BRANDON – Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar got off to a solid start before the Brookings Cubs produced a stellar finish on Friday afternoon. Brookings collected four home runs to rally for a 7-3 win during the State A Amateur Baseball Tournament.

Circus jumped in front in the bottom of the first inning when Casey Vining hit a two-out double and came in to score on a single by Josh Steinwandt.

“I thought we started off hot,” said Circus manager Evan Brandt. “We had a good report on the pitcher and went in with a game plan that I thought we executed really well. Josh Steinwandt had an amazing day at the plate and I thought he jump-started our offense along with Casey Vining.”

Aberdeen added two more two-out runs in the bottom of the second frame. Michael Babcock produced a two-run double, driving in Colton Cox and Jaiden Smith.

However, that was all the scoring Circus would get done on the day.

The Cubs got on the board in the top of the sixth on a solo home run from Rhett Zelinsky. Brookings then took control with five runs in the top of the seventh.

Noah Buss hit a one-out homer to cut the margin to 3-2. After back-to-back singles, a second out was recorded before things changed completely in two at-bats. Chase McDaniel tied the score with a single, and Arlen Peters belted a three-run home run to give the Cubs a three-run advantage.

Chad Ellingson nearly went the distance for Circus, leaving after seven complete innings.

“Chad gave us the effort we were looking for,” Brandt said. “He had three pitches that they capitalized on for home runs. I think you can’t ask for more out of a pitcher. They just put good swings on three pitches in two innings to get on top. Overall, I thought we played a great game.”

Brookings added another run in the eighth on a home run from Lincoln Vasgaard.

Vining and Steinwandt each had a pair of hits for Circus.

“Overall, I think we had an amazing season and made a great run at the end,” Brandt said. “I think our veterans played really well all year.”

Brandt noted that the squad had a solid blend of veteran players joined by a group of younger players. Combined, they formed a formidable offense this past season.

“I think our lineup is just extremely athletic, which allows us to do some really fun things out there. … Overall, great season with a lot of good battles and we showed we can hit with anyone in the state,” Brandt said. “Looking forward to the future, we have a lot of guys that can play within this offense and make things happen. I’m looking for us to make a deep run at the state tournament next year as well.”

Brookings Cubs 000 001 510 – 7 11 0

Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar 120 000 000 – 3 7 1

Jake Ammann, L. Anderson (5) and Noah Buss; Chad Ellingson, Joey Wollman (8) and Kelly Coates. 2B – Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar, Casey Vining, Josh Steinwandt, Michael Babcock. HR – Brookings Cubs, Arlen Peters Lincoln Vasgaard, Buss, Rhett Zelinsky.