The Aberdeen Smittys scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, before walking off Lake Norden 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth in American Legion baseball action Sunday afternoon at Fossum Field.

The Smittys trailed 6-2 heading into their final at-bat before plating four runs to tie the score and force extra innings. The first run came in on a bases-loaded walk by Brian Holmstrom. Casey Vining then plated two more on a single, before the tying run came in on a Josh Steinwandt sacrifice fly.

“Right away we did not have the energy at all,” said Smittys junior Drew Salfrank, “but once it got down to crunch time, we brought the energy and it worked.”

It was Nick Clemens who got things started in the eighth. He hit a solid single to left, stole second base, moved to third on a bunt hit by Andrew Woehl, and walked in with the game-winning run when Salfrank was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Smittys coach Brandon Kusler said the leadoff hit by Clemens was key.

“That was huge. That’s the biggest thing there in the extra innings, just getting that leadoff guy on,” Kusler said. “He can make so many things happen after that. Credit to him, veteran kid, coming out, coming through for us.”

The Smittys jumped in front 2-1 in the first inning with runs scoring on a passed ball and a fielder’s choice.

That lead held up through the early innings as Salfrank overcame a rough start to pitch four solid innings, striking out seven batters.

“It wasn’t my best,” Salfrank said of his outing, “but I just came out there and did my best, and it worked.”

While Salfrank did allow four walks, he only gave up one run to keep the Smittys in front.

“He didn’t have his best stuff today. He was a little bit shaky in the first inning, but he found it after that and he was great,” Kusler said. “He gave us a chance to win. Obviously, early in the year we didn’t want to extend him too far.”

Salfrank competed in three events at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls last Friday and Saturday as a key member of the Aberdeen Central track and field squad. He missed Thursday’s season-opening games and will miss more action this weekend because of the Eastern South Dakota Conference track and field meet in Yankton on Saturday.

“It’s kind of difficult, because I go from track practice straight to baseball practice every night, and I’ve got games to worry about and other meets,” Salfrank said. “It’s a lot, but it’s fun. I like both sports.”

Salfrank and Vining each had a pair of hits in the victory, while Brian Holmstrom scored two runs.

Kusler praised his players’ late-game effort to be able to pull out a win.

“Credit to these guys for finding a way to win,” Kusler said, “bringing some energy in that last inning, finding a way to get base runners and make things happen.”

The improbable victory should give the young squad some confidence heading into the upcoming season.

“I think it’s important,” Salfrank said of the come-from-behind win, “because no matter what, we have to fight to the end, no matter what the score is going into what inning.”

The Smittys will play games in Fargo, N.D. coming up, facing Fargo Post 400 on Saturday and Fargo Davies on Monday.

Lake Norden 100 013 10 – 6 6 2

Aberdeen Smittys 200 000 41 – 7 8 1

Noem, Rodriguez (5), Swenson (8) and Thue; Drew Salfrank, Gavin Jaragoske (5), Connor Kannas (6), Jaiden Smith (6) and Isaac Forrest, Brian Holmstrom and Andrew Richardson.