Firechiefs Shut Out Estelline and Defeat Lake Norden in 12-Inning Thriller

The Milbank Firechiefs are looking sharp this season. On Wednesday, June 11, the first South Dakota Amateur Baseball poll of the season put Milbank in fourth place. They have earned that spot. On Sunday, June 8, in Lake Norden. The Chiefs staged a gutsy comeback to defeat the Lake Norden Lakers 8-7 in 12 innings.

The Lakers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning and extended their lead to 6-2 by the end of the third. Lake Norden’s early advantage put pressure on the Firechiefs, but Milbank rose to the challenge. They chipped away at the plate to put up two runs apiece in the third, fourth, and sixth innings. Their steady production of points tied the score at six at the end of six– where it remained until the 10th. Milbank took the lead in the 10th when Kaden Krause scored on a double by Merik Junker. The Lakers, still alive, answered with a run to stay in the game. Both teams put up a goose egg in the 11th. The Firechiefs finally clinched the win in the 12th with a big single by Junker – his fifth of the day–  to bring  Brady Femling home. Milbank pushed ahead 8-7 and the  Lakers could not reply. Milbank iced the victory.

Led by Junker, the Firechiefs pounded out 14 hits. Junker tallied six total bases, including a double. Junker also reached base after being hit by a pitch. Dom Boerger and Taylor Boerger combined for five total bases and five RBIs. Brady Krause, K. Krause, Mitch Quade, and Tyler Krause each chipped in one hit apiece.

Strong pitching from the Firechiefs set the pace. T. Boerger started and threw 6.1 innings. He gave up six runs (none earned) on six hits and struck out eight. D. Boerger went lights-out in relief to earn the win. He tossed 5.2 innings with 12 strikeouts. D. Boerger allowed just one hit and gave up no runs. Milbank struck out 20 Lakers and walked just five. The Chiefs also proved they could show patience at the plate. They drew nine walks. 

Estelline Game
Milbank 15 vs. Estelline 0

The Firechiefs blew by Estelline in a 15-0 rout on June 4 at the new Legion Field in Milbank. Kaden Krause got the first score and Mitch Quade singled to bring home Brady Krause to record two runs in the first inning for the Chiefs. 

Milbank added four more ticks when Kellen Hoeke, K. Krause, Merik Junker, and B. Krause all crossed the plate to put Milbank up by six. The fourth inning kept the Chiefs busy moving. They racked up eight more runs to bring the score to 15-0 and the game to an early end. Taylor Boerger advanced home on a wild pitch. Wade Davis took advantage of a passed ball, Jake Fox got help from a double by K. Krause, B. Krause sent Kellen Hoeke home, K. Krause made it home on a single by Quade, D. Boerger came home courtesy of Junker, B. Krause scored on an error, and Davis ripped a sacrifice fly to get Quade home. Quade did his job on cleanup and scored Hoeke again to bring the final total to 15-0 after four.

K. Krause got the win on the mound after five. He struck out eight batters and walked three. He posted zero errors and surrendered no hits and no runs.

The first South Dakota Amateur Baseball poll of the season released on Wednesday, June 11, puts Milbank in fourth place in Class B:

Class B — 1.) Dell Rapids PBR  2.) Canova Gang  3.) Dell Rapids Mudcats 4) Milbank Firechiefs  5.) Winner-Colome Pheasants   6.)  Humboldt-Hartford Gamecocks  7.) Redfield Dairy Queen  8.) Tabor Bluebirds  9.)  Platte Killer Tomatoes 10.) Castlewood Ravens. Also receiving votes- Larchwood Diamonds (Iowa), Mount Vernon Mustangs, and Alexandria Angels.

See the Chiefs back in action on Sunday, June 15, in Castlewood. Treat Dad to a ballgame on Father’s Day!