Canova Downs PBR for State Title

Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009

For the first time in 30 years, the Canova Gang is South Dakota State Amateur Baseball champions. The Gang completed their title run with an 11-7 triumph over Dell Rapids PBR yesterday at Cadwell Park in Mitchell.

Canova started its scoring run as Thomas Gulledge scored on a sacrifice fly by Jared Hegdahl in the second inning. The Gang then piled on five runs in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. Canova manager Dave Gassman says that inning was key for putting momentum in the Gang's favor.

The Gang would tack on two more runs in the seventh inning, only to have Dells cut the lead in the bottom of the inning 8-4. Canova tacked on insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings then held off a late PBR rally in the ninth to claim its first state title since 1979.

Thomas Gulledge led the way at the plate for Canova. The Salem pick-up player was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Jason Miller added a pair of doubles, while Garrett Gassman, Grant Olson, Nick Koepsell and Curt Carlson had 2-hit afternoons. Jared Donohue picked up the win to earn MVP honors while Lincoln Gassman pitched the save.

PBR had 10 hits in the loss, led by Jay Bentz with a 3-for-4 afternoon. But Bentz says four errors by the Dell Rapids defense didn't help matters much.

Bruce Mogen took the loss for Dells PBR with Landon Klock throwing in relief.