Post 33 Loses Season Openers to Hardhats

RAPID CITY, SD – Sturgis Post 33 opened up their summer American Legion season at historic Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City on Tuesday night, dropping both games of a doubleheader to Post 22, 12-0 in game one and 7-1 in game two.

The Titans watched game one slip away early and couldn’t recover as Post 22 plated five runs in the bottom of the first, then five more in the third, including a two-run HR by Tate Crosswait.  The game ended after five innings due to the mercy rule.

Lee Neugebauer got the win for Post 22. The southpaw allowed one hit and no runs over four innings, striking out four and walking one. Palmer Jacobs threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.

Owen Cass took the loss for Sturgis Post 33. The righthander allowed eight hits and six runs over two innings, striking out two. Dylan Christenson threw two innings out of the bullpen.

Evan Stroud and Sam Kooima each managed one hit for Post 33.

Post 22 scattered 13 hits in the game and were led by Crosswait, who went 3-for-3 with three RBIs.

Game two was much closer and shaped up to be a pitcher’s duel, as the game was tied at one apiece after four innings. The Hardhats took advantage of Titan errors late in the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth to put the game out of reach as Post 22 cruised to a 7-1 victory.

Eli Kelley was credited with the victory for Post 22 (14-7). The right hander went two and two-thirds innings, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out two. Hayden Leighty threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Post 22 had eight hits and were led by Harrison Good with three hits, including a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Beau Peters took the loss for Sturgis Post 33. The righty surrendered three runs on four hits over four and a third innings, striking out six. The Titans (0-2) had four hits and were led by Conner Cruikshank who had two hits.

The Titans are in action next on Thursday night as they visit Pete Lien Field to take on Rapid City Post 320.  First pitch is scheduled for 7pm.