By Jon Akre

605 Sports

“They’re a really good team and they’re a really good coached team,” said Miller on EPJ. “We kind of wanted to push things a little bit on the bases, make them a little uncomfortable. We think when we can get on base, we can make some things happen and today was the same.”

Ruesink and Jackson Peppel drove in runs on back-to-back at-bats in the fifth setting up a two-RBI triple off the bat of Tjaden over the right fielder, capping off the second four-run inning for the Quarriers.

“We came out hot. The bats were good,” said Tjaden on the win. “Just see a fastball and hit it. Attack them early and don’t get behind in the count.”

On the mound it was a typical Tjaden performance. The 6-foot-6 left-handed pitcher tossed five shutout innings, allowing just two hits in 60 pitches, 43 for strikes.

“He was awesome, he always is,” said Miller on Tjaden. “He’s had so many games where he has over 70% strikes. You get that and he can put the ball wherever he wants, he has three pitches he throws a lot for strikes. It’s a little sense of comfort knowing he’s throwing for you on the mound. We just got to scratch together a couple, but today we did enough.”

Tjaden, who tossed an 18-strikeout game against West Central on May 21, is just the second pitcher the Quarriers have burned through in as many games at the state tournament. Ryan Stubbe got the start in their 8-2 quarterfinal win over Sioux Valley tossing 5.2 innings before Millage closed, and now Tjaden with a semifinal gem.

And the Quarriers, gunning for their fifth high school baseball state championship, feel confident in pitchers they have at their disposal.

“We have two guys ready to go,” Miller said. “Drake Eastman’s going to start the game and he can be really dominant,  and then we have Lincoln Fersdahl in relief who’s done a great job for us all year so we feel really really good about where we’re at, pitching-wise.”

Maeschen led the Quarriers offensively with two RBIs on two hits, Ruesink and Tjaden each added two RBIs on one hit, Peppel added an RBI single while Eastman drew three walks in the win.

EPJ’s Brody Van Roekel took the loss allowing eight runs on six hits and four walks in four innings pitched. Levi Hanson and Ben Trudeau tallied the only hits of the game for the Huskies.

If the Quarriers come home with a championship this afternoon, they’ll tie St. Thomas More for the most championships in South Dakota high school baseball history, and these Quarriers will be ready.

“We have to take advantage of situations when they present themselves, and if we can play confident under stress, I like our chances,” said Miller.

Dell Rapids awaits the Winner/Colome vs. Dakota Valley winner at 5 p.m. at Bob Shelden Field in Brookings. Tune in to the Class B state championship on LiveTicket.Tv.