TEA – Aberdeen Central led for the majority of the time, but Tea Area led when it mattered most Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles ended up falling 7-5 in the Eastern South Dakota Conference softball contest. While the setback did not help Central’s chances to qualify for the upcoming SoDak 16, it did not eliminate the Golden Eagles, either.

Central will await the results of other teams in the next few days to see if it can move up in seed points.

The Golden Eagles scored two runs in the third inning when Kylee Kiesow doubled, moved to third on a single by Kylee Hoffman, and scored on a single by Avery Bendewald. Hoffman then scored on an error.

Central added three more runs in the top of the sixth for a 5-1 advantage. Addyson Keller singled, moved up on a walk, and then scored on an error. Following an Aliyah Torigian single, Kiesow drove in a pair of runs with another double. However, the Golden Eagles left the bases loaded.

The Titans then exploded for six runs in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by a two-run double from Paige Sabers.

Central threatened in the top of the seventh inning, but again left the bases loaded to end the game.

“Losing 7-5 was a tough way to go out,” said Central coach Cassidy Neer. “We had very successful bunts that allowed us to take the lead, and we just didn’t string hits together at the end like we needed.”

Bendewald, Keller and Kiesow each had two hits for the Golden Eagles, who will now await their postseason fate.

“I am very proud of the girls, how they have progressed this season,” Neer said.

Aberdeen Central 002 003 0 – 5 8 1

Tea Area 000 106 x – 7 10 3

Kaylee Kiesow and Alivia Rottele; Kaylyn Hall, Ahryana Drake (6) and Kalli Boom. 2B – Aberdeen Central, Kiesow 2, Avery Bendewald, Addyson Keller; Tea Area, Boom, Paige Sabers.