Broncos use six-run second to get offense rolling and beat Platte

SIOUX FALLS — Hayden Kuiper got a groundout from Brian Miller and struck out Mitch McNary to start what seemed to be a harmless bottom of the second inning for Madison Friday night.

But things didn’t work out that way for Kuiper, Platte’s starting pitcher.

A pair of singles from Nick Recor and Nick Bird began the two-out rally. A hit-by-pitch, two walks, an error and a three-run double by Greg Biagi ended it.

When the merry-go-round was over, Madison scored six two-out runs and had a firm grip on the quarterfinal at the Class B state amateur baseball tournament. The Broncos went on to beat the Killer Tomatoes 11-1 in seven innings at Sioux Falls Stadium to secure their spot in today’s semifinals.

“We got down, and we’d been playing the other way around throughout the tournament because we’d been scoring first all the time,” Platte coach Todd Strand said. “Then, we couldn’t get our bats going. We hit the ball hard, but we just hit it right at them.”

Kuiper lasted 2.1 innings. He allowed five earned runs on six hits and struck out a pair. He was relieved by Myles Kuiper, who threw the final 3.2 innings and allowed four earned runs on six hits.

Myles Kuiper drove to Sioux Falls from Chicago for Friday’s game after missing the Killer Tomatoes’ second-round win over Miller-Wessington, as he is taking classes in physical therapy during the week. He flew back from Chicago to Sioux Falls last weekend for to play in Platte’s opening-round win over Irene.

“He’s a high-caliber player and he’s obviously dedicated,” Strand said of Myles Kuiper. “He’s worth the wait when he comes back, that’s for sure.”

Platte managed four hits in the game off Madison starter Chris Brozik, who struck out four and walked three in seven innings. The Killer Tomatoes’ lone run came on a fourth-inning solo home run over the left-field wall by center fielder Ryan Kott.

For Madison offensively, Nick Bird had three hits and Greg Biagi, Mitch McNary and Nick Recor each had two hits.

Platte was the second-to-last Sunshine League team in the Class B state tournament.

It was one of three Sunshine League teams to make the quarterfinals. Now, only Dimock-Emery remains after the Parkston Mudcats were eliminated late Thursday night.

adison faces Crofton in today’s second semifinal game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Tags: our towns, amateur baseball, sports, platte, baseball