Roger MerriamWatertown Public Opinion
ABERDEEN — Sioux Falls Lincoln completed a perfect season with another Class AA championship and Watertown closed with a seventh-place victory in the State High School Softball Tournament that concluded on Saturday.
The Class AA all-tourney team included Madison Evans and Keirra Lubovich of Sioux Falls Lincoln; Cora Payne and Madelyn duch*eneaux of Harrisburg; Brooklyn Herrera and Ashleyn Johnson of Sioux Falls Jefferson; Emma Hensley and Ava Brink of Sioux Falls Washington; Bailey Kokesh of Rapid City Stevens; DJ Schoby of Brandon Valley; Jade Lund of Watertown; and Mary Koch of O’Gorman.
Here's highlights from Saturday's games:
Sioux Falls Lincoln 7, Harrisburg 1
Madison Evans doubled and singled and tossed a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts for Lincoln (22-0) in the championship game.
Avery Dorman and Kierra Lubovich each added two hits for the Patriots.
Macy Bryant's double was the lone hit for Harrisburg (20-3).
Sioux Falls Jefferson 8, Sioux Falls Washington 3
Jefferson (18-6) used a five-run uprising in the top of the seventh to rally past Washington (16-5) for third place.
Taylor Duncan, who had three hits, and Ayleah Johnson each hit two-run doubles during the outburst. Tya Devericks fired a four-hitter with eight strikeouts.
Tierney Schramm clubbed two doubles for Washington.
Rapid City Stevens 4, Brandon Valley 3
Bailey Kokesh smakced a pair of homers, Sayde Hunt tallied three hits including two doubles and Lainey Vee fanned 11 batters in seven innings to carry Stevens (15-6) to the consolation championship.
Tenley Rude. who tripled, and Danielle Schoby each had two hits for Brandon Valley (14-7).
Watertown 12, O'Goman 5
The Arrows (12-11) closed out their first sactioned state-tourney appearance by erasing a 5-0 deficit with an 11-run uprising in the top of the fourth.
"We had a slow start today but we made some great adjustments in the fourth inning. Everyone was getting great hits and our fielding stepped up after that," Watertown head coach Kelli Brinka said. "It was the perfect way to end the season.
"This state tournament was so much fun, definitely creating memories that these girls will remember forever. I think this experience brought us closer as a team and the girls really bonded, spending four days together watching softball, playing games in the hotel and just having the time of their lives."
Lauryn Hirsch (home run), Jade Lund (two doubles), Aleia Johnston (double), Kynslee Johnson and Alayna Dettman each finished with two hits for the Arrows. Alexa Brown went the distance on the mound for the win.
"We didn't necessarily have the finish we had hoped for going into the tourney (seventh place), but we played some great softball and I couldn't be more proud of the girls," Brinka added. "Overall, we had a great season. We repeatedly proved we could play with anybody. I'm excited to see all the work the girls put in this offseason and I am looking forward to next year."
Ava Tobin tripled and singled for O'Gorman (11-11).
Here's highlights from Friday's games:
Sioux Falls Lincoln 8, Sioux Falls Jefferson 4
Evans fired a three-hitter with 14 strikeouts and also drove in three runs with two hits to spark Lincoln to the semifinal win.
Paige Stensaas contributed three hits and Payton Dekkers and Sara Mathison each homered for Lincoln. Brooklyn Herrera and Devericks each doubled for Sioux Falls Jefferson.
Harrisburg 13, Sioux Falls Washington 2
Jayci Olson drove in three runs with a homer and single and Madelyn duch*eneaux, Macy Bryant, Hailey Boer and Dessa Bryant each also had two hits for Harrisburg in the semifinal win.
Natalie Thompson's two hits paced Washington.
Brandon Valley 7, Watertown 6
Brandon Valley overcame a 5-1 deficit and won the consolation semifinal on Macy Lembcke's walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh.
Watertown used a four-run fourth to take a 5-1 lead. Brandon Valley tied the game four runs in the fifth. Each team scored a run in the sixth to set the stage for the finish.
Thursday State AA Softball: Harrisburg joins Sioux Falls Washington and Jefferson as opening-round winners
Rude smacked two doubles and Kennedy Fitts two singles for Brandon Valley. Lembcke also earned the win on the mound.
Sarita Stevenson went 3-for-3 with two RBIs for Watertown. Lund, who tripled, and Hirsch each added two hits.
Rapid City Stevens 11, O'Gorman 7
Addie Huck, Nieva Colcheski, Emma Dressler, Hunt and Kokesh each homed for Stevens in the consolation semifinal win.
Tobin, Mary Koch and Atley Herold-Stephens each doubled for O'Gorman.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
