GROTON – The Aberdeen Smittys exploded for 30 runs in a doubleheader sweep against Groton in American Legion baseball action on Friday. The Smittys won the opener 16-2 and took the second game 14-2.

While the offense was rolling, Aberdeen pitchers did not give up more than one run in any inning against Groton.

“We played well,” said Smittys coach Nathan Gonnelly. “Our pitchers were outstanding. Charlie Phillips, Jared Klootwyk, Jackson Welke and Talan Dutenhoeffer all did a great job of throwing strikes and making their team swing the bat. Not only that, but when they did put the ball in play, our defense was there to make plays.”

Aberdeen’s pitchers definitely had plenty of run support in both games.

The Smittys scored three runs in their first at-bats of the twinbill, two coming across on a Casey Vining triple.

Aberdeen scored eight times in the sixth inning as Vining drove in two more runs. Vining finished the contest with three hits and knocked in four runs.

The Smittys were right back at it in the second game, scoring five runs in each of the third and fourth innings.

Vining and Jaxon Ladner did a bulk of the damage as Vining drove in four more runs, while Ladner plated three.

Ladner got the Smittys going with a two-run double in the top the first inning.

Vining, Ladner, Donnie Soderlund, and Phillips each had two hits for Aberdeen.

“Our offense did phenomenal as well,” Gonnelly said. “We got on base a ton and hit extra-base hits. Overally, it was a great day for us. We played our brand of baseball and it showed.”

Groton received two hits from Brevin Fliehs in game two, including a triple.

The Smittys are scheduled to play at Lake Norden today and at Sioux Falls East on Monday.

Aberdeen Smittys 314 008 – 16 10 3

Groton 010 010 – 2 3 2

Charlie Phillips and Talan Dutenhoeffer; Ryan Groeblinghoff, Colby Dunker (6), Braxton Imrie and Karsten Fliehs. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Cooper Eisenbeisz (2). 3B – Aberdeen Smittys, Casey Vining, Zane Backous.

Aberdeen Smittys 315 50 – 14 9 1

Groton 100 10 – 2 6 4

Jackson Welke, Talan Dutenhoeffer (5) and Zane Backous, Casey Vining (5); Brevin Fliehs and Ryan Groeblinghoff, Nick Morris. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Jaxon Ladner. 3B – Groton, Fliehs.