RAPID CITY, SD –The Post 22 Hardhats came away with an exciting 5-4 victory over West Fargo Thursday night at Fitzgerald Stadium, holding off a late comeback to earn another hard-fought win in front of the home crowd.
The game started just the way the Hardhats hoped. In the bottom of the first inning, #13 Brixton Steen delivered a clutch hit that brought two runners home, giving Post 22 an early 2-0 lead and setting the tone for the rest of the night. Those two runs would prove to be important as the game turned into a close battle during the later innings.
Neither team scored in the second or third innings as both defenses settled in. Pitchers on both sides worked quickly, and the fielders made several routine plays to keep runners from reaching home.
West Fargo finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning, pushing across two runs to even the game at 2-2. The visitors collected timely hits to put pressure on the Hardhats, but Post 22 stayed composed and prevented the inning from becoming any bigger.
After the fourth inning, both teams were held scoreless again in the fifth as strong pitching and solid defensive plays kept the game tied. Every pitch seemed to matter as both teams looked for the big hit that could change the outcome.
That moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Hardhats put together their best offensive inning since the first, scoring three runs to reclaim the lead. With runners on base, Post 22 stayed patient at the plate and took advantage of scoring opportunities, giving themselves a 5-2 advantage heading into the final inning.
West Fargo wasn’t ready to quit. In the top of the seventh, they mounted one last rally, scoring two runs to cut the lead to just one. With the tying run threatening, the pressure was on the Hardhats’ defense.
Post 22 answered the challenge. The defense stayed focused, made the plays when they counted most, and recorded the final outs to secure the 5-4 victory.
According to the final box score, the Hardhats finished with five runs on five hits and committed no errors, while West Fargo scored four runs on eight hits with one error. Although West Fargo collected more hits, Post 22 made the most of its scoring chances and played clean baseball in the field.
The biggest offensive moment belonged to #13 Brixton Steen, whose two-run hit in the first inning gave the Hardhats the early momentum. The three-run sixth inning also proved to be the difference, allowing Post 22 to withstand West Fargo’s late push.
It was an exciting game from the opening inning to the final out, with momentum swinging back and forth before the Hardhats came out on top. Strong defense, timely hitting, and staying composed under pressure helped Post 22 earn another impressive victory as they continue their summer season.
