YANKTON – The Aberdeen Smittys got off to a quick start, but Yankton provided a stronger finish on Thursday afternoon.

The Smittys had their season come to an end with an 8-1 setback to Yankton in American Legion baseball regional action as the hosts swept the best-of-three series. Aberdeen managed just five total runs in four setbacks to Yankton this season.

The Smittys got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning with a Jackson Post RBI single that brought in Joe Cogley.

Yankton responded in the second inning with three runs and added another run in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead.

Yankton tacked on four final runs in the top of the seventh for the final margin of difference.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Smittys recorded two singles with two outs, but were unable to put any runs on the board.

Aberdeen outhit Yankton 7-6 in the contest, but couldn’t bunch the hits together to produce a big inning.

Cogley and Michael Dutenhoffer each had a pair of hits for the Smittys.

“It was good to jump out to the early lead in the first inning,” said Smittys coach Josh Steinwandt. “We hit the ball hard all day just went right to people. Just couldn’t string together multiple hits. Branson (Peterson) did his job on the mound. We just couldn’t scratch enough runs by.”

Despite the season-ending loss, Steinwandt enjoyed coaching the team throughout the season.

“We had a lot of fun this year and it was a good group of fellas to be around,” Steinwandt said. “(It’s) hard to win with 10 guys in this league. But I hope nothing but the best for the seniors and I thank them for all they have done for the program.”

Yankton 030 100 4 – 8 6 0

Aberdeen Smittys 100 000 0 – 1 7 1

Kaden Hunhoff, B Frick (4), Samuel Gokie (7) and Gavin Johnson; Branson Peterson, Jackson Post (6), Drake Soderlund (7) and Levi Hoffman.