PIERRE – The Aberdeen Smittys fell prey to one late-game rally and held off another for a split of American Legion baseball games on Tuesday. The Smittys were walked off by Pierre 5-4, and turned back Sturgis 5-4.

Aberdeen took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning before Pierre’s Jayden Wiebe delivered a one-out two-run single to give the hosts the victory.

Aberdeen outhit Pierre 9-7, with Max Prehn, Nick Clemens and Matt Feiock each collecting two singles for the Smittys. Feiock knocked in two of Aberdeen’s runs.

The Smittys build a five-run lead against Sturgis and then fought off the Titans down the stretch. Sturgis scored three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but it was not enough.

Aberdeen managed four hits, two coming from Aiden McCafferty. The Smittys scored four runs in the first frame when Tyler Hoffman had a run-scoring triple.

Josh Steinwandt went six innings on the mound for the Smittys, allowing just one earned run and four hits. He struck out five batters.

Aberdeen Smittys 301 000 0 – 4 9 2

Pierre 300 000 2 – 5 7 2

Austin Wagemann and Max Prehn; Leif, Wiebe (4), Getz (6) and Kinkle.

Sturgis 000 003 1 – 4 5 2

Aberdeen Smittys 410 000 x – 5 4 2

Anderson, Janzen (6) and Straus; Josh Steinwandt, Nick Clemens (7) and Brian Holmstrom. 2B – Sturgis, Alan, Anderson. 3B – Aberdeen Smittys, Tyler Hoffman.