BROOKINGS – The Aberdeen Smittys struck early, but couldn’t slow down the Brookings offense Saturday afternoon.

The Smittys were swept 17-7 and 17-1 in their final two games of the regular season. They will now await their playoff fate as other team’s wrap up their regular seasons.

“Brookings is a pretty competitive team,” said Smittys assistant coach Hunter Ringgenberg, “however, I’d say it’s pretty obvious to say that we weren’t at our best today.”

The Smittys scored five times in the top of the first inning of their 10-run loss.

Will Haskell and Levi Hoffman each had RBI singles in that frame, while two other runs came in on errors and another on a fielder’s choice.

However, Brookings scored nine unanswered runs. Aberdeen closed the gap with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Joe Cogley had a run-producing single and Levi Hoffman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The hosts then took total control with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Smittys also scored first in the other game on Will Haskell’s RBI single, but it was all Brookings after that, including a 12-run third inning.

Baker Hanson had three hits in each game for Brookings.

“Moving into this week, we’re definitely going to be focusing on nursing everyone’s arms back up to speed,” Ringgenberg said. “Our team’s arm health as a whole has been another silent killer for us the last couple of weeks.”

The Smittys are currently on the bubble when it comes to obtaining a playoff spot for upcoming regional action.

Ringgenberg said the team’s fate rests in the results of other teams.

“Despite the current uncertainty, we’ll still be preparing and ready to hopefully have a shot to upset a top team in the state,” he said.

Aberdeen Smittys 500 20 – 7 6 4

Brookings 441 71 – 17 10 2

Jackson Post, JaSean Rivera (2), Karson Borge (4), Ridley Waldo (4) and Levi Hoffman; Jones Huntimer, Cooper Schneider (2), J. Meendering (5) and Ben Schulte. 3B – Brookings, B. Hanson, Tre Christopherson.

Aberdeen Smittys 100 – 1 4 1

Brookings 32(12) – 17 11 1

Bennett Eisenbeisz, Donovan Kiesow (3) and Levi Hoffman; Talon Hyde and Jase Bauer. HR – Brookings, Nolan Krogman.