Category Archives: Sports

Twelve runs in the 7^th inning propelled the Winner/Colome Legion baseball team to a 24-14 victory over Valentine, Neb., on July 11.

Four hits from Jackson Kinzer helped lead the way for the Royals. Kinzer singled in the first, homered in the third, doubled in the sixth and doubled in the seventh.

Both offenses were strong at the plate as Winner/Colome collected 21 hits and Valnetine 12 in the high scoring game.

The Royals took an early 4-1 lead but Valentine captured the lead in the second inning. Valentine scored four runs when Turner Tinant homered.

Winner/Colome took the lead for good in the fourth inning with three runs.

“I was happy with the way we bounced back against Valentine after blowing a late lead against Platte-Geddes,” said coach Drew Weber.

The Royals had lot of good hitters in the Valentine game. Riley Cahoon had 3 singles, 2 runs; Carter Brickman, 3 singles, 3 runs; Andrew Laprath, 2 doubles and 4 RBIs; Shea Connot, 2 singles and 2 RBIs; Ty Bolton, 2 singles and 2 runs and Chase Dufek, 2 singles, 2 runs and 2 RBIs

In pitching, Cale Meiners pitched four innings allowed 8 runs, 7 hits, 8 walks and 5 strickouts.

Levi McClanahan pitched two innings with 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts and Shea Connot pitched 1 inning with 4 runs, 2 hits, 3 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Winner/Colome fell to Platte-Geddes 10-9 on the final play of the game on July 10.

The game was tied at 9 with Platte batting in the bottom of the seventh when Seth Kirsch singled on the first pitch scoring one run.

The Royals had 6 hits and Platte 10.

Batting, Kinzer had 2 singles and 3 RBIs; Bolton, 2 singles and 2 runs scored and Calvin Ringing Shield an RBI double.

Brickman pitched five innings allowing 6 runs on 8 hits, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

Dufek pitched an 1 1/3 inning with 4 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks.

“We really struggled making tough plans for our pitchers against Platte and that doomed us as they had 9 in field hits,” said Weber. “I am really pleased with the way we have been hitting the ball lately, but we need to back that up with more consistent pitching and defense,” added the coach.

Winner Junior Legion baseball team played four games in Sioux Falls over the weekend.

In the first game on Saturday, Winner fell just short of the Renner Dukes 7-6.

Despite a six run deficit in the fourth inning, Winner almost came all the way back, getting nipped by just one point.

Winner scored five runs in the comeback on runs by Oscar Pravecek, Kameron Meiners, Tyler Olson and a double by Pravecek in the sixth.

Joren Bruun led things off on the hill for Winner. Phillip Jorgensen, Jacob Beckers and Bosten Morehart all contributed in relief.

Saturday afternoon, Winner shut out Brandon Valley 12-0.

Winner scores four runs each in the second, third and fourth innings.

Joren Bruun led Winner with two hits in three at bats. Other leading hitters were Colby Kaiser, 1-3, Phillip Jorgensen, 1-2, Oscar Pravecek, 1-3, Fred Whiting, 1-3, Jacob Beckers, 1-1.

Evan Farner was the winning pitcher.

Sunday morning Detroit Lakes, Minn., defeated Winner 5-3.

The Winner Junior Legion scored 2 runs in the third and one in the fifth.

Meiners led things off on the mound for Winner as he surrendered five runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Bruun and Whiting each had 2 hits for Winner.

In the last game of the tournament for Winner, they were defeated by Harrisburg 9-0.

The local junior legion team fell behind early and could not come back.

Whiting led the team at the plate as he was 3-3 with a double.

Pitching for Winner were Aaron Gilchrist, Bruun and Whiting.

The junior Legion will host Platte on Wednesday, July 18, with game starting at 6 p.m.

Funeral services for Joseph Belak, 84, Rapid City, formerly of Gregory, were held July 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory. There was a private burial.

Joseph was born on Feb. 21, 1934, in Gregory, South Dakota to Joseph and Frances (Chvala) Belak. He attended grade school and middle school at the St. Joseph’s Catholic School. He then attended Gregory High School.

Joe was a talented athlete in multiple sports during his high school years. He received many awards in both football and baseball, but baseball was his true calling.

In 1951, he led the Gregory American Legion team to a Class B State championship and was named the South Dakota American Legion baseball player of the year. He was being scouted by several professional baseball teams because of his outstanding performances.

With the rise of military action (and ultimately war), Joe knew that he would be one of the first to be drafted, so he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. His tour of duty included being an Infantry soldier and skilled Paratrooper which earned him the rank of Senior Jump Master. Some of his duties included the dangerous task of laying land mines and then also picking them up.

He was stationed at Camp Zama, Japan and joined the military baseball team. His performance caught the eye of other baseball scouts from the United States Olympic Team. In 1956, Joe flew to Melbourne, Australia to participate in the 1956 Olympics and helped his team win the Bronze Medal.

