LEGION

Rapid City Post 22 eliminates Legion
(08.07.05) -- Pierre Post 8 concluded its season with a 40-22 mark after being eliminated by Rapid City Post 22 10-1 Saturday afternoon at the State Championship Tournament in Rapid City.
Post 22 scored two in the second, two more in the fourth and another three in the fifth, dominating Post 8 en route to advancing to Sunday's championship round play.
Pierre's only run came in the sixth. With one out, Bret Graves doubled and Tony Rislov singled. Harry Decker's flyout to center plated Graves.
Post 8 did have eight hits, including two by Kyle Kurth. Graves' double was the only extra base hit.
Dan Johson was the losing pitcher, lasting four innings and allowing eight hits. Brian Graves threw 1 2/3 innings of five-hit relief, with Willie Knox finishing out the game on the mound, throw 3 2/3 innings, striking out two and allowing just two runs.
Post 8 ends their season with a 40-22 record and a fourth-place finish at state.
Eight players played their final games for Post 8 Saturday -- Kyle Kurth, Bret Graves, Tony Rislov, Harry Decker, Allen Goodman, Chris Mangan, Dan Johnson and Dylan Dowling.
Five Post 8 players -- Michael Kendall, Mike Fisher, Brian Graves, Chris Pope and Willie Knox -- are eligible to return to Post 8 in 2006.
BOX SCORE: Rapid City Post 22 10, Pierre 1.

Big ninth inning sinks Post 8 against Aberdeen
(08.06.05) -- The first six batters of the top of the ninth all scored for the Aberdeen Post 24 Smittys, giving them a 10-4 victory over Pierre Post 8 in a battle of the last two unbeatens in the State Championship Tournament Friday night at Rapid City's Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium.
Post 8 and Aberdeen were locked in a 4-4 tie before the Smittys drew a walk, singled, another walk, a double and two more singles. In all, Aberdeen scored six runs on five hits, breaking through for the victory.
Post 8 jumped on top early. With one out in the third, Chris Mangan walked, and Kyle Kurth singled. After a Bret Graves sacrifice bunt, Tony Rislov delivered with a two-run double, giving Post 8 the 2-0 advantage.
Aberdeen led off the fourth with back-to-back doubles, cutting the lead in half. They added an unearned run in the fifth, and two more in the sixth to go ahead 4-2.
Mike Fisher brought Pierre back within a run in the sixth, smacking a towering home run over the scoreboard in left-center. Pierre would then tie the game in the seventh.
Allen Goodman led off the frame with a walk, and thanks to a bunt and two wild pitches the game was tied 4-4 after seven innings.
Each team went quietly in the eighth, before Aberdeen finally knocked Kurth from the mound with the big ninth inning.
Kurth lasted eight-plus innings and was saddled with the loss. He scattered eight hits over his outing, while walking three and striking out one. Harry Decker threw to two batters in relief, with Willie Knox getting the last three outs of the game.
Pierre managed just three hits on the night - Fisher's homer, Rislov's double and a Kurth single - while committing four errors.
Post 8, 40-21, will face elimination today when they play the hosts, Rapid City Post 22, at 6 p.m. CDT at Fitzgerald Stadium. The winner would play either Sioux Falls East or Aberdeen tomorrow, while the loser will be eliminated.
BOX SCORE: Aberdeen 10, Pierre 4.

Post 8 topples Sioux Falls East 9-3; draws Aberdeen in semis
(08.05.05) -- Allen Goodman's complete-game seven-hitter led the way to the semifinals of the State Championship Tournament for Pierre, as Post 8 knocked off Sioux Falls East 9-3 Thursday night at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City.
Post 8, 40-20, advances to tonight's final game against the Aberdeen Post 24 Smittys, whom Post 8 has defeated four times. The winner of that game will not only be 3-0, but guarantee themselves a spot in the championship game.
Pierre didn't waste any time pushing runs across, as Kyle Kurth led off the contest with a single and Bret Graves bunted him over. Following a hit-by-pitch and an infield hit to load the bases, Zach Froehlich's wild pitch scored Kurth for a 1-0 Post 8 lead. Brian Graves quickly added another run, hitting a sacrifice fly to center that plated Tony Rislov for a 2-0 Post 8 advantage.
Goodman walked the leadoff batter in the first, but the next batter hit a looping line drive that right fielder Mike Fisher dove for and caught. Fisher was not done, though, alertly throwing the ball to first to double off the runner and set the tone for Pierre's night.
The game remained 2-0 with both pitchers cruising until Rislov hit a one-out single in the fifth. Harry Decker narrowly missed a home run to deep center, tripling in Rislov. A wild pitch then scored Decker, and Pierre's lead was 4-0.
Rislov led off the seventh by being hit for the second time, and Decker followed with a double. Fisher's squeeze bunt gave Post 8 a 5-0 margin.
Sioux Falls East scored two unearned runs in the top of the eighth to get back into the contest, but Post 8 quickly responded.
With runners on the corners and one out, Rislov's slow groundout up the middle yielded a run. East elected to walk Decker and face Fisher, who fouled off two two-strike pitches before hitting a towering fly ball over the left field wall, a three-run home run that sealed the deal on the Post 8 victory.
Goodman threw seven innings of shutout baseball, allowing two unearned runs in the eighth and a solo homerun in the ninth. He walked four and struck out four in tallying up his ninth win of the season.
Decker finished the night 3-for-4 with a double and a triple, scoring twice. Kurth singled twice and Fisher had two hits, including the three-run blast.
The Pierre-Aberdeen contest is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. CDT. Live audio of the game will be available on AM 1240 KCCR, River 92.7 FM or DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 8, SF East 3.
BRACKET: State Championship Tournament Bracket - HTML; PDF

