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2008 South Dakota American
Legion State 'A' Tournament

Smittys capture Legion Crown!

    ABERDEEN -- The fourth time was the charm for the Aberdeen Smittys and Head Coach Mark Gulseth, as the Aberdeen Smittys captured their first American Legion State Championship in 40 years on Sunday night, defeating Mitchell 2-1 in one of the most dramatic State Championship games in any sport in South Dakota history. The first run of the game would not be scored until the eighth inning, but it took top caliber plays by amazing athletes to keep it that way.
    Aberdeen would threaten from the outset, as Shane Cunningham and Justin Kline each tagged singles to put runners on first and third with one out. Kline would steal second, but neither Evan Nolte or Brendon Hoellein was able to drive their teammates home as Mitchell starter Brett Young would retire both hitters on lazy fly balls.
    Mitchell would return fire in the bottom half of the frame, as Jason Schmidt tagged a two-out double to the wall in center field, but Mitchell would not capitalize as Aberdeen starter Sam Heintzman would get Kendall Patrick to hit a fly ball that was caught on the dive by left fielder Bryce Anglin.
    The Smittys would threaten again in the second, on the strength of a walk by Bryce Anglin followed by two-out singles by Matt Kervin and Cunningham. Again, Mitchell was able to enduce a groundball and escape the inning without harm.
    The Smittys would put runners on first and second in the third, but were unable to capitalize again, and ended up leaving seven runners (five in scoring position) on base in the first three innings.
    Mitchell and Aberdeen would continue to generate opportunities by putting base runners on, but it was not until the 7th inning that either team would break the scoreless tie.
    Mitchell would start a two-out rally in the seventh, as the top of the order came to bat against Aberdeen starter Heintzman for the fourth time on the evening. Cade Hearnen started the rally with a single through the middle, which was promptly followed by a Brett Young single to right center that advanced him to third, with Big Stick Award Winner Jason Schmidt due up. Heintzman would challenge Schmidt, including just missing on 2-2 and 3-2 pitches, and concede a walk. Heintzman then hit Kendall Patrick with the first pitch of the next at-bat, allowing Mitchell to force home the first run of the game.
    Aberdeen would attempt to get the lead back again in the top of the eighth, as Evan Nolte singled to lead the inning off. However, Young was able to retire Hoellein, Evan Jordre and Anglin in consecutive at-bats, stranding Nolte at second base.
    Mitchell would again look to add to their lead in the bottom of the eighth off of Smitty reliever Justin Kline, as Mike Larson would tag a single through the left side with one out. Jordan Piper would follow that up with a blast to the deep right center field gap, but a successful relay from Right Fielder Evan Nolte to Second Baseman Sam Heintzman to catcher Evan Jordre would just nab Larson at the plate to prevent Mitchell from extending its lead.
    Aberdeen would come to the plate in the ninth still down 1-0, with no intention of going quietly into the dark South Dakota night, even if Mitchell ace reliever Jason Schmidt was the opposing pitcher. Matt Kervin would be the first Smitty to strike, as he reached base on a five-pitch walk with one out. Shane Cunningham, who had struggled offensively all tournament, would step in to the box next and rip a double down the right field line that would chase Kervin all the way home from first base to tie the game at one. Sam Heintzman would follow Cunningham's hit with one of his own, a Texas-Leaguer into shallow right field that advanced Cunningham to third.
    If anyone would be able to lead the Smittys to the regional, it would be Justin Kline, who is wrapping up his fifth year of Legion baseball in fine fashion. Kline would step into the box against Schmidt, and after a lengthy battle, tag a single into centerfield that would score Cunningham and move Heintzman to second. The Smittys would attempt to score their third run of the inning as Brendon Hoellein would hit a two-out single up the middle, but Heintzman would be gunned down at the plate by Mitchell second baseman Kyle Larson after he had chased down the ground ball.
    Taylor Morsching would come in to square off with the top of Mitchell's order in the bottom of the ninth, hoping to earn a save in a 2-1 game. Morsching would get Cade Hearnen to ground out to Hoellein at short for the first out, and follow with a routine fly to Hoellein off the bat of Young for the second out, allowing Morsching to face Schmidt with the bases empty and two out. Morsching and Schmidt would battle, and on the eighth pitch of the at-bat, Schmidt would be rung up looking at a fastball on the inside corner to give Aberdeen the title.  
    Aberdeen, now 41-16 will advance to the Central Plains Regional in Minot, N.D. scheduled for August 14-18. For more information on the Central Plains Regional, check back soon!