WATERTOWN – The Aberdeen Smittys dropped a pair of games at Watertown Thursday evening, falling 10-5 and 3-2 to Post 17 in Watertown.

The Smittys began the night strong offensively, plating four runs in the top of the first inning in game one and leading 5-2 after two innings. However, Aberdeen was unable to score more than one run in any single frame until late in game two.

Still, the Smittys collected nine hits in the opening contest and six more in game two. Josh Steinwandt, Brock Martin and Phillip Zens all had multi-hit games, with Steinwandt and Martin getting two hits apiece in game one. Zens had a pair of hits in the nightcap, as well. 

“Lots of good things happening offensively in both games,” said Smittys coach Brandon Kusler. “We’re putting a lot of good swings on balls and hitting the ball hard, just struggling to find some holes.”

Aberdeen also had a rash of doubles, with five in game one and two more in game two. Brian Holmstrom had a double in each contest, driving in two runs with his first knock.

Martin took the mound to start the day for Aberdeen, going four innings and taking the loss. Casey Vining tossed a complete game in the closer, giving up three runs in the first inning before settling in for five straight scoreless frames.

“I thought Brock Martin threw really well off the mound,” Kusler said. “Casey gave us a great start in game two. He had a rough first inning but settled in after that.”

The Smittys launched a comeback effort late in game two, plating two runs in the top of the sixth. Vining doubled home Holmstrom for the first run, while Zens scored on a Jaiden Smith single. The Smittys were not able to get the tying run across, however, and left the bases loaded to end the inning.

Kusler also pointed out costly errors in game one that turned into six unearned runs for Watertown. Aberdeen committed four defensive miscues in that game and two more in the second that resulted in another unearned run for the host squad.

“In game one, we got out to a really good start, but we just didn’t make enough plays defensively,” Kusler said. “A few costly errors was the difference. … Lots of good things to take away, we just have to clean up a few things defensively.”

Aberdeen 410 000 0 – 6 9 4

Watertown 113 131 x – 10 7 1

Brock Martin, Jaiden Smith (5) and Andrew Woehl; Karst, Everson (6) and Althoff. 2B – Aberdeen, Brian Holmstrom, Josh Steinwandt, Nick Clemens, Smith, Ethan Kjenstad; Watertown, B. Zaug, Denzer. 3B – Watertown, J. Cyrus, Denzer.

Aberdeen 000 002 0 – 2 6 2

Watertown 300 000 x – 3 6 0

Casey Vining and Brian Holmstrom; W. Engstrom and C. Mutschler. 2B – Aberdeen, Holmstrom, Vining; Watertown, Mutschler, Denzer, R. Roby.