BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – Mobridge Post 4 is headed to the South Dakota State VFW 17U Championship game after completing an incredible comeback Saturday, defeating W.I.N. 19U 9-8 in walk-off fashion in the semifinal.
W.I.N. jumped out early with a run in the first before adding five more in the second behind RBI hits from Cash Bahr and Mac Heinz, along with several walks that forced in runs. The visitors added another run in the third to build what looked like a comfortable 7-2 advantage.
Trailing 6-0 after two innings and 7-2 through three, Post 4 refused to fold. Mobridge chipped away before erupting for five runs in the bottom of the sixth to grab its first lead of the game at 8-7.
The biggest hit of the rally came from Mack Saxon, who ripped a two-out double on an 0-2 pitch to drive in three runs and swing the momentum in Mobridge’s favor. Saxon finished 2-for-3 with a team-high three RBIs.
W.I.N. answered in the top of the seventh, tying the game at 8-8 on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Chays Mansfield to force extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Mobridge delivered one final answer. With the game tied, Broc Bauer came through with a walk-off double that scored the winning run, sending Post 4 into the state championship game with a dramatic 9-8 victory.
Andrew Ulmer provided five outstanding innings of relief, allowing just one run on five hits while walking none to keep Post 4 within striking distance.
Mobridge showed patience at the plate throughout the contest, drawing 12 walks. Broc Bauer, Andrew Ulmer, Trueth Crow Ghost and Kellen Pfitzer each reached twice via walk as Post 4 consistently put runners on base and pressured the W.I.N. defense.
The dramatic comeback sends Mobridge Post 4 into the South Dakota State VFW 17U Championship game, where it will face the Clark-Willow Lake Dinos today. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. MDT in Belle Fourche as Post 4 looks to cap its impressive tournament run with a state title.
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