By Rodney Haas 

605 sports 

GREGORY — The road wasn’t easy, but after coming close in previous years Vermillion can finally call itself champions. 

Post 1 survived the loser’s bracket and a pair of games on a Tuesday afternoon where temperatures reached 106 degrees to edge Winner/Colome 8-7 in eight innings in the Class B Legion state championship game. 

“We got hurt by a grand slam in 2020. This is a lot better. I’m excited for our kids, “ said Vermillion coach Thomas Heisinger of the 16-12 loss to Dakota Valley two years ago.

On Tuesday it appeared Post 1 would benefit from its own grand slam when Reece Proefrock's bases loaded slam to right field gave Vermillion a 6-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning — leaving six outs standing in the way of a title. 

However, those six outs would prove difficult as Winner/Colome would answer with five runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie it at 6-6 going into the seventh. There, both teams would trade runs to tie back at 7-7 and Winner would have the potential winning run at first base when the afternoon heat finally took its toll. 

The game was delayed with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning after Vermillion catcher TJ Tracy went down with cramps and shortly afterwards home plate umpire Doug Ruesink had to leave the game after dealing with heat-related issues. 

“The worst of it was getting that 10-minute break,” Winner/Colome coach Shane Phillips said. “That really hurt and it killed our momentum. I really felt like we were going to win it right there and walk it off. But it is what it is. It’s hot and you can’t complain about it. Obviously it’s all about safety too. You have to play baseball.”

Vermillion would get out of the bottom of the seventh inning and then get the go-ahead run when Connor Saunders drew a bases loaded walk. Tim Dixon would then strike out Aiden Barfuss to give Post 1 that elusive title. 

“I’m just proud of the kids. They never gave up. It felt like we had that game won or lost two or three times,” Heisinger said. 

Charlie Ward, Tracy and Proefrock led Vermillion at the plate while Dixon picked up the win — pitching the final 1 2/3 innings. 

Barfuss continued his torrid hitting on Tuesday going 3-for-4 with a double in the bottom of the sixth inning that tied the score at 6-6. 

“Aiden hit the crap out of the ball all season. In the last four games, he put it together with a home run in each game and I was hoping we could get another in the fifth,” Phillips said. “He has two more years so the rest of the state better be ready.”

Vermillion opened the tournament with a win over Dell Rapids on Friday but fell into the loser’s bracket on Saturday after a loss to Winner. On Sunday Vermillion bounced back eliminating Platte and then eliminated Redfield on Monday. On Tuesday, Post 1 defeated Gregory 12-5 to advance to the championship game. 

“I’m really excited for those guys,” Heisinger said of his outgoing seniors. “They have been through three or four state tournaments for us. We came up short a couple of times. For these 11 guys to go out on top with a state championship really is special.”

Meanwhile the future is bright for Winner, who Phillips told his team to watch Vermillion celebrate.  

“Let this burn for you and just come back next year just be ready,” Phillips said of his team watching the celebration. “We have young kids coming up and young kids going through. I think I will lose three or four next year. So we will have a good group coming back and we will be back there next year.

“Remember this moment and be ready to go.”