The teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader but opted to play one nine-inning game instead.
After combining for 30 runs in the second game of a twin bill with Huron on Monday, scoring was at a premium in Tuesday's contest. A two-run seventh inning was the difference for the visitors, breaking a 1-1 tie. The Smittys struck back for a run in the bottom of the inning on a throwing error, but could get no closer. Pierre tacked on an insurance run in the ninth inning.
"I thought we played well," said Aberdeen coach Justin Downes. "Carter (Paulson) did a nice job on the mound and defensively we fielded the ball for him. Pierre just came up on the wrong end of it."
Paulson pitched a complete game for the Smittys, allowing nine hits and striking out two batters. Paulson also drove in Aberdeen's first run with a double in the third inning. Lucas Lorenz and Zach Andera collected two hits each for the hosts.
Aberdeen left nine guys on base and Pierre stranded seven runners.
"We had opportunities and so did they," Downes said. "Carter threw strikes and did a nice job."
Alec Norwick and Carson Eisenbeisz had two hits for Pierre with doubles for Blake Dean and Ben Leidholt.
The Smittys (16-18) face Mitchell today in a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Fossum Field. Downes is hoping for better results than when the teams last met, when Mitchell swept a pair of games. The Smittys "didn't mentally and physically play well last time," Downes said.
"I hope we play this well again tomorrow," said Downes. "We have to make sure we bring our bats and score more runs than they do."
Pierre 000 100 201-4 9 1
Aberdeen Smittys 001 000 100-2 7 1
Cash Anderson, Alexander Gray (7) and Alec Norwick; Carter Paulson and John Frisco. 2B - Pierre, Blake Dean, Ben Leidholt, Norwick; Aberdeen, Paulson.
