Dell Rapids PBR edges Garretson, advances to face Parkston Mudcats in Class B quarterfinals

MITCHELL – After a high-scoring first inning, Dell Rapids PBR limited Garretson offensively and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class B state amateur baseball tournament. 

PBR edged Garretson, 6-4, in the second round of the Class B state tournament at Cadwell Park and will play the Parkston Mudcats at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals. 

On Sunday, PBR and Garretson combined for six first-inning runs as a slugfest appeared imminent at Cadwell Park. But PBR starter Drew Sweeter pitched eight strong innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs, three walks and struck out seven batters. 

"I did not have a feel for anything in that first inning,” Sweeter said. “Luckily for me, my defense had my back, and we were able to escape that with two runs, especially with the offense as good as they have.”

In the first inning, Garretson’s Robin Chute and Tayson Swatek drove in runs, recording an early 2-0 lead. 

After Dell Rapids PBR’s Jake Brandenburg knocked in a run, Weston Hansen’s bases-clearing double pushed the advantage to 4-2. 

"We scored four in the first inning after they scored,” Sweeter said. “Just knowing how good their offense is, I just knew that it was going to be a battle and I was just trying to push the contact and not try to do it too much.”

In the fourth inning, Trey Buckneberg grounded into a fielder’s choice to Sweeter, who threw to third baseman Zack Puetz as Dylan Kindt dashed toward home plate. Kindt was tagged out in a rundown but collided with Puetz and was initially ruled safe due to interference. But after a conference, the umpires ruled him out after Kindt ran outside the base path. 

Sweeter continued to keep Garretson off the board until the sixth inning when Buckneberg’s RBI sac fly and Chute’s RBI double got Garretson within 5-4.

In the bottom of the sixth, PBR’s Riley Hoffman grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Brayden Pankonen for the final score. 

Sweeter was relieved in the ninth inning by Brett Mogen, who allowed one hit and struck out two batters in the final frame. 

Sweeter, who was named the 2024 state tourney MVP, said he was relishing the moment on the mound again at Cadwell Park. 

“Every time I get to be able to pitch in the state tournament, I never take it for granted,” Sweeter said. “It's always a tough tournament. I just know that the guys behind me have my back and I just try to do my best and give us a chance.”

Kindt started for Garretson, lasting two innings, allowing five hits, five earned runs, four walks and struck out two batters. Dustin Steckler pitched the final six innings, striking out five batters, allowing two hits, one earned run and one walk. 

Up next, PBR will face the Parkston Mudcats in the quarterfinals. The Mudcats were 5-0 winners against Kimball/White Lake in the earlier evening game Sunday.

“We know it's going to be a game where we show up, and runs might be at a premium,” Sweeter said. “This is one of those deals where you're in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. No game is easy.”

The Mudcats and Nationals also drew the biggest crowd thus far of the tournament. Sweeter expects the quarterfinal atmosphere to be similar. 

"It’s amazing to see that atmosphere and see how much people love baseball in South Dakota,” Sweeter said.