SIOUX FALLS -- Zach Andera's two-run single was the difference as the Aberdeen Smittys defeated Sioux Falls West 8-7 to start an American Legion doubleheader Friday.
The hosts came back for a 7-5 win in the nightcap to earn a split.
Each squad had a six-run inning in the opening game. Sioux Falls scored half a dozen runs in the first inning and the Smittys answered with six in their half of the third, using three hits, two walks and a hit batter.
"We just stayed on the basepaths and were able to push across runs and tie the game," said Aberdeen coach Justin Downes.
The game didn't stay tied for long as Sioux Falls regained the lead in the bottom of the third. The teams played three scoreless innings before the Smittys broke through in the seventh. Lucas Lorenz doubled to open the inning followed by a single from Dalton Cox. After Cox stole second base, Andera stepped to the plate and singled home both players.
Andera finished with three hits and drove in three runs, and Lorenz added two hits. Jake Niedringhaus collected three hits for Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls trailed briefly in the second game before taking control with a three-run second inning. The Smittys out-hit the hosts 12-8, led by Matt Swallow, Jordan Allbee and Lundquist with two each. Alex Linneman had two hits for Sioux Falls.
"It was a pretty good game," Downes said. "It felt like we beat them in every aspect except for the score. I thought we were going to pull it out at the end, but we didn't get it done."
The Smittys take a 22-26 record into regional play, and are the top seed in the tournament which runs Tuesday through Thursday at Fossum Field.
"We are really looking forward to hosting it," Downes said. "It's probably the most even I have ever seen the region. I really feel that all five teams have a chance to go to state. It should be a dogfight."
Aberdeen Smittys|006 000 2--8 8 1
Sioux Falls West|601 000 0--7 9 2
Zach Lundquist, Jordan Allbee (5) and Michael Stotz; Austin Serck, Riley Nordquist (3) and Kenny Dobberpuhl. 2B -- Aberdeen, Lucas Lorenz; Sioux Falls, Jayden Holzer.
Aberdeen Smittys|010 202 0--5 12 2
Sioux Falls West|031 111 x--7 8 2
Jacob Carrels, Layne Holzer (3), Dalton Cox (5) and Stotz; Seth Peterson, Connor Grove (6) and Kyle Schrader. 2B -- Aberdeen, Cox, Carter Paulson; Sioux Falls, Alex Linneman.