Legion tops Parkston in first round of state
(08.04.05) -- Harry Decker struck out a career-high 11 batters as Pierre Post 8 advanced in the winners' bracket of the State Championship Tournament with a 7-3 victory over B champion Parkston Post 194 Wednesday night at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City.
The start of the game, originally scheduled for approximately 1 p.m. MDT, didn't begin until past 6 p.m. MDT due to heavy rains in the afternoon.
When the two teams finally took the field, Decker and Parkston's Jeremy Wermers both wasted no time in getting through the order, as three innings of scoreless baseball was played in 27 minutes.
Post 8's offense kicked into gear in the fourth, as Bret Graves and Tony Rislov led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Mike Fisher's one-out line drive eluded the center fielder to score a run, then Michael Kendall's looping line drive stayed just inside the third base line for a two-run single and a 3-0 Pierre advantage.
Pierre added two in the fifth, starting with Kyle Kurth's high fly to center that was misplayed, allowing Kurth to get to third. Bret Graves singled him home, and then Tony Rislov scored Graves with a double.
Parkston plated a run in the top of the sixth, but Post 8 came back with one in the bottom of the inning, as Chris Mangan's fielder's choice groundball scored a run.
Post 194 wouldn't die, as they put together a two-out rally in the eighth, scoring two and putting two more runners on before Decker recorded his 11th strikeout to end the threat.
Kurth added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, hitting a high fly ball just fair over the left field wall for a solo home run.
Decker scattered nine hits in the complete game victory, allowing four in the eighth inning. He only walked two batters compared to the career strikeout mark.
Rislov went 3-for-4, with Bret Graves and Kendall each adding two hits for Post 8.
Post 8 will play Sioux Falls East, who defeated Rapid City Post 22 4-3 in a game that ended past 2 a.m. MDT. Post 8 and East will play the final game tonight, beginning at approximately 9 p.m. CDT. Live audio of the game will be available on AM 1240 KCCR, River 92.7 FM or DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 7, Parkston 4.
BRACKET: State Championship Tournament Bracket - HTML; PDF

Legion wins region championship; ten-runs Post 320 Stars
(07.31.05) -- The Pierre Post 8 Legion needed just seven innings to dispose of the Rapid City Post 320 Stars Saturday afternoon, winning the Region 3A championship with a 12-0 victory on Post 320's own home turn, Pete Lien Field.
Kyle Kurth turned in arguably the best pitching performance of the season for Post 8, shutting out the Stars with a five-hitter, allowing just two hits in the first six frames. The last three hits came all in a row after Post 8 already had a 12-0 lead.
Mike Fisher got Pierre on the scoreboard in the second, with a Texas League single to right field to score Harry Decker, putting Post 8 in front 1-0.
Post 8 took control of the game in the fifth, ironically on a baserunning mistake by Fisher. While Decker was running at third, Fisher appeared to be picked off of first. In the ensuing rundown, Decker broke for home, and a high throw allowed him to score and Fisher to get to third. Michael Kendall then struck out, but the ball reached the backstop, allowing Kendall to get to first and Fisher to score. Allen Goodman then smacked an RBI double to left-center, putting Pierre on top 4-0.
Post 8 then put the game away with an eight-run sixth. Goodman hit a run-scoring double to start the inning's scoring, then Bret Graves roped a three-run double that put the contest out of the Stars' reach. Decker added a two-run double and Fisher a run-scoring triple for good measure.
Fisher, Goodman and Bret Graves all had three hits to lead Post 8, and ever Pierre batter reached base.
Post 8, 38-20, will play the Class B representative at approx. 2 p.m. Wednesday in the opening round of the State Championship Tournament in Rapid City. The other matchup in that half of the bracket features Sioux Falls East and Rapid City Post 22.
The tournament, which runs through next Sunday, will be played at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 12, RC Post 320 0.

Legion earns state tourney berth with 8-3 win over Post 320
(07.30.05) -- Pierre Post 8 earned a berth into the State Championship Tournament Friday with an 8-3 victory over the Rapid City Post 320 Stars at the Region 3A Tournament at Rapid City’s Pete Lien Field.
Post 8, 37-20, broke a 1-1 tie with a four-run fifth, highlighted by Michael Kendall’s three-run double off the wall in left field, giving Pierre a lead they would not relinquish.
Harry Decker’s sacrifice fly started the game’s scoring, plating Kyle Kurth for a 1-0 first inning lead.
After the Stars tied it up in the second, the game remained deadlocked until the big fifth inning.
Kurth led off the fifth with a double, and was bunted over to third. The Stars retired Tony Rislov for the second out, but Post 8 was just starting.
Decker singled home Kurth, then Fisher singled and Brian Graves followed with a walk, setting the stage for Kendall’s bases clearing double.
After a Stars run in the fifth, Kurth led off the sixth with a triple and later scored on a Bret Graves basehit.
Post 320 would plate a sixth-inning run, making the score 6-3. The score remained that way until the ninth, when Post 8 added two insurance runs, one on a double steal and one on a Kendall RBI single.
Kendall went 2-for-5 with four RBIs to lead Post 8 at the plate. Kyle Kurth doubled and tripled, and Allen Goodman and Bret Graves each had two hits.
Harry Decker was the winning pitcher, scattering 13 hits over nine innings to earn his sixth victory of the season. Decker struck out four, while walking none.
In fact, in 18 innings of regional play, the Post 8 pitching staff has not walked a batter.
Pierre will play Rapid City Post 320 this afternoon in the championship game of Region 3A. Should Post 8 win, they would be region champs, while if they lose, another game would be needed to decide who represents the region as its’ champion.
Post 8 and Post 320 will play at 2 p.m. CDT today at Pete Lien Field, with the game available on AM 1240 KCCR, River 92.7 FM or DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 8, RC Post 320 3.
BRACKET: Region 3A Tournament Bracket.

Legion defeats Spearfish; one win away from state
(07.29.05) -- Pierre Post 8 scored seven runs in the first four innings and cruised from there, defeating Spearfish Post 164 10-6 in the Region 3A Tournament Thursday night at Pete Lien Field in Rapid City.
Tony Rislov, who went 3-for-5 in the game, started the scoring off with a solo home run in the bottom of the first frame.
Pierre added three more in the second, an infield single by Kyle Kurth and a two-run single by Rislov.
Brian Graves kept things rolling in the third with a solo home run to right center. Two batters later, Allen Goodman drove home a run with a single, giving Post 8 a 6-1 lead after three.
Graves added a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, then Post 8 would score three in the third. Harry Decker had an RBI single, and Graves laid down a squeeze bunt to plate another.
Allen Goodman improved to 8-4 on the season, hurling a complete game. He did scatter 12 hits, but did not walk a batter while striking out six.
While Rislov led Post 8 at the plate, Michael Kendall had two hits and scored twice, and Brian Graves drove in three runs.
In all, seven Post 8 batters had hits, and all nine in the order reached base on the night.
Post 8, 36-20, will advance to the semifinals of the winner's bracket, facing Rapid City Post 320. The Stars advanced by defeating Sturgis Post 33 12-1 in the first game on Thursday. The winner of the contest will advance to the Region 3A championship game and, more importantly, earn a berth in the state tournament. The loser will have to win one more game to earn a berth in state.
Post 8 and Post 320 will play at 3 p.m. CDT today at Pete Lien Field, with the game available on AM 1240 KCCR, River 92.7 FM or DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 10, Spearfish 6.
BRACKET: Region 3A Tournament Bracket.

