BRANDON — The Castlewood Ravens left no doubt this time.

Last season, the Ravens dropped a heart-breaking second-round decision against Dimock-Emery, 8-7, after giving up five runs in the ninth inning. In this season’s second-round matchup against Clark, it was all Ravens and they didn’t let up in a 10-1 win at the Class B state amateur baseball tournament. 

The second-round sting was addressed throughout the season, and on Tuesday the Ravens didn’t squander another lead against their Eastern Dakota League foes. 

“We’ve kind of talked about that all year a little bit here and there,” Castlewood pitcher Kellan Benck said. “Obviously a sore subject. But it is good to address it and kind of remember that feeling. So we know to never let up and obviously there’s moments in this game where we could have and we just kind of made sure you don't.”

It helped playing a familiar foe. It was the third meeting this season between Castlewood and Clark, with the Ravens dominating in both victories (18-1, 15-6). 

Castlewood continued its winning ways against the Traders, who finished the season 9-11. Benck kept the Traders in check, finishing with 10 strikeouts, allowed five hits, zero earned runs and walked zero batters in seven innings. 

“Kellen was awesome,” Castlewood third baseman Alex Gauer said. “He just pounded the zone and he never let them get started.”

The Ravens (18-3) spotted Benck some early run support, scoring six runs through the first two innings. 

“That’s huge,” Benck said about the run support. “It makes it really easy. I know I can just kind of split the plate a lot more. I don’t really have to pitch for strikeouts. I can kind of give up some contact and whatever happens, happens. It makes it a lot easier.”

In the sixth inning, Gauer smacked an inside-the-park home run to deep center field to highlight a three-run frame. In the seventh inning, Castlewood’s Gus Steiger hammered a home run over the 375-foot center field fence to cap off the convincing win. 

“It feels great,” Gauer said. “We just want to keep playing. This group of guys have been so much fun and we just wanted to keep playing with this group. The other thing is Haugie (Dan Haug) our manager, he’s been doing it for so long and we just want to keep riding it for him.”

Steiger finished with two hits, two runs scored and drove in two runs. Gauer had two hits, while Nate Phinney, Booker Schooley and Aidan Stewart (Elkton pick-up player) each had hits. Stewart drove in two runs. Benck and Adam Ching both drove in runs. 

For Clark, Jakob Steen totaled two of the team’s five hits. Brent Griffith, Grayson Florey and Aiden Erickson (Elkton pick-up player) each had hits. Hudson Fuller took the loss, allowing two hits, three earned runs, five walks and struck out one batter in two innings pitched. 

Castlewood will play Four Corners or Plate at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.