Titans drop doubleheader to Watertown

The Tea Area High School baseball team faced a tough test Thursday, April 16, falling in both games of a doubleheader against Watertown. The Titans dropped the opener 10-0 before coming up short in a more competitive 6-4 loss in game two.

In the first game, Tea Area struggled to generate offense against Watertown’s pitcher, managing just one hit in the contest. Avery Hangman recorded the Titans’ lone hit with a single in the second inning, but Tea Area was unable to advance him further.

Watertown struck early, plating two runs in the first inning on back-to-back doubles. The Arrows added another run in the second to extend their lead to 3-0.

The game broke open in the fifth inning when Watertown erupted for seven runs. A combination of timely hitting and a Tea Area error fueled the rally, highlighted by a three-run home run that capped the scoring and secured the 10-0 victory.

On the mound for Tea Area was Ethan Knettel who recorded two strike-outs. 

In the second game, the Titans came out with more energy and took an early lead. Tyson Gilbert led off with a single and later scored on a passed ball to give Tea Area a 1-0 advantage in the first inning.

After Watertown tied the game in the bottom of the inning, Tea Area responded in the second. Easton Foudray scored on a sacrifice fly by Blake Gabbert, and Ethan Knettel followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 3-1.

Watertown answered in the bottom of the second with a two-run double, giving the Arrows a 4-3 lead. The Titans were able to even the score in the third inning when Gilbert drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run, tying the game at 4-4.

The game remained tight until the bottom of the third, when Watertown regained the lead on a wild pitch to go up 5-4. The Arrows added an insurance run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 6-4.

Tea Area had opportunities late but was unable to capitalize, as Watertown’s pitching held the Titans scoreless over the final innings to secure the sweep.

Gilbert led the Titans offensively in game two, reaching base multiple times and scoring twice, while Knettel added an RBI hit. Foudray also contributed, reaching base and scoring a run. Hangman and Zach Pies handled pitching duties with Hangman recorded one strike-out and Pies four. 

The Titans will travel to Brandon Valley on Thursday, April 23 and will be at home on Saturday, April 25 against Spearfish and Sunday, April 26 against Rapid City Stevens and Sioux Falls Christian.