Legion ends season splitting at Huron
(07.24.05) -- Pierre Post 8 ended its regular season with a split at Huron, dropping game one 14-12 before coasting to a 22-5 win in game two Saturday at Huron Stadium.
Post 8 led 6-0 going into the bottom of the third, when Huron took the lead for good with an eight-run third inning. Pierre got within one-run twice, but could never regain the lead.
Kyle Kurth was the losing pitcher, throwing 3 2/3 innings. Bret Graves continued his hot hand at the plate with a solo home run in the opener, and Tony Rislov homered for the third time in five games.
Pierre wasted no time in going for the split with a ten-run first in game two. Post 8 put up six more in the second and another six in the third, taking the nightcap 22-5 in five innings.
Walks and errors accounted for many of the Pierre runs, but Bret Graves hit a two-run triple and an RBI double. Dylan Dowling smacked a three-run triple and Kyle Kurth also had a two-run double for Post 8.
Brian Graves was the winning pitcher, throwing all five innings.
Post 8 concludes the regular season with a 35-20 mark. They will face the winner of the Belle Fourche-Spearfish matchup Thursday in the Region 3A Tournament at Pete Lien Field in Rapid City.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Huron 14, Pierre 12; Game 2 - Pierre 22, Huron 5.

Legion splits doubleheader at Yankton
(07.23.05) -- Pierre Post 8 rebounded from a 6-3 loss in the opener to defeat Yankton 9-4 and earn a split Friday night at Riverside Stadium.
Post 8 briefly held a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning of the opener, but Post 12 scored two in the bottom of the frame, and two more in the fifth and sixth each, holding off a Pierre rally.
Brian Graves hit an RBI single in the fourth, with a throwing error scoring the other Pierre run. Tony Rislov hit a solo home run in the sixth for the final Post 8 run.
Harry Decker tossed a complete game but was saddled with the loss.
In game two, each team scored four runs in the first, but Pierre shutout Yankton the rest of the way, claiming a 9-4 victory.
Bret Graves had a spectacular day at the plate, hitting four doubles. His brother Brian had an RBI triple. Dan Johnson was the winning pitcher.
Post 8, 34-19, will end the regular season today in Huron against Post 7. Game time is 5 p.m. at Huron Stadium.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Yankton 6, Pierre 3; Game 2 - Pierre 9, Yankton 4.

Legion falls to Split Squad, knocks off Post 22 Varsity
(07.21.05) -- Pierre Post 8 saw the ups and downs in Rapid City Wednesday afternoon, dropping a 6-5 decision to the Rapid City Split Squad before defeating Post 22 10-8 at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium.
In the matchup with the Split Squad, Post 8 dug themselves a 6-0 hole after four innings. Pierre made it interesting, scoring two in the fifth and three in the sixth, but couldn't pull it out, losing the one-run affair.
Allen Goodman hit a two-run double for the runs in the fifth, and Tony Rislov smacked his third home run of the season, a three-run blast, to cut the margin to one, but Pierre would not get any closer.
Mike Fisher singled and doubled, and Kyle Kurth and Chris Pope each added two hits. Willie Knox threw five innings and was saddled with the loss.
Post 8 rebounded in excellent fashion, fighting through a rough start to knock off Rapid City Post 22 10-8.
Brian Graves hit two home runs, a solo shot in the second and a two-run blast in the fourth, and Mike Fisher chimed in with a solo homer of his own in the fourth.
Fisher came up with the biggest hit of the day in the seventh, however, as he slapped a single through the middle, scoring two runs and giving Post 8 the lead.
Pierre trailed 7-6 going into the seventh, and put up a four spot. Post 22 loaded the bases with none out in the seventh, but could muster only one run.
Rislov added two hits, and Bret Graves and Kurth each doubled. Goodman tossed a complete game, scattering 12 hits in the win.
Post 8 is now 33-18. They will be in Yankton Saturday for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - RC Split Squad 6, Pierre 5; Game 2 - RC Post 22 10, Pierre 8.

Rapid City Post 22 hands Legion third straight defeat
(07.20.05) -- Rapid City Post 22 needed just five innings to defeat Pierre Post 8 12-2 Tuesday night at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City.
Post 8 scored first, capitalizing on a Post 22 error. Tony Rislov's sacrifice fly to right scored Kyle Kurth, who led off the game by reaching on a miscue, to give Pierre the lead.
Post 22 put up three in the bottom of the first, but Post 8 hung tough. Chris Mangan's groundball to second plated Mike Fisher, putting the score at 3-2.
The perennial powers from Rapid City made it 4-2 in the second, but broke the game open with a five-run third inning, and cruised the rest of the way, adding two in the fourth and the decisive run in the fifth.
Post 8 had just three hits - singles by Harry Decker, Kurth and Brian Graves. Kurth threw the entire game and was saddled with the loss.
Pierre is in the midst of a three-game losing skid, just the third time this year Pierre has lost consecutive games. After falling to Post 22, their record sits at 32-17.
Pierre was scheduled to play the Post 22 Split Squad before their game with Post 22, but due to a scheduling mixup, Pierre only played the Post 22 Varsity.
Post 8 will, however, play both squads today. First they will take on the Split Squad at 11:30 a.m. CDT, then they will play Post 22's Varsity at 2 p.m. River 92.7 will broadcast the Post 8-Post 22 contest, with air time scheduled for 1:48 p.m.
BOX SCORE: RC Post 22 12, Pierre 2.

Brookings returns favor, sweeps Legion
(07.15.05) -- The Brookings Post 74 Bandits did to Post 8 what was done unto them a day previous, sweeping Pierre's Legion 12-6 and 4-3 Thursday in Pierre's home finale at Hyde Stadium.
Post 8 couldn't hold on to a 6-3 lead, as the Bandits scored nine runs in the final two frames to rally for a 12-6 victory.
Harry Decker, back in the lineup after missing four games with a back injury, led Post 8 at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, driving in four runs. Pierre's other runs came on a two-run triple from Mike Fisher.
Michael Kendall threw 5 2/3 innings and was saddled with the loss despite allowing just three earned runs.
In game two, Brookings scored three third-inning runs, and held off Post 8 for a 4-3 win. Again, unearned runs proved costly, as two of the four Bandit runs were not earned.
Post 8 managed just four hits, two in the first innings. Trailing 4-1 in the seventh, Kyle Kurth had his second hit of the game, a two-run home run to left, but Pierre could get no closer.
Allen Goodman tossed a complete game, allowing seven hits in a losing effort.
Post 8, 32-16, will be off until Tuesday and Wednesday, when they venture out west to take on Rapid City Post 22. Pierre will play the Split Squad the early game each night, and Post 22 the late game.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Brookings 12, Pierre 6; Game 2 - Brookings 4, Pierre 3.

