MITCHELL — In a semifinal rematch, the Dell Rapids Mudcats downed Winner/Colome at the Class B state amateur baseball tournament Saturday at Cadwell Park.

Behind a strong pitching performance by Kris Regas, Dell Rapids defeated the Pheasants 7-2 and will head to the state championship game Sunday against Garretson. 

“I am super excited,” Regas said. “Last year we kind of cruised through it a lot and this year it’s been tough matchup after tough matchup. So we basically just had our heads down the whole time and now we are kind of excited because it’s Championship Sunday.” 

Saturday’s matchup was a rematch of last year’s semifinal game, a 6-0 Dell Rapids win. Regas, a veteran left-hander and last year’s co-MVP, fanned eight batters, scattered eight hits, walked two batters and allowed two earned runs on 121 pitches Saturday. 

“We had a lot of hard hits that just didn't fall,” Winner/Colome co-manager Austin Richey said. “They had that one inning where they strung a few together. We just weren't able to piece 'em together and get some stuff to drop.”

Winner/Colome starter Tarell Bauld lasted one inning, giving up four hits and five earned runs on 26 pitches. Derek Graesser came in on relief and pitched the rest of the way. He allowed five hits, two earned runs and struck out five batters through eight innings. 

“Derek did a good job shutting ‘em down,” Richey said. “We know he can do that. He pitched well. He came in a tough spot and kind of kept us in it for a while.” 

But a four-run second inning was all the Mudcats needed. Dalton Lehnen hit a two-out RBI double in the first inning to start the scoring. The Mudcats scored their four runs in the second inning to seize early control. 

Grant Olson hit an RBI single, Dalton Allen added an RBI double and Ty Hoglund ripped an RBI single for a 5-0 advantage. 

Armed with the five-run lead, Regas continued to hold Winner/Colome’s bats in check. Austin Calhoon and Richey drove in the two lone runs for the Pheasants.

“That team is probably the best lineup we’ve faced all year,” Regas said. “They can hit pretty much top to bottom. They are pretty versatile, too. Not all their hitters are exactly the same. So you have to really figure them out and go in there with a plan on each of those guys.”

For Winner/Colome, its season ended in the semifinal round for the fourth straight season. In addition to last year’s semifinal defeat, the Pheasants lost to eventual state champion Alexandria in 2019 and ‘20. 

“We just keep grinding so that we can get through this,” Richey said. “I am tired of getting beat in this game. We were very fortunate to be here in this spot after Game 2 (a walk-off win over Lake Norden). It’s just keep our heads down and keep working for next year so we can get over that hump.”

Hoglund and Dell Rapids PBR pick-up player Weston Hansen both had two hits. Travis Peters added a hit. 

The Mudcats were also short-handed behind the plate. Mark Abrahamson, the team’s catcher, was in a wedding on Saturday and Eljiah Story took his spot. 

“I want to give Elijah Story a ton of credit,” Regas said. “Elijah stepped in as a backup and he was absolutely awesome. It was exactly what we needed.”