HARRISBURG – The Aberdeen Smittys had their chances against Harrisburg Gold on Sunday afternoon, but were unable to cash in against the top-rated Class A American Legion baseball squad.

Gold rallied for a 9-6 win in the opener and then took the second game 9-3.

Aberdeen had a combined 26 runners left on base in the two games.

“Overall it was a good day for us. As a team we hit the ball well with a couple doubles and even a home run by Lance Siefken,” said Smittys coach Nathan Gonnelly. “It came down to who had the most timely hits with runners in scoring position.”

Aberdeen jumped on top in the first game with two runs in the first inning as Phillip Zens had a two-run double. Harrisburg answered back with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, before the Smittys scored three runs in the top of the second. Siefken had a lead-off home run and Casey Vining delivered a two-run double.

Harrisburg scored two more runs in the third, before Aberdeen extended its lead to 6-4 with a run in the top of the fourth on a passed ball.

However, Harrisburg took control after that, scoring four times in the bottom of the fourth as Jack Riley hit a two-run home run, and Eli Kokenge added a two-run single. Gold added an insurance run in the fifth.

The Smittys left two runners on in the sixth, and left the bases loaded in the seventh.

Zens finished with three hits, and Drew Salfrank added a pair for the Smittys. Harrisburg pitchers struck out 11 batters, but also walked 11.

Harrisburg gradually built a 6-0 lead in the nightcap, scoring single runs in the first and second, and four runs in the third, three coming on a Maddux Scherer home run.

Aberdeen scored one run in the fourth on Siefken’s RBI single, but Gold responded with two runs in its half of the inning. The Smittys scored twice in the fifth on a Jackson Welke bases-loaded walk and a ground out from Siefken.

Once again, Harrisburg pitchers collected 11 strikeouts and this time issued 10 walks.

The Smittys are currently in a battle for the opportunity to host a region playoff series this week. That will be determined today when they face Brandon Valley in a key doubleheader.

“Even though the end results weren’t in our factor, the boys had fun,” Gonnelly said. “Now we look ahead to Brandon Valley (Monday) as they are two big games that will determine if we host playoff games.”

Aberdeen Smittys 230 100 0 – 6 8 0

Harrisburg Gold 202 410 x – 9 8 0

Cooper Eisenbeisz, Drew Salfrank (4), Jaxon Ladner (5) and Talan Dutenhoeffer; Maddock Plack, Braxton Kusler (2) and Max Carlson. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Casey Vining, Phillip Zens. HR – Aberdeen Smittys, Lance Siefken; Harrisburg Gold, Jack Riley, Maddux Scherer.

Aberdeen Smittys 000 120 0 – 3 4 1

Harrisburg Gold 114 201 x – 9 11 0

Charlie Phillips, Jared Klootwyk (4) and Lance Siefken; Carter Gronseth, Eli Kokenge (7) and Max Carlson. 3B – Harrisburg Gold, Teigan Munce. HR – Harrisburg Gold, Maddux Schrer, Noah Boschee, Munce.