Legion sweeps Brookings
(07.14.05) -- The Pierre Post 8 Legion swept day one of a two-day, four-game series with the Brookings Post 74 Bandits, taking Wednesday night's games 9-8 and 13-3 at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
Post 8 broke open a 2-2 tie with seven in the sixth inning, then held off a Brookings rally to take the game one victory.
Kyle Kurth had three hits, and Brian Graves and Bret Graves each had two hits apiece. Kurth got the save in relief, with Dan Johnson throwing six-plus innings for the win.
Game two was easier, as Post 8 used a four-run third and seven-run fifth to take a 13-3 five-inning win.
Mike Fisher hit his sixth home run of the season, and also tripled, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Tony Rislov added a pair of hits, including an RBI double, for Post 8.
Kurth, who got the save in the opener, tossed all five innings for the win in the nightcap. He held the Bandits to four hits, striking out four.
Post 8 improved to 32-14 with the sweep. They end the home portion of their schedule today, hosting Brookings in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Hyde Stadium.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 9, Brookings 8; Game 2 - Pierre 13, Brookings 3.

Legion draws split at Spearfish
(07.13.05) -- Pierre Post 8's Legion dominated Spearfish in game one, but four big errors led to six unearned runs as Post 164 and Post 8 split a doubleheader Tuesday night at Spearfish's Black Hills Fibercom Stadium.
Pierre won the opener in six innings, 14-4, while Spearfish took the nightcap 8-3.
Post 8 scored five first-inning runs, then added seven more in the second, riding the wave to the six-inning victory. Willie Knox was the winning pitcher.
Allen Goodman got Post 8 rolling offensively, smacking a three-run homer off the left-field scoreboard in the first. Bret Graves added some of his own power, hitting a solo blast in the sixth.
In game two, errors proved very costly. Brian Graves tossed a complete game, allowing just two earned runs in an 8-3 defeat.
Spearfish scored three runs, one earned, in the first, and four unearned runs in the second, putting Post 8 in a hole they couldn't climb out of.
Post 8's record now stands at 30-14. They will host Brookings for a four-game set, their final homestand of the season, beginning tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Hyde Stadium. Game one will be broadcast on 1240 KCCR, with an air time of 5:18.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 14, Spearfish 4; Game 2 - Spearfish 8, Pierre 3.

Legion rallies to defeat RC Split Squad, win Koester Tourney
(07.11.05) -- Chris Pope's RBI single to center capped a three-run sixth inning rally, as Pierre Post 8 defeated the Rapid City Post 22 Split Squad 3-2 Sunday to win the 16th Annual Doug Koester Memorial Tournament at Hyde Stadium.
The game was scoreless through five innings before Rapid City plated two runs in the top half of the sixth. Post 8 rallied for three and held off the Split Squad to claim the fourth Koester title in team history.
Trailing 2-0 with one out in the sixth, Tony Rislov singled, and Harry Decker was hit by a pitch. Bret Graves then pounded out his third hit of the game, and RBI single, to bring the score to 2-1. Mike Fisher wasted no time in chipping in himself, smoking a double into the left field corner, scoring Decker to tie the contest at 2-2.
After a pitching change it was time for Pope's heroics. Pope hit a line drive into center field that allowed Graves to score, giving Pierre the winning run.
Post 8 had just seven hits, with Graves getting three. Decker was the winning pitcher, scattering seven hits while striking out seven.
Pierre improved to 29-13 with the victory. They visit Spearfish Tuesday night, game time is slated for 6 p.m. CDT at Black Hills Fibercom Stadium.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 3, RC Split Squad 2.

Legion split two in Koester; advance to championship
(07.10.05) -- Pierre Post 8 split their two games in the 16th Annual Doug Koester Memorial Tournament, defeating Valley Springs 9-1 before falling to the Rapid City Split Squad 6-4 Saturday night at Hyde Stadium.
Post 8 won't have to wait long for redemption against the Split Squad, as the two teams square off for the tournament championship this afternoon at 4 p.m.
Pierre didn't waste any time with Valley Springs, scoring five first-inning runs en route to a six-inning victory.
Kyle Kurth ahd three hits, including a double, and Brian Graves had two hits for Post 8. Kurth went the distance on the mound, striking out four while not allowing an earned run.
In Pierre's second game, Post 8 scored a pair of unearned runs in the third inning, but Carey Klapperich's three-run double in the fourth gave Rapid City a lead it would not relinquish.
The Split Squad plated three more runs in the seventh off starter Allen Goodman, going ahead 6-2. Pierre came back with two and had the tying run on base before a strikeout ended the game.
Post 8 managed just two hits through the first six innings. Tony Rislov had a two-run double in the seventh frame, and Kurth doubled earlier in the inning.
After the split, Post 8 sits at 28-13. They will look to win their fourth Koester Tournament title, and first in three years, this afternoon.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 9, Valley Springs 1; Game 2 - RC Split Squad 6, Pierre 4.

Legion opens Koester with win over Huron
(07.09.05) -- Dan Johnson tossed a five-hitter, leading Pierre Post 8 to a 5-3 victory over the Huron Post 7 Orioles Friday in the 16th Annual Doug Koester Memorial Tournament at Hyde Stadium.
Johnson retired the first nine batters in order, taking a perfect game into the fourth. He struck out the side twice, recording nine K's in all.
Post 8 scored in the second and fourth, and Huron responded with two in the fifth. Tied at two, Harry Decker laced a run-scoring single to right-center, giving Post 8 a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Chris Pope went 2-for-3 with an RBI double to lead Post 8 at the plate. Mike Fisher had a hit and two RBIs and Chris Mangan added a sacrifice fly.
Post 8, 27-12, will play the final two games of the Koester Tournament's second day tonight. First, a 5:30 p.m. matchup with Valley Springs, followed by an 8 p.m. showdown with the Rapid City Split Squad.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 5, Huron 3.

Legion splits with Mitchell
(07.06.05) -- Pierre Post 8 narrowly escaped being no-hit, but could not escape a loss in game two at Mitchell, splitting with Post 18 Tuesday night at Cadwell Park.
Pierre won the opener, 7-4, then dropped the nitecap 4-2.
In game one, Post 8 scored two first-inning runs and led the rest of the way. Harry Decker was the winning pitcher.
Kyle Kurth broke the game open in the fifth with a two-run triple. Tony Rislov had a run-scoring single, and Mike Fisher had a pair of hits, along with a sacrifice bunt, for Pierre.
In game two, Chris Mangan's two-out single in the seventh was the only hit Post 8 registered in a 4-2 loss.
Mitchell scored three in the opening two frames, and Post 8 could not catch up. Willie Knox was charged with the loss.
Post 8, 26-12, will take two days off before hosting the 16th Annual Doug Koester Memorial Tournament Friday thru Sunday at Hyde Stadium.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 7, Mitchell 4; Game 2 - Mitchell 4, Pierre 2.

