By Rodney Haas 

605 Sports 

WINNER — After missing out of the Class B state high school baseball tournament the last few years, Winner/Colome is looking to make a return trip to this year’s tournament in Brookings. 

“We’ve had some good teams that probably underachived,” said Winner coach Austin Calhoon. “I think we could've handled situations differently and that’s the difference between this team and some of the teams in the past.” 

The Royals are undefeated with two games remaining in the regular season including Sunday’s game at Hot Springs before returning home Tuesday to close out the season against the Platte-Geddes/Dakota Christian/White Lake Honkers. 

“You don’t expect to be undefeated at this point,” Calhoon said. “We started out in early March in getting really good practices in and planning on how we want to attack and the kids have been doing a really good job at staying focused and staying disciplined.” 

The Royals have been led by seniors Landon Calhoon, Ryder Halligan and Aiden Schroeder along with juniors Quincy Phillips and Zac Olson, along with newcomers Adryan Brandis, Carter Craven, Carter McKenzie, Carter Foster and Mason Beehler.  

“With my upperclassmen, they’ve been great leaders this year,” coach Calhoon said. “Going into the year we have five upperclassmen — two juniors and three seniors and I kind of knew what to expect from those guys. Then we have a sophomore and a freshman that have contributed as well. 

Calhoon added that the mild spring has also helped with having consistent games and consistent practices. 

“It helps having consistent playing time and you’re not taking two weeks off where you’re not seeing live pitching,” he said. “I think that plays a part, but I think it’s also the consistency with our players and staying consistent with what we're trying to teach them and what we’re telling them and believing and trusting in that process and I think they’ve done a really good job at that so far.”

At 11-0, the Royals have locked up the No. 1 seed in Region 4 and will be hosting postseason playoffs once the teams and seeds are announced. After that, the focus will change to qualifying for the state. 

“We’ve had a couple of good teams the last couple of years that should’ve made it but got beat and didn’t make it,” Calhoon said. “These guys have high expectations to get back to state and I think they can do it as long as they continue to stay within themselves and keep playing together as a team.”