MITCHELL — For the first time since 2007, Dell Rapids PBR has claimed the Class B state amateur baseball championship.
PBR finished off a 16-12 season by beating the Platte Killer Tomatoes in a 3-1 at Cadwell Park Sunday afternoon in a game that delivered on anticipation.
The 2024 state championship saw both team’s aces face off. Platte’s ace Grant Doom and Dell Rapids’ Riley Hoffman shutout the opposing team’s offense through the first four frames of the game.
“He’s filthy, absolutely filthy,” said Sweeter of Doom. “He made me look like a fool. He did a fantastic job. His fastball was sharp, his offspeed was falling off the table, hard to pick up. He obviously gave his all and I definitely have to tip my cap to him.”
Sweeter had to come on in relief of Hoffman with bases loaded and only one out in the fifth inning. Manager Dale Solberg felt the change was needed with how the game was progressing.
“I don’t like making changes, cause if you make say four changes, one of them is going to struggle more. You’re not going to have four guys that are going to be hot,” said Solberg. “I don’t like making pitching changes being a former pitcher, but we looked at matchups, we looked at how they were throwing. Drew threw the other night and he didn’t have his best stuff today, but he battled.”
Sweeter faced runners in scoring position in both the fifth and sixth inning, but was able to get out of both pickles, including drawing a bunt popped up to Sweeter in the fifth that turned a double play to end the inning.
“It was just a break that went our way,” said Sweeter, who was named tourney MVP. “Coming in with a guy on third base with one out I knew I had to get weak contact in the infield, and luckily I was able to get that on the bunt, and a little later getting that guy to rollover to short, it’s not easy. Just trying to trust Heith our catcher, and trust our defense behind us.”
The 0-0 tie was broken in the top of the seventh, after a one-out triple by Jeff Harris (Parkston Mudcat pick-up player), Michael Buitenbos brought home Harris on a ground ball into right field.
PBR was not phased, however, by this late pish.
Dell Rapids came back the next half inning scoring three runs, including a Matt Gillogly RBI-single and a two-out, two-RBI single by Riley Calhoon to take a 3-1 lead.
“Just that kill-or-be-killed attitude that we have all season long,” said Sweeter on the response from the early deficit. “First they only scored one run so we had to score to win anyway. We kind of had that mindset of we’re going to come right back at them and not be afraid of it.”
Leading by two, Dell Rapids called upon Brayden Pankonen, who finished the last three state tournament games for PBR, including throwing five shutout innings against Garretson in the semis, to sit them down one final time for the championship.
“No, there weren’t any nerves, moreso just my arm wasn’t as good as it was last night,” said Pankonen. “Coming off however many innings last night, the arm was a little sore. But I made sure Dale (Solberg) and Tim (Wilhelmsen) knew even if it was sore, it felt good. I’m glad they told me when they did, just cause I feel confident with the ball in my hands.”
Pankonen once again was unhittable in his relief outing, allowing just one hit and a hit-by-pitch in two innings to close out the victory.
“It was good, it was fun,” said Pankonen of the championship. “Seeing the crowd, all the PBR, all the Dells people. You just got a city behind you that cares about you and loves you, so ultimately it just feels good. You do it for them, you do it for the city, and the people that come and take their whole weekends off to come watch you play and perform.”
After the game and the team celebration, the tournament MVP was given to Sweeter, who says he was shocked to hear his name called over Pankonen.
“As soon as the game was over I looked at him and I said ‘You’re Mr. MVP’, “ said Sweeter. “And I was looking at him and when they said my name, I was surprised.”
Sweeter hit for a .450 average in five state tournament games, including a triple, four RBIs, and five walks while earning two wins on the mound, one save, allowing just four runs in 12.1 innings pitched.
“I was just trying to get on base,” said Sweeter. “I wasn’t trying to do much. I was just trying to get on base so hopefully we could set up something for the next guy up. That’s always been my approach, just trying to get 90 feet.”
For PBR, it’s the 10th championship in program history, and the first since 2007, and roles have certainly changed for manager Solberg.
“Obviously I’m in a different role, I think I was pitching in 2007,” said Solberg. “It always feels good to accomplish a state championship at this level, and all the good players I’m surrounded with. It’s amazing how difficult it is, you’ve got to have breaks, and you have a good team, and that’s what happened.”
Offensively, Calhoon drove in two runs on two hits, Gillogly drove in a run on one hit, Zach Puetz had two hits, while Conner Spindler and Riley Hoffman each tallied hits in the win.
Sweeter earned the victory on the mound, allowing one run on four hits in 2.2 innings, striking out three.
For Platte, Doom took the loss allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks in eight innings, striking out six.
Sheldon Gant tallied three hits, Richard Sternberg had two hits, Seth Muth (Parkston Rays pick-up player) and Harris each had one hit, while Buitenbos drove in a run on one hit in the loss.
Scores and quotes provided by Jon Akers: 605 Sports
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