Rapid City, SD – The first full day of the 51’s Firecracker Tournament got underway Wednesday at Fitzgerald Stadium with a special tribute before the first pitch. Members of those who have served the United States during a Bell of Remembrance ceremony. Players, coaches, umpires, and fans stood together for a moment of silence, recognizing the sacrifices made by the nation’s veterans and active service members before baseball took center stage.

Following the ceremony, the Post 22 Hardhats faced Napoleon River Bandits Post 300 in tournament action. The Hardhats used timely hitting and a strong middle inning to earn a 7-4 victory in front of the home crowd.

Both teams were held scoreless in the opening inning as pitchers settled into the game early. The River Bandits broke through first in the top of the second inning, scoring one run to take a 1-0 lead.

Post 22 responded in a big way during the bottom of the third inning. The Hardhats collected several key hits and plated three runs to move in front 3-1. The rally gave the home team momentum, and the dugout came alive as teammates celebrated each run crossing the plate.

The Hardhats continued to build on their lead in the fourth inning, adding two more runs while holding Napoleon scoreless. That extended the advantage to 5-1 heading into the fifth inning.

Napoleon refused to go away quietly. The River Bandits scored two runs in the top of the fifth to cut into the deficit, but the Hardhats answered with another run in the bottom half of the inning to maintain control at 6-3.

Both teams scored once in the sixth inning, bringing the score to 7-4. Post 22’s defense closed the door in the seventh, holding Napoleon scoreless to secure the tournament victory.

The Hardhats’ offense was highlighted by several extra-base hits throughout the game. #9 Hudson Olgle drove a ball into the outfield for a triple, putting himself in scoring position and helping spark the offense. #2 Kain McLeod followed with another triple, giving the Hardhats another big offensive boost. Later in the game, #10 Aiden Roberts added a double, continuing the team’s strong performance at the plate and creating another scoring opportunity.

Those timely hits helped Post 22 capitalize on scoring chances and build the lead they needed to stay ahead throughout the afternoon.

While the offense provided excitement, the Hardhats also played solid baseball defensively, making the routine plays and limiting Napoleon’s opportunities late in the game. Every inning featured strong effort from both teams as they battled through the opening day of tournament play.

The Firecracker Tournament annually brings together talented American Legion teams from across the region, and Wednesday’s matchup showcased competitive baseball from the first pitch to the final out. The combination of the patriotic pregame ceremony and an exciting game made for a memorable start to the tournament at Fitzgerald Stadium.

With the 7-4 win, the Post 22 Hardhats opened the first full day of the 51’s Firecracker Tournament on a high note. Strong hitting, timely scoring, and solid defense helped them earn an important early tournament victory, while the Bell of Remembrance ceremony served as a meaningful reminder of the service and sacrifices of those who have defended our country.