BROOKINGS – The Clark Dinosaurs continued their postseason run by knocking off another high-seeded opponent.

Clark scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to fuel a 4-2 victory over top-seeded West Central in the opening round of the State B High School Baseball Tournament on Monday.

Last week the Dinosaurs toppled favored Sisseton-Britton-Webster to get out of the region.

“Going into that region tournament we were like we’re right where we want to be,” said Clark coach Chris Bokinskie. “Seeding wise, we thought everything was falling in line for us perfectly, and we’re just playing well at the right time of the year.”

West Central scored single runs in the first and third frames, causing Clark to play from behind. The Dinosaurs were able to stay in the game because of the pitching of Watson Grantham, who tossed a three-hitter and struck out nine batters.

“They scored early on us. Watson though kept his head up and knew he was our best chance on the mound,” Bokinskie said. “We started talking as coaches. Every inning we were hitting the ball. We just weren’t able to come up with the big hit needed to score some runs.”

The Dinosaurs scratched a run across in the fourth inning when Damien Severson scored on a wild pitch.

“We kept telling the kids, keep putting the pressure on them,” Bokinskie said. “Put the ball in play, the hit will come, the hit will come and it finally did. The last inning the hits came to us and we got the big hits needed.”

Clark received a pair of hits in the pivotal seventh inning from guys that are also members of the Clark-Willow Lake track and field team.

Jakob Steen delivered an RBI single that pulled the Dinosaurs to within a run.

“He’s been a huge bat for us,” said Bokinskie, noting that Steen has been a solid hitter for the program for the last four years. “He’s always kind of had that in him. He’s a competitor. He wants that opportunity.”

Severson then produced a two-run single that put Clark in front.

Bokinskie said that Severson has missed some practices this spring because of track, but has proven he can hit the ball.

“We felt that we had ride him,” Bokinskie said, “because he’s been seeing the ball and we’ve got to give him a chance.”

Grantham then retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the Dinosaurs into today’s semifinal round.

Clark will take on Platte-Geddes-Dakota Christian-White Lake at 10 this morning.

Bokinskie said the last time his players faced PGDCWL they lost in the state tournament.

“Our kids remember it,” Bokinskie said. “They’re kind of looking at a revenge factor for (Tuesday) and hoping to knock off the higher seed again.”

The winner of that game will play for the state championship at 3 this afternoon.

“We feel pitching-wise we’re fine. We’ve got some good pitching left,” said Bokinskie, who plans to start Charlie Luvaas this morning. … “He’s had a very good year for us.”

Clark Dinosaurs 000 100 3 – 4 6 1

West Central 101 000 0 – 2 3 0

Watson Grantham and Caleb Drenth; Taten Van Overbeke, G. Alfson (4), C. Den Boer (7) and Eli Koehn. 3B – West Central, Hayden Whiting.