The South Dakota High School Baseball Association (SDHSBA) is proud to announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This year’s class includes six former players, two umpires, and one contributor—each added to the growing list of individuals who have helped shape and elevate high school baseball in South Dakota.
The SDHSBA has inducted Hall of Fame classes annually since 2020. More information, including a complete list of inductees, can be found at sdhsba.com/hall-of-fame.
The Class of 2026 will be recognized on the field at both the Class A and Class B State Baseball Tournaments this season. The first presentation will be Saturday May 23, 2026 at approximately 4:00 pm at Ronken Field on the campus of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. The second presentation will be Monday May 25, 2026 at approximately 3:30 pm at Bob Sheldon Fied in Brookings, SD.
Part of this class was Spencer Sarringar who played his baseball for the Pierre Governors.
Sarringar was one of the premier two-way threats of his era, known for both elite defense and consistent offensive production. He earned All-State recognition twice—second team in 2016 and first team in 2017.
A three-year starter and senior team captain for Pierre, Sarringar posted an impressive senior season line of .335 batting average, .444 on-base percentage, and .543 slugging percentage. He finished with seven home runs and 55 RBIs.
He went on to play at Northern State and has continued his career in minor league baseball and currently plays baseball in Perth Australia.
Below is the rest of this year’s inductees.
Ryan Kessinger – Sioux Falls Washington
Ryan Kessinger comes from one of South Dakota’s most respected baseball families. He is the grandson of legendary coach Ken Kessinger, an Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame member who spent decades building the baseball community in Sioux Falls. Ryan also joins his brother, Chris Kessinger, as a Hall of Fame inductee.
Kessinger made an early impact at Washington, helping the Warriors make a championship run as a sophomore during the program’s first season of spring baseball. He earned All-State recognition as a senior before continuing his career at Augustana University.
George Eccarius – Rapid City St. Thomas More
George Eccarius was a three-time All-State selection and a key contributor on three state championship teams for St. Thomas More. A standout student-athlete, Eccarius made an immediate varsity impact, helping the Cavaliers win the first of three consecutive state titles as a freshman.
He emerged as a dominant pitcher as a sophomore, going 9-0 as a starter and throwing a no-hitter. Over his three All-State seasons (2014–2016), Eccarius struck out 191 batters in 118.2 innings. As a senior, he also hit .441, led the state in home runs, and added 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Sheldon Gant – Yankton
Sheldon Gant became one of only three players in Yankton baseball history to earn All-State honors three times during his varsity career. A talented multi-sport athlete, Gant found success not only on the diamond, but also in football and wrestling.
In 2015, he was named All-State after hitting .386 with 17 hits, further cementing his place as one of the top all-around athletes of his era.
Dylan Kirkeby – Brandon Valley
Dylan Kirkeby was a dominant pitcher for Brandon Valley and one of the most accomplished players in program history. He earned All-State honors in both 2018 and 2019, helped lead the Lynx to a state championship in his junior season, and was named the South Dakota Baseball Player of the Year in 2019 by the Argus Leader and was named the Class A pitcher of the year by Midco Sports.
Kirkeby struck out 192 batters in 157 career innings at the high school level. He has continued his baseball career beyond college, playing professionally for the Washington Wild Things and Schaumburg Boomers, and currently plays for the Sioux Falls Canaries.
Bennett Osborn – Redfield
Bennett Osborn helped set the standard in a family full of baseball tradition. The Redfield shortstop and pitcher earned First Team All-State honors in both 2018 and 2019. A four-year varsity contributor, Osborn even earned playing time at the varsity level as a 14-year-old.
As a senior, he hit .456 with eight extra-base hits, 21 RBIs, and a 1.203 OPS. On the mound, he posted a 3-0 record with a 1.78 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 39.1 innings pitched.
Contributor Inductee
Randy Preston
Sometimes a voice can set the tone for an entire era. Randy Preston became the soundtrack of South Dakota high school baseball championships, bringing energy and professionalism to the biggest moments in the state. His presence helped make championship baseball feel big-time, and his contributions to the sport have left a lasting impact across generations.
Umpire Inductees
Matt Clark
Matt Clark has dedicated decades to officiating baseball across South Dakota, earning a reputation for professionalism, consistency, and respect for the game. His long-standing commitment and excellence have made him one of the most respected umpires in the state.
Steve Krier
Steve Krier’s decades of service behind the plate and on the field have helped shape the standard for high school baseball officiating in South Dakota. His dedication, leadership, and love of the sport have earned him a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame. He joins his son, Trey as a member of the SDHSBA Hall of Fame.
Team Inductee
2017 Dell Rapids
The 2017 Dell Rapids Bulldogs put together one of the most impressive seasons in Class B history. After an early-April loss to Sioux Valley, Dell Rapids responded by winning 18 straight games against Class B opponents.
Dells featured a deep lineup with six players hitting above .300 and finished the season with a .332 team batting average. They paired that offensive production with dominant pitching, posting a 2.36 team ERA.
Dell Rapids capped the season by defeating Vermillion to win the 2017 Class B State Championship—the first state baseball title in program history.
Comments