HARRISBURG, SD – The Sturgis Scoopers dropped both games of a best 2-of-3 playoff series to the #1 seeded Harrisburg Tigers on Friday in the first round of the Class A baseball super regionals
Harrisburg took game one, 10-0 in five innings and game two, 12-0 in five innings. Both games ended early due to the 10-run mercy rule.
The Tigers had seven hits in game one and were led by Eli Kokenge and Noah Boschee with two hits apiece. Kokenge got the pitching win for Harrisburg, giving up two hits and striking out four on 33 pitches. The Scoopers had two hits in the opener, one each from Kjell Sundstrom and Bridger Massa-Battin. Brand Matthews took the pitching loss for Sturgis.
Harrisburg got off to a slow start in game two, leading 1-0 after two innings. The Tigers picked up the pace as the game went on, plating four runs in the third and six more in the fourth inning to put the game out of reach, earning the 12-0 victory.
Kason Syverson got the complete game win for Harrisburg, striking out nine, walking one and giving up only two hits on 67 pitches. The Tigers pounded out 10 hits and were led by Ethan Beek, who went 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs.
Elijah Stroud took the pitching loss for Sturgis, who finished at 7-18 on the season. Stroud gave up four hits, five runs, striking out five and walking three on 76 pitches. Massa-Battin and Tyler Cutts each had a hit for the Scoopers.
Harrisburg improved to 18-10 on the year and moves on to the state baseball tournament, where they will take on the #8 seed next weekend in Sioux Falls.
