The rivalry between Brandon Valley and Lincoln high schools added another thrilling chapter this week, as the two South Dakota prep baseball powerhouses split a highly anticipated doubleheader. Fans packed the bleachers for both contests, with momentum swinging wildly across the two games.
For those unfamiliar, Brandon Valley and Lincoln have built one of the state’s most competitive baseball rivalries in recent years, with both programs consistently ranked in the top 10 of the Class AA standings. This doubleheader was no exception, delivering two tight, hard-fought games.
Game 1: Lincoln Claims 3-2 Pitcher’s Duel
The first game of the doubleheader lived up to the hype as a defensive showcase, with both teams’ starting pitchers throwing six strong innings. Lincoln’s ace struck out eight Brandon Valley batters, while Brandon Valley’s starter allowed just two earned runs on five hits.
Lincoln jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of walks and an RBI single. Brandon Valley answered with two runs in the fourth, tying the game on a sacrifice fly and an infield single.
The go-ahead run came in the top of the seventh, as Lincoln’s leadoff hitter doubled and scored on a two-out single to center field. Lincoln’s closer retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to seal the 3-2 win.
Key Game 1 Performances
- Lincoln’s starting pitcher: 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 K, 5 H
- Brandon Valley’s first baseman: 2-for-3 with 2 RBI
- Lincoln’s right fielder: 1-for-4 with the game-winning RBI
Game 2: Brandon Valley Rallies for 5-3 Win
Brandon Valley came out swinging in the second game, looking to even the series after the narrow Game 1 loss. They jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first two innings, powered by a two-run home run from their cleanup hitter.
Lincoln didn’t go down quietly, scoring three runs in the fourth inning to tie the game. A pair of singles and a double chased Brandon Valley’s starter, but the bullpen stepped up to strand two runners in scoring position.
The decisive run came in the bottom of the sixth, as Brandon Valley loaded the bases with one out and scored on a wild pitch. They added an insurance run in the seventh, and the bullpen closed out the 5-3 win to split the doubleheader.
Key Game 2 Performances
- Brandon Valley’s cleanup hitter: 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, 1 HR
- Lincoln’s shortstop: 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored
- Brandon Valley’s reliever: 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 K
What the Split Means for Both Teams
The split leaves both teams tied for second place in the Eastern South Dakota Conference standings, just one game behind the league leader. For Brandon Valley, the bounce-back win in Game 2 solidifies their status as a top playoff contender after a slow start to the season.
Lincoln, meanwhile, proved they can compete with the state’s best even when their offense sputters. Their pitching staff has now allowed three or fewer runs in seven of their last eight games, a promising sign for the upcoming postseason.
Upcoming Schedule
Both teams return to action next week with non-conference matchups:
- Brandon Valley: Tuesday vs. Roosevelt, Thursday vs. Washington
- Lincoln: Monday vs. O’Gorman, Wednesday vs. Stevens
Final Takeaway
The Brandon Valley-Lincoln baseball doubleheader delivered exactly what fans expected: two competitive, well-played games between two evenly matched teams. Neither program will have an easy path to the state tournament, but both proved this week they have the talent to make a deep postseason run.
Did you catch either game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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