By Jon Akre

605 Sports

“I mean it is what it is, I usually perform better under the lights,” said Boerger. “Daytime I always know I struggle, but it took them all of seven innings and into the eighth inning to score a run, but that’s an error on my part.”

Boerger’s only other runs allowed came in the 13 inning of a 6-4 loss to Lake Norden back on June 9.

But Boerger isn’t just limiting runs, he’s limiting baserunners. In 62 innings this season, Boerger has allowed just 31 hits and 13 walks, including seven consecutive outings without surrendering a run prior to Saturday’s victory.

And when you're the strikeout leader (119) in South Dakota amateur baseball, you tend to play with a lot of confidence, even in the last inning of a state tournament game.

“Confidence goes a long way,” said Boerger. “Merik (Junker) had that play out in right field and he missed that ball and there were zero outs, and I thought right away ‘I’m going to pick this guy up.’ That runner did not move from second base, I had two strikeouts that inning and it just lifts the team up.”

Despite the different atmosphere of a state tournament at Cadwell Park in Mitchell, Boerger says his preparation doesn’t change with the increased stakes.

“My preparation is the same, I’m very superstitious on what I do,” says Boerger. “I wash my uniform, everything at the same time, nothing else goes in the wash. I set it on the washer and dryer, let it air dry, and do that for every single game. Doesn’t matter if it’s in the state tournament or if we’re playing a game at home in Milbank.”

While Boerger has been Milbank’s ace all season long, they still have plenty of serviceable pitching to carry the Firechiefs deep into the tournament.

Both Taylor Boerger and Brady Krause have over 35 innings pitched with sub-4.00 ERAs this season.

“I think we have the best three-headed monster in the state,” said Krause.

But the Firechiefs know the type of player Boerger is, and knows when he’s on the mound, there’s always a chance.

“We weren’t sure we were going to pitch him in the first round, but I’m glad we did,” said Krause. “But he’s one-of-a-kind, a generational talent. He comes on, he gives you everything you got and you can’t ask for anything better.”

The Firechiefs will have a quick turnaround for their second round matchup with Dell Rapids PBR at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, but Boerger has not ruled out pitching in that game as well.

“I’ll hope to be ready by Tuesday, but I don’t know. We’ll see,” said Boerger. “Hopefully for Friday’s game too if we make it that far too.”