SIOUX FALLS – The Aberdeen Smittys could not overcome five errors in an 11-6 setback to Sioux Falls East in game one of their best of three American Legion baseball playoff series on Friday night.

The game was tied at 1-1 going into the bottom of the second inning before the miscues began to take a toll. East scored five runs in the frame when Aberdeen committed three errors.

Aberdeen kept battling and eventually closed the deficit to 7-6 in the top of the sixth inning. However, the hosts then regained control with four runs in the bottom of the sixth for the final margin of difference.

Tyler Hoffman led the Smittys with three hits. He also drove in two and scored twice. Matt Feiock had two hits and knocked in two, while Aiden McCafferty also had a pair of hits.

Grant Graber, Myles Rees and Jackson Boe had multiple hits for East, which had 10 hits in all.

Game two of the series takes place at 4 this afternoon. If a third game is necessary it would take place this evening.

The winner of the series advances to the State A tournament starting next week in Brandon.

Aberdeen Smittys 011 022 0 – 6 8 5

Sioux Falls East 151 004 x – 11 10 0

Austin Wagemann, Josh Steinwandt (6) and Max Prehn; Nicholas Lounsbery, Andrew Evenson (6). 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Matt Feiock, Aiden McCafferty.