Elk Point-Jefferson finishes playoff run with state title

SALEM, S.D. (KELO) — The class ‘B’ legion baseball tournament came to a close on Tuesday, as Elk Point-Jefferson completed a perfect run in the tourney. However, their journey to a crown had some bumps along the way.

Elk Point-Jefferson reached the state championship last season, but they fell runner-up to Dell Rapids.

The loss left a sour taste in EPJ’s mouth, but it also helped them learn.

“Knowing how close you were and know what it’s like to get there. To watch somebody else get the first place plaque stinks,” John Gale said.

“It really forced us to have another goal. To have a goal and get back here,” Keaton Gale said. “We just keep having fun, that’s the best part about it. Yeah, we really wanted it.”

Post 134 returned the state tournament this year, winning all five games to claim the state title.

Seven pitchers combined to allow 22 runs in the five contests, including three games of three or less runs.

“We have nine different kids that pitch this year and five legit starters that take the ball and go deep. That’s what has carried us all year,” Gale said.

Elk Point-Jefferson’s Keaton Gale was named the Tournament MVP after starting the tourney with a complete game shutout. He also had the highest batting average in the tournament.

“Whatever he does, it’s going to be good. Even if he makes an error, he’s just always positive,” Brody Van Roekel said. “If you get down on yourself, just go to him, he’ll make you feel so much better about yourself.”

Now the state crown is headed back to Elk Point for the first time since 1956.

“They’ve had success in everything that they’ve done. The football championship and a runner-up, a baseball runner-up last year, basketball success, we have wrestlers and track kids at every level,” John Gale said. “They know what it takes to win. They know what it takes to compete.”

“I think what put us through is the amount of fun that we had with each other,” Keaton Gale said. “There wasn’t a dull moment. It’s just a whole bunch of goof balls playing baseball and we love it.”

Elk Point-Jefferson went 8-1 in postseason play on their way through the region and state tournaments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.