sixth. Sturgis smacked three straight singles to load the bases. Beau Peters, in his first game back after recovering from a wrestling injury, poked a single over the first baseman’s head that trickled out into right field, scoring Connor Cruickshank and Owen Cass. Sturgis held Stevens scoreless in the bottom of the sixth and took a 2-0 lead into the seventh.
Scooper leadoff hitter Hunter Janzen singled to open up the top of the seventh and was brought home on an RBI single by Cass, giving Sturgis a 3-0 lead. Kain Peters did the rest from the mound in the bottom of the seventh, giving up a single but striking out two more to end the game.
Peters got the complete game win for Sturgis, throwing 105 pitches, striking out 14, walking one and surrendering two hits with no runs scored. The Scoopers had eight hits and were led by Cass, who went 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Luke Hanzlik took the loss for Rapid City Stevens, who fell to 6-3 on the season. The Raiders had hits from Jackson Dial and Cooper Morlang in the game.
Sturgis won their fifth straight game and improve to 5-2 on the season. The Scoopers host Gillette on Thursday night in a doubleheader at Strong Field, weather permitting. First pitch is scheduled for 5pm.
