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2008 South Dakota American
Legion State 'A' Tournament

Smittys, Morsching beat Post 22, advance to title tilt

Taylor Morsching propelled the Smittys into the Championship game with his 8-inning pitching performance.

    ABERDEEN -- The Aberdeen Smittys will have yet another chance to win their first state title in over 35 years, as they defeated Rapid City Post 22 11-3 in semi-final action Sunday afternoon in Aberdeen. The Smittys will now take on Mitchell at 8 PM Sunday evening to determine the 2008 State Champion. The Smittys are making their fourth appearance in five years in the state title game, in which they are 0-4.
    Sunday's semi-final game saw Taylor Morsching keep the Post 22 bats in check, while the Smitty offense exploded for 11 runs on a combination of six Rapid City pitchers. Morsching would go eight innings for the Smittys, allowing just three runs on seven hits, while only striking out one. Morsching became the first pitcher in the 2008 tournament to capture his second victory, as he also pitched Aberdeen to their win in relief over Yankton on Thursday.
    Aberdeen's offense was also clutch throughout the game, as they took advantage of the opportunites they were given by Post 22's five errors and six walks -- only four of the eleven runs scored by Aberdeen were earned runs. The Smittys line-up was able to produce at least one base runner in each inning, and each starter reached at least two times in the game. Sam Heintzman led the Smitty offensive outburst, as he went 3-for-6, while tallying 3 RBI in the process. Brendon Hoellein was also big for the Smittys, as he got things off to a solid start with a two-run double to give the Smittys a 2-0 lead in the first inning - a lead they would never relinquish.
    Aberdeen will face Mitchell tonight at 8 P.M. for the State Title. Aberdeen has had close calls in the past, finishing third in 2007, while placing second in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The winner of the Mitchell/Aberdeen game will advance to the Central Plains Regional in Minot, N.D. scheduled for August 14-18.

Matt Kervin stroking one of his two hits against Post 22.