Rapid City, SD – The Post 22 Hardhats 2025 had a stellar Friday at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium, securing two hard-fought victories against the Laramie Rangers AA 18U and the Pierre Legion Post 8 2025. The Hardhats showcased both dominant pitching and late-game heroics to sweep their doubleheader.
Game 1: Post 22 Shuts Out Laramie Rangers 5-0
In their opening game, Post 22 delivered a masterful performance against the Laramie Rangers AA 18U, earning a decisive 5-0 shutout victory. The Hardhats got on the board early in the bottom of the first, with Kain McLeod singling down the left field line and Jace Morgan hitting a sacrifice fly, each driving in a run. Aiden Roberts then extended the lead to 4-0 in the second with a timely double.
The star of the show for Post 22 was pitcher Ryan Neugebauer, who completely stifled the Laramie offense. Neugebauer pitched a complete game, surrendering just three hits and striking out seven while walking none. His dominant outing earned him the win.
Offensively, Kain McLeod led the Hardhats with two hits in three at-bats, while Roberts and McLeod each contributed two RBIs. The Post 22 defense was also sharp, turning one double play.
Laramie’s offense struggled to get going, with Sam Hoyt, Trace Looney, and Ben Malone each collecting a single hit. Larsen Wesnitzer took the loss for Laramie, allowing five runs on five hits over five and two-thirds innings.
Head coach Kelvin Tore praised Neugebauer’s performance, stating, “Just a dominating performance by Ryan… To get deeper into the playoffs, we’re going to need to figure things out at the plate.”
Game 2: Walk-Off Single Seals 3-2 Victory Over Pierre Post 8
The second game of the day proved to be a much tighter affair, with Post 22 ultimately prevailing in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 walk-off victory over Pierre Legion Post 8 2025 in extra innings.
Pierre Legion Post 8 opened the scoring in the top of the second with two singles, including an RBI single by Cooper Terwilliger. Post 22 quickly responded in the bottom of the second, tying the game at two runs apiece due to an error and a ground out by Dexter Steen.
From there, it was a pitching duel. Declan Mickley started for Post 22, giving up six hits and two runs over four innings. Luke Hanzlik then came on in relief and earned the win, allowing only two hits and no runs over four innings while striking out three.
The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the eighth inning. With the score tied at two, freshman Blayn Hunt stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch walk-off single, scoring one run and securing the dramatic 3-2 victory for the Hardhats.
“Blaine Hunt, who’s a freshman, got the walk off single in the in the eighth inning. We had to go extra innings to win that one,” commented Coach Tore after the game.
Offensively for Post 22, Hunt, Brody Thompson, Lars Kieffer, Wyatt Reeder, Steen, and Aiden Roberts each collected a hit. Hunt and Steen were credited with an RBI each. The Hardhats also showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks.
Pierre’s offense was led by Dawson Getz and Cooper Terwilliger, who each had two hits. Ridge Leimbach delivered a strong start for Pierre, allowing five hits and two runs (zero earned) over six and two-thirds innings.
Post 22 Hardhats 2025 will look to continue their winning ways when they play at home on Saturday against RM Oysters Black 18O.
