To say the Aberdeen Smittys got their high school baseball season off and running Sunday night would be understating the situation.

The local squad stole 21 bases and ran at every opportunity to help fuel 23-8 and 20-5 victories over Rapid City at Fossum Field.

“We’re so fast. Like I said before, we have athletes. We have guys that are going to be quick jumps, and it’s baseball-minded, too,” said Aberdeen coach Nathan Gonnelly. “We even swiped third base here a couple of times without me even calling it. Just got good leads, we say hey, if there’s no one covering you at second, go ahead and swipe third.”

That aggression was a trademark of the American Legion squad last season and appears will be a calling card as well this spring.

“I think us being aggressive is a key to us winning,” said Aberdeen’s Michael Dutenhoffer.

The player who set it all in motion on Sunday was lead-off hitter Jehiel Aviles, who finished the sweep with six hits, including a double and a triple, knocked in eight runs, and scored six times.

“Just helping my team as best I can,” Aviles said, “and just try to stay focused.”

Aviles displayed the ability to go with the pitch as was evident on his opposite field bases-loaded triple to left centerfield in the second game.

“Since I was little I’ve been more of an opposite hitter, so now I just keep doing it,” Aviles said, “taking the pitch where it takes me.”

Gonnelly said Aviles plays a key role for the Smittys on and off the field.

“He’s great. He’s outstanding,” Gonnelly said. “He’s a great team guy, too, always smiles, always positive.”

A native of Puerto Rico, Aviles moved to America nine years ago. The conditions of his former country are much different than what he played in Sunday night.

“All year round it’s hot,” Aviles said of Puerto Rico. “First time, it got a little bit cold and I had to get used to it, but got it done.”

While the season-opening games were far from ideal, that’s what spring baseball is like, according to Gonnelly.

“This is a nice day. There were years past when I coached for a couple other towns, it was sleeting sideways, 43 degrees and we were still playing out there,” Gonnelly said. “So this was a nice day. This is spring baseball.”

While Aberdeen trailed to start both contests, the deficits were short lived. The Smittys broke open the first game with nine runs in the third inning and 10 in the fourth.

Dutenhoffer started the uprising with a two-run triple in the third frame. He later added an RBI single in the inning.

Despite not playing in an organized game for months, Dutenhoffer said the Smittys were ready to go.

“Honestly, we’ve been practicing for the last couple weeks,” Dutenhoffer said, “and I think we prepared ourselves for this game.”

The Smittys scored seven runs in the fourth before an out was recorded. Dutenhoffer again had an extra-base hit, this time a double.

Aberdeen continued to circle the bases in the nightcap, producing 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Included in the inning were 12 two-out runs, as the Smittys finished the frame with five hits and nine walks. In addition to the Aviles triple, Karson Borge and Jaxon Ladner each had run-producing doubles.

While the Smittys’ offense was on display most of the evening, Aberdeen turned in a stellar defensive gem in the second game, gunning down a runner at the plate.

Right fielder Bennett Eisenbeisz fired a strike to first-baseman Ladner, who relayed a perfect throw to catcher Levi Hoffman who applied the tag.

“They nailed it, too. That was a crisp relay,” Gonnelly said. “I was like, wow, that was awesome. It got the whole dugout excited, too. … It was as clean as it gets.”

Dutenhoffer and Borge both finished with three hits, two for extra-bases, and four runs batted in.

Aberdeen plays at Pierre on Thursday. Dutenhoffer said it was important for the team to get off to a good starter in its initial games of the season.

“I’d say it’s super important. It gives us a little boost and hopefully will carry us through the season,” Dutenhoffer said. “I think it will be helpful.”

Rapid City 301 4 – 8 5 1

Aberdeen Smittys 139 (10) – 23 13 0

Steven Solano, Sam Farnsworth (3) and Ben Farnsworth; Branson Peterson, Karson Borge (2), Joe Cogley (4) and Levi Hoffman, Bennett Eisenbeisz (4). 2B – Rapid City, Solano, B. Farnsworth; Aberdeen Smittys, Jehiel Aviles, Jared Klootwyk, Michael Dutenhoffer. 3B – Aberdeen Smittys, Grant Beyer, Joran Foss, Dutenhoffer.

Rapid City 311 0 – 5 5 0

Aberdeen Smittys (13)25 x – 20 10 0

Tucker Jones, Carter Gregory (3) and Kenny Rose; Brayden Bowman, Donnie Soderlund (3) and Levi Hoffman. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Jaxon Ladner, Karson Borge. 3B – Aberdeen Smittys, Jehiel Aviles. HR – Aberdeen Smittys, Borge.