Titans fall short in Region baseball doubleheader against SF Lincoln

The Tea Area High School Titans’ postseason hopes came to an early end last week after suffering back-to-back losses in the Region baseball tournament held at Augustana University, Thursday, May 15, falling 0-2 and 0-10 to the Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots at Augustana University.

In Thursday’s opener, a tight pitching duel defined the early innings. Tea’s Brady Prussman held the Patriots scoreless through the first, striking out the side in the second. But Lincoln managed to break through in the bottom of the second thanks to a passed ball that allowed Jude Timat to score and give the Patriots a 1-0 lead.

Despite several promising moments, the Titans were unable to generate offense against Lincoln’s Connor  Gray, who recorded 11 strikeouts. Tea Area’s best chance came in the third inning with back-to-back singles by Tyson Gilbert and Ben Vasecka, but the rally fizzled out with a flyout.

Lincoln added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly, making it 2-0. In the seventh, Tea put runners on the corners after Gilbert singled and Zach Pies was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout ended the game.

Recording two hits for the Titans were Gilbert and Vasecka. Prussman pitched all six innings, allowing three hits, two runs and recording seven strike-outs. 

The Patriots showed no mercy in Thursday evening’s rematch, closing the door on the Titans with a dominant 10-0 performance.

SF Lincoln’s offense came alive early and often, while their defense and pitching shut down any potential momentum from the Titans. By the top of the seventh, Tea Area trailed by double digits and couldn’t string together a rally, grounding out and flying out to end the game and their season.

Tea’s lone offensive highlight came in the final frame when Jake Lingren was hit by a pitch and Jonothan Schlunsen drew a walk, but Lincoln’s defense snuffed out any scoring chance with a fielder’s choice and two quick outs.

Landyn Johnson recorded two hits and Vasecka and Prussman each had one for the Titans. Cole McKinney pitched five innings, allowing eight hits, seven runs and recorded three strike-outs. Lingren also pitched one inning and allowed two hits, one run and one strike-out. Pies pitched one inning, allowing one hit, two runs and one strike-out. 

Above: 2025 Seniors