Legion tops Glendive, Mont; goes 4-2 at Jablonski
(07.04.05) -- Pierre Post 8 won their final four games of the Terry Jablonski Wood Bat Classic, finishing off the weekend with a 5-1 victory over Glendive, Mont. Sunday afternoon at Dickinson, N.D.
Each team scored early, and with the game tied at 1-1 in the fifth, Post 8 broke it open with four runs. Brian Graves smacked a two-run double to the left-center field fence, Harry Decker hit a run-scoring single, and an errant pickoff throw plated Pierre's four runs.
Dan Johnson did the rest on the mound, as he threw a complete game four-hitter to earn the win. Johnson did not allow an earned run or walk a batter while striking out three.
Decker ended the day with two hits. Mike Fisher had an RBI single in the second for Post 8's first run.
Pierre ended the tournament 4-2. They allowed just two runs in the final four games after dropping their first two decisions on Thursday.
Post 8 improved to 25-11 on the weekend. They will travel to Mitchell Tuesday to play Post 18 before hosting the 16th Annual Doug Koester Memorial Tournament July 8-10. Game time in Mitchell is 5:30, and you can listen to game on on River 92.7. Coverage begins at 5:18, and is also available online at DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 5, Glendive, Mont. 1.

Legion defeats Moose Jaw at Jablonski
(07.03.05) -- Pierre Post 8 improved to 3-2 at the Terry Jablonski Wood Bat Classic, defeating Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Memorial Park in Dickinson, N.D.
Allen Goodman spearheaded a Pierre team that had just four hits by tossing a complete game two-hitter, striking out ten. He walked one batter and hit another.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the fourth, Post 8 scored three unearned runs in the bottom half of the frame, and never looked back.
Pierre scored first on a squeeze play to tie the game 1-1, then Tony Rislov broke the tie with a two-run single to score the winning runs.
Kyle Kurth, Harry Decker and Goodman as Post 8's other three hits.
Pierre improved to 24-11 with the victory. They will finish up play in the Jablonski with a 12:15 matinee against Glendive, Mont.
BOX SCORE: Pierre 3, Moose Jaw, Sask. 1.

Region 3A Legion pairings announced
(07.02.05) -- Pierre Post 8 may have won two games on Friday, but their greatest win was the draw they received in the 2005 Region 3A Tournament, to be held July 27-30 at Pete Lien Field in Rapid City.
Post 8 will draw a bye in the tournament, the best draw of anyone in the five-team event. Pierre will play game three of the tournament on Thursday, July 28, at 5:30 p.m. Mountain versus the winner of Belle Fourche and Spearfish.
The opening game between Belle and Spearfish will be Wednesday night at 7:30 MDT. Sturgis and Rapid City Post 320 will then play on Thursday at 2 p.m., preceeding Post 8's first game.
Should Post 8 win their opening game, they would play at 2 p.m. on July 29, and a win there would put them in the Region 3A Title game, and more importantly gain them a berth in the State Championship Tournament.
Rapid City Post 22 is the host of this year's state tournament, so they are exempt from the region. The Region 3A Champion will play the B Champion in the first round of state, while the Region 3A runners up play the runners up from Region 1A (Huron, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Aurora). Region 2A consists of Sioux Falls West, Sioux Falls East, Yankton, Mitchell and Valley Springs.
BRACKET: Region 3A Bracket

Legion wins two shutouts in Dickinson
(07.02.05) – The Pierre Post 8 Legion rebounded from an 0-2 performance in the opening day of the Terry Jablonski Wood Bat Classic, outscoring their opponents 14-0 in two wins Friday at Memorial Park in Dickinson, N.D.
Post won their first game Friday by defeating the Rapid City Split Squad 6-0.
Kyle Kurth tossed a four-hitter, striking out four in leading Pierre to the win. Tony Rislov had a pair of hits, including a two-run double, and Michael Kendall had a run-scoring double.
Post 8 took control of the game with a four-run third inning.
Their second game Friday was an 8-0, five-inning victory over Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
Kendall allowed just three hits in five innings on the hill, gaining his second win of the season.
Pierre scored four runs in the first inning, and dominated from there. Rislov had a single and a double, Mike Fisher had two hits and two RBIs, and Bret Graves hit a two-run single.
Post 8, 23-11, will play Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Dickinson.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 6, Rapid City Split Squad 0; Game 2 - Pierre 8, Weyburn, Sask. 0.

Legion 0-2 in day one of Jablonski
(07.01.05) – Pierre Post 8 lost two games in a day for just the second time this season, dropping their first two contests of the Terry Jablonski Wood Bat Classic at Memorial Stadium in Dickinson, N.D.
Dickinson, N.D. defeated Pierre 7-2 in the opener, then Tri-City Red (Minn.) dominated Post 8 9-1 in six innings.
In the opener, Dickinson scored four unearned runs in the first frame, taking a 5-0 lead after two innings en route to a 7-1 win.
Brian Graves and Michael Kendall each had RBI singles in the game. Tony Rislov and Kyle Kurth also had hits, as Post 8 had just four.
Harry Decker threw two innings, allowing just one earned run in the loss. Brian Graves threw four innings of excellent relief, striking out the side in the third.
Post 8’s offensive struggles continued in game two, as they managed just three hits – none until the fifth – in dropping a 9-1 decision to Tri-City Red.
Decker doubled, and Kurth and Rislov singled for Pierre’s hits. Willie Knox was the losing pitcher, throwing all six innings.
Pierre (21-11) will play the Rapid City Split Squad at 9:30 a.m. CDT, then take on Weyburn, Saskatchewan at 4:15 p.m. The late game will be broadcast on River 92.7 and DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Dickinson, ND 7, Pierre 2; Game 2 - Tri-City Red (Minn.) 9, Pierre 1.

Legion, Coon Rapids split one-run games
(06.29.05) – Pierre Post 8 split a doubleheader with Coon Rapids, Minn. Tuesday evening, winning the opener and losing the nitecap by identical 6-5 scores at Hyde Stadium.
Coon Rapids pushed three runs across in the third, and led 5-2 heading into the seventh, when the heroics began.
Following three singles and a strikeout, Tony Rislov singled, his fourth hit of the game, to bring the score to 5-4. Following a groundout, Bret Graves smacked a two-run double to the gap in left-center, scoring the tying and winning runs.
Pierre had 12 hits, five in the final frame. Rislov went 4-for-4, including a double and two triples. Brian Graves and Kyle Kurth each chipped in with two hits. Allen Goodman was the pitcher of record, throwing all seven innings.
In the finale, it was Coon Rapids who rallied from a 5-2 deficit. They scored three in the sixth, then pushed across the winning run in the seventh.
Brian Graves had an RBI single in the opening frame for Pierre, with Rislov and Michael Kendall driving in runs with singles in the fourth. Harry Decker grounded out to score another run, and a fourth run came home when the ball was misplayed.
Dan Johnson was the losing pitcher, allowing 10 hits in the defeat.
The Post 8 Legion, 21-9 on the season, will have today off before heading for Dickinson, N.D. and the third annual Terry Jablonski Wood Bat Classic.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 6, Coon Rapids 5; Game 2 - Coon Rapids 6, Pierre 5.

