Complete performance sends Sioux Falls East to state

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls East swept Harrisburg Maroon to punch its ticket to the Class ‘A’ legion tournament.

After picking up a 7-4 win in game one, Sioux Falls East rolled to an 11-0 shutout win in game two to close out the series with Post 45. East allowed just three hits in the clincher.

“It starts with our pitching,” Sioux Falls East Coach Dan Hughes said. “Kasen did a great job for us on the mound, filling up the zone. Defense behind him making plays. When you put up zeros, it takes a little bit pressure off the bats.”

Sioux Falls’ offense came to life in the fourth with a six-run rally. With the bases loaded, Brayden Olson smacked a two-run double to deep left, and then Dylan Rippentrop followed with his own two-run double. Post 15 put the game out of reach with four more runs in the sixth.

“When you’re that other team, you don’t want to see that on the board,” Sioux Falls East shortstop Sawyer Tolk said. “That kind of gets in your head and kind of starts playing a mental part in the game. And baseball is all mental. So, you got to keep your head straight and just keep focusing on putting up big numbers.”

For Sioux Falls East, their success stretches beyond the strikeouts and hits and all stems back to team chemistry.

“Just like team chemistry,” Sioux Falls East first baseman Sawyer Mindt said. “When one person hits, we all hit, and we just get going together. Really been doing good on defense and just working together.”

The team feels as though it is peaking in each aspect of the game heading into the state tournament.

“We’re playing very good baseball right now,” Hughes said. “Our pitching has been very good the last few weeks. Defense has been solid all year. We’re hitting the ball, we’re scoring runs, getting guys on. If we continue to do that, that’s a good recipe for us to win games at State.”

Sioux Falls East takes on Watertown in the first game of the state tournament Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Brookings

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