Another more tender life changing moment for Joe was meeting his future bride, Hisaka Kimoto, while stationed in Japan. After a whirlwind romance the couple married in Japan.

Upon completing his duty in Korea and Japan, he and Hisaka, along with their son, Joe Jr., returned to the United States. He returned to his home town and began his college career at Black Hills State University.

He returned to Gregory following his time at BHSU and he continued to play the sport of baseball which he loved; playing in the Basin League for the Winner Pheasants and also the Rapid City Chiefs until 1958. His participation in amateur baseball continued until 1978 and was honored in 1983 by being inducted into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. He continued to participate in the ‘old timers’ game’ during the annual 4th of July festivities until his health would not allow him to do so.

Joe attended both the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD and the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gregory. He was a member of the Burke VFW and the Gregory American Legion.

Joe was quiet man who spent countless hours serving others. He set aside his love for baseball and the future possibilities in the sport to answer the call to serve his country, family, and community. He spent many endless days and nights serving as a lineman to restore electricity to members of the surrounding areas. He was a skilled handyman and laborer and answered many calls to help with house repairs, yard work, etc. He made it a mission to visit those less fortunate in the nursing home and assist during feeding times. He loved to sit outside in the evenings and just be present in the glory of the sights and sounds of the outdoors.
Joe was very proud of each of his children, grandchildren and great-children. He and Hisaka loved their grandchildren and welcomed opportunities to care for them. Although Hisaka was not able to experience the birth (and lives) of the great-grandchildren, Joe was able to be present to share his love (and her spirit and love) for them. They will always be a part of their lives and will watch over them.

Joe was challenged by multiple health issues over the years and although he continued to decline in the most recent years, he continued to have a strong spirit, passion and drive for life. Joe passed away at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD on June 23, 2018 at the age of 84.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Hisaka, his mother, father, and grandparents, 7 brothers (Felix, Pete, Steve, Frank, Jim, Tony and John) and 3 sisters (Mary, Anna, and Agnes), their spouses, several nephews and nieces.

Survivors include:
Son: Joseph and wife Colleen (Rogge);
Daughters: Fran and husband Doug Sletten; Anna (Atteberry-Gustafson) and husband John Gustafson;
5 grandchildren: Jesse Atteberry and wife Ashley (Miklos), Brandon Atteberry, Jasmine (Atteberry) and husband Dan Thelen, Carly Sletten, and Garret Sletten.
4 great-grandchildren: Michael Joseph and Blair Elizabeth Atteberry, and Emma Violet and Harper Jo Thelen.
1 sister: Susan Connot
And a host of many relatives (nephews, nieces, cousins, etc.) and friends.

The Goochey team won the championship of the Budweiser, KWYR, Grossenburg, Jorgensen Farms and Pepsi golf tournament Saturday at Winner Country Club.

The team shot a 64. Members of the winning team were Amanda Murphy, Brett Swan, Cody Goochey and Mac Johnson.

Second place in the championship flight went to Bud 1 and third to Zeigler/Novonty.

Winner of the first flight were Williams/DeMers followed by Swan second and Grossenburg/Schramm, third.

Meiners were the winners of the second flight. Second went to Vaughn/Steele and third to Lovejoy/Nespor.

Winner Junior Teeners put up five runs in the fourth inning on its way to a 7-1 victory over Mt. Vernon-Plankinton Saturday in the regional tournament in Platte.

The offense was led by Owen Duffy, Adam Bohnet and Pierce Nelson, all driving in runs.

Mt. Vernon/Plankinton tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the third inning. Winner pulled away for good with five runs in the fourth inning. Duffy tripled on a 2-1 count scoring two runs. Bohnet doubled on a 2-2 count scoring two runs and Nelson singled on the first pitch, scoring one run.

Justin Hausmann was credited with the victory. He surrendered one run on eight hits, striking out four and walking one.

The Winner Teeners played Sunday in Platte and they lost 5-3 to Platte-Geddes.

Winner scored two runs in the third inning and one in the fifth.

Platte-Geddes scored two runs each in the fourth.

Ethan Bartels was on the pitcher’s mound for Winner and he pitched three and two-thirds innings. Pierce Nelson came in to pitch and pitched two and a third innings.

Leading hitters for Winner were Adam Bohnet who was 2-3, Nelson, 2-4, Aiden Barfuss, 1-3 with a double.

Winner Junior Teeners played at 7 p.m. on Monday in the double elimination tournament.

Winner Jr. Legion beat Gregory 8-2 in the 4th of July game at Gregory.

On offense Phillip Jorgensen went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s. Kameron Meiners went 2 for 2 with a walk an and RBI.
Joren Bruun started on the mound and pitched 6.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 7 batters. Meiners recorded the final two outs.