Legion beats up on Valley Springs
(06.27.05) -- Pierre Post 8 swept Valley Springs Post 131 on Sunday, winning three games of the four-game weekend series, defeating Valley Springs 15-8 and 22-1 at Valley Springs Park.
Post 8 never trailed after leadoff batter Kyle Kurth started the game with a home run. Later in the first inning, Mike Fisher hit a grand slam, putting Pierre ahead 5-0.
Up 8-0, Valley Springs rallied, and it was 8-5 heading to the sixth. Each team scored three in the sixth frame, and Valley Springs had two more men on when Fisher struck again, this time with his glove. Fisher reached over the left field fence to bring back in a potential game-tying homer, and Post 8 scored four in the seventh to seal the deal.
Harry Decker also homered in the opener, a two-run shot in the second. Tony Rislov had four hits, three doubles, and Kurth chipped in with three hits. Kurth was the winning pitcher, throwing four innings, with Brian Graves throwing two for the save.
Game two was a whitewash, as Pierre won in three 22-1.
Rislov hit two home runs - a solo shot in the second and a three-run blast in the third - and Fisher added his second homer of the day, the fifth of the season. Decker went 3-for-3 with a double in the contest.
Michael Kendall was the winning pitcher, allowing just two hits.
With the Sunday sweep, Post 8 improved to 20-8. Pierre will host Coon Rapids, Minn. Tuesday night before heading north to participate in the Terry Jablonski Wood Bat Classic next weekend in Dickinson, N.D.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 15, Valley Springs 8; Game 2 - Pierre 22, Valley Springs 1.

Legion, Valley Springs split first two of four
(06.26.05) -- Pierre Post 8's Legion bounced back from a 4-1 defeat in game one to beat Valley Springs 12-1 in five innings and earn a split in the opening two games of a four-game series Saturday afternoon at Valley Springs Park.
Post 8 managed just four hits in the opener: two hits by Kyle Kurth, a single by Harry Decker, and an RBI single by Chris Pope.
Decker was the losing pitcher, allowing six hits in six innings. Valley Springs strung together four of their hits in the fifth innings, scoring three runs to open up a 4-0 lead.
In game two, Pierre had six-run outbursts in the second and fifth, holding on for a 12-1 win. Willie Knox allowed five hits, striking out four without walking a batter in the victory.
Tony Rislov singled and doubled, driving in three runs to lead the Post 8 offense. In all, eight of the nine batters in the order had hits, and all nine reached base safely.
Pierre, 18-8, will again do battle with Valley Springs this afternoon in a noon doubleheader. Game one will be broadcast on River 92.7 FM.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Valley Springs 4, Pierre 1; Game 2 - Pierre 12, Valley Springs 1.

Legion sweeps Aberdeen
(06.24.05) -- Pierre Post 8 improved to 17-7 on the season by sweeping a doubleheader from the Aberdeen Post 24 Smittys Thursday night at Hyde Stadium.
Pierre took the opener 7-3, then won game two 9-6, winning all four games of the regular season series from the Smittys.
Allen Goodman went the distance on the mound for Pierre, as Post 8 rallied from a 2-0 first inning deficit for the opening game win. Harry Decker hit a two-run homer to spark Pierre.
In game two, Dan Johnson went 6 2/3 innings for the victory on the hill, with Decker drawing a comebacker for the last out of the game and a save.
Post 8 will travel to Valley Springs this weekend for a four-game set with Post 131. Game times are 5 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday, with the opener each day broadcast on River 92.7 or DakotaRadioGroup.com.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 7, Aberdeen 3; Game 2 - Pierre 9, Aberdeen 6.

Legion breezes in sweep of Huron
(06.22.05) -- Pierre Post 8 outhit the Huron Post 7 Orioles 20-6, sweeping a doubleheader Wednesday night, by scores of 12-2 and 10-0, at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
Neither game went the distance, as game one lasted just five innings, and game two went six.
Moreso than the hitting for Post 8, the pitching was the story. Kyle Cichos made his Legion debut in the opener, allowing just three hits in six innings for the win. Kyle Kurth and Brian Graves combined for a three-hitter in the nitecap, with Graves throwing the last four and earning the win. He struck out seven, allowing just one hit.
Kurth had a spectacular day at the plate, starting with a 3-for-3 opener, including two RBI triples. Michael Kendall added a pair of hits, one an RBI double, for Post 8.
Kurth, who reached base in all eight plate appearances on the night, had two hits again in the second game. Tony Rislov chipped in with two singles, and Harry Decker knocked a two-run triple to right center, ending the game via the ten run rule.
Pierre improved to 15-7 with the sweep, but face a tougher task tonight, playing host to the Aberdeen Post 24 Smittys. First pich at Hyde is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 12, Huron 2; Game 2 - Pierre 10, Huron 0.

Legion eliminated from Milt Simons in 11 innings
(06.19.05) -- After defeating Omaha (Neb.) North 7-0 earlier on Saturday, Post 8 and Omaha (Neb.) Central needed 11 innings before a Pierre error led to an Omaha win and a 3-2 victory, eliminating Post 8 from competition at the Milt Simons Tournament in Sioux Falls.
Allen Goodman tossed a four-hitter, walking three in seven innings against Omaha North. The Post 8 defense aided Goodman by turning five double plays, keeping Omaha off the scoreboard.
Michael Kendall was 3-for- with a double, and five other players each had a hit as Post 8 scored three in the second, one in the third, and three more in the sixth.
In the Omaha Central game, Pierre took a 1-0 lead in the second on an error. After Omaha tied it in the fifth, the game remained tied into the eighth. Post 8 scored on a wild pitch in the top half of the frame, and then Harry Decker temporarily held Omaha off of it by throwing out a runner from right field at the plate. Omaha eventually did tie the game that inning, and scored in the 11th on a Post 8 throwing error.
Dan Johnson threw eight innings for Post 8, allowing just two runs. He only struck out two batters, but both were to end innings with runners aboard. After Goodman threw the 9th and 10th, Brian Graves got the loss in the 11th.
Post 8 is now 13-7, and has a busy week ahead. They will host 5:30 p.m. doubleheaders Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week, starting with Rapid City Post 320 Tuesday night at Hyde.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 7, Omaha (Neb.) North 0; Game 2 - Omaha (Neb.) Central 3, Pierre 2.

