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Smittys racks up more runs and wins against Post 320

Casey Vining, of the Aberdeen Smittys, right, reaches to tap helmets with teammate Cooper Eisenbeisz (8) and others as Vining is greeted at home plate after hitting a three-run home run during Thursday’s first game against the Rapid City Post 320 Shooters at Fossum Field. Photo by John Davis taken 6/6/2024

The Aberdeen Smitty’s offensive onslaught showed no signs of slowing down Thursday.

The Smittys racked up 39 runs in a pair of 5-inning victories over Rapid City Post 320 at Fossum Field. Aberdeen won by final scores of 23-3 and 16-6.

Winners of now 10 straight games, the last six of which have been by 10 or more runs, the Smittys notched 36 hits in Thursday’s twinbill. Seventeen of those went for extra bases, including a pair of home runs off the bat of Casey Vining and a handful of doubles and triples.

“I think we’re finally trusting ourselves and trusting the guys around us,” said Smittys’ senior Cooper Eisenbeisz, who went 4-for-4 in the opening conest. “Going up there, we’re just looking to hit the ball every time. … Mentally, I think, we’re all dialed in right now.”

Aberdeen rapped out 20 hits in that first game. In addition to Eisenbeisz’ four hits, Drew Salfrank collected another four, while Vining and Jackson Welke had three hits apiece. Eisenbeisz also drew a walk, scored three times and drove in six.

“I didn’t even know I was 4-for-4 until I checked the box score after the game,” Eisenbeisz said. “I’m just going up there, hey I hit this guy last time, why can’t I do it this time.”

As a collective whole, the Smittys seemed determined to follow that mentality, scoring 11 runs in the first inning and at least three more in every inning after.

“I tell the guys all the time, keep it simple,” said Smittys’ coach Nathan Gonnelly. “You’re looking for one pitch. When they’re looking for one pitch and they’re keeping it simple, it takes care of itself. We’re putting the ball in play. We had a couple home runs today, triples, doubles. When they keep it simple, it really works out for us.”

Cooper Eisenbeisz, of the Aberdeen Smittys, hits the ball during Thursday’s first game against the Rapid City Post 320 Shooters at Fossum Field. Eisenbeisz doubled on the hit. Photo by John Davis taken 6/6/2024

“We don’t really expect to come in and put up 23 runs in a 5-inning game, but when you’re swinging the sticks and everyone’s hot, you just go with it,” Eisenbeisz said. “It’s not something you expect to do, it’s just something that happens. Hopefully we can stay on that track.”

The Smittys put up four runs in each half-inning of the second game. Vining notched a second home run, while Joran Foss had a pair of doubles, Jackson Ladner and Zane Backous each had a two-bagger, and Brenden Livermont, Grant Beyer and Lance Siefken all recorded a triple.

On the mound, the Smittys got complete-game efforts from Phillip Zens in game one and Donnie Soderlund in game two. Zens recorded seven strikeouts and no walks in his five innings of work.

“Morale is certainly high, especially for our pitchers (Thursday),” Gonnelly said. “Phillip Zens and Donnie Soderland did an amazing job. They both pitched a complete game and they threw a lot of strikes. That helps even our defense, morale-wise. Our pitcher is doing his job, now we’ve got to do our job. Then with the bats and everything, it’s a really special mix we have right now.”

Drew Salfrank, of the Aberdeen Smittys, right, reaches to catch a fly ball in shallow center field as teammate Grant Beyer, left, looks on during Thursday’s first game against the Rapid City Post 320 Shooters at Fossum Field. Photo by John Davis taken 6/6/2024

The Smittys will host Post 320 in another doubleheader Friday beginning at 11 a.m. at Fossum Field.

“I told the guys earlier, don’t underestimate them,” Gonnelly said. “They could come out (Friday) and be a completely different team. Playing our game and being the best, complete version of ourselves that we can be, that’s where we want to be at the end of the day.”

Rapid City Post 320 110 01 – 3 7 4

Aberdeen Smittys (11)43 5x – 23 20 1

Anderson Lockhart, Colton Mehlhalf (1), Ian Feeger (2) and Carson Sussell; Phillips Zens and Talan Dutenhoeffer. 2B – Rapid City Post 320, Feeger, Jhett Peterson; Aberdeen Smittys, Cooper Eisenbeisz (2), Brenden Livermont, Casey Vining, Grant Beyer, Zane Backous. 3B – Aberdeen Smittys, Drew Salfrank, Backous. HR – Aberdeen Smittys, Vining.

Rapid City Post 320 022 20 – 6 5 2

Aberdeen Smittys 444 4x – 16 16 5

Landon Faatz, Porter Muck (4) and Ian Feeger. Donnie Soderlund and Zane Backous. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Joran Foss 2, Jackson Ladner, Backous. 3B – Rapid City Post 320, Ben Dressler; Aberdeen Smittys, Brenden Livermont, Grant Beyer, Lance Siefken. HR – Aberdeen Smittys, Casey Vining.

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