STURGIS, S.D. — The Sturgis Scooper baseball team got off to a slow start on Senior Recognition Night, leading 3-2 after the first inning, but used small ball to generate an offensive explosion late in the game to pound the Rapid City Stevens Raiders, 13-5.
The Scoopers honored seniors RJ Andrzejewski, David Anderson and Thor Sundstrom in front of a big crowd at Strong Field.
Sturgis took an early lead in the first inning when David Anderson stole home and scored during Dustin Alan’s at bat. The Scoopers led 3-2 after one inning.
The Stevens came alive to score three runs in the fifth inning. Rapid City’s big inning was driven by singles by Conner Knudsen and Colton Nesland.
Sturgis put up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break the game wide open. The offensive firepower by the Scoopers was led by RJ Andrzejewski, Alan, Beau Peters, and Hunter Janzen, all knocking in runs in the inning. The Scooper coaches recognized some areas the team could exploit in the Stevens defense as the game went on.
“We saw something we liked with the way they were setting up their defense and decided to take advantage of that,” said Sturgis head coach Dominic Bradford. “Our biggest strength on the offense is our speed on the base paths so we used the small ball game to use that strength and attack their weaknesses.”
David Anderson started the game for Sturgis on the bump and gave up five runs on three hits over four innings, striking out nine.  Kain Peters came out of the bullpen and helped pitch Sturgis to victory. The righty surrendered zero runs on one hit over two innings, striking out three and walking zero. Kelton Olson threw one inning in relief to end the ballgame.
Knudsen took the loss for Stevens. The right hander allowed six hits and six runs over five innings, striking out eight.
Sturgis racked up nine hits in the game and were led by Dustin Alan, who had three hits in four at bats. David Anderson was two for four at the plate, scoring three runs and knocking in three. Kaden Olson and Anderson led the Scoopers with two stolen bases apiece, as Sturgis ran wild on the base paths with six stolen bases. Sturgis didn’t commit a single error in the field. Evan Stroud had 14 chances in the field from his catcher position, the most on the team.
Stevens scattered five hits in the game. Knudsen and Nesland each had multiple hits for Stevens.
The Scoopers only have eight regular season games left before the regional tournament begins on May 22 at Strong Field. The coaches plan on working with the players on the game between the ears.
“The next couple of weeks are going to be the most important of the season,” said Bradford. “We will be focusing on the mental side of the game, making sure we know what we are doing in different situations and how to execute different plays.”
Sturgis, 6-7 on the season, hosts Douglas on Saturday at Strong Field in a doubleheader. Â Games are scheduled for 10am and noon. Â