Legion splits in first day of Milt Simons Tourney
(06.18.05) -- Pierre Post 8 rebounded from a 2-1 loss to Burnsville, Minn. Friday afternoon to defeat Yankton 12-8, going 1-1 in day one of the Milt Simons Memorial Tournament at Sioux Falls' Harmondon Baseball Complex.
The first game was a pitchers' dual, with Burnsville scoring in the second for a 1-0 lead. Harry Decker's RBI single in the fourth tied the game at 1-1, but Burnsville would rally for a run in the sixth and hang on for the 2-1 victory. Decker had one of three Pierre hits, with Kyle Kurth and Allen Goodman also adding singles.
Decker was the pitcher of record, throwing a complete game. Decker allowed just five hits, striking out five in the loss.
Post 8 bounced back by jumping out to a 7-1 lead after two innings, hanging on for a 12-8 win over Yankton Post 12.
Decker had a spectacular day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a two-run homer in the first and adding an RBI double in the second. Tony Rislov had two hits, an RBI double in the first and a run-scoring single in the second. Kurth and Goodman also had two hits apiece, and Bret Graves had an RBI double.
Willie Knox was the winning pitcher, throwing all seven innings while striking out three.
Post 8, 12-6, will play Omaha, Neb. at noon Saturday before entering championship round play later on Saturday.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Burnsville, Minn. 2, Pierre 1; Game 2 - Pierre 12, Yankton 8.

Post 8 Legion sweeps Watertown
(06.15.05) -- Pierre Post 8 swept a doubleheader for the fourth time this season, defeating Watertown Post 17 5-2 and 4-2 Tuesday night in the debut of the renovated Watertown Stadium.
A brand new infield was installed at the Stadium, and the project was finished up Monday in time for the doubleheader.
In game one, Pierre smacked ten hits, and got another great outing from Allen Goodman. Goodman threw a four-hitter, striking out four. Mike Fisher led the offensive assault for Pierre, hitting his third homer, a solo shot to left, to put Pierre ahead 1-0 in the third. Tony Rislov doubled in the fourth, and scored on Bret Graves' single, giving Post 8 a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Michael Kendall added a two-run single in the fifth, and Rislov chipped in with a run-scoring single in the seventh.
Game two saw Post 8 win in almost the exact opposite way -- Pierre had just four hits, but three resulted in runs. Goodman drew a bases loaded walk in the first to get Pierre a 1-0 advantage. Post 17 tied the game in the second, and it remained 1-1 into the sixth. With the bases loaded again, Bret Graves came through with a two-RBI single to put Post 8 on top. Harry Decker added a sacrifice fly in the seventh, and Watertown pushed one across in the last frame before running out of outs.
Dan Johnson threw a complete game to earn the victory. He allowed nine hits, but escaped a couple of jams with double plays and had three big strikeouts.
Post 8, 11-5 on the year, will have two off days before participating in the Milt Simons Memorial Tournament in Sioux Falls.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 5, Watertown 2; Game 2 - Pierre 4, Watertown 2.

Legion sweeps Smittys in Aberdeen
(06.13.05) -- Pierre Post 8 entered Fossum Field as underdogs to the 9-1 Aberdeen Smittys, and left the Hub City with a sweep, defeating Aberdeen 3-0 and 8-2 Sunday afternoon.
Harry Decker and Willie Knox each turned in complete games on the mound. Decker allowed four hits in a shutout in the opener, while Knox scattered eight hits while striking out six in game two.
Post 8 took an early lead in game one with two second-inning runs. Kyle Kurth had a sacrifice fly, and Michael Kendall laid down a suicide squeeze bunt for runs. Decker came home in the seventh on an error for the other Pierre run.
Post 8 managed just six hits, two from Allen Goodman, including a double. Tony Rislov, Mike Fisher, Chris Pope and Chris Mangan all singled for Pierre.
In the nitecap, Pierre rallied from a 2-1 deficit with four fifth inning runs, and put the game away with three in the seventh for an 8-2 victory. Decker was 4-for-4 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs. Bret Graves added three hits, driving in four of the Post 8 runs. Kurth chipped in with two hits as well in the win.
Pierre improved to 9-5 on the year with their third sweep of the season. They host Spearfish Monday, a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader at Hyde Stadium.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 3, Aberdeen 0; Game 2 - Pierre 8, Aberdeen 2.

Legion splits with Rapid City Post 320
(06.11.05) -- Pierre Post 8 split a twinbill with Rapid City Post 320 Friday night, winning the opener 9-5 before dropping the nitecap 10-9, at Pete Lien Field in Rapid City.
In game one, Post 8 broke open a 5-5 tie with two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. Allen Goodman went the distance on the mound, allowing six hits. He retired nine of the final ten batters he faced.
Mike Fisher and Kyle Kurth each had three hits in the win, with Bret Graves adding two doubles and Michael Kendall two singles.
In the finale, Post 8 rallied from an 8-5 deficit to score four seventh inning runs, only to fall victim to Ben Krush's two-run home run in the bottom half of the frame for a 10-9 Post 320 win.
Goodman hit his third homer of the year, a two-run blast, in the four-run seventh. Kurth added a sacrifice fly and Kendall had a run-scoring single in the frame. In fall, six Post 8 batters had two hits: Chris Mangan, Harry Decker, Tony Rislov, Goodman, Kendall and Kurth.
Dan Johnson threw five innings, striking out six. Brian Graves got the loss, throwing the sixth and facing two batters in the seventh.
Post 8, 7-5 on the year, will visit Aberdeen Sunday to take on the Post 24 Smittys. Game time is 2 p.m., with game one being broadcast on River 92.7.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 9, RC Post 320 5; Game 2 - RC Post 320 10, Pierre 9.

Legion dominates Mitchell in sweep
(06.09.05) -- It took just nine innings for Pierre Post 8 to secure a sweep of Mitchell Post 18 Wednesday night at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
Post 8 won the opener 15-5 in five innings, then took the nitecap 15-0 in four.
In the opener, Allen Goodman led the Post 8 attack with his second home run of the year, a grand slam. Harry Decker added a three-run triple, and Brian Bumann and Michael Kendall had three hit nights. Willie Knox struck out five, and induced nine more groundball outs, en route to his second win of the year.
Game two saw Post 8 score 13 runs with two outs in the fourth to secure the 15-0 victory. Goodman hit a two-run double in the second, and Post 8 held a 2-0 lead heading into the fourth.
Pierre sent 18 men to the plate in the fatal fourth. Chris Pope had an RBI double his first time up, and then outdid himself with a three-run triple later in the frame. Tony Rislov had a two-run single, and Brian Bumann, Mike Fisher and Goodman all negotiated run-scoring walks in the inning.
With the sweep, Post 8 ends their season opening homestand at 6-4. Pierre will make their first stop on the road Friday, traveling to Rapid City to take on the Post 320 Stars. Game time is 6:30 p.m. CDT at Pete Lien Field. River 92.7 FM will broadcast game one, with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 15, Mitchell 5 ; Game 2 - Pierre 15, Mitchell 0.

