Sioux Falls Post 15 West topped the Aberdeen squad 11-0 and 18-1 in a doubleheader played on Tuesday at Fossum Field in Aberdeen. The Smittys fell to 1-5 overall after a season opening weekend trip to Rapid City.
In the first game, the Aberdeen squad was handcuffed with four errors. Post 15 scored in every inning but the second. Seth Bjordal led the visiting team going 3-for-3 at the plate with a double. Alex Linneman followed suit with three hits in three trips to the plate. Jaden Holzer added two hits including a double and Luke Koeleski had two hits.
The Smittys were led by Lucas Lorenz and Carter Paulson with two hits each.
"Sioux Falls is a high quality team," said Smittys coach Justin Downes. "We helped them out the first game and kicked the ball around (four errors). We didn't help ourselves out that way."
The nightcap was close until Post 15 exploded for 10 runs in the fourth inning. Sioux Falls took a four run lead in the top half of first inning and Aberdeen responded in its half of the first with a single run on an RBI triple by Lorenz. Aberdeen pitcher Layne Holzer held the Sioux Falls squad scoreless for two innings. Walks eventually proved to be the downfall for the Smittys.
Sioux Falls managed just six hits in the game, but took advantage of 21 walks for a win. Austin Serck smacked a double and Connor Grove had two hits.
Lorenz led the Smittys offense again going 2-for-3 with a run batted in.
"In the second game, we helped them out with a lot of walks. We didn't hit the way we wanted to. I thought we hit fairly well in Rapid City against that pitching," said Downes.
The Smittys return to action on Friday with a 5 p.m. doubleheader against Watertown at Fossum Field and a Sunday doubleheader at Pierre.
"We didn't have our sticks tonight (Tuesday)," said Downes. "It was a tough game. We have a lot to learn from the last three days of baseball. We played three real good teams to start with. Watertown and Pierre on Friday and Sunday have good clubs, too."
S.F. 15 West 102 312 2-11 14 1
Aberdeen Smittys 000 000 0-0 5 4
Seth Peterson, Justin Kautz (7) and Kenny Dobberpuhl; Zach Lundquist (5), Jesse Babcock, Jacob Carrels (7) and Michael Stotz. 2B-West, Dobberpuhl, Jaden Holzer, Jake Lund, Seth Bjordal.
S.F. 15 West 400 (10)4-18 6 0
Aberdeen Smittys 100 00-1 4 0
Luke Koveleski, Jake Lund (5) and Jake Niedringhaus; Layne Holzer, Michael Stotz (4), Trey Vilhauer (4), Jacob Carrels (4) and John Frisco. 2B-West, Austin Serck. 3B-Aberdeen, Lucas Lorenz.