RAPID CITY S.D. – Behind an outstanding pitching performance by Jake Helleloid, Mitchell Post 18 advances in the winner’s bracket to the second round of the Legion State Baseball Tournament with a 4-1 win over Rapid City Post 320 on Wednesday.
Helleloid allowed just three base runners on 78 pitches over 6 2/3 innings. Because his pitch count was under 80, Helleloid will be eligible to pitch again on Sunday for Mitchell in a potential championship game.
Gavin Dansby led off the game for Rapid City Post 320 with a triple to right center and scored the first run of the game on a Lane Darrow ground out to shortstop to put Post 320 up 1-0.
Mitchell would answer in the bottom of the 2nd inning and tie the game at 1-1 after Brock Sparks reached on an error by Rapid City SS Mason Mehlhoff that scored Jace Larson.
Post 18 would take the lead for good on a Larson two RBI single with one out that scored Soulek and Jonah Schmidt to make it 3-1 Mitchell in the 3rd inning.
Mitchell would add one more insurance run in the 5th inning when Rapid City RF Walker Vliestra dropped a fly ball off the bat of Joe VanOverschelde that allowed Helleloid to score from second base.
Peyton Mandel would come on for a six pitch, one out save after Helleloid retired the first two Rapid City hitters of the 7th inning on just four pitches.
Post 18 will play in the winner’s bracket at 8 pm CST on Thursday vs. the winner of #2 Rapid City Post 22 and #7 Harrisburg. Pregame coverage starts at 7:45 CST on KORN News Radio FM 101.3/AM 1490 and KORNRadio.com