Yankton sweeps Legion
(06.07.05) -- Yankton Post 12 swept a doubleheader from Pierre Post 8, 8-7 and 7-2, Monday night at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
In the opener, Yankton survived three Post 8 home runs, hanging on for a one-run victory.
Mike Fisher started the scoring for Post 8 in the second, hitting a two-run homer to right center. The lead did not last long, however, as Yankton put up five in the third, and three more in the fourth for an 8-2 advantage.
Pierre rallied with four in the fourth. Bret Graves smacked a three-run home run to left field, and Chris Mangan hit a sacrifice fly to cut the Yankton margin to two.
Fisher then led off the seventh with his second blast of the day, this time a solo shot to center, to get Pierre within 8-7. With one out, Mangan was hit by a pitch, then Kyle Kurth hit a double to the right field corner. Mangan was thrown out trying to score, and Yankton got the last out for a one-run victory.
Fisher had three hits in the game, with Graves adding two, and both had three RBIs. Allen Goodman was the losing pitcher, allowing eight runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, dropping to 0-2.
In the nitecap, Post 8 left the bases loaded four times, as Yankton pounded out 12 hits in a 7-1 win.
Yankton scored four in the first two innings, and cruised to the win, despite Post 8 opportunities. With the bases loaded in the second, Goodman was hit by a pitch to score a run, and Brian Graves' sacrifice fly scored the other Pierre run.
Dan Johnson got the loss, striking out eight in six innings of work.
Post 8, now 4-4, will end their long homestand on Wednesday, hosting Mitchell. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Hyde.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Yankton 8, Pierre 7; Game 2 - Yankton 7, Pierre 2.

Legion, Sturgis rained out
(06.05.05) -- The nine-inning contest scheduled for Saturday between Sturgis Post 33 and Pierre Post 8 was cancelled because of rain.
The game is not likely to be made up. The two teams do not play again this season, although they could meet up in the Region 3A Tournament in July.
Post 8 will be in action Monday, hosting Yankton Post 12. Game time is 5:30, with game one broadcast on KCCR.

Legion sweeps Sturgis
(06.04.05) -- Pierre Post 8 improved to 4-2 on the young season, sweeping Sturgis Post 33 Friday night at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
Post 8 won the opener in five innings, 10-0. Harry Decker was the winning pitcher, allowing one hit and walking one, throwing 46 pitches.
Pierre led 1-0 after one, and broke it open with four in the third, three in the fourth, and the final two in the fifth. Allen Goodman provided the offensive highlight for the night, hitting a two-run homer to left. Michael Kendall went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Decker helped himself at the plate with two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs.
In the nitecap, Post 8 fought off Sturgis for a 6-2 victory behind the pitching of Willie Knox.
Knox went the distance for Pierre, striking out nine while allowing just four hits. Sturgis' two runs came on Jake Duprel's two-run homer in the fourth, after the leadoff man reached on an error.
For Post 8, Decker had two sacrifice flies, while Kendall had two hits. Tony Rislov tripled, and Chris Pope and Mike Fisher each doubled. Post 8, 4-2 on the year, will wrap up a three-game set with Sturgis Saturday, hosting the Titans in a nine-inning contest, beginning at 1 p.m. at Hyde.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 10, Sturgis 0; Game 2 - Pierre 6, Sturgis 2.

Legion splits with Watertown
(06.02.05) -- Pierre Post 8 and Watertown Post 17 each grabbed a victory in a pair of pitching duals Wednesday night at Hyde Stadium in Pierre.
Watertown won the opener, 5-1, scoring all five runs in the final two innings. Pierre took a 3-2 decision in the finale.
Post 8 scored first in the opener, as Kyle Kurth led off the fifth with a triple. The relay throw went into the dugout, and Kurth scored what turned out to be the only Post 8 run. Watertown pushed across two six inning runs, then three unearned runs in the seventh off Kurth, who got the loss despite scattering just six hits in a complete game. Kurth was 3-for-3 and Tony Rislov had a pair of hits for Pierre.
In the nitecap, Pierre rallied twice, the second time scoring two in the bottom of the seventh for the win. After falling behind 1-0, Harry Decker singled, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on Allen Goodman's sacrifice fly.
Each man came up big in the seventh as well, with Decker doubling home the tying run and Goodman smacking a bases loaded, one-out flyball to deep center for a game-winning RBI single.
Dan Johnson allowed just four hits, striking out seven in the complete-game victory. Brian Bumann had a single and double in game two, with Goodman driving in two runs. In all, Kurth reached base eight times (four hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch) on the day.
Post 8, 2-2, will return to action Friday with a 5:30 p.m. twinbill vs. Sturgis Post 33.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Watertown 5, Pierre 1; Game 2 - Pierre 3, Watertown 2.

Legion splits opener with Post 22
(05.30.05) -- Pierre Post 8 began its 2005 season by splitting a Memorial Day twinbill with Rapid City Post 22 Monday afternoon at Hyde Stadium.
Post 8 rallied in the opener, scoring four runs in the fifth and holding off Post 22 for a 7-6 victory. Pierre trailed 5-3 heading into the inning, and loaded the bases with two out. Kyle Kurth singled home a run, and Michael Kendall did the same. Tony Rislov then provided the game-winning two-run single to left.
Post 22 loaded the bases with one out, but two groundouts to Kendall at short sealed the Pierre win. Brian Graves, who relieved Harry Decker in the fifth, was the winning pitcher. Kurth drew the final two groundouts for a save, the first of his Legion career. Kurth also did his share at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Chris Mangan added three hits of his own for Post 8.
In the nitecap, Post 22 shutout Pierre 7-0 to earn the split. Decker had two hits for Pierre, which had just six as a team. Allen Goodman was the losing pitcher, despite allowing just one run over four innings.
Post 8, 1-1 on the young season, will return to action Wednesday, hosting Watertown Post 17. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Hyde.
BOX SCORES: Game 1 - Pierre 7, RC Post 22 6; Game 2 - RC Post 22 7, Pierre 0.

Scoreboard
...SEASON RECORD...
40-22