STURGIS, S.D. — The Sturgis Post 33 Titan baseball team pounded out 10 hits in a 15-1 victory over the Belle Fourche Post 32 Broncs on Tuesday night at the Legion home opener at Strong Field. Three Titan pitchers combined for a one-hit performance as the game was called in the fifth inning due to the 10-run mercy rule.
Gage Murphey started on the mound for Sturgis and found his spots early, shutting down the Broncs in the top of the first, holding Post 32 hitless and scoreless. Titan leadoff hitter Owen Cass laid down a picture perfect bunt on Blake Vissia’s first pitch, advancing to first base. Cass moved to third quickly with some aggressive base running. R.J. Andrzejewski walked and Dustin Alan’s chopper to the shortstop brought Cass home to give the Titans a 1-0 lead. Cleanup hitter Ridge Inhofer’s slow dribbler to the second baseman allowed Andrzejewski to cross home plate and Post 33 led 2-0 after one inning.
Murphey’s dominance continued, striking out two in the top of the second inning. The Sturgis bats came alive in the bottom half of the inning with four hits and seven runs to take a 9-0 lead into the third. Murphey struck out one more in the top of half of the third before Alan came into the game in relief. Belle Fourche stranded two base runners and Post 33 held on to their 9-0 lead.
Sturgis plated four more runs in the bottom of the third and added two in the fourth to take a 15-0 lead as Inhofer came in to relieve Alan who struck out two and held Post 32 scoreless through 1 2/3 innings. Â
Belle Fourche had one more chance in the top of the fifth. Leadoff hitter J.T. Hahne walked and then worked his way around the bases, scoring the lone Post 32 run. Inhofer struck out the final three Bronc batters to earn the save.
Murphey got the win for Sturgis Post 33, throwing 41 pitches over 2 1/3 innings, striking out three, walking one and giving up one hit. Vissia took the loss for Belle Fourche.
Owen Cass led the Titans at the plate, going 3-for-4, scoring three runs with one run batted in and three stolen bases. The win improves the Titans to 1-2 on the young season. The loss drops Belle Fourche to 3-6. Sturgis is in action next at the Veterans Classic baseball tournament in Rapid City, taking on Rapid City Post 22 Expos on Thursday morning at 8am.