“This was a great game for our kids. The atmosphere was fun with all the 4th of July activities going on around the park. It was a big game for us, as we’ve split 2 games with them so far this year. It was a tight game all the way through until the 7th inning and then put up 5 runs to kind of put it out of reach. Joren really battled on the hill. He didn’t have his off-speed working, but he fought through it and challenged their hitters with his fastball,” said coach Kory Foss.
“We had some big hits in some key spots and capitalized on their mistakes in the 7th. It’s always nice to get a win against a solid team like Gregory.”

With the win the junior Legion record moves to 14-3.
Selby 4-Winner Junior Legon 2

The Winner Junior Legon lost to Selby 4-2 at home on Saturday, July 7.

Offensively Fred Whiting was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s. Colby Kaiser had 2 hits, while Joren Bruun, Oscar Pravecek, Phil Jorgensen, and Landon Thieman each added a hit.

Kameron Meiners started on the mound and pitched a complete game giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 7.

“We started quick with 2 runs in the 1st inning, but left a few more runs on the bases and then struggled at the plate from there. Selby’s pitcher was very good, and we had a hard time making contact most of the day,” said coach Kory Foss.
“Our defense played well and Kameron threw a great game, so even with our difficulties at the plate we still led the entire game. We were up 2-1 with 2 outs in the 7th inning and Selby just strung together some big hits. They had a 2-on-2-out triple that gave them the lead and we couldn’t answer in the bottom of the 7th.
“It’s a tough game to lose when you lead the entire way, and it’s a difficult loss for Kameron to take because I think he really did a nice job on the hill. But that’s baseball, and you have to take these games and learn what you can from them so that the next time you’re in a similar situation you come out on the right end,” said Foss

After the loss Winner’s record is 14-4.

Winner Junior Teeners fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 14-2 loss to Gregory on the Fourth of July in Gregory.

Gregory scored five runs in the first inning and added seven more in the third inning.

Winner had runs in the second and third innings.

Pierce Nelson was on the hill for Winner as he pitched two and a third innings allowing 12 hits and ten runs while striking out 2. Coy Brickman threw two-thirds of an inning in relief.

Nelson, Aiden Barfuss and Ashton Klein had one hit for Winner.

Winner/Colome Legion grabbed an early lead on its way to a 5-2 victory over Valentine, Neb., on Thursday in Winner. This was a make-up game with the Badgers.

The Royals scored on a triple by Levi McClanahan, a single by Chase Dufek and a ground out by Calvin Ringing Shield.

After Valentine scored one run in the top of the fifth, Winner/Colome answered with one run of their own. The Royals scored when Riley Calhoon singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run.

McClanahan got the win for the Royals. He went four and two-thirds innings allowing two runs on three hits and striking out nine.

Dufek threw two and a third innings in relief.

McClanahan led Winner/Colome with two hits at three at bats.

Winner/Colome in Garretson

Winner/Colome Legion baseball team split a doubleheader Sunday in Garretson.

In the first game, the Royals fell short as they lost 6-5 to Garretson and then defeated Vermillion 11-1.

In the game with Garretson, Levi McClanahan hit a two run home run in the seventh inning. Jackson Kinzer and Ty Bolton each drove in runs. Riley Calhoon and Bolton led Winner/Colome with 2 hits each.

Kinzer pitched for the Royals. He struck out six batters.

In the second game with Vermillion, Winner/Colome scored eight runs in the first two innings.

McClanahan had a home run, Bolton, a triple and Calhoon and Calvin Ringing Shield, double.

Bolton was the winning pitcher.

The Royals had 14 hits and players with multiple hits were Calhoon, Carter Brickman, Bolton, Kinzer and Cale Meiners.

Winner/Colome is at Valentine on July 11, at Wagner on July 14 and are at home for a 6:30 p.m. game Sunday with Gregory County.

Winner/Colome amateurs were powered by Zach Harter’s three run home run on their way to a 5-2 victory over Wagner Sunday.

J. J. Farner fanned nine batters in his six innings on the mound for Winner/Colome.

Kelly O’Bryan and Reed Harter both had two hits.

The Pheasants host Corsica/Stickney in Winner on Thursday.

Winner/Colome amateur baseball team defeated Parkston 6-5 Sunday afternoon at Leahy Bowl in Winner.

The Pheasants out-hit Parkston 14-9 in the Sunshine League game.

Winner/Colome had seven players record a hit with Drew DeMers and Derek Graesser each finishing with three. Dillon Lambley Connor Hopkins and Tarrell Bauld knocked in two runs. Zach Harter hit a two run double, Geno Katz added an RBI single.

Kelly O’Bryan earned the win. He gave up nine hits, five runs, and struck out 4 batters in seven innings.

Winner/Colome is 14-2 overall and 10-2 in the Sunshine League. The Pheasants play at Wagner on July 8.

Winner/Colome amateur baseball team defeated Platte 3-0 on Thursday.

Derek Graesser had a team high three hits while Dillon Lambley and Zach Harter each recorded two hits. J. J. Farner struck out 12 during the shutout.