SIOUX FALLS – The Aberdeen Smittys received solid pitching in one game, but struggled on the mound in the other in a split of American Legion baseball games with Sioux Falls West on Wednesday afternoon.
Aberdeen pitchers scattered eight hits in a 4-2 win in the opener, but gave up 10 walks in a 13-3 setback in the second contest.
Austin Wagemann pitched five innings and Nick Clemens added two innings in relief in the first contest. The two pitchers combined to walk only one batter.
Meanwhile Tyler Hoffman feasted at the plate with a pair of doubles which led to three runs batted in. Hoffman’s run-producing double in the top of the first gave the Smittys a lead they never lost.
Max Prehn also had two hits for the Smittys including a double.
The second contest was just the opposite as three walks and an error plated four West runs in a six-run first inning for the hosts.
Michael Zeman had three hits for Sioux Falls West, which scored in each of the four innings it came to bat.
Mitch Willis allowed just three hits and struck out five batters for West.
Josh Steinwandt plated all three runs for Aberdeen with a bases-loaded double in the top of the first inning.
Aberdeen Smittys 120 000 1 – 4 7 0
Sioux Falls West 000 011 0 – 2 8 1
Austin Wagemann, Nick Clemens (6) and Max Prehn; Ebeling, Moores (5) and Behrends. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Tyler Hoffman 2, Clemens, Prehn; Sioux Falls West, Legg, Zeman.
Aberdeen Smittys 300 00 – 3 3 1
Sioux Falls West 631 3x – 13 8 0
Josh Steinwandt, Max Prehn (1) Nick Clemens (4) and Brian Holmstrom; Willis and Stahl. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Steinwandt; Sioux Falls West, Behrends, Stahl, Winterton. 3B – Sioux Falls West, Moores.
