The Aberdeen Smittys keep finding ways to win.

The local squad recorded its second walkoff victory of the season with a 6-5 triumph over Jamestown in 11 innings Wednesday night at Fossum Field. Nick Clemens ended the contest with a bases-loaded single.

“Just credit to these guys, sticking with it,” said Smittys coach Brandon Kusler. “Even when our backs are against the wall, finding a way to get out of some innings when we were in jams there late in the game and find a way to minimize them offensively. And just a great job offensively finding a way to go get it done.”

It appeared the Smittys, who led 3-0 and 5-3 earlier in the contest, were going to win the game in the 10th, but had the potential game-winning run gunned down at the plate on a picture-perfect throw by the Jamestown centerfielder.

Aberdeen got another chance in the 11th and was not going to be denied this time.

Casey Vining beat out an field single and then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch to set the stage.

“That’s the biggest thing to do in extras, like when we had that walkoff win earlier in the year, get that leadoff guy on in extra innings and the odds are pretty well in your favor,” Kusler said. “Just a credit to Casey there not giving up on the play and just finding a way to beat it out. That won the game for us, in my opinion.”

From there, Jamestown decided to walk the next two batters and load the bases for a force out at any base.

That brought Clemens to the plate and he was ready. After taking the first pitch for a strike, Clemens laced a ball to centerfield to drive in the game-winner.

“The count was 0-1 and last at-bat he gave me one right there,” Clemens said, “and I didn’t miss any of it.”

Clemens said he was going to be aggressive when he stepped into the batter’s box.

“I was actually told by ‘Kus’ to just swing away and that’s just what happened there,” Clemens said.

Kusler was proud of the way that Clemens came through in the clutch.

“That’s just a veteran, just knowing the job that he has to get done. He had been seeing the ball well all day,” Kusler said. “I didn’t want anyone else up in that situation other than him. I’m really proud of the guys and really proud of Nick for sure.”

Clemens finished with three hits on the night and drove in a pair. Drew Salfrank added two hits.

The Smittys also got a big effort from Jaiden Smith on the mound. He threw four hitless innings of relief, including a pair of quick frames.

“That was huge for us, too. We didn’t have a ton of guys available today to pitch, so we needed him to keep going for us,” Kusler said. “A couple of those quick innings really benefited him, I thought. That allowed him to keep going. He was big for us for sure.”

The Smittys have now won three in a row and seven of their last eight games.

When asked about the team’s turnaround this season, Clemens pointed to a group of newcomers who have brought energy, enthusiasm and a variety of skill sets to the squad.

“I think with the new kids that we got this year like Casey, Drew, Phil (Zens), Jaiden, (Carter) Dingman, they’ve all been just great for us,” Clemens said. “It’s nice to win finally.”

The Smittys are now 13-8 on the season and enjoying showing up at the ballpark.

“We are having fun right now,” Clemens said. “It’s been great to win.”

Of course, it’s always a little more special when you are the one who provides the game-winning hit.

“It feels great,” Clemens said of his first walk-off hit. “It feels just amazing.”

The Smittys head to Mitchell for a doubleheader on Friday. They will hit the road with a load of confidence following Wednesday’s victory.

“These wins are huge,” Kusler said. “Granted it’s not a league game for us, it doesn’t go toward our league standings or anything, but it’s just a great team win and it boosts the morale of the entire team to come away with a win like this.”

Jamestown Eagles 000 030 020 00 – 5 10 3

Aberdeen Smittys 102 001 100 01 – 6 9 1

Kasen Rowell, C. Orr (4), Fronk (7), Gage Orr (8) and Ethan Gall; Brian Holmstrom, Drew Salfrank (6), Jaiden Smith (8) and Andrew Woehl. 2B – Jamestown, Kasen Rowell.