Krogman pitches Bandits to state tourney opening win

RAPID CITY — Nolan Krogman continued his dominant run on the mound for the Brookings Bandits, tossing a one-hit shutout over seven innings to send Post 74 into the second day of the tournament in the winner's bracket.

Krogman struck out nine Brandon Valley batters in the 3-0 win. He allowed one infield single while hitting four batters.

Brookings manager Carter Roach said the outstanding outing was exactly what the Bandits expected from Krogman.

"When the pairings came out, I said to the other coaches, this is perfect for us," Roach said. "Brandon hasn't seen Nolan this year, and with the way he's throwing, that's what he's been doing for us all year."

Brookings had chances to bust the game open in the first two innings as the first two Brandon pitchers struggled with command, but they managed just a pair of runs.

In the second, the first five Bandits reached on a single, three walks and a fielder's choice. But thanks to a caught stealing and a groundout, Brookings did not score in the frame.

In the third, Post 74 got a single, a walk, and two hit by pitches to finally break through, but a forceout at home and a double play grounder ended the threat.

"We kept telling the kids to put the pressure on them, but you could tell they were trying to do a little too much at the plate, and that can happen in this kind of situation," Roach said.

That made the difference in Roach ultimately deciding to keep Krogman on the mound for the duration of the game. The rising junior had 77 pitches through 6 innings, and had he come out at that point, would have been eligible to pitch again on Saturday.

"It's a tough call, but in a 3-0 game, we had to let him finish what he started  — which is kind of how he's been all year," Roach said. "If it was 6-0, it's probably a different story, but you gotta get that first win."

Jude Meendering, Baker Hanson, Noah Lease, Tre Christopherson and Jase Bauer each had one hit for the Bandits. 

Meendering, Lease and Bauer drove in the runs for Post 74.

Brookings will now face the winner of host Rapid City Post 22 and Watertown in the final game Wednesday night from Fitzgerald stadium in Rapid City.

"We are going to check out that game tonight, and then the coaches and I will make a decision on who pitches tomorrow," Roach said. 

Rapid City Post 22 will be the favorite in their matchup with Watertown, especially after the state cleared standout Wyatt Reeder to play. Reeder, who spent most of the summer playing in a collegiate wooden bat league, joined 22 for the final four games of the regular season and the state tournament.

Reeder will play college ball for Nebraska in a couple weeks.

"I am excited for the kids to get to experience this — we'll be in the winner's bracket, playing the night game at Fitzgerald Stadium," Roach said. "That will be the biggest crowd and best atmosphere most of these kids have ever had a chance to play in."

"I'm just really proud of our kids right now," Roach said. "And Nolan was just nails. We made a couple plays behind him, but mostly we got on his back, so hats off to that kid. That has to be one of the best outings a Brookings pitcher has ever had at the Legion tournament."

Brookings plays tomorrow at 8 p.m. CDT, with the game available on the HardhatsTV channel on YouTube.

Linehan is the Beacon's managing editor and welcomes story tips and comments at BrookingsBeacon@gmail.com