Seven RBIs and a homer from Sam Arend powered Dimock/Emery past Hartford/Humboldt in state amateur tourney

Branden Hull, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Aug. 6—MITCHELL — A home run, a triple and a seven-RBI night from Sam Arend helped power Dimock/Emery past Hartford/Humboldt 13-0 in the first-round of the 2022 Class B state amateur baseball tournament Friday night at Cadwell Park.

In a game that only required seven innings, the Raptors put up four runs in the fourth inning and six runs in the fifth inning to end the Gamecocks' night earlier than expected. Dimock/Emery ended the game with 14 hits, at least one coming from nine separate batters, but shortstop Drew Kitchens said the turning point was Arend's big hit in the fourth inning.

"Phil (Johnson) went out there and just shoved today and our bats were pretty hot, but Sam's (Arend) home run really tipped the game," Kitchens said. "Then his triple off the wall made it even better."

With a one score lead headed into the fourth inning, it still felt like either team's game, until Arend's back-to-back appearances at the plate made the difference. After a single by Sam Pischke and another by Drew Kitchens, Dimock/Emery had two on base with Sam Michels at the plate. Michels hit a ground ball that managed to allow him to reach first base and help Pischke get home, leaving two batters on with Arend making his way up to bat. With a 2-1 count at the plate, Arend recorded his third home run of the season with a shot to left field, extending the Raptors lead to five.

In the fifth with bases loaded, Arend hit a triple to center field that just narrowly went over a Hartford/Humboldt outfielder, bringing home all three base runners and extending the lead to eight. Later that inning Caleb Crist and Peyton Nash each had a single of their own that helped score two more runs. Dimock/Emery capitalized on two errors from the Gamecocks that led to two more runs, which all eventually led to their first-round win.

"It all came together perfectly," Arend said. "Phil (Johnson) pitched a great game and it starts with that. We put together runs behind him, stayed composed as a team at the plate and it was just a good first round win."

Outside of Arend's two big hits, Nash went 3-for-5 at the plate and both Gene Kitchens and Jason Schmidt had two hits apiece. Michels chipped in as well by driving in two runs. Phil Johnson had a strong outing at the mound, striking out nine and allowing four hits in seven innings pitched.

In the loss for Hartford/Humboldt, Broc Haldeman went 2-for-3 from the plate while Cam Quigley and Chad Morrison had one hit each. Brandon McKnight took the loss at the mound, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Drew Maras surrendered four earned runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings while Micah Warrington gave up two hits in one inning pitched. The Gamecocks season comes to an end, as they finish the year with a 19-7 record.

Dimock/Emery advances to play Salem in the round of 16, which takes place Tuesday, August 9 at 5:30 p.m.