By 605 Sports Staff

After opening their season with wins over Parkston, Wagner and Hanson, the Gayville-Volin Raiders finally felt the pangs of defeat. In their only game last week, the Raiders dropped a 17-11 decision to 4-2 Class A Elkton-Lake Benton on Friday, April 11.

As of Monday, April 14 the Pirates are the highest seeded Class B team (45.000), ahead of Alcester-Hudson (5-1, 44.500) and Redfield (3-0, 44.000). Castlewood (5-1, 43-500) along with Deuel (1-1, 42.500), Hanson (2-2, 42.500) and McCook Central/Montrose (2-0, 42.500). 

Leading the Raiders at the plate is sophomore Maia Achen is batting (.667) with a slugging percentage of 1.167. Freshman Kendra Beeck has seven hits and leads the team with 11 RBI. 

Senior Ayla Dimmer is 3-1 on the hill, having pitched all 22 innings for the Raiders.

Just one game this week for Gayville-Volin as the Raiders host Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy on Monday, April 14. 

After a fourth-place finish at the 2024 South Dakota Class B girls state softball tournament, Alcester-Hudson is off to a strong start this spring. The Cubs are 5-1 with their only loss coming to Class A West Central on March 29. 

The Alcester-Hudson girls line the dugout during a game against Florence/Henry at the 2024 Class B state softball tournament - Photo courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Alcester-Hudson finished up a 3-0 week with a win over Colman-Egan and two wins over Oldham-Ramona-Rutland. In those three games the Cubs outscored the competition 48-1. 

In an 18-1 win over Colman-Egan on April 10, Paxtyn Moller drove in four runs on three hits. Moller singled in the second inning, scoring two runs, and doubled in the third inning, scoring two more runs. 

In Friday’s first game of a double-header against Oldham-Ramona-Rutland, a 15-0 win, it was Emma Moller who got hot at the plate. Emma Moller collected four hits in four at bats Friday. She singled in each of the first four innings. Moller got the start on the mound for Alcester-Hudson gave up one hit and zero runs over four innings while striking out 12 batters.

In the second game of Friday’s double-header Emma Solberg drove in four runs on three hits to lead Alcester-Hudson to another 15-0 shutout. Solberg singled in the first inning, scoring two runs. In the third inning Solberg delivered a two-run home run to center field. 

Two games on the docket this week for Alcester-Hudson as the Cubs host Bon Homme on Thursday, April 17 and travel to Beresford on Friday, April 18.