LOCAL SPORTS 7-26-23

Yesterday was the opening day of the 2023 American Legion Baseball State tournament, in Yankton and the hosts, Yankton Post 12, ended day one with a 7 to 1 victory over Renner Post 307.

            Drew Ryken got the win on the mound, as he pitched 6 complete innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run. Rugby Ryken tallied a pair of runs and went 2 for 3 at the plate, while Cody Oswald led the team in RBI with two.

            Yankton will play again today at 7:30 PM against the #2 seeded Harrisburg Gold. Pregame coverage on KYNT and KYNTV will begin at 7:00.

2023 Legion Baseball State Tournament Results (Day 1):

  • #1 Sioux Falls East defeated #8 Harrisburg Maroon 7 to 2.
  • #2 Harrisburg Gold defeated #7 Aberdeen 6 to 2.
  • #3 Yankton defeated #6 Renner 7 to 1.
  • #4 Brookings defeated #5 Rapid City Post 22 on a walk-off single by Zach Struck.

2023 Legion Baseball State Tournament Schedule (Day 2):

  • #5 Rapid City Post 22 vs #8 Harrisburg Maroon at 10:00 AM, pregame at 9:30.
  • #6 Renner Post 307 vs #7 Aberdeen at 12:30 PM, pregame at  noon.
  • #1 Sioux Falls East Post 15 vs #4 Brookings Post 74 at 5:00, pregame at 4:30.
  • #2 Harrisburg Gold vs #3 Yankton Post 12 at 7:30 PM, pregame at 7:00.

            The Junior Legion Baseball State Tournament begins tomorrow in Harrisburg, and Yankton’s Junior Legion team will play in the “Stripes” group during pool play. Yankton is joined in their group by Rapid City Post 22, Sioux Falls Post 15 East, and Brookings Post 74.

            Yankton is guaranteed three games against the other teams in their group, with the top-2 teams in each pool advancing to a single elimination bracket on Sunday. Rounding out the eight team field in the “Stars” pool are Watertown Post 17, Renner Post 307, Brandon Valley Post 131, and Harrisburg Gold Post 45.

            Yankton will open their tournament tomorrow with a game against Brookings at 2:30 PM.

The Great Plains Athletic Conference announced their six nominees for four NAIA National Awards yesterday afternoon. The four awards in question are, the A.O. Duer Award, the Emil S. Liston Award, the Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award and the NAIA Coach of Character Award.

Ady Dwight of Dakota Wesleyan and Peter Shippy of Dordt were nominated for the A.O. Duer Award. Molly Schany of Northwestern and Jackson Louscher of Dordt were nominated for the Emil S. Liston Award. Davis Tebben of Dordt was nominated for the Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award. Lastly, Dakota Wesleyan Women’s Volleyball Coach Lindsay Wilber was nominated for the NAIA Coach of Character Award

The winners of each award will be announced during the 2023 NAIA Awards Day in September.