YANKTON – The Renner Monarchs scored three runs in the last two innings to edge Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar 4-1 in the first round of the State A Amateur Baseball Tournament Saturday night.

Circus struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning when Gus Steiger doubled and then scored on an error.

However, that was the last run Aberdeen would manage the rest of the way. Circus had runners in scoring position in the third, fourth and sixth innings.

Meanwhile, Renner tied the contest on a home run by Dave Borchardt in the sixth inning, before scoring twice in the eighth and once in the ninth. Ryan Hander drew a bases-loaded walk to break the tie in the eighth, before Maddux Baggs drove in a run with a single. Aiden Ladd plated another run in the ninth on a single.

Steiger and Tyler Oliver each finished with two hits for Circus, which meets the Rapid City Diamondbacks at 11 a.m. this morning for the right to advance to this weekend’s final rounds of the state tournament.

Chad Ellingson recorded seven strikeouts for Aberdeen, before being relieved with one out in the eighth.

Renner Monarchs 000 001 021 – 4 9 1

Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar 100 000 000 – 1 7 4

Josh Baumgart, T. Peyton (7) and Dave Borchardt; Chad Ellingson, Gus Steiger (8) and Kelly Coates. 2B – Renner Monarchs, Kyle Gulbrandson; Aberdeen Circus Sports Bar, Steiger. HR – Renner Monarchs, Borchardt.