BELLE FOURCHE – Mobridge Post 4 battled until the final out, erasing much of a five-run deficit before falling 7-5 to C/WL Legion in Sunday’s South Dakota VFW State Tournament championship game.
Mobridge struck first in the opening inning when Easton Eisemann delivered an RBI single, but C/WL answered immediately. Watson Grantham tied the game with an RBI single before Jakob Steen followed with a run-scoring double to put C/WL in front 2-1 after one. Max Bratland added an RBI single in the second, and C/WL extended its advantage to 7-2 in the third on an RBI single by Damian Severson and a bases-loaded walk to Ky Vandersnick.
Facing a five-run deficit, Mobridge refused to go away. Post 4 chipped away with three runs, capitalizing on an error while adding a double, a walk and a run-scoring single to pull within two. The comeback ultimately stalled, but Mobridge made the defending lead work until the final out.
Eisemann paced the Mobridge offense by going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Andrew Ulmer, Trueth Crow Ghost and Mack Saxon also drove in runs, while Broc Bauer reached base four times via walks as Mobridge showed patience throughout the lineup, drawing eight free passes.
Crow Ghost started on the mound for Post 4, working 5 2/3 innings while allowing seven runs, six earned, on nine hits. The right-hander struck out five and walked five. C/WL starter Caleb Drenth earned the win after allowing two runs, one earned, over five innings while striking out five.
Severson led C/WL offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Bennett Pommer also collected two hits. Steen added an RBI double and stole three bases as C/WL advanced, and Cooper Pommer reached base three times on walks.
Although the championship game ended one win short of a title, Mobridge put together an impressive tournament run. Post 4 consistently responded to adversity, combining timely hitting, disciplined at-bats and resilient pitching to earn its place in the championship. Sunday’s comeback effort reflected the same determination the team displayed throughout the weekend, capping a strong state tournament with a runner-up finish.
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