PIERRE – Aberdeen Central scored six runs in the first two innings, but Pierre was able to rally late to secure an 11-6 Eastern South Dakota Conference softball victory.

“Great day for the girls,” said Central coach Cassidy Neer. “Scored first, which is a big deal and won a couple innings.”

The Golden Eagles scored three times in the top of the first frame.

Estelle Riggs drove in a run with a double. Jayla Breaw followed with a single, and both came in to score on an error.

After Pierre tied the score in the bottom of the first, Central added three more runs in the top of the second.

Riggs again drove in a run, before Breaw plated two more runs.

The Golden Eagles took a 6-5 lead into the fifth inning before the hosts scored three times in the fifth and four more times in the sixth.

“It was a one-run ball game until the very end,” Neer said. “Those small details make a bigger impact in close games. Just gotta tighten things up in big moments.”

Breaw finished with two hits and knocked in three, while Riggs had a pair of hits and drove in two.

Aberdeen Central 330 000 0 – 6 7 3

Pierre 301 134 x – 11 10 3

Sydney Hoag and Alivia Roettele; Ava Nelson, Charlie Hull (2) and E. Theilen. 2B – Aberdeen Central, Estelle Riggs; Pierre, Alivia Heymans, Taryn Spruill.