Titan baseball team drops pair to Pierre in doubleheader

The Tea Area High School baseball team opened its doubleheader against T.F. Riggs High School on Sunday, March 29, falling 16-3 in the first game and 10-4 in the second.

In the opener, Tea Area matched Pierre early before the Governors broke the game open late.

Pierre struck first in the third inning, capitalizing on walks, bunts and Tea Area miscues to build a 3-0 advantage. Tea responded in the bottom of the fourth when Landyn Johnson singled, Nate Hall reached on a bunt single, and Ethan Knettel delivered an RBI single to left field to score Johnson. Zach Rieland followed with another RBI single, and the Titans tied the game at 3-3 when Knettel scored during a steal of home.

Tea’s momentum was short-lived, however, as Pierre answered in the fifth inning. The Governors pushed across two runs on a single to regain the lead at 5-3, then continued to add on with a four-run sixth inning and a seven-run seventh inning.

Tea Area’s offense finished with hits from Johnson, Hall, Knettel, Avery Hangman and Rieland.

Hangman started on the mound for Tea Area and recorded several strikeouts early, with Landen Madsen, Kaden Christian and Reece Christian also seeing pitching time later in the game.

In the second game, Tea Area again battled back after an early deficit but could not overcome Pierre’s consistent offense in a 10-4 loss.

Pierre took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, but the Titans answered in the bottom of the third. Brayden Gniffke opened the frame with a bunt single, Tyson Gilbert drew a walk, and Hall singled to center to score Gniffke.  Knettel added another RBI single, and Tea later scored twice on wild pitches to trim the deficit to 5-4.

Pierre responded immediately in the fourth inning with four runs to regain control as the Governors extended the lead to 9-4.

Tea Area had opportunities late, including singles from Zach Pies and Hall, but the Pierre pitcher closed out the game with key strikeouts over the final innings.

Hall, Knettel and Pies each collected hits in the second game. Knettel started on the mound for Tea Area, striking out two batters before Pies took over in relief, striking out six. 

The Titans were scheduled to host Brookings on Wednesday, Apr. 8 and will be home on Friday, Apr. 10 when they host Rapid City Central in double-header action. Game times are set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.